Building an onboarding packet for new board members can make a meaningful difference when it comes to getting new directors up to speed and confidently engaging with the work of the organization.
Create an orientation folder on your shared drive titled ‘Board Member Kit’. Inside you will be setting up separate files instead of creating one unified packet pdf. This will be easier to keep the various components up to date without needing a full re-release.
I like to include the following:
- Welcome To The Org Slide Deck – Get-to-know-us slide-deck that introduces the organization, including the mission, core values, a brief history, overview of programs, and lifelong impact. When designing this deck, frame it with a general audience in mind: staff members, donors, partners, and the general public. Update every 2-3 years.
- Welcome To The Board Slide Deck – Slide-deck that introduces board operations, including information on strategic priorities, key partners, key policies, tenure, board structure/org structure, committees, including
- Your First 3-6 Months – 1-page overview of what details what board members should be trying to do in their first 3-6 months, month by month.
- Board Guidebook – Detailing
- Operations Calendar – Details key activities of the board over the course of the year, including budgeting, events, financial submittals, elections, etc.
- Member & Officer Responsibilities Overview – Job description of board members and the different officers of the board
- Directory – Biographies and contact information for all board members, including terms.
- Committee Overview & Links to Charters– 1-pager that lists all board committees and their general scope, as well as copies of each board committee charter. If you don’t know what a board charter is, check out my classroom for a copy.
- Board Contract & Disclosure Forms – Template copies of the forms board members fill out when they onboard with the organization.
- Any Additional Board Service Information – I like to include a 101 on serving on a board, a recommended reading list, email set-up guide, and so on.