If you manage a university board, you already know that the meeting itself is not the work. The meetings are obviously important, but if engagement only happens three times a year around a conference table, you’re not doing it right.
Board members don’t just want to attend meetings. They want to contribute. And after every meeting, whether they say it out loud or not, they’re thinking: “Okay… now what?”
Here are practical ways to engage your board outside of meetings in ways that actually move advancement forward.
1. Turn Board Members Into Hosts
This is one of the easiest and most effective strategies. Ask board members to host small events in their homes or at a restaurant in their city. Keep it small with a well thought out guest list.
Why this works:
- They can bring in new prospects you would never access on your own.
- When they share why they serve and why they give, it impacts the guests.
- And yes… it’s even better when they pay for the event.
Board members love do these type of events, but its on you to make the event a success so they are happy in the end.
2. Activate Them During Accepted Student Season
If university enrollment drives revenue, your board should care deeply about this. We’ve had board members:
- Write and sign letters to accepted students.
- Join Zoom panels to talk about their experience to accepted students.
- Personally reach out to high-priority admits.
Hearing from admissions is one thing. Hearing from a successful alum who serves on the board? That is a difference maker. Board members love talking about their experience and the accepted students love hearing real stories.
3. Put Them in Front of Students
This might be the most overlooked engagement lever. Whenever there’s an opportunity to:
- Speak in a class
- Judge a competition
- Mentor a student group
- Participate in a conference
Start with your board. Board members want the connection to students. It reminds them why they serve and deepens their commitment.
4. Use Them in Stewardship
When gifts come in, don’t let stewardship live only in your office. Have board members:
- Make thank-you calls
- Send short handwritten notes
- Record quick personalized videos
When a donor hears from a respected member of the university community it elevates the experience.
In Conclusion
Board engagement works best when you give them meaningful roles, make it easy to contribute and show them how their time moves the needle.
Meetings are necessary. But some of the best engagement happens in between.
How are you engaging your boards outside of meetings? Leave a comment.
Leave a Reply