Re: AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
Re: AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
- Subject: Re: AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
- From: Nicholas Pyers <email@hidden>
- Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:58:41 +1000
On 30/04/2010, at 3:28 AM, Chris Hart wrote:
So I'm curious to hear opinions on the notion of MUG board members
being free from paying group dues, as a thanks for the time they
give, as well as a potential means of attracting new board members
-- something we are having a very hard time with.
Do any of your groups do this?
If not, how do you think the idea would go over in your own group?
Chris
Most groups that I've dealt with probably won't go with this idea...
many see their Committee/Board members as merely been 'First amongst
Equals'
Also many groups have a number of active volunteers that aren't on the
actual Committee/Board who actually do the boring but mundane tasks -
like moving the chairs before and after the meeting, serving the tea
and coffee (and washing up afterwards)... do you start to exempt their
fees as well? Where does it start and where does it end?
That all said, most groups don't hesitate to reimburse Committee
members for 'out of pocket' expenses.
Also many groups honor long serving Committee members AFTER they have
stepped down from their positions - I've seen groups award 'Life
Membership' or a bought a gift certificate from an Apple Retailer/
Store or a nice night out at a local restaurant for the Committee
member and their partner.
Committees should also take an active role in PUBLICLY thanking
"outgoing" Committee members for the work they have done and encourage
the outgoing member to make a few comments about what they got out of
been on the Committee... so potential new members can hear for
themselves that it isn't all hard work... In fact been on a Committee
can be fun and you can make some incredible friendships.
For many people, the workings of been on a Committee is a deep dark
mystery to them... try and show them that it is just a smaller group
of 'ordinary' people that gets together to help steer the group. So
consider personally inviting individuals who you think may be
interested in becoming a Committee member and whom you think would be
good on a Committee to attend an actual Committee meeting so they can
see just what happens at these meetings.
Also be prepared to change Committee meeting times - recently I've
seen a group who couldn't find new Committee members... and when they
asked a couple of people who they thought had been interested in
serving on Committee why they ended up not running, they were told
that the Committee meeting time wasn't suitable for them to get there
on time... so the current Committee moved the start time of the
meeting back an hour and half to 7pm and this worked for everyone,
including two new members :) This same group also meets a few doors
down the road from a great pizza shop... so they drop by their on the
way through and pick up a few pizzas, take these to the meeting and
they eat while talking (well, hopefully not actually talking whilst
actually eating :) ) so they also don't have to worry about racing to
eat before the meeting nor getting hunger pains during the meeting :)
But the best way to encourage new people to step forward for Committee
positions is to point out the benefits of been on the Committee... for
many it is just a chance to contribute back to the group... for others
it could be the ability to learn more (I've served on Committees, and
know of many others, where someone has turned around and said 'I
learnt more about 'X' when I spent time on the Committee than I had in
the previous 10 years - if only to finally know WHO the correct person
is to ask about a particular topic :)"
Too many groups focus on the fact that they need people to be
"responsible" to do "this" task and "that" task... and it can frighten
potential volunteers away... Often merely changing the word
"responsible" to "assist" or help out with" can make a big difference
in perception to the person taking the task on - and they end up been
"responsible" for it anyway when they do come on board :)
--
Nicholas Pyers (email@hidden)
Founder & Publisher, AppleUsers.org
http://www.appleusers.org/
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