The Philantrepreneur Journal Vol2 Spring2016 | Page 28

inspired board and a lackadaisical board that does not understand its role in advancing the organization's mission and is reluctant to get involved in the fundraising process. One of the key roles of this important committee is to develop a board position description that includes a required financial contribution from each board member as well as the expectation that each board member be involved in the organization's fundraising efforts through attendance at events, planning development activities, and helping to identify, cultivate, and solicit potential donors. This committee is also responsible for assuring that the position descriptions are not glossed over during the recruitment process and to make sure that each potential board member understands that fundraising is an important part of his or her role as a board member. They must be expected to deal with potential board members that are obviously reluctant to accept this responsibility. It is better to turn away a prospective Even if the board member who is not organization originally willing to get involved in intended for its board fundraising, than to ‘fill a seat to be involved in with a warm body’ just so fundraising, many the committee can say it has times, board recruiters met its expectation to bring are reluctant to use on a certain number of new the “F” word for fear of board members each year. scaring off potential The reluctant fundraiser may board members. instead be invited to serve on a committee or in some other volunteer position, other than being invited to serve as on the board. Once you have a board that understands its role in fundraising and consists of members who have a true passion for your mission, it will be easy to get them motivated to embrace this role. Take the fear out of fundraising by providing ongoing training and education about fundraising for the board. You can provide a fifteen-minute segment at each board meeting on some aspect of fundraising and/or periodic all day training sessions on important aspects of your fundraising program. You can also invite board members to attend educational programs run by The Philantrepreneur Foundation, AFP, or a myriad of webinars that are available on fundraising. Teaming up board members with another board member, a staff member, or a volunteer more experienced in fundraising will help put the reluctant board member at ease. Once your board understands the art and science of fundraising, they’ll be more inclined to get involved. Available Now! Webinars can either help or hurt a business and often the first and only opportunity to impress an audience - you get one shot. It’s the invitation, welcome sign, name tag and introduction all wrapped into one. Mapping out content correctly is vital to attract and retain attendees, and meet business goals. If done properly it is an important and effective business strategy. Webinars are a teaching tool and teaching is an art-form. Learn from a teacher the secrets to create value driven content; Learn how to infuse effective business strategies; Learn how to deliver what you promise; Learn how to stand out, impress attendees, move them to action, so they are sending referrals your way. Learn how to create webinars that WOW Em! Need personal assistance? Let The Wealthy Teacher, Dr. Victoria Boyd help you create webinars that meet your business needs and attract your target audience. Get started today - contact Dr. Boyd at [email protected] CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY 28 The Philantrepreneur Journal