You want new board members to hit the ground running, right? The key is to make sure your orientation process is actually producing results.
Get the Field Guide to Board Orientation for
a step-by-step plan.
A successful orientation program generates excitement and motivation.
By the end of the orientation process, new (and existing) board member(s) should:
- Feel comfortable and involved
- Have a sense of camaraderie with the other members
- Feel motivated
- Know the association’s mission, philosophy, foundation, purpose, goals, policies, programs, services, strengths, needs, etc.
- Understand their role/responsibilities and their relationship to the association
- Know how the board works, such as how meetings are conducted (e.g. Robert’s Rules of Order), how communication is sent, etc.
- Be clear on processes such as how decisions are made and what a board consensus looks like
- Understand what optimal board performance is
- Recognize how to be a productive board member
Surviving and thriving during board orientation can be (almost) painless. Use the best practices outlined in The Field Guide to Board Orientation.
Download the guide to get templates and details on:
- Defining goals and mapping the process
- How to structure the orientation
- Preparing attendees for maximum payoff
- Components of a robust board book
- What to include in a post-orientation debriefing
If you’ve successfully managed the recruitment process, your new board member is a great match for your association; all that’s left to do is to make sure they’re ready to contribute on day one.
How to develop a board orientation process
that produces results.