We’re doing more and more work on boards and fundraising, so I’m delighted to have one of my fellow experts give her take on the topic.

Susan Howlett is a dynamite presenter in demand across the country. Don’t miss this fast-paced, solution-filled conversation which promises practical steps you can take – regardless of your role in the organization – to elicit your board’s joyful and strategic participation.

By the end of the hour, you’ll have concrete, no-cost ways to invite your leaders into deeper ownership and investment, so they’ll become eager stewards and askers.

Be sure to register – if you can't attend the webinar on May 29th at 2:00pm ET, you will still be sent a recording and copy of the slides afterwards!

Shouldn’t we all be telling the same story?

I get asked this question all the time. I’ll be leading a training session talking about using stories to showcase organizational impact and someone will raise their hand and say: “My board (or my staff, or my clients…) all tell different stories. It feels like we’re sending mixed messages. Shouldn’t we all be telling the same story?”

The real answer here is no, not really. We should certainly all be sharing the same message; the story is just the message’s delivery service. The message should always convey that the work you do is necessary and impactful – life changing in fact. The story that delivers that message should be the one that is most personal to you and showcases the very reason you choose to support the work with either your time, talent or treasure.

I'm delighted Asking Matters Expert Sue Kindred will be providing her expert thoughts on storytelling every other month. For members, we'll have a discussion on the topic in our members-only Facebook group. To learn more about Sue, check out SK Consulting.

These days my reading seems to ebb and flow. April was a flowing month so here are three books you might find interesting – two work-related and one for pleasure.

The Happy, Healthy Non-Profit – Beth Kanter & Aliza Sherman
Some of you will remember Beth from our Fundraising Masters series last summer. Her webinar was a revelation for many of us. In the book, Beth and Aliza identify why nonprofit employees have a tendency to burn out, the cost of that burnout to your health…and your organization’s ultimate success, and how to be healthier and build a more effective environment. In a field that can err on the side of sacrifice, this book is a must read.

On Board: What Current and Aspiring Board Members Must Know About Nonprofits and Board Service – Nanette Fridman
Interestingly, I had never read a basic book for board members. Most of the books I read are about how to improve board member performance. Many organizations tend to depend on their onboarding process, which for many is quite minimal. And if one has never served on a board, that leaves you in the dark. On Board gives you everything you need to know. Such a great primer, and all laid out in a straightforward way.

Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Grammar and Style – Benjamin Dreyer
I hesitate to mention this book as it will encourage wordsmiths to go back through this newsletter and point out all my failures! Do you love books about words, phrases, and such? Dreyer covers a wide range of common challenges, mistakes, and enigmas, all with a sharp wit. I’ve already bought this book for a number of friends.

Lots of sessions about boards this month. Amazing how many organizations do not solicit every board member individually, in-person. Do you? Board members are often among your largest donors, but are you treating them as such? If you solicit your board members individually, in-person, for personally significant gifts, you’ll be amazed at the difference.

In early April I headed to Indianapolis for my third year presenting at NAYDO – the North American YMCA Development Conference. At this point it’s like old home week – so many familiar faces. This year we focused on board/staff roles in fundraising and how to identify the value proposition for board members.

Then it was off to Lincoln for AFP/Nebraska. We had a whole day together to talk about Asking Styles, the asking process, and working with boards. Many thanks to Clover Fredericks, president of the chapter and VP/Marketing at the Lincoln Community Foundation, for being an incredible organizer and host.

On the 16th I was back at Opera America, this time to talk about inspiring boards to give their biggest gifts and fundraise. We had a small, deeply engaged group in person…and hundreds watching remotely. Pacific Opera Victoria had dozens of people watching from a conference room in Victoria, British Columbia!

Here's to another great month of fundraising,
 

Brian

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