Start your board meeting with a Mission Moment (and watch the magic happen).

RU Ready to elevate your board?

Ah, board meetings. Agendas, reports, budgets… and the occasional glaze-eyed stare into the distance. But what if you could start every meeting with a spark? Something that reminds everyone why they’re here before diving into spreadsheets and motions?

Enter the Mission Moment—a short, real-life story that showcases the impact of your nonprofit’s work. It could be a family whose life was changed, a student who found their confidence, or an endangered animal who was rescued (because who doesn’t love a good comeback story?).

Why does this matter? Because your board members are volunteers, juggling their passion for your cause with busy lives. A Mission Moment shifts their focus from governance to impact, reinforcing that all those policies and financial decisions actually mean something.

It can come from a staff member, a client, a volunteer, or even a heartfelt letter. And don’t be afraid to get a little emotional (or funny!). A powerful story sets the tone for an engaged, motivated board meeting instead of one where everyone is just counting down to adjournment.

So, before the next round of “I move to approve the minutes,” take a moment to remind your board why they said yes to this work in the first place. Mission matters—so start with it!