Building an Engaged Board: A Step-by-Step Guide

You found people to serve on your board… now what?

If your board feels disengaged, disconnected, or unsure how to contribute, you’re not alone—and this guide is here to help. Building an Engaged Board walks you through practical, proven strategies to create a board that’s excited to serve, understands its role, and actively helps move your mission forward.

Written specifically for nonprofit founders, Executive Directors, and small-shop leaders, this guide covers everything from laying the groundwork for engagement and onboarding new members to building lasting relationships and evaluating performance. You’ll also get access to ready-to-use templates and tools that take the guesswork out of board development.

Whether you're starting fresh or trying to re-engage a dormant board, this guide provides the support and structure you need to lead with confidence.

🧩 You’ll Learn How To:

• Define and communicate clear expectations for board members

• Create a strong onboarding process that sets the tone from day one

• Foster collaboration and connection between the board and staff

• Keep board members engaged through communication, leadership opportunities, and recognition

• Address disengagement before it becomes a problem