Ever watch a foot race on television, as in track events at the Olympics? While the runners begin together they soon spread out across the course. They move at varying speeds – some sprint to the front, and others start slow – they get caught in packs, they falter, and so on.

The fool’s gold of a Board/Committee meeting is when they all appear to be on the same page but in reality they are spread out around the track, and you don’t learn this until it’s time for them to deliver. Imagine if you could ‘see’ the actual alignment of your volunteers. Here are a few insights to help you know them better:

What do they say about your organization? Watch them position your cause. Are their words fresh or the same they’ve used for years? Can they enthusiastically articulate your strategic plan? Can they articulate your vision and why people should jump on board?
Do they advance your organization? Being good stewards is a threshold responsibility that protects the investment of supporters, but it is their actions that advance the organization. They must have a bias for action and forward thinking.
Do they follow-through? The best volunteers bring you thought, inspiration, and deed. Always pursue all three. Don’t keep or recruit anyone that doesn’t follow-though.
Here’s to being vigilant on the keys above, and to finishing the race together. Good luck!