A Guide to Stimulating Board Engagement

Well, before you try to clear out deadwood you might want to understand what killed it. Having an inactive board can be symptomatic of a number of common ills we see in the board room. Once you have a better understanding of what's going on you will be better prepared to craft a workable solution.

Having a significant number of inactive individuals on the board can sap the energy from those board members who want to fulfill their governance and leadership responsibilities. It also means that you are likely to continue engaging in unproductive practices, ensuring a future of continued apathy and, eventually, a dying board (figuratively, and sometimes literally!)

• 1. Click here for more about Why Some Board Members Don't Participate

• 2. Click here for What You Can Do to Make a Difference

• 3. Click here for Lessons from Exemplary Nonprofits

Symptoms

• People don't come to board meetings.
• We can't get a quorum.
• The executive committee does everything.
• The board president does everything.
• The executive director does everything.
• Committees aren't functioning.
• I can't get the board to do fundraising.

Click here for Root Causes