Collaboration is vital for nonprofit boards to function effectively. They work with one another with committee members, committee members, as well as staff members to help support the mission of the organization. Often, however the board’s personal dynamics can either cultivate or stifle their collaborative potential.
A CEO of a non-profit organization told me of a board team plagued by mistrust and conflicting interests as well as conflict. The executive director of the board brought in an expert to help get the team back on track. She requested the chair of the board to have frank conversations with the group. The chair reluctantly agreed.
The consultant noticed that the chair had a tendency to favoritise and had close relationships with a subset of the team. She also observed that the chair wasn’t able to communicate effectively, and didn’t know how to build trust among the team.
Boards can promote a collaboration culture if they make sure that both existing and new members are ready for it. When introducing new members to the board, make sure that they are ready to work in a collaborative environment by introducing them other board members and permitting them to work with organizational staff in small groups before the first board meeting. This will help them get acquainted with the organization and its leadership, and also build valuable contacts. Offer resources to facilitate collaboration between members, for example an online board portal. This will allow https://fireboardroom.com/what-is-a-board-portal/ board members to communicate with each other during meetings. Arranging a board retreat, or other gatherings, may also encourage camaraderie.
