nonprofit insights: linkedin board connect (and other tech tools for building the best board for...

December 12, 2012

LinkedIn’s New Board Connect (and Other Tech Tools for Building the Best Board for your Org)

#vmlearn

Who are we?

Alice Korngold

PresidentKorngold Consulting, [email protected]@alicekorngold

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Eventbrite.com/npo

Bryan Breckenridge

Nonprofit Success EnablerLinkedIn [email protected]

@BGBreck

AliceKorngold.com#vmlearn

mailto:[email protected]



Copyright © 2012 Korngold Consulting LLC

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LinkedIn Board ConnectA valuable new resource for nonprofit boards

PREPARED BY ALICE KORNGOLD

FOR WEBINAR WITH

VolunteerMatch

December 12, 2012#vmlearn

Investing in recruiting new board members:key considerations

Nonprofit executives and board leaders are hard pressed to spend time searching for and vetting new board members. Is it really worth the time and trouble? Here are a few key considerations to make the best decision for your organization:

We are maximizing our revenue potential: with fees for services, government contracts, and philanthropy (foundations, corporations, and individual giving).

Our programs and services are cutting edge, highly competitive, in demand, and high impact in ensuring that the organization fully achieves its mission; we measure and demonstrate that.

Board members bring the full array of expertise, and diversity of perspectives, experience, and networks to ensure that the organization is maximizing its potential.

The board has a number of people who are qualified and prepared to step up in to leadership positions as we move forward.

Board members attend meetings, fully engage with the organization, make personal financial contributions, and fundraise to the extent that is necessary to help ensure that the organization is financially robust.

Each board committee has a full complement of people who have the experience, expertise, and diversity of perspectives that is needed to be successful.


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If you answered NO to a few of the questions above, you probably want to invest in recruiting new board members.

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7 steps to determine the experience & qualifications you seek in new board candidates

1. Imagine the organization’s greater potential in achieving the mission2. Create the revenue model for success: fees for services, government grants,

philanthropy (foundations, corporations, individuals)3. Determine the role of the board and expectations of board members to

accomplish success4. Establish a logical board structure for efficiency and effectiveness5. Determine the right board composition: the expertise you need, as well as the

diversity of experience, perspectives, and networks to maximize the organization’s potential

6. Assess current board composition7. Determine the experience and qualifications you seek


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By discussing #1 - #4 above, the board and CEO can make well informed decisions about what they need in new board members to achieve success.

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Look near and far to find the right people; LinkedIn as a game-changer

OLD SCHOOL• Insular…within board’s inner circles• Homogeneous

TODAY• High value on diversity of perspectives, experience, and networks in enriching

the organization’s mission and vision, as well as its strategic and financial success

OUTREACH• Expanding outreach among people who have ties to the organization:

supporters, consumers, friends of supporters & consumers, including next generation

• LinkedIn and other social media – a game-changerCopyright © 2012 Korngold

Consulting LLC6

#vmlearn

LinkedIn is a game-changer for nonprofit board-matching

WHAT MAKES LINKEDIN A GAME-CHANGER• Vastly expands networks for nonprofits seeking qualified board member candidates – especially

to find business people with particular skills, experience, expertise, and people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds

VALUES OF LINKEDIN OVER PREVIOUS ONLINE MATCHING RESOURCES -- VERIFICATION MECHANISMS: There are numerous ways to verify a candidate’s qualifications, experience, etc. Candidate’s page includes the following:1. Endorsements written out by former employers, clients, colleagues, etc. – all of whom can be

cross-referenced via their LinkedIn pages2. Click-on endorsements by people who know the candidate – all of whom can be cross-

referenced via their LinkedIn pages3. Mutual relationships are noted and are therefore potential sources for references

CAVEATS• It continues to be important to interview candidates in person in order to assess their interest

and qualifications to serve on the boardCopyright © 2012 Korngold Consulting LLC

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#vmlearn

Maximize the value of your board members in advancing the organization


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LeadershipSuccession planning

On-boarding

Engagingthroughout their

terms

• Provide useful materials to new board members in advance : statement of expectations, by laws, budget, audited financials, board list, committee list, schedule of board meetings, strategic plan, etc.

