Recently StrategyGirl swooped in to pay a visit to a local nonprofit conference. In one session facilitators asked the group to list out all the barriers to having an effective board of directors. The list was long. Almost as long as the list of StrategyGirl's adventures. There was never a lull as participants quickly (almost eagerly??) shouted out all the issues with their boards. "Don't show up" "Don't follow through" "Poor relationship with CEO" "Micromanage" "Not strategic" "Don't raise money" (more on that one later!). The list grew and grew. Finally, the facilitators had to cut it off - it was not complete - heaven's no! But the session was only 90 minutes after all. So, working from this extensive but not exhaustive list, the facilitators asked for reflections. "Boards need more training" "We need better board members" "We need board job descriptions" "We need commitment letters"
And then one brave Who from Whoville spoke up and said "This has been the same list of problems for 40 years".
Everyone laughed. StrategyGirl did not. She shed a tear - for this little Who had spoken Truth. It HAS been the same list for 40 years. The litany of malfunctions, complaints, whines, suggestions, lists, trainings, books . ......
Does the sector thrive and do good work DESPITE the boards? Are the boards fine but the sector is just whiny? Or, if it's been the same list for 40 years, shall we stop making lists and try something different?
