The Power of an Engaged
and Proactive Advisory Board
Learning Objectives for this Session
Sharing ideas about what makes an Advisory
Board Powerful.
Tips to recruit, retain and sustain active and
engaged AB’s and how they can enhance NAF
Academies and, most importantly, the students.
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Based on your most pressing need,
today, what would you do first to
improve your current board?
What we Learned from the Survey
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Respondents Demographics:
⚫ Boards established 5+ years
⚫ Active members 2-5
⚫ Impact 60% of potential
What we Learned from the Survey
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Top reasons your Board is Effective
⚫ Good & Diverse Leadership
⚫ Engaged/Committed Members
⚫ Goals / Strategic Plan
⚫ Academy/Board Structure
⚫ Cooperation
Administration
Teachers/Students
Industry
What we Learned from the Survey

Catalyst for Improvement:
⚫ Clear Structure & Goals
⚫ Better Communication
⚫ Community Involvement
⚫ NAF Support/Best Practices
⚫ Fundraising
What we Learned from the Survey
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Top Challenges:
⚫ Implement ideas
 (Leadership)
⚫ Budgets
⚫ Internships
⚫ Recruiting Members
⚫ Finding Sponsors
Goals
It begins with a Shared Vision
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Strategic Planning
Identify the top needs for the year
⚫ Internships
⚫ Classroom Integration with Business Community
⚫ Field Trips
⚫ A New Library
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What are your Board’s goals for the year?
Are the Right Players on your
Bus?
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Are they in the right Seats?
Do you have a great driver looking 100
yards ahead
Who’s holding the map?
Is your mechanic on board in case?
Who’s asking why we’re going there?
Cards on the Table

Pick a card, one card, that most represents
the value you bring to your team, your
board.
The Matrix
Balance of Working Styles
Community Diversity
Industry Representation
Expertise
THE MATRIX
Prinicpal Director Teacher AB Chair AB Chair AB Treas AB Sec AB 1
A. Puts NAF in top 3
B: Most Natural Roles
C: Diversity
D: Industry
E: Skills
AB 2
Creating Raving Fans – not just good
board members
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Platinum Rule – Help others matter
Connect them with Students, progressively
Progressively encourage them to engage
others
Provide tools and events to make it easy for
them to engage: scheduled tours,
breakfasts…
Creating Raving Fans – not just good
board members
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Touch them, regularly but not too much
Provide options: full board, committees,
councils
Structure – together, create clear tasks &
direction for your board members
Example: We need a
Marketing Person
Networking: Where???
⚫ Just like dating – go where you have a passion
⚫ LinkedIn
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Agencies, Associations, fast 50, Winners
Local larger companies have CMO’s
Should I go direct?
Board members who work with agencies and
give them $$
Board Matching Networks
Summary - Effective Measures &
Advice From Survey
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Goals - Strategic Planning
Membership – Large & Diverse Board
Recruiting – Strong Leaders & Members with
the “right” skills
Structure – provide clear tasks & direction
for your Board Members
Gaps -
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The Right Shared Goals
Assessing Gaps
Recruiting the “Right” People
Structure + Engagement
Recruiting a Marketing Person
Board Matching Organizations and Sites
 www.serve.gov
 www.allforgood.org
 www.volunteermatch.org
 www.bvumaryland.com
Board Structure
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Large Group
Regional Based
Sub-committees
Large Group
Activity Focused
School
Staff
NAF
Staff
Board
Chairperson
Students
/Parents
Industry
Advisors
Board
Chairperson
Committee
NAF Staff /
Teachers
Committee
Industry
Parents &
Students
NAF Staff /
Teachers
Industry
Parents &
Students
Classroom Speakers
Field Trip
Board
Chairperson
Fundraising
Career Day
Providing a Structure
of Engagement
Common Gaps:
• Fundraiser
• members from Large Corporations (potential
sponsorship, internships, etc.)
• Leaders & Doers