The Board has completed the Board’s profile, identifying the skills and experience needed to bring the next stage of the school’s strategic plan to fruition. Now it’s time to determine who can best fill those roles.
Schools often focus on cultivating new Trustees, and it’s essential to keep reaching out and bringing fresh perspective to the Board. However, don’t overlook a major pool of talent. Sometimes the best person for the job is an experienced Board member—either a current Trustee who is eligible for another term or a person who has served the Board well in the past. Their experience will further the accomplishment of the plan, and they bring strong benefits to the table (e.g., awareness of the obligations of Board members, a clear understanding of the school’s strengths).
When re-recruiting a current Trustee, keep in mind that volunteers that take on leadership roles often deepen their commitment in terms of time, talent, and/or treasure. Offer a committee assignment that relates to the individual’s interests or job skills. If the person has nonprofit experience, for example, give the Trustee a leadership role in development activities.
When re-recruiting former Board members, first identify the veteran Trustee’s current interests and skills, which may have changed since the person’s previous Board service. Invite the person to major school events, and plan social contacts with current Board members and the School Head. Keep the individual involved with the Board through, for example:
- providing expertise as a “civilian” member of a Board committee;
- sharing advice based on the prospect’s areas of greatest commitment;
- participating in planning-related activities; or
- taking a lead role in development activities that match the person’s primary interests.
When inviting the prospect to serve again, part of the cultivator’s task is to develop a feel for when to approach the person about rejoining the Board. How pressing are the school’s needs? How interested and motivated is the prospect? When issuing the invitation, the cultivator must fully explain how the prospect’s skills and experience will strengthen the Board, and how the person can contribute to the school’s continued success.
In creating a profiled Board, your Committee on Trustees seeks the best talent available. Include current and previous Trustees in the mix as you determine who can best move your strategic plan forward.
Additional ISM resources:
ISM Monthly Update for Trustees Vol. 12 No. 3 Enhance Future Strategic Planning Efforts
ISM Monthly Update for Trustees Vol. 10 No. 8 Encouraging Ideal Trustees to Serve Again
ISM Monthly Update for Trustees Vol. 10 No. 3 Characteristics of the Ideal Trustee
Additional ISM resources for Gold Consortium members:
I&P Vol. 29 No. 12 Board Profiling: A Structured Approach
