No desire to interrupt any discussions that you are having with the different committees, Bonnie and Craig. However, I've been chewing on something that I mentioned briefly to Bonnie yesterday that I'd like us all to think about.

My question has been how to build cohesion, real enthusiasm, and forward momentum in the committees that doesn't rely on Bonnie driving everything. I have always felt that, since boards are comprised of volunteers, we need to ensure that those volunteers have fun doing what they are doing, as well as doing good for the organization.

When we set up the committees, it was with an eye to becoming a nonprofit, and my input about structure was guided by my experience. Since we don't aim to be a nonprofit, we can do whatever we want.

Here's my suggestion: Vacate Outreach for the time being and put Eva in Explore (education), where she most wants to be; vacate Member Experience and put Mark in Experience, where he also seems to get the most juice. For the time being, have just 3 committees: Experience, Explore, and Operations. As we have need for specific Outreach tasks that have to do with operations and process, we can convene a task force to accomplish that task, perhaps under the Operations Committee (or Executive Council).

Even though we have individual board members who are willing to chair these committees, and even though we tell them it is okay that they don't really do too much, I believe just having the mantle is a drain on their enjoyment of being part of the board. Having them be placeholders isn't all that helpful, and I don't think it's where their passion lies. Investing most of our board into events and programs (Explore and Experience) I think will really take advantage of their passion for the time being.

Once we get some traction as an organization, including having some revenue streams in place and some infrastructure that makes for easier decision-making and action, THEN we can reassess what committees we need. By that time, board members will have experienced more success and increased confidence, and we'll see them lining up to fill roles that are obviously needed.

Planting seeds . . .