Part 4: Equipping Your Volunteers for Success
You now have a well-informed board who not only knows the core essentials for success, but you’ve also expanded their toolset of insights and held your board orientation meeting which spurred great conversations. These steps already have set your association on a path for success, but you want to do more. When you think of your organization’s structure, who beyond the board and staff are being charged with doing the work of the association?
This could be committee chairs, committee members, task forces or other ad hoc groups formed to support the programs or initiatives of the association. These groups don’t need the same information in content or scope being provided to your board during their orientation but could greatly benefit from being provided tailored information to support the specific role(s) they play. Consider being a brand-new member eager to volunteer and contribute to your industry’s association – and being placed on a committee. What can we provide to this member to set them up for success?
I’d offer that one key item to include as a starting point would be any relevant charters or policies governing the work of the committee, chair or other group being given the orientation. Being sure your volunteers are aware of and understand the governing documents and policies that impact their work is imperative to ensuring they are well-equipped to succeed in their roles. Including this information helps ensure they know what work they are charged with, what their specific role is, and how that relates to others also working on these initiatives or programs.
Next, consider your current strategic plan and whether any of the current initiatives or goals are being driven by the work of this group. Discuss what these initiatives are, where you are in the process and any next steps or specific goals or milestones being worked towards. Be sure to allow space for questions and conversation on these items, similar to how you conducted your board orientation.
Some other items to consider if time allows:
- Does this group have a budget they have direct oversight of? If so, you’ll want to cover the budgeting process and what is under their purview.
- Recent feedback on the programs or initiatives this group oversees. Member surveys, attendee surveys, etc. will help inform their decisions.
- Include a walkthrough of any pertinent dashboards this group utilizes. What metrics are included, and who updates the dashboard and at what frequency?
The ultimate goal is a well-informed network of leaders – from your board members to your committee chairs and to your newest member serving on an ad hoc workgroup. By equipping all your leaders with the knowledge and toolsets required to do their best and most insightful work from the start – you set your entire association up for success.
To read the other parts of this series, visit the Acumen blog for part 1, part 2. and part 3.