Strategies for board engagement, using surveys and polls, and more
How to define and measure volunteer board engagement
Volunteers are the lifeblood of your organization, so measuring and defining their engagement should be a top priority. When volunteers are engaged, your board is healthier – and better outcomes follow. That’s the subject of this month’s breakdown.
We use the term “engagement” a lot when we talk about optimal boardroom experiences, but how can you easily engage your volunteer board members? This is critical, because board engagement is essential to the health of mission-driven organizations. When volunteer trustees are engaged, boards are healthier. It’s that simple.
Defining and measuring volunteer board engagement is fundamental in understanding how your board feels about its work and for developing a feel for overall board health. It’s important for admins to boost board member engagement so the organization can stay relevant, agile and reliable.
When board members are active and engaged, they come prepared for productive discussions – and that helps to drive better outcomes. It often falls to board administrators to organize and motivate board members.
Download the board admin’s guide to boosting board engagement and make this an even better year for your board.
Streamline board feedback with built-in surveys and polls
BoardEffect’s integrated survey and polling features empower you to efficiently gather feedback and make data-driven decisions through customizable anonymous or open surveys.
BoardEffect provides multiple question formats, automated reminders, and templating capabilities that simplify everything from board member engagement tracking to skills assessments, all while maintaining appropriate confidentiality levels. Are you making the most of these handy features?
Find out more about Surveys and Polls plus other BoardEffect features to increase efficiency and save time.
How OrthoVirginia heightens cybersecurity and drives efficiencies
After OrthoVirginia, a statewide orthopedic surgery practice with 156 physicians and 36 offices, experienced a company-wide cyberattack, CEO Melissa Wilmoth knew a change was needed. The practice needed to move from reliance on manual processes to an automated approach to drive efficiencies and strengthen cybersecurity.
After careful research, OrthoVirginia chose BoardEffect because of its powerful cybersecurity features, flexible materials storage and other digital efficiencies. It’s a change that has helped OrthoVirginia completely transform its security protocols.
“By far, BoardEffect… was the most secure option,” Wilmoth said.
Upcoming events and news
Thrive 2025
Date: February 26-28
Thrive 2025, the NAIS annual conference, heads to Nashville this February. Explore, inspire and connect with independent school leaders and have meaningful conversations so you can return home with renewed joy and purpose.
Check out the best nonprofit events this year.
Black History Month
Date: February
Black History Month is an ideal opportunity to celebrate diversity. Here are 3 ideas for your nonprofit to celebrate Black History Month:
- Organize a series of virtual roundtable discussions featuring historians, scholars and community leaders specializing in Black history and culture. These sessions can provide deep insights into the contributions and struggles of Black individuals throughout history, encouraging your board to consider how to incorporate what they learned into your organization’s mission.
- Host an interactive storytelling workshop where participants can learn about and share stories of Black leaders and changemakers who have influenced societal progress. By fostering a space for reflection and dialogue, your board can better understand how to integrate these narratives into your decision-making processes.
- Develop a community partnership initiative that encourages collaboration between your organization and local Black-owned businesses or cultural institutions. This program could include joint events, educational programs or fundraising efforts that highlight and support Black history and culture. By working together, this partnership can create a lasting impact, fostering a sense of inclusion and demonstrating a commitment to celebrating and uplifting Black communities.
More special events to celebrate this year with your board.
Celebrating our Community Champions
Diligent’s Community Champions program honors exceptional individuals driving innovation, resilience and sustainable practices in education, government and nonprofit organizations.
Do you know someone making a difference? Nominate them today to start the year by recognizing their incredible impact!
What’s trending?
Our pick of the newest and most popular items on our blog this month.
- A guide to BoardEffect Surveys and Polls
- Nonprofit leaders tell us their top priorities of 2025
- 5 steps to stronger cyber oversight
- How nonprofit boards can unlock digital advocacy and crush it on LinkedIn
Give your feedback and win
We love to hear what leaders think about issues and key topics that affect mission-driven organizations. Please take a moment to fill out our latest quick survey on the topic of onboarding new board members for the chance to win a $25 gift card!
