This fundraising question comes from Tom, who writes:
I can’t convince my ED that we should have a board retreat. Can you help?
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Video Transcript
Yes, Tom! I can help! Thanks for asking.
First, I would want you to find out what your executive director’s objection to a board retreat is? Are they concerned about time? Money? And, maybe they don’t see the value or benefit. So let’s start there.
Board Retreats are different than Board Meetings
Let me start by saying that board retreats should not simply be longer versions of your normal board meeting. They should be noticeably different from your regular board meetings, and have a distinct feel and purpose.
For example, the items that normally appear on your board meeting agenda should not appear on the agenda for your retreat –- especially reports! There should be no regular committee reports at your retreat.
And, in order to make them feel different, a board retreat should take place in a different location, if at all possible. But you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a fancy retreat location –- although wouldn’t that be nice! Hopefully one of your board members has a conference room you can use for your retreat. All you need are chairs, tables, an easel and a few flip charts.
Pros & Cons of Hiring a Board Retreat Facilitator
Another thing to think about when planning for a board retreat are the pros and cons of using an outside facilitator. I’ll admit, I’m totally biased on this subject, because facilitating board retreats is a favorite part of my work. But also because I truly believe there are strong benefits to having a professional facilitating your retreat.
That said, here’s a quick list of pros and cons, starting with the cons.
The Cons of Hiring a Board Retreat Facilitator
The only con I can think of is the cost. Honestly, there isn’t any other downside.
And if you think of the fee of the facilitator as an investment in getting your board and staff more engaged and prepared to help with fundraising, then it’s actually an investment in your nonprofit, and you can move it over to the ‘pro’ column.
The Pros of Hiring a Board Retreat Facilitator
So let’s get to the pro’s — three essential reasons to have a professional facilitator.
1. Get an outside perspective.
Board members pay more attention to an outsider. They are less inclined to be distracted by work or phone calls.
2. Staff can participate.
When you have an outside facilitator, staff can participate too — and don’t have to worry about the agenda or personalities in the room.
3. Experience matters.
Professional board retreat facilitators are trained and experienced, and usually well worth it.
Board Retreats on a Budget
If you truly can’t afford a retreat facilitator, consider swapping executive directors or development directors for a day with another organization and you lead their retreat and let them lead yours. You won’t have the benefits of having a professional facilitator, but you will get the benefits of having an outsider.
Okay, I think I’ve gotten a little carried away with the whole facilitator thing, so let’s get back to Tom’s question about how to convince his boss to have a retreat in the first place.
3 Vital Reasons to have a Board Retreat
Remember, there are three key reasons for having an annual board retreat:
- Team Building
- Strategic Planning
- Fundraising
These are all critical topics for your board, and an annual retreat is the best place to start tackling these important issues.
Now, if you are only focused on strategic planning at your retreat, which I find to be the case in about half the organizations I work with, my question to you is this…
How do you expect to pay to implement your plans if your board members aren’t engaged in fundraising? You can have the best plans in the world, but if you can’t fund them, what good are they?
So, having a retreat to discuss both planning and fundraising are critical!
This Week’s Task
Write a short, 3 bullet memo to your board president and/or ED explaining why you should have a board retreat this year, and note your most important topics for discussion.
OPTIONAL: Contact me to schedule a meeting or to discuss and plan your upcoming board retreat. As noted above, I am a highly experienced board retreat facilitator. I’ve been conducting board retreats for many years.
Board retreats are so important to a healthy nonprofit board. What objections does your organization have for having a board retreat or for hiring an outside board retreat facilitator? Leave a comment — I’d be happy to offer my advice.
This post is part of my Year of the Fundraising Board series. Check out the entire series to learn how to create a stronger, smarter, and super motivated nonprofit board.
I think in addition to cost being the #1 objection to a board retreat, I often hear time and the burden of asking volunteers to give more of their time. If I had a dime for every time I heard, “well, the board are volunteers, we can’t expect them to <>” I would have a budget surplus!
Is the flaw in this thinking rooted in our initial understanding of the role of the board or is it a disconnect in board on-ramping that we are not clear in the time commitment expected of board service? Maybe it is not the board but it is a misunderstanding within the staff about the role of the board and its relationship with mission delivery and staff involvement?
Hi Carolyn,
Great questions! Instead of thinking of a board retreat as a “cost” you should start thinking of it as an investment. Let’s pretend the retreat costs $5,000 – and your board members discuss how to raise major gifts – and only one of them actually solicits a $5,000 gift in the first year – you’ve made your money back. And, what if two board members actually engage in fundraising – for two or three years? What’s the return on investment then? That’s the argument that I would use – that a retreat is an investment in your organization’s growth – not a cost, per se. As for the time – the time commitment should be explained when a board member joins your board, and re-explained annually. Serving on a board is a time commitment! A retreat helps the organization in terms of planning for the year, training, and helping board members work together. It’s time well spent!
Hope that helps
Hi Amy,
I’m an ED of a small org, and I would LOVE for my board to attend a board retreat – my board chair thinks they don’t need it though, and simply need to “get better board members”. Any advice for me to help me convince him of the value in this retreat, in educating and engaging our current passionate board members?
Thanks,
Hi Katie,
Every successful organization takes time out for planning and training, which is what a board retreat is all about. Maybe some other “influencers” on your board see the value in a retreat and could help convince your chair.
Best,
Amy
As a retired HR Director, I am a strong believer of training, training, training.
Now I am President of the Board at our Jewish Community Day School. As the world is topsy turvy right now, what is the most effective way to have a board workshop? Maximum time commitment and cost for cover 1, 2, and 3.