Board Best PracticesWisconsin State Convention 2015

AAUW Website

Explore the Website:• Rich in Content• Real-Time Updated Information• Finance Tools:

‒ Membership Payment Program (MPP)‒ IRS Form 990N Filing Assistance‒ Finance Tool Kit

2

Connect AAUW

Just a Phone Call Away:• Experienced Professionals• Expert Guidance• Ambassadors to Other Professionals

at AAUW:‒ Membership‒ Finance Department‒ Information Technology and Website

3

Agenda• Start at the top: Mission, Value Promise, Vision, Diversity

– AAUW– Branch (and goals)

• Leadership– Roles & Responsibilities (expectations)– Recruiting– Retaining– Reality (conflict management, motivating for action)

• Membership– Recruiting – Playing the field (events for all)

• Effective Meetings– Have a goal & an agenda

• Digital world

START AT THE TOPMission, Value Promise, Vision, Diversity & Inclusion

AAUW National• Mission: AAUW advances equity for women and girls

through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research• Value Promise: By joining AAUW, you belong to a

community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women and girls have a fair chance.

• Vision Statement: AAUW empowers all women and girls to reach their highest potential

• Diversity Statement: AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.

Wisconsin / Branch• Is your mission, etc, up to date?• Does it reflect the national mission, and focus on

issues important to your state / branch?• Can it be a rally cry for members new and old, a

focal point for conversation, a clear way to resolve conflict?

• Remember to establish goals that back up your mission et al; make it actionable!

• Need inspiration? Use the national site. The “Search” box is fast and awesome.

LEADERSHIP: AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

Roles & Responsibilities• Define each role (use the

website!)• State:

– President/Administrator– Finance Chair– Communications Chair– C/U Chair– Diversity Chair– Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF)

Liaison– Membership Vice President (MV

P)– Public Policy Chair– Program Vice President– STEM Chair

• Branch: (only required to have President and Finance Chair)– President/Administrator– Finance Chair– Communications Chair– C/U Chair– Diversity Chair– Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF)

Liaison– Membership Vice President (MV

P)– Public Policy Chair– Program Vice President– STEM Chair

Roles, Responsibilities, Expectations

• Now that you’ve got R & R, set expectations• Expectations map the mission, vision, value

promise, diversity statement, and goals to people, time lines, etc

• Setting clear expectations helps avoid conflict before it happens

Recruiting & Retaining

• Make recruiting and succession planning a part of your RTB (rhythm of the business)– Quarterly meeting topic– Make it fun– Top of mind means you’ll always be looking

• Mentorship on the board and with potential board members is fun for all, and a great recruiting and retention tool

“Mentoring is a process in which a more skilled or more experienced person, serving as a role model, teaches, sponsors, encourages, counsels and befriends a less skilled or less experienced person for the purpose of promoting the latter’s professional and/or personal development.”

“Mentoring functions are carried out within the context of an ongoing, supportive relationship between the mentor and mentee.”

- High degree of trust and mutual regard

- The mentor helps another person become what that person aspires to be

“Mentoring is probably the most powerful developmental process people can experience. And when it works, it develops two for the price of one.”

How do we incorporate the power and potential of mentoring in to AAUW? Where does it fit? What would it look like?

How might we use mentoring in an intentional way to address the issue of declining membership?

How might we use mentoring in an intentional way to address the issue of filling board positions?

Reality

• Motivating for Action– Competition– “Buddy” board members– Assigning action items to people who are

interested– Offering support– Setting timelines– Relating to mission/vision/goals/events

• Conflict Management

Where does this issue stem from? Why are we facing this problem?

What are some concrete, creative and realistic solutions to this challenge?

What role do I, as branch president, have in implementing this solution?

MEMBERSHIP

Membership: growing for the future

• Playing the field (events for all)– Lunches– Book Clubs– Programs in a Box!

• Cocktails and Convos

– Face-to-face; virtual• Recruiting – Get known! (Marketing)– Create myriad events to attract all types, all ages

• WI ideas!

Creating Your Branch Brand

• Who are you?• What are your issues?• What groups do you work with? • What do you add to your community?• How would people currently describe you?• How would you want them to describe you?

Raise Your Hand if You’re Using

Other Resources

• Letters to the Editor• Mission Based Programming and Programs in

a Box (PiaBs)• Member Showcase

Free Advertising

• Local papers• Radio PSA’s• Shell station TV• Library• Other organizations…but who?

Social Media: What it is

Social Media is really just…

Cocktails & Convos

1. Pick a date2. Select a restaurant

or bar3. Pick a topic and guest speaker4. Create the invitation5. Get the word out6. Prepare your materials7. Make attendees feel welcome8. Follow up

EFFECTIVE MEETINGS

Meetings can be FUN• Pre-publish a goal & an agenda

– Should fit with your mission/vision/goals– Should be full of items to “move forward”– Should be cognizant of current issues

• Allocate times & owners for each item• Consider the “parking lot” (but save time for it!)• Make it interactive

– Make time for feedback– Get people to make suggestions (get them invested!)

• Round-robin the responsibility• Insist on respect all around

Connect AAUW

Just a Phone Call Away:• Experienced Professionals• Expert Guidance• Ambassadors to Other Professionals

at AAUW:‒ Membership‒ Finance Department‒ Information Technology and Website

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AAUW Website

Explore the Website:• Rich in Content• Real-Time Updated Information• Finance Tools:

‒ Membership Payment Program (MPP)‒ IRS Form 990N Filing Assistance‒ Finance Tool Kit

29