Inclusive and Effective Board Engagement

According to Nonprofit PRO leading experts, having a diverse and open-minded board is crucial for success in 2024. Boards who are engaged, bring in various identities and perspectives, and meet the emerging needs of the organization are going to be leading the nonprofits that will be thriving. However, how do you make that happen? Research has shown that engagement, diversity, and responsibilities like fundraising are some of the toughest challenges for board members. Join this workshop to learn how to intentionally and strategically support a board of directors that is inclusive and engaged. Attendees will walk away with information, tools, and strategies to engage their board members, create inclusive cultures, and advance important issues like change management, diversity and equity, and fundraising.

Learning Objectives:

· Understand the external and internal factors that influence board effectiveness and engagement.

· Learn frameworks to intentionally build inclusive board cultures.

· Brainstorm strategies that will lead to accomplishing your organization’s strategic goals.

About the Presenters: Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, MSW, MPA, CFRE, CDP, Founder & Chief Strategist, Equity Warrior Strategies

Jonathan (he/him) is a Queer Latinx Millennial nonprofit strategist dedicated to addressing equity issues, building capacity, engaging the community, motivating impact leaders, and getting stuff done. His consulting company helps accomplish social equity, leadership development, and capacity-building goals through coaching, learning, facilitation, and strategic planning. As an Equity Warrior, he wears many professional hats, including Fundraising and Communications Strategist, Adjunct Social Work Professor, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Consultant, Leadership Development Trainer, Social Sector Career Coach, and Social Justice Champion. In addition to owning his business, he serves as a Senior Affiliate Consultant with Cause Effective and a Strategic Partnerships Consultant with the Ardent Group.

Host or Publisher Center for Nonprofit Leadership at St. John Fisher University