QUESTION:
I´m a new executive director and I´d like to visit each of my board members to get better acquainted. Any ideas on conversation topics or questions I might use?

Milan Wall
Co-Director
One excellent topic would be to ask each board member to explain her or his idea of the purpose of the organization. In this way, you´ll hear each person´s understanding of what your organization is all about and gain some insights into what that board member feels is really important.

Jim Sanks
Program Associate
I think it would be useful to ask each one about research interests. What topics should the staff be learning about? This would help in planning future projects, staff development and even board training.

Beverly Redfield Currie
Program Associate
I´d ask each board member about the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. Answers might vary according to experience and expertise, but it would help clarify how the board views the organization and staff.

Reggi Carlson
Development Specialist
I´d ask what charities they favor! Every board member should help with fund raising to support the organization, and if you know more about their own interests, it makes the development conversations much easier.

Leon Sharpe
Program Associate
What changes in the organization and the community have board members seen? This is a good topic for increasing understanding of relevant history. Everyone has an opinion about change.

Vicki Luther
Co-Director
No matter what questions I´d ask, I´d definitely plan a way to offer some information back to the board about what everyone said. Summarize the opinions, insure as much anonymity as possible, but give the board some feedback and, most importantly, a chance to talk about what the information really means.