Participant Quotes:



"Clear, intelligent, and well presented."


"Excellent overview of Board responsibilities."


"The workbook is a great reference."


"Great, interactive approach!"


“Your command of the subject matter is impressive, and your passion for your work is evident.  I look forward to applying what I’ve learned in the BoardStar trainings to date and expanding my knowledge base in the future.”


 “Our Treasurer was not only informed of necessary changes, but motivated and energized enough that he undertook the task of reviewing and updating our bylaws right away. Thank you for making Board participation easier.”  


 “I think that all Board Directors need to take a refresher course and understand the 3 hats that they wear in governance, implementation and volunteering.” 


 “Excellent presentation — very clear and organized. Great job!” 


 “Excellent overview of Board responsibilities.”

 Governance Education

 

A good Board Director is an informed Board Director


Board Directors are legally responsible for ensuring that tax-exempt funds are utilized for the public good. How do these individuals gain the knowledge to become effective in their governance roles?


CLICK HERE TO VIEW CURRENT WORKSHOPS.


Each year Boardstar offers more than 50 workshops, clinics, custom training sessions, and presentations designed to increase the effectiveness of nonprofit Boards throughout metro Milwaukee. At our workshops, Board Directors have the opportunity to interact with peers from other organizations, and take home valuable reference materials to help their own Boards succeed. Recurring workshops include: Orientation Express, President’s Primer, President’s Summer Camp, Ready, Set Serve, and the Revising Bylaws Clinic.



Current Board Governance Curriculum:

ORIENTATION

 

Ready, Set, Serve!

Are you interested in “giving back” or getting connected in the community, but unsure how to start?
Get connected!
This class covers the basics of nonprofit service, with special emphasis on Board and committees, along with tips for getting connected with a nonprofit organization that suits your skills, interests and temperament.
Participants will have a FREE opportunity to sign up for BoardStar’s “On-Board” matching service, and receive one year of membership in BoardStar.

Topics include: 

  • Types of nonprofit organizations
  • The needs of nonprofit organizations, especially 501(c)(3) groups
  • Making a difference through Board or committee service
  • Getting started
  • Questions to ask
  • Exploring resources


Orientation Express 

 

Board Orientation returns its investment many times over for the organization, the Board, and the community. This essential workshop serves as a starting point or a refresher course for anyone who serves on a nonprofit Board, and the manual provides a valuable ongoing reference. Participants learn the fundamental roles and responsibilities of Board service, with emphasis on fulfilling the Board’s governance function.

Topics Covered:

 

  • Types of Nonprofit Boards
  • Roles, Responsibilities, and Liabilities
  • Job Description
  • Setting Policies
  • Role of the Board in Planning

 


Orientation Express for Executive Directors

Help bring your Board up to speed! 

This special Executive session of Orientation Express highlights the roles and responsibilities of the Board, and outlines the Executive Director’s role in helping the Board serve effectively. The class is designed to help the Executive Director work with the Board to build a strong organization, attract and recruit effective Board Directors, and ensure that governance responsibilities are fulfilled.


Board Orientation Clinic

Orientation Manual Scrapbook Clinic

Building an effective Board begins with each individual Director possessing the tools to govern.  One critical tool is knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of Board and staff, as well as the policies, history, culture, and finances of the organization.  A good orientation can set the foundation for effective service. 

In this hands-on, interactive, "get-it-done" experience, Board Development Committee Chairs, Secretaries, Executive Director, and anyone responsible for Board orientation will review the process and literally "scrapbook" a draft orientation manual.


Come prepared with:

  • Current orientation materials
  • Bylaws and articles of incorporation
  • Any strategic, annual, business plans
  • Program descriptions, brochures

BOARD DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES


 

Board Development 101 

Does your organization have every Board seat filled with engaged Directors, actively fulfilling their governance and fundraising responsibilities? The Board recruitment process should be designed thoughtfully to ensure that the Board represents the service community, possesses necessary skills and connections, and that new Directors are the right “fit” for the organization. This course outlines the primary steps for developing a strong and engaged Board of Directors.


Topics Covered:

  • Assessing organizational needs
  • Analyzing current composition
  • Identifying prospects
  • Interviewing potential candidates
  • Selecting the right candidate
  • Conducting an orientation
  • Approving Governance Committee responsibilities

 


Leadership in Tandem

The Board-staff relationship is paradoxically both employer/employee and a full partnership. The relation between the Board Chair and chief executive officer should be challenging, yet supportive and positive. The Executive Director should be a full partner in the development of direction and policies, however, the Board should maintain sufficient independence from management to ensure that it can objectively evaluate the Executive Director’s performance.

A mutually-supportive partnership between the Board Chair or President and the Executive Director fosters a culture of teamwork and positive energy, which propels the organization forward, positively affects the staff, Board and volunteers, enables the nonprofit to prosper, and produces a greater impact towards fulfilling its mission.

Finding a balance between governance and management is easier when the Board Chair and the Executive Director have a sense of shared vision and common purpose, enjoy cordial but direct communication, and understand and respect their complementary roles. The Board’s tandem leadership works together and separately in motivating the Board to fulfill its governance responsibilities, and supporting the staff to manage daily operations.

