| Someone asked me recently about the best way to | | | | meeting, here are some things you can do:o Have |
| teach Board members about fundraising and resource | | | | them pair up and share why they said "Yes" to being |
| development at Board meetings. Since this is | | | | on the Board. This helps them tap into their passion |
| something I do a lot of, I had plenty of ideas to | | | | for the organization.o Have them tell each other a |
| share. | | | | story about how the organization is changing lives in |
| It's tempting to simply inundate them with | | | | the community.o Have them share their thoughts |
| information - the donor pyramid, Fundraising 101, how | | | | about fundraising - what they are scared of and |
| to make an ask, etc. As professional fundraisers, we | | | | what they feel comfortable with. This helps begin to |
| are well versed in this material. Keep in mind that | | | | overcome fear of fundraising.o Create a crossword |
| Board members are volunteers and not as | | | | puzzle with the words in the puzzle being answers |
| experienced or educated in fundraising. Share enough | | | | and the clues being about basic facts of your |
| to help them be successful, but not so much that | | | | organization. For example, 1 across might be the |
| you overwhelm them. | | | | number of kids served each year (answer - Fifty).o |
| As you prepare to train your Board, take into | | | | Create a game of Jeopardy around organizational |
| account some basic adult learning principles. Adults will | | | | facts.o Have them brainstorm about people in their |
| retain more if they are active participants in the | | | | sphere of influence who they can talk to about your |
| training. So be sure to engage them in activities - | | | | organization or send an appeal letter to. |
| don't lecture. And remember that there are many | | | | Over time, this will help 'bring them along' and |
| different styles of learning, so be sure to vary your | | | | increase their comfort level with fundraising in general. |
| style and delivery. | | | | And you'll find that by using interactive, microbursts |
| When you have the opportunity to teach your Board | | | | of training, your Board members will enjoy it more |
| about fundraising in short bursts at each Board | | | | and remember it longer. |