I always send a thank you letter to each advisory board member for their attendance and participation in our meeting. Also, at each meeting we try to give a small gift (college mug, water bottle) and do a drawing for a bigger gift.
In addition to the above, I think it would be nice to implement a Certificate of Participation. This could be given at our second bi-annual meeting, for the number of years an advisory member has been with us and give them a free service from one of our programs. I also believe showing where the advisory's members advice was implemented in the program(s) would be great recognition.
Something I have done in the past is use one of the free spaces we get on print publications for getting a year contract and thank the members for their participation and list their names and companies. That way they see themselves in the paper and frame it if they want. I know some have. And it is free to the school.
Dr. Stover:
How long has your advisory board been together?
Can you quantify in any way the level of contribution they have made to your school?
For the past academic year (September-June), how many of your extern's have been employed by board members after completing their externship? At board meetings, are there discussions about the types of experiences your extern's should have and their success rates? How is this information assimilated and shared with pre-externship students?
R. Roehrich
We recognize our members through the presentation of awards and rewards, such as Certificates of Recognition/Appreciation, which is covered by local newspapers and TV, when possible (free publicity/advertising for the board member). We also hold an annual golf outing and provide for their attendance at a professional sporting venue (baseball, football, hockey, etc.).
With 95% of our programs (medical) requiring various lengths of externships, the advisors who are employed by the contracted sites have the advantage of evaluating a possible future employee at no cost to them. While allowing the institution to stay within its budget for placement activities, we also save money through the continual evaluation of student/curriculum by the sites.
Board members contribution can be highlighted in the institution's newsletter. This will recognize the members' efforts and also will inform the community of the people involved with the university.
Joyce,
Good plan, it appears that you're effectively internalizing the content of the course into a course of action.
R. Roehrich
I will be presenting our board members with a certificate of appreciation. This is also our tenth year in business, so I will place an appreciation ad in the trade magazine for our state and nation. I would not have thought of this action without this course. The ads are very cost effective. Since I am in the process of recruiting a new board, I will follow the advice of seeking diversity on my board along with the other suggestions.
I just sent simple "thank-you" notes to our members that particpated in mock interviews last week. Our members also participate in career fairs, guest speaking and community service events. They provide internships to students and help with project evaluations.
Annually, we honor the "Advisory Member of the Year" with a plaque.
Justin
Kathleen,
I'm glad you're excited about asking your board members to speak to your classes. What are some strategies and preparations you will suggest to your board members to prepare them to address your students?
R. Roehrich
I am excited about asking board members to speak to classes too. Bringing them into the classroom will broaden their perspective of the school and help them feel more connected. Also, the benefit of having them share their real-world expertise with the students is something that cannot be measured.
Suhas,
Thanks for your aditional contribution.
I'm sure you're practice of acknowledging board members with a plaque is well received; we all like to display evidence of professional accomplishment in our offices. It's a great way to demonstrate the school's appreciation for their service.
Your institution's approach to continuing education courses is both creative and innovative. I'd like to know if there is participaytion from your board members and what types of insight they gain about your school from the experience.
I commend your innovative approaches.
R. Roehrich
A plaque acknowledging the contribution of the board member at the end of the year would enable the member to display it in their work environment. In addition our institution organizes continuing education courses, and the board members are invited free of charge.
Suhas,
It sounds like you've really embraced the recommendations in the course. Do you have any additional suggestions to add?
R. Roehrich
We have invited our advisory board members to graduation. In addition they have been given little goody bags with the Institutions mugs, pencils, pens, calculators etc. They have been invited to our holiday party.
I do like the idea of asking the members for participating in mock interviews for students and also inviting one or two for sharing their experiences with the students. In addition they can be given a certificate for their contribution to the Institution.
I also like the idea of honoring the contribution of a board member by creating an award named after them to be given to the student for the best achievement
Josefer:
Glad to see that your “success processes†are consistent with those identified in the course; there's nothing like validation!
By applying the principles and practices you've learned in the course, you should increase the effectiveness and efficiencies of your advisory boards and enhance your school's success.
Best regards,
R. Roehrich
I find it interesting that of our boards, the most dependable is the one that is getting its members involved in mock interviews, guest speaking and project evaluation. Clearly, that is a successful model that ideally will be emulated throughout all our programs. This formula has not only proven to be effective, but extremely cost effective (basically free – except for maybe a small gift or a lunch)!
In terms of recognition, I like the idea of providing the board members with goodies and gear bearing our logo. Not only will they see us regularly, hopefully it can open conversations that can lead to new students, successful graduates, promising jobs and exciting internships.
Alessandra,
You “hit the nail on the headâ€, service awards are always appreciated, especially when professionally produced and accompanied with a small gift or token of appreciation. Often board members like to receive a school logo item to use in their business, e.g. a coffee mug, sweat shirt, etc.; these also serve to reinforce their commitment and loyalty to the school and further enhances their pride in serving on the board.
I also liked your idea of a 'retreat' at the center which houses your culinary arts classes. Culinary students always put on a good show and who doesn't like good food? This also provides a great opportunity to showcase one of your programs and your student's work, which may lead to additional networking opportunities for them.
R. Roehrich
Service awards are the suggested easiest means of motivating board members continued support and vitality - - - we can certainly manage this type of recognition. Additionally, a 'retreat' at the center which houses our culinary arts classes might also be feasible - - - the culinary arts students can provide the meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner). This might not be an over-night retreat, more a day long event, nevertheless, it should provide the participants with a sense of appreciation.
We might also be able to manage what's called the "Miscellaneous Recognitions". Given our present limited budget, we can certainly, under miscellaneous, devise creative ways in which to make our board members feel appreciated.
Thank you. I have really enjoyed the course. I will be conducting my next meeting in December and I will let you know if it is a success.
Hildie,
It sounds like you've really gained some useful information from this course and I want to acknowledge your application of the course material in the way you are using your advisory board. I'd like to hear from you after you have an opportunity to apply your new knowledge, please contact me through my e-mail address any time after you've completed the course.
Best wishes for success with your advisory board!
R. Roehrich
