359: Why Your Board Is Checked Out (and What Actually Re-Engages Them) (Katie Spencer)

SUMMARY

When nonprofit leaders say their board is disengaged, Katie Spencer argues the real issue is usually clarity, not commitment. Executives want board members to show up, follow through, and be proactive. But many board members are thinking, “I don’t know what my job is,” where the lines are, or how to be helpful, so disengagement becomes the predictable outcome. Katie explains why more emails and more asks don’t solve the problem in today’s noisy, overloaded environment. Instead, she recommends an intentional reset: get explicit about what the board’s role is right now (and revisit it annually), co-create the board’s work plan for the next 12 to 24 months, and put an accountability system in place so the board holds itself to its commitments. She also stresses early engagement, giving new board members a meaningful quick win within the first 30 days, then another within the first 90. Finally, Katie reframes fundraising expectations so board members can contribute without feeling like professional fundraisers. She shares simple, confidence-building steps, introductions, thank-you calls, and short activation moments built directly into board meetings, so board service becomes real leadership, not passive listening.

ABOUT KATIE

Katie Spencer is the Founder of Zipline Consulting, where she helps nonprofit boards and executive teams strengthen governance, clarify roles, and build more effective partnerships. She brings 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including national work with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and more than a decade as a consultant supporting organizations across the country. With training in cultural anthropology, Katie brings a systems lens to board dynamics, spotting patterns, naming disconnects, and helping leaders create practical structures for accountability. Her work frequently includes board retreats, strategic planning, and facilitation that turns board service into real leadership.

RESOURCES

Zipline Consulting
Katie Spencer on LinkedIn
Ask Like a Leader by Lauren Reedy
Learn more about the leadership resources at Armstrong McGuire