Consider this scenario: You’re presenting new fundraising strategies to your board. As you glance around the room, you notice that one board member has started texting. Another is doodling on the handout you provided. Although you’re doing your best to be engaging, it’s clear their attention is elsewhere. By the time you finish your presentation and ask for questions, only one is asked: We’ve heard this before…Why should we care?
Unfortunately for many non-profits, a disengaged board is a common occurrence, and this disinterest can trickle into all departments of your organization unless you develop a strong operations strategy.
We wrote on Monday about how to increase your board’s engagement, but there are many other factors that influence your organization’s daily operations. Whether you are handling these issues for yourself or you have a designated operations department, your day-to-day strategies influence the overall tone of your organization— if your organization runs inefficiently, it will influence your ability to do your job well.
There are three major building blocks to creating a strong operations strategy: An effective board, a positive culture, and a growth plan. We’ve outlined three ideas that you can implement to improve each of these blocks:
Your Board
Creating a board that’s engaged and interested in your mission is essential to a strong operations strategy. In addition to keeping your board invested in your organization by giving them access to current information, a board retreat will solidify your operations strategy and get your board members involved in your organization’s vision.
A retreat gives you the opportunity to breathe new life into your board by connecting with them outside your usual meeting time and place— this change of scenery will re-invigorate and encourage creative thinking. You’ll be able to define roles, encourage fundraising efforts, and re-inspire your board with your mission.
Cooperative Culture
In successful organizations, every aspect works together, which means that you need to pay careful attention not only to what your organization is doing to help your community, but also to the kind of culture you’re creating internally. Do you have a collaborative culture, where your staff and board work toward the same purpose, or does each department function a microcosm where your board, staff, and directors don’t typically have the same vision?
If your organization is the latter, try sitting down with your staff and volunteers and asking them how they would describe the culture of your organization, and if they have any suggestions about how to improve your organization’s functions. By polling your staff and volunteers, you’ll be able to not only make them feel valued, but it will also ease some of the burden on you. You’ll gain a new perspective, and hopefully come up with fresh ideas to improve your operations.
Growth Plan
Every successful organization needs to have a plan for growth. This means that as you develop your board and your organization’s culture, you’ll want to think about how the strategies you’re creating will be helpful as your organization grows.
For example, you can create a human resource plan that designates when and how you hire, implement a management system that supports a growing donor network, and brainstorm a strategy for engaging and retaining donors, you’ll be able to increase the size and scope of your organization without sacrificing your existing processes.
Creating a successful organization requires more than just a great mission. It requires an engaged and passionate board, a great culture, and a way to grow. If you need help planning a successful board retreat, creating a positive culture, or developing a growth plan, get in touch. We’d love to use our expertise to help you!