Board Basics is one of six day-long Fundamentals courses offered annually, teaching practical knowledge and skills in core competencies that every nonprofit leader needs to know.

Click here for an overview of Nonprofit Fundamentals.

Everyone wants a board that is filled with members who understand the mission and organization, are involved in fundraising and make financial contributions themselves, provide financial oversight, and serve as ambassadors in the community, among other roles. We also want board members who show up, work well with others, and don't micromanage. How do we get there? We will provide basic information that can help any board member be more effective. Also, boards operate better when board members and staff have agreed on the board's goals, roles, responsibilities, and how the team will work together. 

Learning Objectives
During this interactive session, you will:

• Review seven basic board responsibilities;
• Understand how your board is fulfilling those responsibilities today and how you would like them to fulfill them tomorrow;
• Discuss ways to engage board members before, during and after meetings;
• Become familiar with the standards for excellence for nonprofit organizations; 
• Learn a fun, easy way to help your board discuss and decide on goals, roles, responsibilities, and how to work together. 
  

At the end of the day, you'll have simple steps you can take to build a stronger board team that is able to govern well. 

Follow-up Support
After completion of the course, attendees can access three hours of no-cost one-on-one assitance from the instructor in order to help apply what's been learned to the needs of their organizations.  (Note: You must represent a WNC nonprofit in order to qualify for this support.)

Who should take Fundamentals: Board Basics?
This workshop is designed for two organization representatives, preferably one board and one staff, to attend together. It is appropriate for organizations of any size or developmental stage, whether you are new or experienced in nonprofit governance. 

Instructor: Pam Sugarman has worked as a nonprofit board member, staff member and consultant. She is president of Sugarman Consulting, which offers strategy and governance consulting to nonprofits and foundations. She previously served on the senior staff at the Georgia Center for Nonprofits where she designed information, training and consulting programs that have helped thousands of nonprofits fulfill their missions. 

Schedule and Registration
For course schedule and registration information, go to the Duke Nonprofit Management web site, course selection page.  Under site, indicate “Western NC”.  Click here.