Tips for starting an advisory board.
I love when organizations make the shift from creating programs FOR people to creating programs WITH people.
Co-creating programs and building lived experience into decision-making can really launch an organization into some great outcomes. But it can also get messy. Here are some tips when you are moving into the co-creation space:
Bring your board and staff along and ask key questions as to why you are doing this. If you don’t have an answer that includes that you are ready to cede at least some control to people with lived experience, stop right there.
Involve the people with lived experience in the creation of the board. Ask what they want to get out of it. After all, your organization can gain a lot from their input. Be really clear about your limits and expectations.
Strongly consider compensating the individuals. Their expertise is of great value. Pay them like consultants.
Make sure leadership training is part of what you offer - help them build skills in meeting planning, facilitation, recruitment, advocacy, finances, and system change, and anything else they may want to learn related to the work.
Get vulnerable. In co-creation it can get messy. Be open about your intentions, what you know, and what you do not know. You’re likely making it up as you go along because every organization and board is different with all sorts of different needs and personalities. Keep communication open and honest.
Build in feedback opportunities along the way to make sure that the people with lived experience are able to provide open and honest feedback about whether their expectations are being met, or how you may have made mistakes along the way. And own those mistakes. You’re trying something new after all.
Deepen the bench - often once people with lived experience build leadership skills they are highly sought after and can burn out. Plan for rotation. Bring in new voices regularly, and give space for folks to move on to greater community involvement.
There are plenty of pitfalls in this work but it is definitely worth it. Don’t give up after a mistake. Be open to a process that will change as you go. Most importantly, do this work with intention and vulnerability. That’s where the magic happens.