• Conduct a new board member orientation

• Engage each and every board member in meaningful and productive board work to advance the organization; this is for the good of the organization and it’s also important to retain quality board members

• Provide opportunities for board members with leadership potential to take on responsibilities, create a pipeline of committee chairs and officers based on how well board members perform as they step up

#vmlearn

Alice Korngold

twitter: @alicekorngold website: www.alicekorngold.com

email: [email protected] © 2012 Korngold

Consulting LLC

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#vmlearn

http://www.alicekorngold.com/


LinkedIn Confidential ©2013 All Rights Reserved

Expanding Beyond your Existing Network

Board Member Connect

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You need a powerful network of connections in order to achieve

your mission

LinkedIn Confidential ©2013 All Rights Reserved #vmlearn

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You

Your next development director

Your future board member

A real estate lawyer interested in doing

pro bono work

A local funder who can support your cause

Your Board

Using your board’s network to achieve your mission is key. LinkedIn can help!

#vmlearn

In these slides…..• Learn how to make powerful connections on

LinkedIn, leveraging your board’s network

• Discover the advantages of using LinkedIn to recruit board members

• Explore LinkedIn’s new program - LinkedIn Board Member Connect - and get all the details on how you can apply for a complimentary membership (a $1,000 annual value)


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#vmlearn

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Leverage Your Board’s Network


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Your board is the gateway to the people that will open doors

for your organization


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LinkedIn makes it easy to work with your board to find the

right talent for your needs


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First, you need to make sure you are

connected to your board on LinkedIn

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Next, search for the connections to support your mission, leveraging your board’s network


Decide what you’re looking for

Search your network

Connect and build relationships

You need the right connections to: Attract future board

members Secure funding Connect with top-quality

professional volunteers

LinkedIn eliminates the “who do you know” game by enabling you to visualize your board’s network.

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Decide what you’re looking for….


A strategy consultant to help build your 3-year plan

A part-time accountant to maintain your books

A graphic designer to create a new logo

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Search your network, using Advanced Search….


Enter your target criteria in LinkedIn’s Advanced Search:

http://www.linkedin.com/search?trk=advsrch

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http://www.linkedin.com/search?trk=advsrch

Connect and start the conversation….


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Look for 1st and 2nd degree connections– they are your strongest connections.

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Discover the advantages of recruiting board members on LinkedIn

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Recruiting board members normally looks like….


“We need someone with a tech background”

“Who do you know with a software background that’s VP or above? Maybe from that big local IT consulting company?”(Repeat many times with all of your board members)

“Found a candidate! Let’s get to know her better.”

ScreeningWho do you knowgame

Governancecommittee

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“Hey Ed, I see you have a connection to that local IT consulting company – I think John Doe might be a great fit for the board. What do you think? Could you provide an introduction?”

Recruiting board members on LinkedIn can look like….


“We need someone with a tech background”

“John seems interested. Let’s get to know him better.”

ScreeningRequested TargetedIntroductions

Governancecommittee

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Join LinkedIn Board Member Connect


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What is LinkedIn Board Member Connect?• LinkedIn Board Connect is a free service that helps you quickly

identify connections to potential board members with the precise skills and background you’re looking for by leveraging the LinkedIn platform and a premium search tool called Talent Finder


LinkedIn Platform

Talent Finder

Board Connect+ =

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• Once you know the profile of who you are looking for, LinkedIn Board Connect super-powers your search

• Search your board’s network using the same product that corporate recruiters use to hire top talent

• Board Connect allows you to narrow by seniority, company size, past employers, years of experience, Fortune 1000 firm, and more

LinkedIn Board Connect helps you identify high potential board candidates through enhanced search capabilities with free access to LinkedIn’s Talent Finder (a $1000 annual value)

Learn how to make the most of LinkedIn through exclusive webcasts

Get access to a powerfully connected nonprofit peer network with membership to the Board Connect group

How can LinkedIn Board Member Connect help you?


