I'd suggest you ask this question to your board on a yearly basis. It's important to define it, write it down and measure it.
It's your chance to prioritize your chambers resources to deliver the most value to your members.
And it gives you a yearly outline on how you can be successful by delivering on what your board defines as success. It outlines where you should be spending your staff's resources.
Here are some of the answers I hear when that question is asked are the following:
- Number of members
- Annual revenue or growth in annual revenue
- Amount of revenue sent to reserves
- Advocacy successes
- Quality and number of programs
- Economic development/workforce successes
I hope the discussion to define success is on the agenda at your next board retreat!
For a great resource from The Bridgespan Group on becoming a more effective nonprofit board go HERE.
