Critical Components of Effective Governance

Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Thursday, Nov. 19 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Susan Decker, Senior Governance Consultant, BoardSource
Cost: Members: $795 | Nonmembers: $875 Register

Effective governance in times of crisis is both difficult and critical, which is why understanding the board’s roles and responsibilities has never been more vital. This comprehensive two-day training on the fundamentals of nonprofit governance focuses on building the capacity of nonprofit boards. Those trainers, consultants, board members, and other nonprofit professionals who attend will come away with knowledge, skills, and an extensive set of resources to improve the performance of their board and/or the boards with which they work.

Overview

Anyone offering services to nonprofit boards must be thoroughly familiar with the fundamentals of good governance and skilled in helping boards to improve their performance. Through this interactive course, consultants and other capacity builders will gain and share knowledge and resources needed to understand the major building blocks of an effective board. Participants will review and discuss issues such as:

• board roles and responsibilities
• legal and financial issues of boards
• identification, recruitment, and orientation of board members
• board-staff relations
• board meetings and the use of committees
• board's role in fundraising
• board member motivation, responsibilities, and accountability
• competing governance models
• Sarbanes-Oxley and other governance challenges and trends

Course Objectives

As a result of this professional development program, participants will:

• gain insights, tools, and materials that further their understanding of nonprofit board governance
• develop a network of peers for the exchange of information and mutual support
• examine approaches, assumptions, questions, and practices regarding good governance

Who Should Attend

Registration is limited. Attendance is recommended for:

• consultants and management assistance providers who offer their services to nonprofit boards
• directors of training and field staff from national organizations
• association staff in charge of member services

Approach

The course makes extensive use of case histories and small group work as well as group discussion. A binder of resource materials is included in the price of the course.

Registration also includes the following publications:

• Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards
• Fearless Fundraising
• The Nonprofit Legal Landscape
• The Policy Sampler
• The Board Building Cycle

Instructor

Susan Decker is a senior governance consultant for BoardSource. Based in Memphis, Tenn., Susan has extensive experience in nonprofit governance and management. She conducts training and consulting on nonprofit board governance for a wide range of nonprofit organizations, and has particular expertise in working with organizations in higher education, social and human services, and the volunteer sector. Past clients include the Association of Fundraising Professionals, National Eating Disorder Association, and Purnell School, among others.

Susan also serves as a senior director of Field Management with ALSAC/St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. In this capacity, she is responsible for the oversight and development of the nearly 200 professional special event fundraising staff located in over thirty regional offices throughout the country. She leads the senior fundraising staff and establishes their professional development pathways. She also guides the work of the local boards, and has assisted with the Professional Advisory Board and the Sports Council of St. Jude.

Previously, Susan was the director of the Domestic Affiliate Network of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (now Susan G. Komen for the Cure) in Dallas, TX, where she was responsible for the overall governance, board development, compliance, and training of more than 100 local affiliates. She served as a consultant to the individual affiliates as needed, led and coached a team of professional representatives assigned to the affiliates, and oversaw the Affiliate Training Department that conducted nearly 50 specialized trainings in governance, leadership, fundraising, fiscal oversight, event planning, and team building. She also worked with the executive directors of the local affiliates, conducting conference and training sessions quarterly, and developing their listserv and mentoring programs. Susan also served as the director of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure national fundraising event.

Prior to joining the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan helped create the McLean Education Center where she developed, measured, and evaluated science curricula and delivered educational opportunities to at-risk students. Susan is a member of the National Health Educators Association, Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She also sits on the board of directors of Big City Mountaineers.

Susan earned her bachelor of science degree in physical education from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind. and her master of science degree in educational leadership, administration and foundations from Indiana State University. She has completed coursework for a doctorate in educational leadership. Susan also has extensive training in nonprofit governance and management. She has completed several BoardSource professional development courses. In addition, Susan has been trained by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in management and supervisory development and by Clear Direction in professional coaching development.

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List of Presessions