NOTE: Last night was the last time I'll ever throw a high school party, as the youngest niece of my only brother is graduating from high school in May. My mom and I hosted Lina and her friends with a #ThrowbackThursday skate party at White Rock Skate Center and we hired the In-N-Out Burger Truck to come and do burgers for them. It was a huge success, and once again I was reminded that those kids at HPHS really are great kids. This is Lina with me before the throngs arrived -- about the only time I saw her all night...
Now back to what the world needs -- tips for success for serving on a non-profit board!
I have been the CEO for a non-profit agency for more than 15 years, so I know what I'm talking about -- of course, ask the board members at Community Partners of Dallas or Wipe Out Kids' Cancer if you don't believe me -- and if you do ask them, be sure and tell me what they said -- I'm nosy that way. And speaking of talking, this brings me to my Talking Success Tips:
- Talk to the CEO/ED. As a board member you are supposed to be there for counsel and advice -- so give it. Your experience could bring a fresh approach to a problem the non-profit is facing. I can't tell you what a blessing it is to receive a call or an email from one of our board members (we have 25 over here at CPD). Just a "Hello, how's it going over there?" is wonderful and often gets my brain switched on in a new way.
- Tell them you need to resign. It's been said before and will be said again, but if you cannot attend the board meetings and events, resign immediately. The non-profit needs someone who can show up and give everything -- their time, talent, and treasure. You are doing the charity a real disservice by holding on. And believe me -- EVERYONE knows that you are the slacker. Get off and give someone else a chance to provide new resources.
- Tell your friends (and strangers) why you care about your charity. Most people want something to talk to you about. Mention that you're on the board of such-and-such agency and just wait -- they'll ask you about it, and even if that person doesn't, the next one will. Some of our best donors at CPD have come to us because a board member told them about the agency.
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