What We Do

For Organizations

Strategic Planning and Restructuring

Our expertise can great assist you in this often overlooked aspect of Organization management. Strategic planning determines where an organization is going over the next year or more, how it's going to get there and how it'll know if it got there or not. The development of the strategic plan greatly helps to clarify the organization's plans and ensure that key leaders are all "on the same script". Far more important than the strategic plan document, is the strategic planning process itself.

Among these services are:

• Strategic Planning and Facilitation

• Strategic Restructuring

• Designing and forming Alliances

• Program Design and Evaluation

• Communication of goals and objectives throughout the Organization

• Create true ownership of the program.

• Ensure the most effective use is made of the organization's resources

• Provide systems which progress can be accountable

• Establish a system for informed change when needed

• Bridging everyone's best and most reasoned efforts

• Consensus building.

Strategic Plan Review

It never hurts to have a second opinion.

Strategic Plans are often in need of annual or bi-annual review as Boards change membership, the environment shifts and there are new challenges to respond to, or old ones to do a better job at.

As strategic plans can consume a lot of an organization's resources it's not practical or essential to always start on a clean slate and generate a completely new plan. It's often more pragmatic to review the current plan to determine if it's still relevant or what components may benefit from further review or planning.

The ideal time to review a strategic plan is:

• After an organizational evaluation

• A Change in funding, either positive or negative

• A significant change in leadership

• A significant change in the external environment

• Annually

The review can be formal or informal, and may involve the Board, Staff and/or membership. The process may involve interviews, surveys, workshops and stakeholder reviews. The analysis, reports and presentations are in keeping with the size of your organization and its appetite to embrace change.

Strategic Thinking

Competency – Mission – Relationship is a strategic thinking methodology. This assesses an organization's Mission, reviews its current competencies and relationships and makes assessments and recommendations about achieving optimum performance.

It's not a budget or expenditure analysis but a focused engagement on having the correct mission, competencies and relationships to achieve the mission.

PROCESS

The methodology includes a refined detailed description of all the soft and hard competencies currently possessed by the organization. An example of a soft competence would be an understanding of a specific market and of a hard competence would be an ability to deliver a specific program.

In Summary, the process directs the enterprise towards the maximization of its skills and the best focus to achieve its mission.

RESULT

The outcome from the application of CMR® includes the identification of:

• Core competences that must be continually nurtured;

• Gaps in competence that must be filled;

• Drilling down on existing market/programs/sponsors/donors to exploit all of the competencies;

• Development of new products/services based on the theme;

• New opportunities/projects to be exploited based on the theme

Board 3R's: Roles, Responsibilities & Relationships

Is your governance working? Are you using the correct governance model or perhaps one that is "out of date" or no longer relevant?

Do you have concerns about?

• Roles of the Board

• Delegation

• Bylaws

Governance comes from the Greek meaning to "steer" as in steering a ship. Governance in not-for-profits refers to the decision making units and their relationship, effectiveness, authority and responsibility. A look inside any not-for-profit suggests there is no shortage of challenges. Steering a ship is a very difficult process at the best of times. Ineffective governance at a not-for-profit is also very difficult, costly and, is unnecessary. The investment in insuring good governance far outweighs the costs of "incorrect" or "poor" governance.

Real Board Solutions has been providing sound governance consulting for over 16 years in virtually every not-for-profit sector. Depending upon the needs of the client Real Board Solutions can provide governance reviews, workshops, strategic planning facilitation, Board and/or CEO training, evaluation. Real life, long term solutions....

Board Development & Governance

Real Board Solutions can provide a range of services that will ensure sound governance practices in your organization. We can help you achieve a high-performing Board through an affordable, effective and experienced approach that delivers improved productivity, better processes, increased capacity and enhanced communication for your Board.

Do you have concerns about?

• Roles of the Board

• Delegation

• Bylaws

• Committees that may be "off track"

• Undisciplined Board members

• Board policies or lack thereof

• Chief Staff Officer evaluation

• What is the Board's role in financial management?

• How can we achieve greater transparency?

• What can we do about 'uninvolved' Board members?

• This list could be a long one...........

Governance comes from the Greek meaning to "steer" as in steering a ship. Governance in not-for-profits refers to the decision making units and their relationship, effectiveness, authority and responsibility. A look inside any not-for-profit suggests there is no shortage of challenges. Steering a ship is a very difficult process at the best of times. Ineffective governance at a not-for-profit is also very difficult, costly and, is unnecessary. The investment in insuring good governance far outweighs the costs of "incorrect" or "poor" governance.

Real Board Solutions has been providing sound governance consulting for over 15 years in virtually every not-for-profit sector. Depending upon the needs of the client Real Board Solutions can provide governance reviews, workshops, strategic planning facilitation, Board and/or CEO training, evaluation.

