You have been appointed to represent your association or non-profit organization. Keep the following 10 points in mind to utilize this opportunity to the fullest.
1. Be prepared: Acquire a full understanding of your association’s views on the issues under consideration and do your homework on the standpoints of other associations and stakeholders.
2. Understand the mandate: Focus on producing advice that is relevant and actionable to government decision-makers. Don’t re-describe problems or hurdles.
3. Be realistic: Don’t expect your association’s positions to be accepted in full.
4. Maintain continuity: Ensure that you are committed to serving a full term and are available for meetings. As Woody Allen said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up”.
5. Take the time: Engage patiently with other board members in the process of coming to agreement on findings and recommendations.
6. Educate and learn: Members and non-profit representatives bring their unique perspectives to policy issues. You have the opportunity to be enlightened and enlighten others at the table about your association’s points of view.
7. Don’t negotiate: Advisory boards need participant co-operation and consensus building, not labour-style trade-off. Focus on establishing powerful concurrence.
8. Look for compromise: Establish inclusive and supportable positions, even if they may differ in some ways from your association’s stance. In keeping with the Scottish proverb, “Better to bend than break.”
9. Sell your advice: Promote the report and recommendations you produce and stand behind what you ultimately propose.
10. Enjoy the experience: Serving on an advisory board gives you an opportunity to both serve the public and represent your association’s interests.
Content used with permission from CSAE Association Magazine (08/09, 2012)