This workshop addresses the expectations, roles and responsibilities of the Board, staff, and their respective leaders, with tips for developing good working relationships through effective communication and mutual respect. In recognition that conflict does arise, this session will identify ways to avoid, minimize and resolve conflicts.

Ideally, the organization’s two leaders work in tandem, motivating the members of their respective teams to implement the details and move the organization forward towards the same goals.

 


Bylaws Clinic 

Revising Bylaws & Related Corporate Documents Clinic

 

 Learn how to maintain or modify bylaws, articles of incorporation, and other corporate documents. Compliance with Federal laws, state statutes, and related regulations will be highlighted. Questions will be answered from both legal and governance perspectives.

 

Come Prepared:

 

  • Bring a copy of your organization’s articles of incorporation and bylaws.
  • Be willing to revise aspects of the bylaws that need attention.
  • Come ready to ask questions.


OTHER

Strategic Restructuring 

Alliances, Partnerships, and Mergers 
In difficult economic times, how is it possible to increase the organization’s mission impact to improve people’s lives and strengthen communities? One option is strategic restructuring: combining a program or an entire organization with another nonprofit to make growth and stability more easily attainable. This class is designed for Board Directors and executives interested in exploring the full range of options, from temporary collaborations to full organizational mergers.

Topics include:

  • Definition and goals of the main models
  • Real-world examples
  • Steps to implementing a strategic re-structuring model
  • Pros and cons
  • The memorandum of understanding
  • Resources - where to go for more information

 

The Art of The Ask

Asking for a major gift is one of the most important Board Directors duties, as well as one of the most feared. The art of asking involves determining how the nonprofit's mission and programs match the interests of the donor, and communicating the professionalism and passion of the organization in a way that meets the donor's interests. A combination of research, commitment, friendliness, and timing is the secret to a successful solicitation.

 


 

OFFICER TRAINING

 
Treasurer’s Tutorial 

 Board Officer’s Training 

The Treasurer is the very cornerstone in the structure of fiscal controls safeguarding the organization’s assets. Often responsible for performing hands-on financial management tasks, the Treasurer must also oversee compliance with best financial practices and current IRS and state regulations, and make sure that the entire Board fully understands the fiscal position of the organization.This session provides nonprofit Treasurers with the tools they need to guide the Board of Directors in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility.


TOPICS include:

  • Treasurer Position Description
  • Financial reporting
  • Budget Process
  • Financial policies
  • Finance and Audit Committee responsibilities
  • Treasurer’s role in oversight


GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITIES 


Role of the Board in Strategic Planning 

 

For the Board of Directors

 

One of the primary roles for any Board of Directors is to plan for the organization’s future. Planning allows an organization to be proactive, to strategically address opportunities and challenges, and to avoid operating in a perpetual crisis mode. Embarking on a strategic planning process is a large investment of time that can pay back through increased organizational success over the course many years.


Topics Include:

 

  • Thinking strategically
  • Detailing program, corporate and financial goals and objectives
  • Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the Board and executive staff in strategic planning
  • Monitoring progress

 


Fundraising  

Taking the Fear Out

One of the most challenging governance responsibilities for a Board Director is raising funds for the organization.  The mere mention of fundraising can often send a Board Director into a panic.  Understanding the art and science of fundraising can help dispel a Board Director's apprehension of this most important role.  This is a fast-paced workshop filled with ideas, tools, and techniques.

 

 
Increasing Income: Rx for Sustainability 

Diversifying Revenue Streams

Increasing and diversifying income ensures more resources to fulfill the mission, in good times and bad. Class participants will gather knowledge and tools to develop a diversified income plan. This class is designed to enlighten Executive Directors, Development Directors, and Fund Development Committee Chairs about:

  • Diversifying income mix to achieve long-term stability
  • Investigating new revenue sources
  • Engaging Board leadership in resource development
  • Reviewing previous revenue performance
  • Planning to diversify and increase sources of income

Participants should bring:

  • The organization’s current budget
  • Fundraising plans
  • Most recent 990 and audit


Data-Driven Decisions

Using Organizational Dashboards

 

To ensure that the organization fulfills its mission and goals, the Board must recognize problems before they become urgent, identify the root causes of issues, and keep the organization on course. This workshop will provide executives and nonprofit Board leaders with an intuitive visual assessment tool, which outlines program statistics and outcomes. These dashboards can be shared with funders, staff, the community, and other important stakeholders.


Sample Key Indicators:

 

  • Financial Revenues and Expenses
  • Quality of Service
  • Efficiency and Productivity
  • Service Outcomes

 

 


Financial Oversight

 

One of the most challenging responsibilities of a board director is financial oversight. Knowing how to effectively oversee your organizations finances improves organizational function and ensures your tax-exempt status. This workshop covers all the essentials of the responsibility of financial oversight. It's everything you need to know in one workshop.

 

Topics Covered:

 

  • The essentials for understanding organizational finances
  • The financial responsibilities of board directors
  • The financial management process
  • Financial reporting
  • Much more!
Click on our Events Calendar to view current educational offerings. Contact the BoardStar office by phone (414) 367-8270 or e-mail us for more information.

 
 
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