Spotlight on Board Development
Washington, D.C.

One of the most important steps you can take today as the economy recovers is to focus on creating a Board where engagement, passion, planning and philanthropy are your cornerstones. S&W is working today with clients such as the Prince George's African American Museum and Cultural Center, Arch Development Corporation, and Meals on Wheels Association of America to engage their leadership in strategic planning and philanthropy.

Some measures you should take today are:

• Create an exciting Executive Education program for your Board that will enable them to connect with scholars, program directors and policy leaders in your field. This should include a travel program that is paid for by participants.


• Meet with each Board member to define what element of your program is most compelling to them and arrange for a lunch or dinner where they can have direct conversations with your own scientists, curators, program directors and others.


• Review your Board recruitment strategies. Establish a small elite team – the President/ Executive Director, Vice President for Development, Board Chair or another Board member – to meet monthly on Board prospects and recruitment. Understand your goals for Board recruitment for the next three years.


• Establish the protocol for managing the relationships with your Board and your communications with Board members.


• If you have not done a strategic assessment and/or planning process in the last three to five years, plan a Board/staff process that will be engaging and constructive for your organization.