Want to learn more about the nonprofit sector? Ready to engage in purposeful governance as an educated board member? Then register for one of our upcoming BoardsWork! trainings on November 12 and 19. Benefits include:
- Comprehensive understanding of board roles and responsibilities
- Customized matching to a nonprofit organization, based on your interests, that needs your skills
- 7 free educational classes through the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at RMU downtown
- Ongoing governance support for your matched nonprofit for a year
The training encompasses four important roles of board member best practice:
- Boardsmanship – People who don’t “live the nonprofit life” often have no idea how big and economically significant the nonprofit sector truly is. This session will look at the role of nonprofits in the community and answer some long asked questions, such as: “What does the IRS expect of a nonprofit board of directors? How does a board evaluate its own performance?” This session will explore board roles and responsibilities – legal, fiduciary, ambassador, and leadership development, including the IRS form 990 as it pertains to governance. An exercise entitled “Whose Job is It?” will start a conversation about role clarity. The session will also include a review of sample statements of expectations for the conscientious board member.
- Financial Oversight – How do nonprofit financial documents differ from those in the for-profit world? What does designated funding mean? How does it affect cash flow? This session will use real-life nonprofit data to assist participants in executing their fiduciary roles effectively. Warning signs and indicators of health will be identified and discussed. In this session, we will also look at methods for carrying out fiduciary responsibilities quickly and efficiently so that the information gained in the previous sessions can be carried into the Board room for truly strategic discussions and decision-making.
- Fundraising – How can a board member best help a nonprofit raise more money to deliver services and meet its mission? What’s a house party and why do they still work? What is social enterprise and is it a good alternative to traditional fundraising techniques? Using a fund development audit tool, this session will identify the sources of revenue for nonprofit organizations and discuss the ways board members can best use their time and help to raise more money.
- The Board’s Role in Planning – What’s next? How does the organization cope with uncertain funding sources, rising community needs and a staff that is stretched to the breaking point? A central responsibility for a governing board is to see that on-going planning occurs, that the organization has a future focus and is continually scanning the environment for community needs and organizational opportunities and challenges. Especially in these turbulent times, boards must lead by thinking ahead. Peter Drucker’s “5 Most Important Questions You Must Ask About Your Nonprofit” will provide a framework for our discussion of how best to chart a course through the whitewater of nonprofit life.
