How to create a good nonprofit board of directors - Ep22

10/26/20 • 34 min

Guest: Jill Vacchina-Dobbs is the executive director of SPCA of Northern Nevada. She graduated with honors for UC-Santa Barbara and Gonzaga Law School. As a lawyer, she focused on transactional law, including nonprofit law. She served on the board of Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe for 10 years, six as president.

Main question: How can organizations cultivate a good board of directors that has a positive relationship with the executive director or CEO?

Takeaways:

Positive work culture starts at the top so it’s important that the board’s relationship with the executive director or CEO is healthy and positive (but not a rubberstamp).

If the CEO/board relationship is not good, the president and CEO should meet and come to agreement on the objectives of the organization and candidly address concerns on both sides. Create processes that address concerns, such as financial checks and balances to re-establish trust.

When recruiting new board members, consider the needs of the organization. Seeking a CPA, attorney, marketing person or perhaps someone who is well connected can help you be more successful.

Set clear expectations in writing for board members such as donating annually, attending certain events, missing no more than 10% of meetings, etc. Have them sign it. This creates an impersonal basis for discussion if there are issues in the future.

Create an orientation process for new board members that includes the mission and goals of the organization.

Nonprofits need a fundraising board – every member needs to give money to the organization on an annual basis as well as help raise funds. This creates trust for potential donors.

Engage board members with positive stories about the organization’s good work, as you would other supporters.

Links:

SPCA of Northern Nevada

Recommendation: Cal Newport's "Deep Questions" podcast

Recorded September 24, 2020

Main question: How can organizations cultivate a good board of directors that has a positive relationship with the executive director or CEO?

Takeaways:

Positive work culture starts at the top so it’s important that the board’s relationship with the executive director or CEO is healthy and positive (but not a rubberstamp).

When recruiting new board members, consider the needs of the organization. Seeking a CPA, attorney, marketing person or perhaps someone who is well connected can help you be more successful.

Create an orientation process for new board members that includes the mission and goals of the organization.

Nonprofits need a fundraising board – every member needs to give money to the organization on an annual basis as well as help raise funds. This creates trust for potential donors.

Engage board members with positive stories about the organization’s good work, as you would other supporters.

Links:

SPCA of Northern Nevada

Recommendation: Cal Newport's "Deep Questions" podcast

Recorded September 24, 2020

Previous Episode

Innovative animal shelter strategies inspired by COVID - Ep21

Guest: Mike Arms is president and CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center. He started with the ASPCA in the late 1960s before spending 20 years with North Shore Animal League. Mike created the International Pet Adopt-a-thon and the Home 4 the Holidays adoption campaigns, as well as the Remember Me Thursday adoption awareness campaign. The Home 4 the Holidays campaign now includes more than 4,100 organization participants in more than 23 countries who have jointly adopted out more than 17 million pets since 1999.

Main question: What innovative strategies has your shelter developed in light of the pandemic?

Takeaways:

This is a lifesaving business. We need to use our brains as well as our hearts.

Take time to learn about the needs and desires of your staff and community. Innovative solutions (such as the Ani-meals program and accommodation for staff-members’ children, two examples Mike shared in this podcast) create loyalty in your team and your community.

Learn the interests of your donors. If you haven’t made that effort to understand what motivates them and what they are passionate about, you will miss opportunities to frame requests in ways that connect for them on multiple levels. This is the best way to develop meaningful and valuable relationships with major donors.

Home 4 the Holidays is a free holiday adoption promotion campaign that has helped thousands of organizations find homes for more pets during the holiday season. Check it out to see if it may be a good fit for your organization.

Links:

Helen Woodward Animal Center

Home 4 the Holidays

Remember Me Thursday

Recommendation: 7 Ways to Sincerely Encourage Your Employees by Beth Miller

Recorded Sept. 22, 2020

Next Episode

Safe animal handling advice for clinic and shelter staff - Ep23

Guest: Kelley Bollen is a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant with a master’s degree in Animal Behavior who has worked in the field of companion animal behavior for twenty years. She is the Owner and Principal Consultant for Kelley Bollen Consulting, LLC – an animal behavior consulting business. Kelley consults with animal shelters across the country on the design and implementation of comprehensive behavior programs to improve the welfare of the animals, including through Humane Network’s Alive & Thriving animal behavior training program for shelter and clinic staff.

Main question: What safe-handling tips for animals should shelter and clinic staff be aware of?

Takeaways:

Never open the car door until you are sure the cat is in a carrier. Hold the carrier in both arms to avoid turbulence and to guard against integrity problems with the carrier’s handle or bolts. This is especially important when bringing an animal to and from the car.

When getting a dog out of a car, make sure the dog is leashed before the car door is opened. You can have the owner get the dog out of the car and walk with you to the door (keeping 6’ apart) – especially helpful if the dog is fearful or agitated. To reduce stress you can offer treats, avoid making eye contact with the dog, and turn your body sideways to the dog.

When handling cats: * Gentle or loose restraint is best. Cats are more relaxed if they have four feet on a surface. * Support the cat’s body when lifting them; never carry a cat by the scruff. * If a cat is hard to handle, use a towel.

When handling dogs * If the dog is wiggly, a firm hold is calming to many dogs * Distracting dogs with food such as a spoonful of peanut butter or cat food can make them easier to handle.

Kelley included advice for harder to handle dogs, so we recommend giving the podcast a full listen for more on that.

Links:

KelleyBollen.com

Kelley Bollen's Alive & Thriving shelter/clinic animal behavior training program for staff

Dr. Sophia Yin's humane handling techniques with a towel

Leadership recommendation: “How to Make a Grant Proposal to a Small Family Foundation”

Recorded Oct. 13, 2020