[Ailist] Board of Directors Orientation

[Paul Andrews]

Paula,

A story that may be applicable to the non-profits you're working with...

The University of North Carolina has used an interesting way of orienting "top management" at the school. A week or two before the fall term began, they would gather together college deans, faculty members who would be working closely with the administration, and other administration people, get on a bus together, and for a week drive around North Carolina to meet and talk with an enormously wide range of the state's residents. Heads of industry --  small business owners -- local craft people -- artists -- farmers --  scientists -- you name it. The purpose of these meetings was simply to listen -- to begin the year by listening to the people of the the state for which they serve as the flagship University. This annual trip invariably creates a far deeper understanding of the state they are serving, and also models a way of working together that begins with listening, a model that serves them well in their own ongoing teamwork during the succeeding year.

Perhaps some variant of this might apply to your non-profit. As part of the orientation process, is there a way the whole Board could set aside time to listen together to their clients/people who are affected by their organization's work?

Paul Andrews



-----Original Message-----
>From: Pygriff at aol.com
>Sent: Apr 3, 2007 7:04 PM
>To: ailist at lists.business.utah.edu
>Subject: [Ailist] Board of Directors Orientation
>
>Folks:
> 
>I'm doing some research into best practices in orienting new members to 
>nonprofit boards of directors.  I wonder if those of you who are on, or have been 
>on BODs, would answer a couple of questions:
> 
>1.  When you joined a board of directors, what things were done for you or 
>with you that helped you to:
> 
>---  feel a part of the board
>---  bring your talents to the activities of the board
>---  make a contribution to the organization
>---  have a good time in the process
> 
>2.  What are one or two best practices you have seen in board of director 
>orientation?  What made those things good or effective?
> 
>Many thanks for any ideas you may have!
> 
>Best wishes,
> 
>Paula Griffin
> 
> 
> 
> 
>Paula Yardley Griffin
>Consulting Today, resource for consultants, trainers, facilitators and coaches
>Email: editor at consultingtoday.com Phone: 610.366.0165
>Web: www.consultingtoday.com
>
>
>
>************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
>_______________________________________________
>The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. Jack Brittain is the list administrator. For subscription information, go to:
>http://mailman.business.utah.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/ailist