Training Program Prepares Nonprofit Board Leaders

The Oneida County Courier reported:

There are more than 700 not-for-profit organizations in Herkimer and Oneida counties. They provide much-needed programs and services – such as child care, education and health care – and employ thousands of people in these two counties. These organizations take their various missions and their commitment to the community very seriously. In turn, three local organizations have collaboratively offered training designed to strengthen and support not-for-profit boards.

For the past three years, the local Partnership for Nonprofit Leadership Enterprise Excellence has supported and strengthened area not-for-profits through its Board Leadership Seminar series. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, and United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area have partnered to offer this training to educate board chairs and chairs-elect so that they can effectively and ethically govern the policies and practices of their organizations.

Accountability and professionalism from not-for-profit organizations are ever more expected as technology continues to evolve, thanks to Internet and smart phone developments which allow us to access information instantaneously. Websites such as Guidestar make researching not-for-profits easy, and many people go online to gather information before becoming involved with an organization. Furthermore, laws governing charities change with some regularity in order to meet the needs of the times. The policies and procedures at the core of not-for-profits must be able to meet these new expectations and comply with new and amended rules, and the direction for this comes from the board of directors.

The program, which is free of cost, consists of a series of seminars designed for board chairs and chairs-elect. Over an eight-month period, participants explore a number of governance topics with their peers and experts in the various subject areas. The syllabus is designed to provide them with the knowledge and tools that allow them to more effectively lead their boards, and includes such topics as strategic planning, fund development, finance and the working relationships between the board chair and directors and the board chair and the organization’s leader.

Two board members from The Peacemaker Program, Inc. in Utica took part in this training. Executive Director Brenda Episcopo noted, “First, it helps to keep our agency keep up to speed on new rules and regulations governing nonprofits. Board participants bring back professional and sound information to the full board for discussion and application. Second, it provides board leaders with a forum to learn the ins-and-outs of board responsibilities in a neutral and supportive setting. Finally – and most importantly – for a small nonprofit such as The Peacemaker Program, Inc., the fact that this top-notch program is offered at no charge goes a long way in ensuring the sustainability of the organization, far beyond what our training budget would allow. I appreciate the opportunity to have my board members engaged in such a great initiative.”

Local attorney F.X. Matt III has also participated in the program. “The sessions provide a comprehensive review of the leadership, governance, financial, accounting and fund-raising challenges facing the not-for-profit community.” said Matt. “Regardless of your experience as a nonprofit board member, there is a great deal to be learned from the sessions’ interesting and topical presentations and from the engaging discussions which follow.”

2010 marks the third year this series has been offered in Utica; it began in Rochester in 2003 and expanded to Syracuse in 2005. The 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 classes each had 10 participants while 2009-2010 had 13 take part. Many of the participants not only serve on not-for-profit boards, but are also employed by not-for-profit organizations. Therefore, this training provides them with insight that they can also apply in the workplace.

The sessions will take place on a Wednesday once a month, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, 12 Rhoads Drive, Utica, New York. For an application, please call Excellus BCBS at (315) 798-4303. The deadline for completed applications is Friday August 20, 2010.