How to Boost Board Engagement in Just 5 Minutes During Meetings

Julia Koch, Director at The Hope Project in Muskegon, MI, asked, “Do you have any suggestions for 5-minute training during board meetings to help the board members get to know each other better and also become more engaged?”

Creating a five-minute training that helps board members get to know each other better and become more engaged is ambitious. While challenging, it’s possible with focused activities. Here’s a quick, effective exercise:

A 5-Minute Nonprofit Board Exercise for Engagement and Relationship Building

1. Stand. Ask your members to stand up.

2. Pair up. Find someone they don’t know well. (Define “know well” to avoid assumptions—e.g., have they had a meal together or been to each other’s homes?).

3. Share Beliefs: Share their beliefs, concerns, or excitement about one topic on the agenda for 2 minutes each.Share their beliefs, concerns, or why they are excited about one topic on the agenda for 2 minutes each.

4. Group Share: After 4 minutes, ask them to sit and share what they learned with the group for 1 minute.

5. Take Notes: Record commonalities on a whiteboard or large pad and segue into the agenda item.

Regular interactions like these build relationships, foster thoughtful discussions, and support long-term board engagement.

More Board Engagement Value Adds

• Use Icebreaker Questions: Prepare a list of icebreaker questions, related to your nonprofit’s mission for pairs to discuss. Try: Why did you get involved with this work? What’s the most important outside event impacting our work now?  When did you see our mission in action last?
• Rotating Pairs: Change pairs or seating arrangements at each meeting to ensure everyone gets to know each other.
• Engagement Goals: Set a specific engagement goal for each exercise, such as understanding diverse perspectives or to create 30 brainstorming solutions.

For more answers and tactics, check out this shelf in Karen’s Nonprofit CEO Library.

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