A board member who reads gains perspective, more vision and a clearer understanding of the ministry he or she oversees. Here are several opportunities to stay ahead of the curve as a board member.

The CareNet Report & Center of Tomorrow Journal
Regardless of whether your center is a CareNet affiliate, these two publications ought to be on your "must read" list. Any smart business owner reads trade journals; the Center of Tomorrow Journal is exactly that.

At the Center
Your center should have this publication on hand, but if not, simply go to www.atcmag.com and you will find the sign-up form to receive issues for board, staff and volunteers--free of charge. Find out what is going on across America. You will be encouraged and envisioned.

Statistics
What? Numbers? Absolutely. Take a close look at your center's statistical breakdown each month. How many pregnancy tests were run? How many abortion-vulnerable clients are coming in the door? How do these numbers compare to previous years? Statistics don't mean everything, but they can be one barometer of whether you are fulfilling the mission.

Your Center Newsletter
My experience is that many board members forget to read the newsletter. As board members we think we have a grasp of everything bur some information is right under our nose and we overlook it. Reading the newsletter is a basic, but often forgotten, necessity.

Taking a good look at each of those publications listed above--and the statistics--doesn't take more than an hour each month. That one hour however, is time well spent in growing a better board--a better ministry.

Kirk Walden, founder of LifeTrends, is a consultant to pregnancy care ministries across America and a frequent banquet speaker.