Smart ideas delivered every other Tuesday from Hartsook Companies, Inc.

November 13, 2007

Raising financial support for your organization without the support of your Board can be an uphill struggle. However, if nonprofit staff members and the Board of Directors work as partners to advance your mission through community awareness, program enhancements and even resource development, success is sure to be on the horizon.

Such a partnership can be expressed in these ways:

1. Assume joint responsibility for financial success
2. Develop a shared vision of how goals are to be met
3. Demonstrate a common commitment to reach those goals
4. Understand and embrace the different but complimentary roles of staff and Board
5. Hold each other accountable
6. Support, recognize and encourage each other
7. Celebrate successes as goals are achieved

As each staff member has their own specific roles and responsibilities so also do Board members have roles. Board members are to be:

1. Tireless proponents and advocates of your mission as they share the impact of your work with others in the community
2. Generous annual donors
3. Conduits as they develop lists of people with influence and affluence who share your passion and then introduce these individuals to staff and fellow Board members
4. Recruiters of volunteers as well as financial supporters
5. Solicitors by inviting individuals to financially invest in your important work
6. Thankers by constantly expressing gratitude to staff for their hard work and other donors for their philanthropic support

Partners share in the good times and the bad - working effectively with your Board will help assure your organization enjoys more good times than bad.

- Terry Snapp, MA, CFRE, Executive Vice President (Kansas City) tsnapp@hartsookcompanies.com

Another Smart Idea...From the Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM

"All new Board members are required to go through a Fundraising 101 course and then participate in a one-on-one solicitation visit to a prospective donor." - Shaun Butcher, Inspire to Serve (Frederick, Md.)

If you are interested in Best Practices and smart ideas, see these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:

• "Fundraising Magic - 33.5 Strategies for Turning Board Members into Money Makers" by Robert G. Swanson (2007, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). This book shares proven strategies you can implement immediately to give Board members the confidence and tools needed to cultivate donors, solicit gifts and strengthen your organization's position in the community. To order this book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.

• "Reality Fundraising: Proven, Practical Ideas for the Enlightened Fundraiser" by Bob Hartsook (2005, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). The book features great ideas, insights and lessons learned through hundreds of best practices from nonprofit professionals nationwide. To order the book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.

• "Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM," a compilation of best practices from every state in the union.

• "Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM," our original collection of 250 best practices and great ideas.

For a free copy of "Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM" or the "Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM", please email Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bestpractices2.shtml. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com.

Interested in Speakers?

Hartsook consultants are available to speak to your organization on a variety of topics. To read more, visit http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/speak.shtml or email Tami Druzba at tami@hartsookcompanies.com to discuss the possibilities.

Visit the Hartsook Companies web site for:

• Educational opportunities
• Books/reference articles
• Conference/workshop speakers

Strategies for Success explores smart ideas, connecting with more than 1,500 fundraising professionals bi-weekly. We welcome your contributions or comments. If you'd like a free subscription to Strategies for Success - or its monthly companion, eHartsook on Philanthropy - contact Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.

Our web site is located at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com.