Boards are shaping the nonprofit sector in unprecedented ways. The Cleveland BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence is aiming to mold prospective board members to meet the trials and opportunities facing organizations today.

On December 7, BVU will host The Role of the Board, a seminar for current board members or those just thinking of joining a board. Speakers including David Goodman of Cleveland law firm Squire Sanders will discuss the roles and responsibilities of those that sit around the big table. Insight on leading an organization through change will also be shared, says BVU executive vice president Elizabeth Voudouris.

"We're providing people with practical training," she says. "We want to inspire them to service, too."

In general, boards are designed to hire and support a CEO, set the mission of the organization, and give financial oversight, among other duties. Modern pressures like shrinking resources have altered these best practices, Voudouris says.

"Good boards take a lot of work," she says. "There are significant strategic and financial challenges no matter what [a board's] size."

BVU officials expect the seminar to draw about 80 attendees representing nearly 40 businesses. Over half of the expected audience members currently are going through BVU’s board matching program and are planning to serve on a board in the near future. The December 7 event is sold out, but BVU hosts a handful of seminars a year for people looking to get educated about board life.

"It's a great introduction to nonprofit leadership," says Voudouris.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Voudouris
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth