Have you ever dreamed of having a waiting list of high performing Directors who know about your organization, who know what it means to be strategic, and who ask questions from Day 1 that open up insights and possibilities for everyone on your Board?

One of the most powerful and sustainable ways of building this waiting list is to conduct a Prospective Director induction program for those who may be interested in applying for a position on your Board. Even if they do not end up applying for your Board, you have increased the knowledge and potential skills of these individuals, which goes a long way to providing a more engaged pool of potential Directors in your community or sector.

We have developed many such Prospective and New Director Induction programs over time, all based on extensive research into what makes really great Induction programs, together with high quality, practical materials to support organizational Director Induction programs.

Based on this research and experience, here are the key design elements that will enable you to design your own Prospective Director Induction program…

1. Choose who should be present at the Prospective Director Induction Program (e.g. 2 or 3 Directors, possibly 1 or 2 staff). Choose who presents which part of the Prospective Director Induction Program.

2. This should be more conversational style, with Q&A, rather than a formal presentation. It can be done face-to-face for a region or a state-wide zoom/online event.

3. Suggested duration is between 1 and 1.5 hours.

4. Develop a Prospective Director Induction Program Resource Manual and hand out on the day, either physically, or electronically during/after the event if online (see below for suggested content)

5. Conduct this at least 2 months prior to your AGM, every year.

The content for a Prospective Director Induction program that creates the greatest interest and buy-in, includes:

• Describe your vision/mission, and how it is used by the Board and staff.

• Summarise your Directors Code of Conduct and what behaviours are expected from every Director.

• Provide background to stakeholder involvement/communication and some examples of Media coverage if relevant.

• Alert to Board meeting dates/ other relevant dates to ensure all know the time commitment required.

• Highlight professional development for Directors as a crucial part of being on your Board. Mention that Directors will learn new skills, fine tune existing skills, and meet people during their term on this Board that will provide them with insights and skills not otherwise available.

• Describe how Board meetings work (briefly) and highlight the critical role that questions play.

• Stipulate that all Directors are formally supported for 12 months on your Board by a mentoring program that provides support, insight and the ability to fine tune their skills.

• Outline the process for nomination and election, including eligibility.

The purpose of your Prospective Director Induction Program is to facilitate interested individuals in making their unique, personal contribution to the discussions and decisions that the Board makes. Joining your Board means they will have access to knowledge, practices, support and people that will be a contribution to their personal and professional life for many years to come.

We have found these messages, and the Board’s preparedness to contribute in advance to the knowledge of what it means to be on your Board, have a lasting contribution to developing a wide pool of talented and committed individuals who may be willing to be of service on your Board and to be part of creating the future for your communities.

Please, comment on your experiences, click here to write in to me, tell me what has worked, what hasn’t worked, what you have done to make your process even more impactful. I may even write a follow up article outlining what you have told me, so others may benefit.