One of the most underutilized best practices in board development is director onboarding. A well planned orientation for newly recruited board members is essential for building commitment and long-term retention.

Walking into a first board meeting can be intimidating, especially when new members feel out of place or unsure of expectations. Set them up for success by intentionally easing them into the work. Introduce them to your education foundation’s mission, vision, funding priorities, goals, and programs, and ensure they are familiar with key policies and bylaws.