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

August 22, 2006

There are many good Boards supporting charitable organizations. There are also great Boards underwriting charitable missions - unfortunately these are fewer in number.

What is the difference?

Great Boards begin as good Boards - and graduate. Becoming a great Board is a journey, not a destination. Progress is incremental, not a conversion experience, but you can look back and observe the changes in priorities and performance.

What are the benchmarks of a great Board?

Great Boards...

1. Define themselves not only by what they are, but by what they dare to become. Robert Greenleaf states it well, "Defining the organization and stating its goals and purposes is probably the most critical task that confronts trustees. Everything else that trustees do rests on this basic decision."
2. Stay on message. That message is the mission and services of the organization. Mixed or multiple messages weaken communication.
3. Set the compass for the organization through goals studies and strategic planning. Management provides and executes the "blueprint" that translates these strategic goals into a programmatic plan of action.
4. Focus on the services needed today and tomorrow, not yesterday's successes or programs that no longer work.
5. Are proactive in anticipating trends and changes in the environment - and the ensuing implications for their organization - and adapt successfully.
6. Identify priorities and spend their time on major, not minor, matters - "first things first and second things not at all."

In determining priorities they:

• Focus on opportunities rather than problems
• Pick the future over the past
• Aim high for something that will make a difference in people's lives

- Harold J. "Hal" Schultz, PhD, Executive Vice President (Kansas City) Harold@hartsookcompanies.com

Another smart idea...From the Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM

"Recruit Board members as adding specific ingredients in a successful recipe. Use the organization's goals and fund development plans to strategically select prospects who have specific skills and experience related to your goals and objectives." - Sherry Weber, DePaul Health Center Foundation (Bridgeton, Mo.)

If you are interested in Best Practices, check out these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:

• "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 any or all of the "Best Practices" collections, please email Erika Turner, erika@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

The Hartsook School of Consulting

Bob Hartsook, an icon and expert in the fundraising profession, has been dedicated to the education and advancement of fundraising for decades. He has offered seminars in more than 30 cities across the country; been a guest speaker for countless conferences, symposiums and classrooms; and authored six books and mountains of articles.

In 2007, Bob will take training to a new level - The Hartsook School of Consulting, a fundraising executive boot camp.

Keep watching various industry publications for more information. Or, if you want to be one of the first to hear more, send an email to hsc@hartsookcompanies.com with your contact information.


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 Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.

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