Board Governance Intensive: Building Impactful and Inclusive Boards

Day One: 9:30am – 4:00pm 

Day Two: 9:30am – 12:30pm 

Effective board leadership is crucial to an organization’s success. To help the organizations improve their board governance, the Foundation’s Paulette and Frank Stewart Board Governance Institute is hosting a Board Governance Intensive workshop on September 17 and 18 at the Foundation’s Center for Philanthropy. The workshop will support teams of board members, executive directors, and senior staff as they work to improve their understanding of nonprofit governance; strengthen their diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in governance; increase board engagement; and maximize their board’s impact. 

The intensive will address foundational governance topics, including: 

• the dual purpose of nonprofit boards (ethical and legal); 

• governance duties; 

• the distinct roles and responsibilities of board members and the executive director in governance and management support; 

• the interdependent governance partnership between the board and the executive director; 

• designing board meetings to focus on the right work, at the right level, at the right time; 

• effective committees and advisory groups; and 

• board composition, recruitment, and officer succession planning. 

The intensive is designed to be engaging and interactive with opportunities for participants to reflect on their board experiences and plan specific action steps for their boards. Participants will leave inspired to propel their organizations with effective and efficient board governance expertise! 

Participation Requirements 

This series will be offered in two sessions over the course of two days. The first day of the intensive (September 17) will be a full day (9:30 am – 4:00 pm), and the second day (September 18) will be a half day (9:30 am – 12:30 pm). Both sessions will be held in-person at the Greater New Orleans Foundation (919 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130.) Attendance on both days and full participation are required. 

Organizations are required to register teams of 2-4 participants. Teams should include a minimum of 1 board member and the executive director of the organization. We also encourage the inclusion of any senior leaders charged with governance. 

Materials 

Before the program, participants will receive prep information so that you can participate fully and come in ready to engage. During the sessions, participants will experience a blend of expert presentation, interactive exercises, and peer-to-peer learning. We will conclude the program with action planning so that you leave with a clear path forward. After the program concludes, participants will receive a toolkit of resources. 

Workshop Fee 

The fee to participate in the Board Governance Intensive is $100 per organization. However, we never want funding to prevent participation. We have a small pool of funds available for partial scholarships for qualified participants. 

Click here to register for the Board Governance Intensive. Space is limited, and registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the cohort is full. Payment is due at the time of registration. Please note that, due to space limitations, we may not be able to accommodate additional members on your team after you complete registration. If you have any questions about this governance offering, please contact
Alana Peck at alana@gnof.org. 

Meet the Trainer:  

Marla Cornelius, MNA 

Nonprofit Leadership, Management, and Board Governance Consultant 

Certified Gallup Strengths Coach 

Marla Cornelius works with organizations and leaders committed to social justice. She is skilled at designing programs and consulting engagements that blend highly relevant theory with practical application. Her deep understanding of nonprofits, the challenges facing leaders, and the way that power plays out in organizations enables her to create environments where clients can explore new realities, learn new approaches, and achieve their goals. Marla is an expert trainer, coach, and consultant who has also co-authored a number of national studies and research reports on leadership. She has extensive board experience and currently serves on the board of Cat Town, an animal rescue and rehabilitation organization in Oakland, CA.