Athena Coaching & Consulting

🌟 5 Reasons Why Your Nonprofit Might NOT Need a Board Consultant 🌟 As someone who works closely with nonprofits, I love engaging with organizations that are deeply committed to improving their boards and governance. That said, there are a few select cases where a nonprofit might not need a board consultant. If your organization checks ALL these boxes, you’re probably in excellent shape: #1. Your Board and Leadership Team Work Seamlessly as Partners The board and executive leadership operate as true partners, where governance and operations work hand-in-hand. While the board technically supervises the Executive Director or CEO, the dynamic is collaborative, not hierarchical, and they share a joint commitment to success. #2. Everyone Sees the Bigger Picture Board members and staff alike can draw clear lines between their tasks and the organization’s mission. They know how their contributions make an impact, and this connection fuels their motivation and focus. #3. Board Service is a Two-Way Street Your board doesn’t just ask volunteers to give, give, give—it also ensures they grow and benefit. Members gain personal and professional development, mentorship, networking opportunities, and recognition (maybe even some fun agency swag!). This balance helps retain passionate and committed leaders. #4. Your Board Culture is Intentionally Awesome Someone (or several people) are actively nurturing the board’s culture. This intentionality ensures accountability, productivity, and a positive environment that helps the board—and, by extension, the organization—thrive. #5. Your Organization Has “More Than Enough” of Everything You’ve reached the nonprofit dream: abundant resources, volunteers, supporters, and partners. You don’t need a strong board to tell your story, raise money, or advance your cause because you already have everything you need. In other words, you’ve basically achieved nonprofit utopia! But let’s be real—most organizations aren’t quite there yet. And that’s OK! Even the healthiest boards have room to grow, improve, and make an even bigger impact. Investing in your board’s development isn’t just about internal health—it’s about advancing your mission and creating a better world. How does your board stack up? #NonprofitLeadership #BoardGovernance #MakeAnImpact

26% of nonprofit employees characterized their workplace as toxic. Employees in nonprofit and government organizations are more likely to experience a toxic workplace than those in the private sector (25% and 26% vs. 17%, respectively). For me, this is a huge concern given that toxic environments can severely impact our mental health. High rate of burnout, chronic fatigue, cynicism, and a sense of ineffectiveness, is exacerbated by the demanding nature of nonprofit work and often limited resources. It emphasizes the need for better employee support and resources in these environments. As an executive leader or a board member, you will most likely be trying to work out how to ensure that the environment you create is positive, inclusive, and empowering - Your proactive efforts can transform your culture and enhance the overall effectiveness of your nonprofit.

🌟 Your organization needs its superheroes! 🌟 Behind every thriving organization is a team of superheroes—passionate, big-hearted volunteers who are dedicated to advancing your mission and cause. These champions bring energy, commitment, and purpose to your work. 🙌 The Challenge? Many of these incredible volunteers may not yet have the tools to effectively govern your organization. And just as often, your leadership staff might not have the training needed to lead governance volunteers effectively. The Opportunity? With the right training and support, these superheroes can transform from well-meaning advocates to powerhouse leaders who drive sustainable impact. It’s about equipping them with the knowledge and skills to complement their passion and helping everyone succeed together. 💡 When passion meets knowledge, there’s no limit to what your organization can achieve. 💡 What strategies are working for your team in building governance capacity? #Leadership #Governance #Volunteers #NonprofitExcellence #Teamwork #CapacityBuilding

Want to know what connects your mission to your day-to-day activities? Strategic planning . It may not sound exciting or sexy... Vut strategic planning provides the stucture to engage your Board of Directors in their role of advancing your organization. And this role is SO important. Taking the time to step away from the operations and work “on” your organization is a practice that agencies of any age and size will benefit from. At Athena, we customize the planning process based on the specific needs of your organization and your board. Reach out to discuss how we can support you. #nonprofit #boarddevelopment #strategy

Every nonprofit needs money. Unfortunately, that is where many organizations want to start – with fundraising. Jumping right into raising money is like building a house without a foundation. It might work for a while, but it’s not going to last. Where we help nonprofits start at Athena Coaching & Consulting, is in developing a solid foundation by curating a Board of Directors that is right for them. Through evaluation, education, and empowering your board, your organization will get to where you want (and the community needs) it to go. Not only that, developing your Board of Superheroes enables leaders to gain more time to focus on the important work of saving the world! #nonprofit #boardofdirectors #leadership #volunteers

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." William James. A strong and focused Board makes an undeniable difference in what your organization can achieve. A Board that’s not just present but actively driving strategy, amplifying your mission, and tackling challenges head-on? Think for a moment... 🤔 Does your Board have clear roles and shared goals? 🤔Are you tapping into their unique skills and passions? 🤔Do they feel engaged, empowered, and inspired to lead boldly? Just what could your nonprofit achieve with a team of superheroes supporting you?

"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." — Phil Jackson Keeping board members engaged is just as important as bringing them on board - Disengagement will only get in the way of you achieving your goals. Regular communication, opportunities for development, and meaningful tasks are essential to keeping board members motivated and invested in the organization's success. So, here are some ideas for how you can build stronger engagement: - Offer continuous learning opportunities: Provide training on governance best practices and offer workshops that address sector-specific challenges, such as rising concerns over climate-related risks or governance oversight. - Conduct annual evaluations: Evaluate both individual contributions and the collective performance of the Board of Directors. These evaluations can help identify gaps and provide opportunities for board members to refocus on areas that need attention. - Encourage open dialogue: Create a culture where board members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. This open communication creates a sense of ownership and responsibility for the organization’s success. Additionally, be sure to recognize and celebrate the contributions of your board members. Acknowledging their impact not only strengthens their connection to the mission, but also fosters a positive board culture. How are you actively engaging your board members to strengthen their connection to your mission?

Sound Familiar? • You have good, passionate people on your board, but they don't do anything. • Your governance volunteers want to get involved in operations. • You know you have to have a board, but you don't know what to do with them. • You simply cannot find anyone who wants to volunteer for your Board of Directors. If you can relate to any of these statements, we should talk! Athena Coaching & Consulting helps nonprofits to develop a solid foundation by curating a Board of Directors that is right for them. Not only that, developing your Board of Superheroes enables leaders to gain more time to focus on the important work of saving the world! Contact me on LinkedIn to arrange a time to talk.

One of the biggest contributors to retaining board members is quality leadership. A healthy culture and mindful leadership makes people want to stay. Not only that, it attracts others who want to be part of a strong organization! Recruiting new board members is important, but retention is equal to this. To keep your board vibrant and engaged long-term, it’s important to continually refresh its composition and energy - there are a lot of nonprofits who echo this strategy, conducting periodic reviews of their board’s makeup. This ensures you're recruiting individuals with diverse skills and perspectives. Here are some ways to keep your board thriving: - Conduct periodic reviews: Regularly assess the board’s composition to identify areas where additional skills or new perspectives might be needed or helpful. - Encourage succession planning: Ensure that leadership positions on the board are regularly rotated, allowing for fresh ideas and preventing burnout. - Cultivate a culture of service: Make sure board members understand that their contributions are making a real difference. When people feel connected to the mission, they’re more likely to stay engaged and committed.

"If you don't know where you're going, you might not get there." It's so easy to get caught up in the daily demands of serving communities, managing programs, and chasing funding. But every organization needs to pause occasionally and ask: Are we heading where we want to go? This isn't about lengthy strategic planning sessions. It's about taking a moment to ensure your team's energy and resources are focused on creating real impact. Remember, being busy doesn't always mean being effective. Your beneficiaries deserve your most thoughtful, focused efforts. When was your last strategic pause?