Board Governance Series attracts local leaders intent on creating change

Tags: Trainings

Last month, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) hosted a four-part Board Governance Series to help local board members strengthen their skills. When asked when and how they intended to share the information, attendees responded that they were already creating agendas, revamping handbooks, and planning board retreats. That was after just the first workshop.

The excitement was palpable in the Sierra College Truckee classroom as current and potential board members leaned into the challenges and opportunities they face as community leaders. Topics covered everything from how to build a productive and enthusiastic board to fiscal responsibility, strategic development, and fundraising techniques. The curriculum was first developed and presented in 2015 by TTCF staff who used Board Source and Independent Sector’s Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practices.

Workshops included a theory presentation as well as expert panels with local board members were chosen for their knowledge and experience on the given topic. Attendees also had over an hour to ask questions and discuss their own experiences. Over the course of the four weeks, attendees developed their own network to take with them as they continue their work.

The quick stats on the Board Governance participants:

• 46 individuals attended workshops
• 19 local organizations were represented
• 13 organizations sent board members to all four workshops
• 7 scholarship attendees

This year we also offered scholarships to encourage people interested in serving on boards to take the plunge. Queen of Hearts supporters and graduates from the North Lake Tahoe Truckee Leadership Program could apply for scholarships if they committed to serving on a board in the near future. The volunteer grants committee for TTCF’s consolidated grant cycle also chose ten applicants to receive a series scholarship.

TTCF was happy to create an opportunity for leadership development for those in our community members who take on the responsibility of serving on a local board of directors.

It turns out that TTCF staff loved hosting the workshops as much as the attendees enjoyed the opportunity to learn and network. We plan to have more workshop opportunities in the future – look out for quarterly workshops soon! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to keep up to date.

Quotes from the 2016 Series

“I can’t stop talking about what I’m learning at these seminars with my fellow board members. They are either going to really wish they had joined me or be really sick of listening to me.” – Attendee

“This has been an excellent series albeit overwhelming with the amount of information I am processing after each workshop. As a board chair, I feel like I have some tools now to be a more effective leader. Having someone else on the board at each session has been important. Thank you!” -Attendee