I agree with Amy, BoardSource is a good place to start. So is the Servant Leader Institute in Indianapolis. If you have a local United Way, they often have workshops on this question. The main issue is to make an institutional commitment to develop an excellent Board that meets the needs of the institution. There are many factors that go into creating the proper culture for this--too many to list here, and some depend on the reality of your particular situation.
Main factors to remember are:
1) Legally you need a Board to exist.
2) The Board is responsible for your fiscal well-being.
3) Boards should be involved in policy, not daily operations.
4) They do not need to have expertise in any particular field, but individual members need to be recruited to add some needed element to your institution.
5) Remember, they are giving up part of their life so that you (as staff) can make a living. Respect them.
6) Don't waste the goodwill of a Board member and use their skills.
Last point--avoid recruiting personal friends and academics. Friends can turn into enemies, and academics seldom meet the 3G's criteria for a good Board Member (Give, Get, or Get-off).
Peace, nick
-----Original Message-----
>From: "Phillips, Amy" <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Jan 15, 2008 12:55 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Board recruitment
>
>Tracy,
>
>If you haven't yet looked here, I would recommend you explore the Board
>Source's web site for information on tools and resources:
>
>http://www.boardsource.org/
>
>Good luck and best regards,
>
>Amy
>
>Amy J. Phillips
>Gift Registrar
>Smithsonian Institution
>1000 Jefferson Drive SW, 4th Floor
>Washington, DC 20013-7012
>[log in to unmask]
>202-633-5072 (Phone)
>202-786-2516 (Fax)
>Mail to: PO Box 37012, MRC-035
> Washington, DC 20560-0035
>
>Become part of the Smithsonian experience and subscribe now to
>Smithsonian Focus, a free monthly e-newsletter:
>http://go.si.edu/smithsonian/join
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>Behalf Of Tracy Sullivan
>Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:31 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Board recruitment
>
>Hi all. We need to recruit some new members to our board of directors
>and I
>am looking for some creative suggestions as to how to go about it.
>
>Any and all advice is welcome.
>
>Thanks
>Tracy Sullivan
>Executive Director
>Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden
>Alexandria, VA
>
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