By Nicole Millman-Falk
Among the attendees at NYSAE’s January 8 Executive Women in Nonprofits SIG were (left to right): Amy Geffen, PhD, Interim Executive Director, Financial Womens Association; Robin Hickey, Assistant Vice President, Financial Planning, New York City Economic Development Corporation; Beverly Daniel, President, CareerGrowth Group; Valerie Cammiso, CAE, Executive Director, International Council of Shopping Centers Foundation; and Kimberly Unger, Esq., Security Traders Association of New York.
An association's or nonprofit's board is not about its agenda. Sometimes, it's not even about the mission of the organization. Sometimes it's really about the people around the table. Getting the right mix of people takes time, planning, and patience. To get the best candidates for the job around that table, the association and nonprofit community need to move beyond male, pale, and stale.
Female executives help organizations do just that, and as was evidenced by participants at NYSAE's January 8 Executive Women in Nonprofits SIG, many already sit on boards other than their own.
How does an association/nonprofit build a diverse board? By having staff and other board members with a diverse personal network, suggested Katrina Huffman, Director of Programs at Youth, Inc., who spoke to SIG members about Joining or Adding to a Nonprofit Board. If most people come to a board through a recommendation of either another board member or a staff member, it means their personal networks have to be diverse.
"We are so used to putting people in boxes with labels, but nobody wants to be a token; nobody wants to be the voice of a whole community," said Huffman.
When deciding whether to serve on a board, you need to be a little selfish, she advised. Are you inspired by the work that the organization does? Are you inspired by its leadership? If not, then you will not get the energy that you need from the organization to perform at maximum capacity.
Katrina Huffman, Director of Programs at Youth, Inc., spoke about Joining or Adding to a Nonprofit Board at NYSAE’s January Executive Women in Nonprofits SIG meeting.
Women in particular tend to give more than they get back. When that happens, you get board (or donor) fatigue. You get fatigue when the fit is bad. Inspired people find the energy to continue the volunteer work that they are called upon to do. "Inspiration beats fatigue all the time," said Huffman.
To be clear in your understanding of your purpose on the board, Huffman advised that you ask for a job description. "If boards don't understand their role, that is a sign of bad management," said Huffman. Be clear about what is needed of you and what you are willing to do for that board.
When you are trying to get invested in an organization, ask yourself if you care enough to spend your time, money, and energy with the other people around the table. Are you willing to recruit other people to join you, whether by joining the organization or donating to that organization? Said Huffman, "If you cannot get invested with that organization, then it is not a good fit for you, or for the nonprofit.
It is also important to do financial due diligence before joining a board. "You don't want to sit on a board that has issues with IRS or huge outstanding loan," said Huffman. "You'll also want to make sure that the organization has officers and directors insurance and that you are not financially or legally liable should something go wrong."
Ultimately, serving on a board is a great way to share your expertise with others, learn new skills, and expand your network and your net worth.
Marsha Block, CAE, CFRE, CEO, American Group Psychotherapy Association and sponsor of NYSAE’s January 8 Executive in Women in Nonprofits SIG; Katrina Huffman, Director of Programs at Youth, Inc., presenter; Jennifer Ian, MBA, CAE, Director, Member Services and Chapter Relations, American Thoracic Society, and SIG Committee member; Valerie Cammiso, CAE, Executive Director, International Council of Shopping Centers Foundation; and Linda Ferm, CAE, President, Ferm Strategies, SIG Chair.
As a member of the Management Team, Huffman oversees all Youth, Inc.'s programs, including: Celebration; Metrics; BridgeFund Capacity Building Grants; Get on Board; and Board Advancement. She is a frequent contributor and panelist on behalf of BoardAssist. Before joining Youth, Inc., she held leadership positions in several nonprofits, including the Harlem Children's Zone, Inc., Groundwork, and Riverside Church of New York.
The January meeting was sponsored by Marsha Block, CAE, CFRE, CEO, American Group Psychotherapy Association, and hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers. NYSAE's Executive Women in Nonprofits Shared Interest Group serves as a gathering place for women leaders from the metro New York association and nonprofit communities to convene and engage in an interactive discussion with like-minded peers. Participation is free as a benefit of NYSAE. Guest may attend three SIG meetings and are then invited to join NYSAE.
Nicole Millman-Falk, is President of Millman-Falk Communications, LLC, providing strategic communication services for trade associations, professional societies, and donor-based organizations. In addition to her own company, she serves as Editor for Apogee Publications, which provides turnkey association newsletters, magazines, and membership directories. She is Editor of NYSAE's InView She can be reached at 201-652-1687; nicolemillmanfalk@gmail.com; or through her website at www.millmanfalkcommunications.com.