by Dan Reynolds, Vice President

Nurturing your board’s role throughout the Capital Campaign process is no simple task. It begins when recruiting board members and continues throughout the post-Campaign phase of your effort.

Board members oftentimes “play games” during Campaigns because they don’t fully understand the significance of their roles or simply lack the necessary commitment.

Knowing the games board members can play can help you deal with them when they occur. Here are some examples:

• “We weren’t organized to be a fund raising board. That should be another board’s job.”
  
  
• “I’ll make a small gift before I get asked to make a significant one.”
  
  
• “We can’t begin a Capital Campaign; it will hurt annual giving.”
  
  
• “I’m not here to raise money. I’m here for my expertise.”
  
  
• “I will take this list of prospect calls…(but I have no intention of following up on them).”
  
  
• “I really don’t see the need for a Capital Campaign.”
  
  
• “We don’t need to make calls. We can do a mailing.”
  
  
• “I’ll help, but I won’t have much time to give.”
  
  
• “The timing is bad…It’s the wrong time of year…The economy is poor…There are too many other Campaigns going on.”
  
  
• “I’ll give time, but not money.”
  
  
• “I’ll help, but I won’t lead.”
  
  
• “Other agencies have Campaigns without board involvement; why can’t we?”
  
  
• “We haven’t studied it enough yet. Let’s form a committee.”
  
  
• “We’re a grassroots organization.”
  
  
• “Let’s get lots of small gifts.”
  
  

Teach Your Board About Sacrificial Giving

Although not all board members can contribute at the same level, each board member is capable of making a sacrificial gift – a gift amounting to more that they initially realized they were capable of giving.

Identify various ways to teach board members about sacrificial gifts – a guest editorial in your newsletter or magazine or a public testimonial from one who has made a sacrificial gift at your next board meeting.

When you can identify someone who has made a significant sacrificial gift, recognize him/her in the presence of the other board members.

Giving, in Campaigns, must be led by the board. Seek a 100% level of participation.