We use our Word Press Plug In for archiving; as you mentioned it is not user friendly however we know it will always be around and/or a new website comes along it will be transferred as part of the process. We have one log in for the year, that the entire board gets, rather than individual log-ins since they can't really do much besides view and download. We just change the password at election time for the new board.
Last year I started using Click Up as an active board portal. It is like a virtual desktop. There is a learning curve, but I like! Per one paid person, you are able to get "guests" for free. So, I have the board set up as guests. They just don't have full features of the EVERYTHING Click Up can do, nor do they need it. I like that it can be in real time and connect emails, messaging, spreadsheets, etc.. We are only 6 months in on it, so still learning as there is so much it can do. It can be overwhelming, so I try to keep it simple for the board.
Another board I am on uses One Drive.
I recently went on a non-profit Exec Board and have found myself frustrated with communication and easy access to keep informed. I am using that frustration from that board to my actual work as the ED of our attraction; and amping up the Board Portal. It is sure making my life as an ED so much better and the board feels so much more informed without having to spend "quality time" repeating myself over and over.
Good Luck! There is never a good answer. I would suggest figuring out what you need...what you want and look at some cloud base options. Many are extremely affordable or free for non-profits.
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Kirsten Parker
Executive Director
Golden Spike Tower
North Platte NE
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2024 03:12 PM
From: Diana West
Subject: Board Portals
Hi all!
We are looking into re-designing our Board Portal. Currently it lives as a plugin on our Wordpress website that really only has the feature to upload documents and display them as a list of available downloads. You can give each document uploaded a "category" and "tags." The list is searchable based on that information. Each Board member is given a login and password to use. Currently this setup is not user friendly and as far as I know, no Trustee actually uses it. I am in charge of populating the documents.
So, I am wondering if your organization uses a Board Portal, what is your setup? Is this something directly accessed via your website or an outside software? Do Trustees access it via individual logins or is it just password protected? Does it serve mainly as an archive or does your Board actually have to use it? Are there any fees associated?
Thank you so much for any and all insights you may have!
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Diana West
Executive Assistant and Board Liaison
she/her/hers
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
nebg.org
11 French Drive, Boylston, MA 01505
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