Center for Nonprofit Leadership > Building Board Leadership

Center Launches Leadership Program for Nonprofit Board Members

In late May 2006 the VCCF Center for Nonprofit Leadership launched Building Board Leadership – a comprehensive strategic initiative to strengthen leadership practices and governance structures in the Ventura County nonprofit sector. More than 100 people attended the two kickoff events held in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks.

With approximately 3,000 nonprofit organizations in Ventura County vying for qualified board volunteers, the Building Board Leadership initiative was designed to highlight the importance of good governance practices, particularly as demands for public accountability increase from donors and from state and national governments. The program addresses issues important to nonprofit board members – including vision and mission, legal obligations and oversight responsibility, compliance, board and volunteer management, roles and responsibilities of a board member, and working with the CEO and staff

“Nonprofit board members play a critical role toward sustainability of the nonprofit sector,” noted VCCF Board Chair Mary Leavens Schwabauer. “In many instances board members are faced with new responsibilities and roles. VCCF is a natural partner to help, advise and share the benefit of our common experiences.”

According to Schwabauer, nonprofit board members act as stewards of public trust, in partnership with donors and community leaders, and hold in their hands an increasingly important segment of the region’s economy.

“The consequences of the work of nonprofits in Ventura County, in excess of $1.5 billion annually, are directly felt by thousands of our neighbors and friends,” said Schwabauer.

The Board Leadership Initiative will engage local nonprofit boards of directors and individual board members in a process of skills building, networking and information sharing. Under this initiative, the following are planned:

• Quarterly Board Leadership Roundtables will be coordinated, providing networking and sharing among new and seasoned board members.
• Board Leadership Institute, an intensive leadership training program to elevate volunteer board members’ ability to govern local nonprofit organizations and to demonstrate leadership on behalf of the nonprofit sector, will be launched focusing on board governance, orientation, vision and mission, legal obligations, roles and responsibilities, among other topics.
• Consultants commissioned by VCCF, enhanced by VCCF’s experienced board of directors and staff, will provide direct assistance to local boards of directors including leadership development, board self-assessment and strategic planning.
• Public convenings will be held to explore key board leadership issues, including how to work more effectively with staff and consultants.
• Tailored training programs will be developed in partnership with local businesses.

For more information or to become involved, contact Dena Jenson at 805-988-0196, ext. 128, or via email at .

For a printable schedule of events - Click Here!