I've talked about involving your board members in fundraising elsewhere on SOFII (Involving your board members part one and two), but there are always some new angles. And old angles that must be repeated.

We have already established that some, indeed most, board members don't like fundraising, are even frightened by it. Here are some practical ideas to help them overcome their fear and doubts. I've used them all to great success.

(a) Develop a written job description for the board, adopted as a policy and enforced. This job description outlines the scope of authority and functions of corporate governance. Part of the description talks about the board's role in fundraising. To ensure adequate financial structure, for example, the board – at its meetings – will adopt a budget, a fundraising plan and set policies. The board will define the parameters of board member performance in fundraising development.

(b) Now turn your attention to the individual board members. Adopt clear performance expectations common to all board members. Part of this policy delineates specific expectations in relationship building and fundraising.

Board member performance expectations also include things like: support for the values, mission and vision of the organisation; regular attendance at board meetings and participation in strategic questioning and conversation; support for decisions once made; maintenance of confidentiality and avoidance of conflict of interest.

(c) Here comes the hard part: hold your board members accountable to the performance expectations. Before you nominate anyone to serve on the board, conduct a screening interview and secure commitment to these expectations. Also evaluate board member performance annually – and provide feedback to the weak performers.

a) A board member chairs the committee. Board members and non-board members serve on the committee. Your chief development officer serves as staff to the committee. Together, the committee chair and development officer design meeting agendas and facilitate the committee process.

(b) The committee is not responsible for raising the money. The committee – in partnership with the development officer – helps institutionalise the process of fundraising within the board. The committee helps develop the fundraising plan and helps engage all board members in doing some of the work.

Borrow a development audit tool from a colleague. Find one on the Internet. The fund development committee, in partnership with the development officer, can conduct the audit. Share the results with the board and outline how to make change.

(a) At a board meeting, or retreat, ask board members to share all that they dislike about fundraising. Ask them to share all their negative experiences and everything that makes them uncomfortable.

(b) A lot of this they should dislike. To much that is done in fundraising is actually not good practice, is often quick fix, transactional and disrespectful. Validate your board members' concerns. Confirm that you won't do the bad stuff. And then explain why some of what they don't like is good to do and how you'll help them do it.