I’ve always loved the cinematic experience of a well done scene of grandeur.
In my office, behind my desk, there hangs a painting depicting a nautical battle. Though there are only three ships pictured, the theatre of the mind easily expands the scene to fleets sailing the high seas without any effort whatsoever.
No, you didn’t miss an email update where I shared vast sailing knowledge. I am not a Captain in my down time.
But I do appreciate what this painting stands for and what it suggests to me as the viewer.
Although we think of the word investment in financial terms, its origin dates back to the time of these sailing ships. To be invested was to be surrounded in battle, to be protected.
Ask yourself, “Is my board invested in my organization? Are they investing in the leader of the ministry? Are they constantly, tirelessly working to expand the influence of the leader?”
Giving and Gaining are the goals of a board. It’s not merely a strategy of surrounding the leader, but also of expanding their reach, just like in battle.
A Giving Board Grows Its Ministry
Board members must put on their “big boy and big girl pants” and secure commitments to the ministry in the form of giving.
Commitments go beyond donations here and there of fifty or one-hundred dollars. Commitments happen when individuals pledge to your organization’s plan by saying they agree to donate one-hundred dollars monthly for the next year or a thousand dollars on an annual basis.
One impact this has obviously is the dollars as they’re given, the cash. Beyond the immediate, commitments demonstrate leadership because you or anyone else that’s involved in engaging people can articulate, “We have this many commitments, or we have people who have committed at this level.”
Commitments reflect security and trust in an organization’s planning and purpose. Commitments secured by board members both demonstrate leadership and encourage following.
Let’s examine what this would look like for an organization.
If you have someone that makes a $250,000 commitment, the first thing development should do is think about who else to talk to who might be able to commit at that same level, because someone has now provided leadership. They’ve made a leadership decision to fund your plan. This provides momentum to talk to that next person who might be able to give $250,000. But What if there really isn’t anyone to talk to that could give a quarter of a million dollars and commit that? Then, start breaking it down. Go to 50 people and talk about that $250,000 leadership commitment and ask them to commit to the next $250,000 to whatever degree possible.
My challenge and encouragement to you is to seek 100% commitment from the board to significantly give to the work of your organization. This amount is between you and the Lord. This will demonstrate leadership and every time a board gives it will be a catalyst to spark a new level of momentum.
Navigate this process carefully and prayerfully with your board for the greatest impact.
Cooperative Board Focus Gains Ground
Identify one high impact project that board members will individually focus on this year.
A board that gives must be a board that looks together toward the future. A shared goal gains ground.
I’ve seen this take many different forms over the years.
I’ve seen a board member say, “This year, it may take me all year, but I’m going to get you a breakfast meeting with this person.”
Another board member may say, “Do you know what, this year my role is just going to be to show up and have breakfast, coffee, or lunch. I may gain 50 pounds, but by golly, I’m going to host some breakfasts, coffees and lunches.”
I’ve seen people say, “I’ll host a small group. I can only do one, but we’ll open up our home or I’ll open up my office and I will bring people together to hear this story.”
One guy said, “I’m going to focus on the company I work in, it may take me all year, but I’m going to get a group of people in a room to hear the story. I’ll pay for a fabulous dinner and let’s see what happens,” and this ultimately led to $1 million in pledges from one group of people in a company.
It might be your extended family. “I’m giving, but I’m going to get my extended family involved and I’m going to do that carefully and prayerfully over time.”
If it makes you nervous and feels hard, and if you know if it actually happened, if the Lord actually brought it about, it would transform the future of your ministry… you’re on the right track!
I encourage you to reach out to your board with these challenges. Make this calendar year your board’s most impactful year to date! Report back to us at Development and Leadership Coaching – we’re excited for the momentum you’re about to initiate!
Are you looking to implement change in your organization? You may want to take a look at our Rapid Success Projects tool TODAY!