Real life, long term solutions..........

Among these services are:

• Board Development and Orientation

• Board Self-Assessment

• Board Training on Revenue Generation

• Board Retreat Facilitation

• Strategic Thinking and Strategic Planning Processes

• Policy Development

• Prioritization of recommended actions, business case for change and roadmap for change

• Executive Transition Services

Cultural Assessments

Knowing the internal and external operational environments is vital to understanding the validity of  your organizations role.  This is often a ‘conceptual gap’ between the real and the perceived.  What do your publics think you should be doing, what do they think you’re doing and how well do they think you’re doing it?  All relevant questions if your organization is contemplating change of direction, a major project, campaign or other significant activity. 

More than a public relations exercise Real Board Solutions looks outside your organization to assess major issues and factors that may impact your organizations mission in the foreseeable future, usually a 3 to 5 year horizon. 

These external and independent assessments can be of great assistance to calibrating your organizations mission to fit emerging or changing needs. 

External publics can include:

• Supporting Government Agencies
• Funders
• Sponsors
• Competing Agencies
• Strategic Partners
• Allied Partners
• Communities
• Service user

Organizational Reviews

Too often service providers rely on their own ideas and enthusiasm to decide what their customers or clients really need and whether their products or services are truly fulfilling that need.

We will help you understand, validate and increase the impact your services or products have on your members, and other stakeholders. This review process will also explore your delivery systems to make them more efficient and less expensive.

We will help you evaluate your programs to see how efficiently it is running and help determine if it is meeting your initial goals and objectives. This evaluation will offer suggestions on improvements which will assist in a more successful implementation.

Once we've helped you develop assessments of your organization, we give you the tools and models by which to analyze the results. This is a non-intrusive cooperative effort which over the long term will allow the organization to:

• Determine what types of practices should be occurring in the organization.

• The order in which those practices should be occurring.

• Standards of performance for various domains within the organization.

These will include individual positions, teams, projects, processes, functions, programs and the organization as a whole.

Board Evaluation

Our thoughtful director evaluation process protects directors from feeling they are being held under a microscope.

In our well-executed evaluation, the relevant data will be handled, analyzed and reported not only with sensitivity to the inter-personal dynamics on the board and its directors, but also with an eye to individual directors' professional reputations and personal liabilities.

A creative, thoughtful approach to director evaluation permits clear analysis of Organization strategy, board and management roles, board composition, skills, development priorities, action plans and prior year comparisons. It also allows for well-crafted communication among the directors, board and management, and sends a positive message to volunteers and the community that directors are on top of their game. We help examine all aspects of your roles and responsibilities.

We will assist in:

• Defining the organization's vision and mission.
• Defining the values to be promoted within the company.
• Defining and review organization goals.
• Defining company policies and procedures.
• MD Compensation programs.

Operations Evaluation

Our mantra while working in partnership with organizations and management is one of cooperative support. First and foremost we help evaluate management's thinking about what your programs are all about, the thinking surrounding management's goals and how to reach those goals.

We will evaluate management's components that produce data and verify results, which then can be used for public relations to promote your services in the membership.

It is human nature to believe that when the decision is made to hire an outside evaluator, program managers and staff believe that the evaluation is "out of their hands."

This is not true with Solutions for Organizations. We cannot do our job effectively without the cooperation and assistance of all parties involved.

These can include:

• Executive Summary

• Background about the organization and the Product/Service/Program that is being evaluated

• Organization description/history

• Product/Service/Program description

• Problem statement with a description of what is being met by your Product/Service/Program

• Overall goal of the Program

• Impact upon the membership

• Performance Measurements

• Activities of the Program

• Description of how the Program is developed and delivered

• Staffing evaluation and reviewing staff suggestions

• Operational, process or departmental reviews

• Budgeting

• Internal Controls

• Revenue Generation and Cost Control

Program Evaluation

We give experienced analysis to ensure your programs are carried out efficiently. We also offer analyses and interpretation of programs and offer suggestions of any areas that need refinement from either the senior management or board, perspectives.

Our use of evaluation in volunteer management can determine the goals and needs of a program in order to appropriately assign volunteers, as well as to keep track of volunteers' performance, effectiveness, and estimate their time value.

We will:

• Ensure effective communication.

• Understand the interests of all stakeholders, especially the membership.

• Monitor relations with Directors, Volunteers and senior staff.

• Review and evaluate present and future opportunities.

• Determine strategic options and strategies for programs.

• Suggest the means to implement programs and support them.

• Ensure that your Organization's structure and capability are suitable for fulfilling the chosen programs.

We will assist in:

• Defining the company's vision and mission.

