The Essentials of Effective Board Service is a four-session in-depth introduction to service on nonprofit governing boards. The goal of the series is to prepare current and emerging community leaders to serve effectively as members of the governing boards of nonprofit and other community and public service organizations. The series is designed for both board and executive staff members and is open to participants of varying levels of experience, including those who have no experience or who are considering joining a board. The series is facilitated by Dr. David Renz, director emeritus of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at UMKC, and includes brief presentations from a diverse group of experienced nonprofit leaders from the Kansas City community. These interactive sessions will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at UMKC on March 29 and April 5, 12, and 19. New this year: this series is delivered in hybrid format, so participants can participate remotely.
Program Details
Session 1: Boards, Governance, and Public Service Leadership: Introduction to the Roles and Responsibilities of the Board and Its Members
Date: March 29, 2025
- What’s the Point? Making Sense of the Work of a Governing Board
- The Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Governance and Board Work
- An Introduction to the Responsibilities of Boards
- Insights from the Boardroom
Session 2: How Effective Governing Boards Organize and Do Their Work
Date: April 5, 2025
- The Ten Core Responsibilities of a Governing Board
- Variations in How Boards and Related Governance Structures Are Organized
- Developing an Effective Board-Executive-Staff Partnership
- Insights from the Boardroom
Session 3: Taking a Deeper Look: Nonprofit Finance and Financial Leadership
Date: April 12, 2025
- The Essential Work of Financial Leadership and Accountability
- Understanding the Organization as a Financial Creature
- The Unique Revenue Models of Nonprofit Organizations
- Insights from the Boardroom
Session 4: The Bottom Line: Effective Members Serving on Effective Boards
Date: April 19, 2025
- Board Roles in Fundraising and Development
- Understanding the Board’s Role in Ensuring Organizational Accountability and Impact
- What It Takes to be an Effective Board Member and How to Find the Right Board
- Making Sense of It All: A Recap and Dialogue on Board Effectiveness
Location:
UMKC Bloch Heritage Hall (5110 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri). Participants will also have the option to participate remotely via Zoom.
Cancellation and Transfer Policy:
Full refunds will be given when cancellations are made at least five working days before the first session. A $50 cancellation fee will be deducted from refunds when notification occurs fewer than five working days before class begins. No refunds will be made after the first session has begun. You may transfer your registration by contacting MCNL at (816) 235-5720 or culverm@umkc.edu.
Photo and Video Release:
By attending the event, you are giving MCNL permission to use photos and videos from the workshop in future promotional materials.