A Resource Council. A Council of Leaders.
These are two names I’ve experienced as alternatives to an “Advisory Board,” which is more common in the nonprofit world.
What I like about the alternative formulation is you’re more explicitly naming the group for what it most should provide: resources.
The Council should be a group of 6-12 non-board volunteers who’re committed to doing something to help your organization secure more resources.
As a Council, they are probably only brought together once a year to meet with the organization’s other leadership. Perhaps one extra time if the organization is going through strategic planning.
The Council should have a written job description and some leadership –whether provided by a staff member, the Council Chair, or both. The Council should have an annual goal or goals — usually based on the resources the Council will help the group obtain.
This is a great way to involve those people who are in a position to help an organization, but don’t want to wade through all the nitty gritty of board governance.
Has your organization used a Council (by whatever name it’s called)? What’s worked well and what hasn’t worked well?