Whether through the rhythm of regular Board meetings or in more individual and personal settings, institutional leaders are wise to pay attention to current Board members because of the important legal, fiduciary, and supervisory roles they hold.
But, what about the relationships with individuals who previously served on the Board?
Because they no longer hold the formal and important roles of a current Board member, it can be easy to forget past Board members.
For example, previous Board members may not be included when we invite VIPs to a groundbreaking. They may not come to mind when we think about prospective members for our upcoming campaign steering committee. They may not be included in current Board activities, in any way.
A big part of the problem is how we think about Board service.
When we view the service on our Board as “work” (or, even, as drudgery), we establish a mindset that gives us permission to forget previous Board members. “They served their time,” can be the playful (but detrimental) way we describe their status.
But when we view the service on our Board as an honor and virtuous act, we make it easier to find ways to keep these individuals involved. Here are two:
- Establish a special annual reception connected to a Board meeting for all current and former Board members. This gives former members a chance to socialize with current Board members, share their experiences, and hear from Board leadership and the CEO brief updates on the institution and the Board itself.
- Ensure that each Board member who departs in good standing with your institution is publicly acknowledged for their service and is assign to a gift officer in your prospect management system so that individualized engagement will continue.
Many Board members view their service with fondness and pride. When we forget about engaging them specifically, the opportunity cost can be significant.
But, when we continue to thank them for their service and remind them that our mission should remain important to them, their involvement can continue for years into the future.
And, that is good for them, and for us.
