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C05 Track: Governance and Leadership

Governance and Leadership

Breakthrough Thinking on Board Governance

Saturday, July 16, 9:45am - 11:00am (Mini-Plenary)

Moderator: Deborah Hechinger, BoardSource

Panelists: Judy Freiwirth, Nonprofit Solutions Associates; Jan Masaoka, CompassPoint Nonprofit Solutions; David Renz, Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, University of MO; and, William Ryan, Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Harvard University

Good boards/bad boards – what makes the difference? Nonprofit capacity builders have wrestled with this question for decades – many making real strides, and others experiencing frustration. In this panel discussion on the state of capacity building with nonprofit boards, panelists will delve into ways nonprofit boards can engage more effectively with the community. How do boards lead organizations to achieve real community impact? What are the levers to change, what are the obstacles, and how can capacity builders make a difference?

Effective Board/Executive Director Relationships

Friday, July 15, 4:15pm - 5:30pm

Presenters: Margaret Donohoe, In Transition; Mary Hiland, Hiland & Associates; Molly Polidoroff, Center for Excellence in Nonprofits

This session will explore the importance of an effective Board/Executive Director relationship as primary to organizations’ success and the foundation for sustainable capacity building and organizational resilience. The Board must hire wisely and work constructively with the Executive Director from initial employment through leadership development and eventual transitions. The Executive Director must exert leadership and take shared ownership of the governance relationship. Session content will include antidotal evidence, emerging qualitative research, and practical strategies from the perspectives of the Executive Director, Board Chair, and consultant.

Empowering Community: Using boardnetUSA to Expand Nonprofit Leadership

Thursday, July 14, 1:30pm - 4:00pm (Pre-Conference Session)

Presenters: Brooke Mahoney, Volunteer Consulting Group; Jan Masaoka, CompassPoint Nonprofit Services; Karen Beavor, Georgia Center for Nonprofits; Susan Katz Froning, Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, Inc.

Price: $50 Members; $90 Non-members

Learn how MSOs and State Associations are expanding their impact using www.boardnetUSA.org: a community based tool that connects local nonprofit boards needing leadership with individuals who wish to serve as board members. boardnetUSA offers exclusive assets: transparency of and direct communication to community civic leadership; a channel to offer board education and best governance practices; as well as a way to increase the visibility of your brand and overall organizational services. Join Jan Masaoka (CompassPoint Nonprofit Services), Karen Beavor (Georgia Center for Nonprofits), Susan Katz Froning (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, Inc) and Brooke Mahoney (Volunteer Consulting Group) as they discuss how they have integrated boardnetUSA into their local business strategy.

Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of the Nonprofit Board

Sponsored by Donors Forum of Chicago

Saturday, July 16, 11:30am - 12:30pm

Presenter: William Ryan, Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Harvard University

Starting with an alternative diagnosis of perennial board problems, this session proposes a new conception of governance that offers trustees more meaningful and consequential governing work. Participants will explore three governing modes — fiduciary, strategic, and generative — along with some of the major practice challenges for board members, executive directors, and consultants.

Thinking out of the Box: New Approaches to Governance and Board Development

Saturday, July 16, 2:15pm - 5:30pm (Half-Day Workshop)

Presenter: Judy Freiwirth, Nonprofit Solutions Associates

Ineffective board governance remains one of the most common presenting problems for nonprofit organizations. Many who work in the field of nonprofit governance have come to the conclusion that the problem is with the board model itself. Although there are some recent publications presenting some new approaches, the research is still very limited. On the other hand, there are exciting pockets of activity around the country — consultants and other capacity-building practitioners who are experimenting with new models, trying out innovative approaches and practices and are having great success with helping boards become more effective. This workshop will focus on alternative governance models, with a special focus on innovative board development approaches and practices that can help transform boards. Using principles of learning organizations, systems thinking, and the latest research, this workshop will use experiential learning methods to help you increase your ability to affect change with boards.