Part 6 - Volunteers and Board of Directors

BOARD - SUPPORT

Make sure everybody is given proper orientation. This includes a board orientation manual, with the written mission, vision and values, board member responsibilities and liability, organizational policies and sector knowledge. Introduce new members to the team, show them the office, make them feel welcome and valued.

Mentoring is a great tool to strengthen relationships on the board and make new members feel valued. Set up a relationship between new board members and experienced board members who can give them context, history and advice. Equally, draw out and on the skills of the new board members. This is the incredible value of diversity – incorporating new skills and perspectives, expanding decision-making, broadening learning and experience.

Ongoing training in diversity and board governance is helpful for everyone.  Board governance training is available through a variety of sources. DiverseCity on Board offers helpful online board governance training, as do many other groups and agencies. Mentoring Canada, from Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada, has a free online board governance fundamentals course for those new to not-for-profit board responsibilities – Fundamentals of Effective Board Governance.  But members may also want other support, for example a better understanding of sectoral issues or players.

Most important, give board members relevant training but also meaningful responsibilities – ultimately board engagement will come from the board member’s sense of being welcomed and valued, and from providing a meaningful contribution to the organization.
Finally, track your progress and report on it regularly. Tracking that engagement, assessing and revising the tools and arrangements that support it, will strengthen your organization and grow your organization’s network of supporters.

Dig Deeper

DiverseCity on Board offers helpful online board governance training, as do many other groups and agencies.

Mentoring Canada, from Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada, has a free online board governance course for those new to not-for-profit board responsibilities – Fundamentals of Effective Board Governance.
 
 

Consider the following:

For our volunteer program we have:
• Analyzed our current volunteer base
• Expanded our outreach
• Reviewed our recruitment materials
• Developed orientation and training sessions
• Provided feedback
• Celebrated the stories of our volunteers

For our board, we have:
• Discussed the importance of diversity and inclusion
• Considered and approved appropriate policies
• Offered or conducted diversity training
• Reviewed the skill sets in our existing board and identified gaps
• Broadened our recruitment
• Welcomed new board members with proper orientation and ongoing support

WANT MORE? Get started on your own inclusivity initiative with our eLearning module.