Ask the Expert

A recent call came into NYSAE Headquarters. The question was:

We have a long time Board member who is unwilling to take on a leadership role. This Board member shows up at meetings, which is helpful, but that’s it. Plus, there’re other volunteers who want to serve on the Board and chair a committee. This is a sticky situation. What can I do?

Answer: There are a few tactics you can use to help and solve the situation. Without knowing more about the board member and the relationships around this board member, here’s a few thoughts:

• First and foremost, make sure that you have a Board Expectations document that clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of each director. Make sure it is updated every year during orientation time, and consider securing signatures of confirmation. Once the expectations are defined and communicated, that will be your document to point to for all these kinds of discussions.
• The next step is to find the appropriate person to handle the situation. WHO is the right person to address the issue, the Executive Director? The President/Chairman? A “friend” on the Board? You don’t want to gang up on the Board member, and you don’t want the member to feel like they are being kicked out. Make sure the right person addresses the Board member.
• If an open and honest discussion needs to happen, be careful of how you frame it. It’s not about what they haven’t done all along, it’s asking what they want to do in the future. If this Board member does not sign on to a committee, a project or flat out says “I don’t want responsibility for anything,” that’s your cue for a deeper discussion.
• When you look at foundation, advisory or charitable board models, oftentimes there are individuals or companies listed for reasons you wouldn’t know unless you sat on their board. They could be offering pro bono services, endorsements, access to something or someone important. There’s something to be said about having these kinds of “influencers” serving on your board, even if they don’t roll up their sleeves. Consider the value of just having that person’s name included, or their company, serving your organization. Just this person’s presence alone might be helping to generate revenue, recruit members and/or increase followers.

If you have a question, it will be answered by the NYSAE staff or leadership directly or confidentially in InView. Please send to info@nysaenet.org.

This question was answered by Holly Koenig, CEO of NYSAE and SVP of Kellen. 

Readers are solely responsible for how the info, content or material in Ask the Expert is interpreted and how its applied. NYSAE shall not be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of action, use of or reliance on any content or materials contained in Ask the Expert. The reader releases NYSAE and its directors, officers, members and authors from and against any and all such liability.