Historic Harmony, a nonprofit committed to preserving and promoting public knowledge of the Harmony area’s history and heritage through its museum and outreach activities, came to BoardsWork! with a plan. As a board they wanted to strengthen the organization’s financial security, build and sustain high-performing committees, and grow and diversify its fundraising capacity – all while keeping board members engaged, on task, and united in their mission.
Don Block, ESC volunteer, helped to facilitate this process. Don is a specialist in nonprofit management, including board development, operations, and fundraising, and has taught a number of classes at the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management.
While Historic Harmony’s board leadership completed governance assessments to help pinpoint specific opportunities and challenges, all board members had an opportunity to tailor a four-hour retreat, based on their responses to a skills and satisfaction survey. Don then brought it all together to create the organization’s agenda and working session.
Board members noted after the retreat on ways BoardsWork! will help them be stronger and more sustainable, including:
- Being more effective with the tools we already have
- Prioritizing our goals
- Planning for our long-term success
Historic Harmony administrator Kathy Luek appreciated the time used to create an action plan and acknowledged the intricacies of board management.
It know it was like herding cats at times; [BoardsWork!] is a very helpful program.
As the organization moves forward after their retreat, Historic Harmony will have an opportunity to be matched with trained individuals who can grow and build their board as an integral part of this partnership program.
If your nonprofit could benefit from the BoardsWork! program, contact Covestro Center for Community Engagement program specialist Jennifer Pease at (412) 397-6013 or pease@rmu.edu.
