STEP 5

Now that you've finished the strategic planning process, the next step is to guide your board to start executing the plans they created. This is where your roadmap becomes a reality.

The first step of execution is recruiting the team you need to get the work done. You, the board member in charge of that area of the organization, and your board member with human resources experience must lead this aspect of the execution together.

For small organizations, you may not have the budget to recruit full-time or part-time staff, and that's fine. That's why nonprofits have access to volunteers. You can bring in volunteers, and for 10 hours a week, they can show up daily for two hours to help your organization execute. You will find a list of platforms to recruit volunteers below.

You can begin executing by bringing in volunteers under every board member to initiate the work while the board member provides leadership and supervisory capacity over the volunteers. This way, you ingrain your board members into the daily execution of the organization.

Next, you want to work with your board members and their volunteers to develop the materials needed to execute the plan in their specific area. For example, for marketing, you may need a social media content creation plan, ad copy, email sequences, and so on. The role of each board member is to work with their volunteers to create those materials.

In some cases, you may need to bring in a contractor to support these volunteers. For example, you may bring in a graphic designer to ensure the materials created are properly branded and look professional. These graphic designers you can also find as volunteers. But it will be your role to bring in such expertise to support the board members and their volunteers.

The Founder's Primary Role: Driving Resource Mobilization

Now that your board is focused on execution, your primary role is to be the Chief Resource Mobilizer. Your job is to support the board member delegated to fundraising and to leverage the financial connections you and the board have.

Your first priority is to provide all the support needed for the board member in charge of fundraising. This includes giving them access to your network, providing them with the necessary tools, and working alongside them to build a robust fundraising system.

Secondly, you should take the list of potential donors that board members identified during the strategic planning pre-audit and actively pursue those leads. Your board members' job was to identify those contacts; your job is now to go after them to raise money for the organization.

This focused fundraising effort is what will ensure your execution has the resources it needs.

The Role of the HR Board Member

During this execution phase, the board member with human resources experience continues to be a vital resource. They should provide guidance on best practices for volunteer management, help with conflict resolution should it arise, and be available to support board members as they lead their volunteer teams. Their expertise ensures that your volunteer teams are well-managed, engaged, and productive.

Onboarding for Volunteers

Once these materials are ready and the execution is about to begin, you should hold a dedicated onboarding session for all the volunteers, including your human resources board member. This is a crucial step to set them up for success.

The volunteer onboarding session should include all board members and their volunteers. During this meeting:

- Introduce the Mission: Ground the volunteers in the mission and culture of the organization, helping them understand the "why" behind their work.

- Clarify Roles: The board members should present the plan of action, clearly outlining the roles and expectations for each volunteer.

- Provide Resources: Board members should provide the materials needed to execute the plan.

- Open the Floor: The volunteers should have an opportunity to provide input, ask questions, and understand how their work fits into the bigger picture.

There should also be a general storage space, like a shared Google Drive, where these materials are made available to everyone. This way, everyone is well-informed about what's going on in other areas, others can provide feedback, and the entire organization can move into execution mode together as a team. This is very important for the success of your execution.

Executing Within Your Budget

Execution is where the rubber meets the road, and it's also where you will put the budget you created during strategic planning to work. It's crucial that you and your board members continuously check your progress against your financial plan. This ensures you are not only achieving your goals but also doing so in a fiscally responsible way.

Once the execution begins, your job is to hold your board members accountable, while they hold their teams accountable. This is to ensure work is done according to the plan.

Next, we will explore how to keep the fire you've started burning and your role in the entire process.