If you’re organizing a not-for-profit board retreat, you’ll probably want board members to make the most of their time together. One of the best ways to do this is to choose a theme or central topic of discussion. Although board members may be tempted to talk about the latest events or challenges (and there likely will be time for that), ask them to spend the majority of the retreat on a topic they usually don’t have the luxury to examine in detail.
The topic should be broad enough to provide rich and meaningful discussion — and creative solutions. Ask that retreat attendees emerge with several concrete suggestions that your not-for-profit could potentially implement.
Some topic ideas are:
Risk management. What are the biggest risks facing your not-for-profit? And what are their sources — for example, a limited donor base, an eroding endowment, volatile financial investments, an insufficient number of volunteers or lawsuit threats? Determine whether risks are properly monitored by particular individuals in your organization. Are there ways to mitigate them, such as with insurance or an enterprise risk management program?
Financial reporting. What financial information would your board members like to see that they don’t currently receive? How would they use that information? Are there accessible and inexpensive technology tools that could improve financial reporting if you used them? Consider including a session on how to read not-for-profit financial statements.
Program optimization. Constituent needs change over time, so your not-for-profit should continually monitor the use and outcomes of your programs, as well as the funding and staff resources dedicated to them. Which programs should you create, grow or discontinue? How can you better benchmark program performance and evaluate results?
Employee satisfaction. What can the board do to promote employee morale when many staffers may be facing multiple pain points at work and home? Consider compensation and traditional benefits as well as perks such as working remotely and a casual dress code. Factor in promotions and the path available to management positions. Also, how well does your organization communicate with staffers?
Attracting new donors. Is your not-for-profit doing all it can to add new supporters to the fold — a move that can help ensure its sustainability? Explore what fundraising techniques and recruiting methods work best. Should your not-for-profit put more emphasis on, for instance, social media appeals, corporate engagement or participation in events such as Giving Tuesday?
Be sure to notify board members of your topic (or let them choose one) well in advance of the retreat to give them a chance to think about and research it. They should have enough time to learn how peer organizations are tackling similar issues or what financial professionals advise. Contact us for more suggestions based on your not-for-profit’s specific challenges.
