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Workshops, Training, and Publications

Board Development Workshops and Training

Nonprofit Boards and Governance:  The Basics
This session covers the basics: What is governance? What are the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members? How do these relate to the roles of staff and/or volunteers? What are the legal requirements of board service? How do board members “fit” into the overall structure of a nonprofit organization?  Depending on the audience for this session, this can also include clarification of the distinctions between nonprofit and for-profit organizations that can influence the understanding of board service.Nonprofit boards directly influence the success and effectiveness of the organizations they serve. This series provides state of the art knowledge and practical strategies for building and sustaining a strong, effective board and board-executive partnership.

What is effective governance?
Once one has an understanding of the Board Basics, it is important for board members to understand what characteristics and practices constitute effective governance. With content based on the most current research, this session will help board members and staff alike learn the competencies that are required for excellent board performance, the practices of exceptional boards, and/or the strategies your board can engage in for optimal board results.

The Governance Partnership
The most effective nonprofits have both a strong executive and a strong board. Learn the strategies that build an effective partnership.

Building the Board
Building a team of people with the right "fit" for the organization and each other requires planning and consistent attention. Practical ways to recruit, engage, and retain dedicated and effective board members are presented.

The Board Chair
Research has demonstrated (ours and others) that the Board Chair has significant impact in the nonprofit he/she leads: on the board, on the executive director, and on the organization. The session explains this impact, the qualities and behaviors of the best board chairs, and the roles and responsibilities that come with that special role.

The Board Chair/Executive Director Relationship
What makes a dynamic, synergistic board chair/executive director relationship and how does it affect the organization? Based on our research, learn what board chairs and executive directors can do to build and strengthen their relationship and why it matters.

Assessing Board Performance
Governance accountability is the topic of the day. Board self-assessment is essential to effective and transparent governance. Learn how to best assess board performance and tools to help.

Evaluating the Executive Director
Learn what needs to be considered and examples of strategies for tackling this important board responsibility.

Other training and presentation topics

The approach and content of all training can be customized to meet your needs. The following is a summary of some topics and content that has been delivered to various nonprofits in areas of Hiland & Associates' expertise.

  • Strategic alliances and/or restructuring: pros and cons, considerations, effective processes for pursuing: organizational assessment, partner assessment, negotiations process, integration etc
  • Managing Change: change is a constant in our communities and the world; what do nonprofit leaders need to understand about change and how do they apply it?
  • Organizational Culture: goals for organizational development and change are often not achieved because of a lack of understanding of organizational culture. This session explains what it is and offers strategies for assessing it.
  • Leading versus Managing: helpful distinctions for nonprofit leaders and managers.
  • Building Authentic Relationships: relationships are essential to nonprofit organizations, all resources and results flow as a result of effective relationships.
  • Trust building: how to build trust in the workplace, why it matters and how it impacts organizational performance; how to build trust in teams, and trust-building strategies for leaders.

To arrange for one or all of these learning opportunities for your board of directors and agency, or to discuss other topics of interest to you,
contact Mary at (408) 978-6776 or mary@hiland-assoc.com.

Publications

The following are publications written by Mary Hiland or that reference her work.