• Defining the values to be promoted within the company.

• Defining and review company goals.

• Defining company policies and procedures.

• CEO Compensation programs.

Revenue Generation

Non dues revenue generation is the bane of all organizations; it's also the life blood.  Determining how to leverage the organizations unique offerings to generate new revenue is an art form, and generally organizations generate more enthusiasm than profit for these ventures.  Membership needs, competing time priorities and even competing with the membership for scarce resources can prove challenging.  RBS will:

• Designing and Implementing Long Range Revenue Generation Strategies

• Coaching and Training for the Board and Staff on their revenue generating role and effective techniques

Our methods are quite unique and successful. We are very dedicated to delivering the right solution and in addition, we commit ourselves to developing the right path to get there. We dedicate ourselves to grow with successful non-profits through applied knowledge and experience, which ultimately will lead to incredible decision making, improved involvement by all in your Organization and real success!

Organizational Development & Human Resources

• Organization Analysis
• Developing Organizational Structures, Systems and Procedures
• Assessment of Supervisory Practices and Training
• Team--Volunteer Building
• Developing Policies and Procedures
• Organizational and Organization Culture changes
• Improving Internal Systems

Real Board Solutions has an extensive track record in helping Boards meet high-performance standards so they truly can move an organization towards stability, strength, sustainability and success.

Executive Search

The complexities of an executive search sometimes reveal an unexpected direction that a nonprofit must take to effectively fill its leadership needs. At Real Board Solutions we emphasize a complete partnership in this extremely important element of the success of your organization. Although each and every executive search assignment will be customized to the client's unique situation, we have developed a "best practices" approach to providing all clients with the executive search assistance that they need.

We will draft a comprehensive executive search report that represents the current and future leadership needs of the organization. This report will describe the role, title, reporting relationships, education, and experience required to meet the agreed upon performance criteria.

• We help you look at the search process strategically. Evaluate your organization's growth and senior management needs. Consider the type of structure and the types of leaders you need.

• We open and enable the process to consider all candidates. Always considering internal candidates just as carefully as external ones.

• We create an open environment to shift your search thought process. We give additional insight into the needs of the organization, the right fit for their culture and the important requirements for the position.

• We enable your organization to understand realistic expectations. With our years of experience we assist in developing a broad understanding of the expectations of all stakeholders in the search process. This could involve a number of in-person and phone interviews with key constituents.

• We review with you on the qualities of hires that worked and those that didn't. By evaluating your organization needs and past experiences we develop the optimal requirements for the search by finding a candidate who would thrive in your organizational culture.

We will identify qualified potential candidates through our sources and candidate files, new research, and through conversations with individuals in the industry. Original research and an experienced targeted recruiting strategy are essential to finding professionals with the appropriate mix of qualifications, motivation, compensation level, and interest.

During the search process, we provide clients with an analysis, which includes a summary of potential candidates. This allows us to report our progress early on, inform the client of feedback we are receiving from the field, and receive feedback from the client on the preliminary candidates' qualifications.

Our Services Include:

• Attracting the Preferred Candidate
• Identifying Qualified Candidates
• Interviewing and Presenting Qualified Candidates
• Conducting Reference Checks

Our Executive Search programs create a relationship in finding the best candidates for all positions required.

Interim Professional Leader

Our management control and cooperative coordination program includes a broad range of activities to ensure that Organization goals are consistently being met in an effective and efficient fashion.

Imagine having an experienced Interim Executive Director working with a great system designed to build the capacity of your non-profit!

We can provide stability to your Organization; while most importantly, allowing your other organizations' leaders to concentrate on strategic issues that will add value to the organization for their membership. We remove the burden of day-to-day operations.

We will:

• Ensure that internal controls are effective.
• Promote the goodwill and support of volunteers and the community.

The programs offer specialized resources, enriched through customized strategic coaching for Board placement. The ease of the burden of recruiting competent and enthusiastic board members is an area which we specialize in and will also allows you to concentrate on more strategic issues.

By easing your responsibilities we provide a value-added opportunity for new and potential non-profit Board members to learn new skills in how to function on a Board of Directors. Our service provides new board members with a comprehensive introduction to nonprofit management concepts and practices. These will include legal constraints, liabilities, management of staff and volunteers, building successful nonprofit revenue generating techniques and creating a successful management approach to effectively deal with the unique challenges of operating a nonprofit organization.

Let us help recruit full-time and part-time staff and provide staff on an interim basis to fill short-term requirements of clients, and find skilled and effective Executive Director Candidates for your Organization.

We are you your positive solution for:

• Helping create priorities of needs of your Organization
• Building the board structure
• Developing an appropriate governance model
• Helping board members understand their roles
• Creating a board recruiting process and effectively involving current members
• Creating a great environment of working together more effectively

Director mentoring is our effective way to build leadership skills, navigate change, overcome challenges and bring new energy to your organization.

