By David A. Mersky I have written a lot these past few months about the importance of employee retention, in large measure because the process of hiring somebody is so expensive and time consuming. We have talked about employee onboarding and about corporate culture, both of which are critical to… [Read more…]
By David A. Mersky When last we gathered, I wrote to you about the importance of onboarding. This helps ensure that your new hire will be well integrated and likely stay in your employ for a good long time. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all that… [Read more…]
By David A. Mersky Our firm conducts many searches; you see them listed here every other week when we publish this newsletter. We are proud of our success identifying candidates and helping them integrate into their new positions across the country. However, in doing this… [Read more…]
I was in a meeting recently promoting 100% board participation in the annual fund when a board member stated, in no uncertain terms, that the board benefits from his expertise, he doesn’t also have to give financially. He doesn’t believe you have to… [Read more…]
A few years ago I have become aware of a theory called rejection therapy. The idea is that to overcome the fear of rejection you ask for seemingly preposterous things and eventually, you will be immune to the rejection and focused on how… [Read more…]
When we work with nonprofits on their governance structure, we have found that the Executive Committee is often a point of contention. Term limits, board manuals, and the size of a board are the first heated discussions. But, a conversation about the pros… [Read more…]
For nonprofits who must beg someone to become board chair, it may feel impossible to imagine an orderly transition. But, if your organization has a leadership pipeline*, you cannot imagine how any board functions without one. If you are scrambling for your next… [Read more…]
Have you ever been a part of a nonprofit board that has been paralyzed and not able to make decisions? It can be incredibly frustrating as a volunteer and have serious repercussions for those who rely on these organizations. People, animals, and environments… [Read more…]
Last month I wrote about what to do with an under-performing board member. The follow up question that we often hear is “Does losing a board member mean losing their donation?” That depends on why you are losing a board member. The reasons may… [Read more…]
Do you have board members who don’t show up to meetings? Or board members who come to meetings but spend the time on their phone? Maybe they show up but don’t contribute in any substantive way. What do you do with under-performing board… [Read more…]