Board Basics

Board Basics is one of eight 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

Course Description

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;
• Learn a fun, easy way to help your board discuss and decide on goals, roles, responsibilities, and how to work together.

• You'll also get an overview of the Nonprofit Lifecycle, Four Core Capacities, and Organization Culture - a proven model for effectiveness based on the success of hundreds of other nonprofits.

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 the completion of the course, attendees can access coaching from the instructor in order to help apply what's been learned to the needs of their organizations.  (You must be affiliated with a WNC nonprofit in order to access this support at no extra cost.)

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.