participation
Everyone likes great food and personality. The meetings cant be boring or people won't come back. Gift cards and thank you are always good as well.
Yes, we do a catered lunch, provide a "token" gift, and do a raffle. These little gestures add some excitment to the meeting. We also keep the mood light and show that everyones opinion is appreciated.
Linda,
Acknowledgements and recognitions go a long way and by keeping your meetings "light" and on time, your members will be more inclined to participate.
Dr. Robert Roehrich
Our bi-annual meetings provides members a professional as well as a social climate from which to exchange ideas and recommendations. We have community activities that board members are invited to come. These include poem recitals, painting exhibits, music, fashion shows and artists from Latin America. Our members are industry savvy as well as cultural articulate.
Arthur,
Blending the academic and cultural aspects of your institution is a great strategy for engaging your the board members. You might also use one of the bi-annual meetings to have a broad-based discussion around the mission, vision and accomplishments of the institution. Another value of the bi-annual approach is to provide either annual or bi-annual reports to the advisory boards on the implementation successes of their ideas and to use it as an opportunity to appreciate them publicly.
Dr. Robert Roehrich
Having food at a meeting is always a plus you can also give out various types of gifts for participation.
Troy,
It is best to keep the food selection light; however, if there is a lunch or dinner meeting then the food selection should be appropriate, of good quality and in sufficient amount to insure everyone has an opportunity to be fed. Avoid "cheap" sandwiches such as Subway or Jimmy John's, board members don't usually appreciate average quality food. Keep in mind they are giving their time and if you treat them properly, your gains will far outweigh the cost of the food and beverages you serve. Small school logo gifts are away appropriate and should generally be under $25.00. Remember that acknowledging your boards for their contributions encourages their engagement and in general, governing boards are treated with more ample expressions of appreciation than advisory boards.
Dr. Robert Roehrich