Define who you are looking for

LinkedInBoardConnect

Request SpecificIntroductions

Screening

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Recruiting great board members on LinkedIn is easy1. You, along with your board, define who you are looking for

2. Instead of spending time playing the “who do you know” game, search intelligently with premium search filters such as years of experience and job function

3. Identify a short list of candidates (review their profiles instantly)

4. Ask your board for specific introductions or send a direct inMail

5. Continue with the normal vetting and screening process


For more information on board recruiting or board roles and responsibilities visit: www.boardsource.org

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Need Help?

Get answers to these and many more questions:• What are the basic responsibilities of nonprofit boards?• What are the responsibilities of individual board members?• How should a nonprofit board of directors be structured?• What questions should we ask our potential board members?• How can we promote diversity while avoiding tokenism?• How do we keep board members informed?

And access valuable tools and resources that can help guide your recruitment strategy:• Recruiting a Stronger Board• The Board Building Cycle LinkedIn Confidential ©2013 All

Rights Reserved

If you’re not sure how to get started on your board recruitment strategy, our friends at BoardSource can help.

#vmlearn

http://www.boardsource.org/Knowledge.asp?ID=3.368









http://www.boardsource.org/Bookstore.asp?Item=1093



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The connections you need to change the world are here.

Let us help you find them.


#vmlearn

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Apply for an invitation to join LinkedIn Board Member Connect at:

http://nonprofits.linkedin.com

#vmlearn

http://nonprofits.linkedin.com/

Questions?

Alice Korngold

PresidentKorngold Consulting, [email protected]@alicekorngold

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Nonprofit.linkedin.com

Bryan Breckenridge

Nonprofit Success EnablerLinkedIn [email protected]

@BGBreck

AliceKorngold.com#vmlearn




Friends with Benefits: How Nonprofits Should Engage Millennial VolunteersJanuary 23, 2013

http://learn.volunteermatch.org

#vmlearn

Appendix: Making the Case to Join LinkedIn Board Member Connect

How to Share LinkedIn Board Connect with your Board



Use the following slides to present LinkedIn Board Member Connect

at your next board meeting.

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LinkedIn Confidential ©2013 All Rights Reserved 36

How can LinkedIn help us recruit new board members?

We need connections to help us achieve our mission – and that starts by having board members like you join our cause.

Instead of asking around and spending so much time playing the “who do you know” game, we can search our networks intelligently with LinkedIn

When we are looking for a new board member, the recruiting committee can identify a short list of candidates on LinkedIn (and review their resumes instantly), then ask board members for specific introductions

LinkedIn can help us search faster but we still need to conduct our normal vetting process


How does LinkedIn Board Member Connect work?

LinkedIn Board Connect allows us to quickly search the networks of all board members that are already using LinkedIn and are connected to the ED or recruiting committee chair.

The recruiting committee will use our LinkedIn network as-is – we don’t need to spend time setting up a new tool or system.

Keeping your LinkedIn network up-to-date is the most important factor in successful searches.

Once we identify a candidate, we’ll ask you for an introduction to the individual.

We will never cold call your connections!


What is included with LinkedIn Board Member Connect?

Identify high potential board candidates through enhanced search capabilities using LinkedIn’s Talent Finder (a $1000 annual value)

Learn how to make the most of LinkedIn through exclusive product tutorials

Get access to a powerfully connected nonprofit peer network with membership to the Board Connect group


What do you need to do?

In order to search your network, you must be registered with LinkedIn and you must be connected to the ED or recruiting committee chair or whomever is doing the searching.

The ED or recruiting committee chair will be able to see your connections through the search and then will ask you for specific introductions when appropriate.

You don’t need to add any additional features or register for anything new to participate.

We simply provide our EIN to LinkedIn and the individual in charge of recruiting will have the features activated on his/her own LinkedIn account.

nonprofit insights: linkedin board connect (and other tech tools for building the best board for...

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