Our proven methods are an extremely powerful tool for leadership and professional development in the non-profit sectors.

• Fostering relationships with the Executive Director
• Create a evaluation process for the Executive Director

We will handle all aspects of your organization by enhancing or helping with:

• Providing clearer focus of organization
• Bridging staff and board of directors
• Building strong teams in the board and the staff
• Providing the glue that keeps the board together
• We produce great satisfaction among planners around a common vision
• Increases productivity from increased efficiency and effectiveness
• Solving your problems!

Succession planning and new Executive Director search.

As you're founding and long term executive directors start to move on in other directions it is important to have a succession plan in place. Our succession plan helps prepare staff and the board for changes to come.

Real Board Solutions works with the executive director, board and senior staff to ensure a smooth transition and develop an emergency and/or long-term succession plan for the departure of a CEO and/or key management staff. We specialize in providing founders, long-tenured executives and board leaders with coaching and organizational assistance in preparation for an executive transition.

• Proper Preparation for a leader's departure can prevent significant problems

• We enable your organization to make a commitment to develop the capacity of your Board

• Guarantee Improvement of both the personal and collective contributions to the overall development of the organization.

We are committed to recruiting non-profit executives who possess the experience and leadership qualities necessary to help your Organization manage change and achieve your goals.

• Interview with you about the position

• Research and analyze your organization's larger vision

• Design a recruitment strategy that is unique

• We think creatively about where we will find professionals with the skills and experience that will help you succeed.

• Proven methods which produce outstanding candidates who have the required skills and the right organizational fit!

You as a volunteer manager need to be an excellent administrator in order to track and coordinate the many responsibilities volunteers are asked to undertake on behalf of an Organization. You will greatly benefit from learning strong coaching and training skills in order to ensure safe, purposeful and appropriate participation in all activities. We will aid you in achieving these goals.

Again, envision a helping cooperative hand easing your burden with Volunteer Management!

• Various Administrative Controls
• Delegation
• Financial Statements
• Budget Management
• Performance Management
• Policies and Procedures
• Quality Control and Operations Management
• Enhancing your People Skills to the Fullest Potential

Customized Training Services

In planning any orientation or training, one must consider the question, "What would someone need to know to feel comfortable and competent in carrying out this position?"

We help you answer that question and lead you to the design of your training program. We can also assist in design and implementation.

Since volunteers are important ambassadors of your organization, they need to know as much about its mission and services as possible.

We will design a program that gives your managers the information they need to engage, enlighten and instruct your organization's volunteers.

Individuals and volunteers who make up steering committees and committee managers also need training and orientation to avoid trial-and-error efforts that result in many wasted hours. Here again Real Board Solutions can use tried and tested methods to meet your specific requirements.

We can assist through:

• Effective Meeting Management
• Well Developed Board Leadership
• Understanding Financial Information
• Outcome Measurement
• Making use of all your resources
• Planning Strategically
• Board Meeting Rules of Order (Roberts Rules of Order)
• Organization Best Practices
• Membership Recruitment and Retention
• Create Productive Communication
• Eliminate Conflict Management

Training is an integral part of all high performing Organizations. It builds the skills and enthusiasm of employees and volunteers and strengthens organizations so that they can continue to provide needed services to our communities. The new intricacies and expectations from members and regulators make nonprofit challenges particularly unique.

Our training is customized to meet the specific needs of your staff, board, volunteers and other stakeholders. Our training provides you with the tools and practical experience needed to be a great CEO and Director of Volunteers, whether you are a new to the position or have years of experience.

We are dedicated to preparing you to meet the complex economic and operational challenges that are unique to nonprofit Organizations. Our training combines the theories of nonprofit management with best practices of effective nonprofit Organizations. You as a leader learn skills that help define goals, adhere to mission, and respond to demands of your volunteers, staff and community.

CEO and Board Volunteer Director Training Program Ensures You:

• Handle Concerns and Conflicts Creatively and Efficiently
• Build better Relationships
• Build an Effective Board of Directors
• Create efficient Revenue Generation
• Exchange Ideas
• Create long-term Goals and Objectives of an Organization
• Delegate with Confidence
• Provide constructive Feedback
• Create an Environment that Supports Motivation and Productivity

Our methods of training plays a critical role in successful volunteer management in that it serves as an orientation or transitional period for volunteers to get acquainted with the organization, its practices and applicable skills. The goal of volunteer management will be within the framework of the Organization and creating a potential for growth and sustainability.

Contact us today for an initial free consultation on how our services can help improve your Organization's processes and outcomes.