Building a Collaborative Nonprofit Board Team

Nonprofit boards rely on collaboration in order to function effectively. They work together with staff and committee members to help the nonprofit’s mission. Ofttimes, however the board’s internal dynamics can either cultivate or stifle their collaborative potential.

One nonprofit CEO told me about a joint board which was plagued by infighting, conflicting interests, and distrust. The executive director of the board hired a consultant assist in getting the group back on track. She asked the board chair to hold open discussions with the team. The chair reluctantly agreed.

The consultant found that the chair was a favorite and had close connections with a subset of the team. She also noticed that the chair was unable to effectively communicate, and didn’t know how to build trust within the group.

Boards can facilitate the development of a strong collaborative culture by making sure that current and new www.fireboardroom.com/building-a-collaborative-nonprofit-board-team/ board members are prepared for it. When onboarding new members ensure that they are ready to work in a collaborative environment by introducing them other board members and allowing them to work with the staff of the organization in small groups before the first board meeting. This will help them become familiar with the organization, its leadership and help them build important connections. Offer resources that aid collaboration between members for example, an online board portal to allow board members to engage with each other between meetings. Additionally, organizing events like a board retreat or similar gatherings can build camaraderie and create a culture of collaboration.