Sleepless in 2013?

DG: I would recommend that you also put together a job description for your board, just as you would for a qualified staff person.

TH: I like the idea that you’re looking for wealth, wisdom and work. They got to have one or two of those, or you don’t want them on your board. And look at roles. Do you need an accountant? Do you need a lawyer? I love the idea of a job description. And it’s not one for all board members — a job description for each one because you want them to do specific things.

Closing Remarks
DG: We’re just about out of time, so why don’t we do a quick round of closing thoughts? This conversation was great. I would recommend everyone to have these conversations with people in your network. You don’t have to come to a closing session like this to talk about these topics and find out what’s going on at other organizations. Look to your colleagues, your friends, your co-workers, people at other organizations that you aspire to be, and throw out topics and have conversations with them. It could be a really helpful experience.

TH: Be proud to ask people to contribute to your organization. Give them significance in their lives, and you’re making a difference and they are.

JJ: Be sure you are engaging people in conversation, whether they are donors, volunteers, staff, board … be dialoguing. Don’t make it one-way.

CJ: Keep the donors No. 1. Remember that the donor is not going to care whether it’s a development message, a fundraising message, an education message … just as long as you let what the donor wants to see and hear be No. 1.

MP: We live in the most amazing time to be alive right now because we have so many different ways to connect with people in a really meaningful way. It’s just an exciting time to be fundraisers.