The Board Consultant Institute features a premier curriculum taught by faculty from the National Center for Nonprofit Boards in Washington D.C., with significant contributions from Patricia Wyzbinski of Management Cornerstones Inc. and Frank Martinelli of the Center for Public Skills Training. Program participants attended three, two-day intensive training programs, received individualized support and coaching from an experienced mentor consultant, practiced training and presentation skills, and had access to the National Center for Nonprofit Boards library of resources. Upon completion of the program, participants will continue their practice as Board development trainers and consultants by presenting a Board orientation session for the public, in addition to consulting with a nonprofit Board under the supervision of a mentor.

Phase 2 - 2002

The ten participants in the Nonprofit Management Fund's Board Consultant Institute have completed the formal training program with BoardSource (formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards) and have moved into a practicum stage of work. A total of six days of intensive training covered presentations and discussions of Board self-assessments to consulting on advanced governance issues. The overall project has been greatly enriched by the nonprofit expertise of the participants.

The practicum consists of three major elements. First, participants are updating the "Orientation Express" Board training workshop offered through the Nonprofit Management Fund in partnership with Management Cornerstones and the Center for Public Skills Training. Beginning in late 2002, the Institute-trained consultants will be offering this training periodically throughout metropolitan Milwaukee. The curriculum materials will be based on the latest work from BoardSource, the nation's premiere resource on nonprofit Boards of Directors.

A second phase of the Institute focuses a series of cohort sessions that address case studies, governance trends, and consulting techniques.

The final phase of the Institute is a Board consulting contract that will be undertaken and completed with a Milwaukee-area nonprofit with the guidance of one of the Institute's mentors, either Frank Martinelli of The Center for Public Skills Training or Patricia Wyzbinski of Management Cornerstones. A "Request for Proposals" is being issued in March 2002 to solicit projects. The Nonprofit Management Fund will provide funding up to $2,500 per consulting project to improve a nonprofit's Board of Directors. For more information, contact Patricia Wyzbinski at the office of the Fund Advisor, Management Cornerstones, (414) 271-5511.

Session Topics - 2001

11-12 September 2001 "Critical Components of an Effective Governance Program"
As practitioners, effectively conveying the principles of good governance is essential to strengthening the performance of the Boards with which we work. This session will cover the relationship of the consultant to the Board and the Executive, developing an agenda and objectives for a Board development program, legal and financial responsibilities, Board-staff relations, the role of committees, and effective Board meetings.

29-30 October 2001 "Conducting Board Self-Assessments"
This program will focus on the nature of Board self assessment, the process that NCNB has developed to assist Boards in evaluating their own performance, the use of NCNB's self-assessment instrument, how to serve as an effective resource to the organization, and the consultant's relationship to the Board and staff.

"Hard at work on another interesting case study"

22-23 January 2002 "Advanced Governance Consulting"
The speed of change in almost every environment demands continual upgrading of professional skills and insights. Consultants offering services to nonprofit Boards need opportunities to exchange information with others engaged in similar work, ponder challenging ideas, and explore the implications of changes in organizational environments. This course will examine issues in nonprofit governance, emerging trends, competencies of effective Boards, and how to help

Faculty

The sessions will be led by experienced nonprofit consultants and trainers who have conducted numerous Board development programs for NCNB and have broad experience in teaching good governance practices.

Chuck Loring is the senior partner of Loring, Sternberg, & Associates, providing fundraising and management services to nonprofit organizations. He is past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Indiana Chapter.

Dr. Berit Lakey provides individualized Board consulting and training, conducts workshops for Board Directors and consultants, and is responsible for the NCNB Board self-assessment program.

Dr. Sandra Hughes is the senior governance consultant for NCNB, facilitating programs in strategic thinking and planning, resource development, management training, organizational culture and values, and numerous other governance topics.

Participants

Congratulations to those selected to participate in the Board Consultant Institute. Here is the list of 2001 - 2002 participants:

Eloiza Altoro-Acevedo Barbara Gross Karen Higgins Norman McKonly, Jr. Jim Milner Robert Pietrykowski Ronald Retzke Sandy Stuckmann Mary Unkel José Vásquez
Mentors: Pat Wyzbinski, Management Cornerstones Inc.                       Frank Martinelli, Center for Public Skills Training

Program Eligibility

Criteria Nonprofit practitioners, consultants, local management assistance providers, and others who work with the nonprofit sector are encouraged to apply. A candidate for the Board Consultant Institute must possess the following qualifications and personal attributes:

• Committed to dedicating time and attention to increasing training or consulting skills
• Demonstrated interest in working with nonprofit organizations
• Personal experience as a nonprofit Board Director
• Strong verbal and written presentation skills
• Ability to apply knowledge and insight to the situation at hand
• Motivation to learn about nonprofit Boards and continue working in this field
• Agreement to attend all three, two-day training events is mandatory

Selection Process

• Interested candidates should complete and submit the Board Consultant Institute Application for Admission. The deadline has already passed for the 2001 - 2002 Board Consultant Institute. If you are interested in joining, keep watching the Nonprofit Management Fund's Web Site for updates.
• A selection panel will review applications, conduct interviews and recommend candidates to a committee of the Nonprofit Management Fund for approval.
• The Nonprofit Management Fund will select the final eight participants and will notify candidates.

Program Cost

Board Consultant Institute Nonprofit Management Fund c/o Management Cornerstones 301 North Water Street, Suite 700 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

Full tuition for the program is $3,000 per participant. The Nonprofit Management Fund will underwrite one-half [$1,500] of the tuition for each participant. Some additional scholarships may be available.