Leadership Through Governance:
Training Volunteers for Nonprofit Board Membership

Dear Community Leader,

Are you interested in developing leadership skills while helping to govern one of New York City’s nonprofit agencies? Do you know someone who may be interested? Most nonprofits in our community are facing enormous challenges. Governance by a knowledgeable and responsible Board of Directors is a critical success factor in achieving a nonprofit’s mission. Nonprofit agencies are looking for candidates who have experience as a volunteer or staff person working with nonprofits and are able to commit their time, energy and resources to help fulfill their mission. The Nonprofit Boards Clearinghouse trains interested men and women and introduces them to New York City agencies seeking qualified board members through a structured placement process.

WINTER 2008 SERIES
Five Wednesday Evenings - February 27, March 5, 12, and 26,
and April 2
Applications will be available in late November and will be accepted starting January 8, 2008.

SCHEDULE
6:00 p.m. Arrival and light supper
6:15 p.m. Training session begins
9:00 p.m. Adjourn

LOCATION
The New York Junior League Headquarters for Training and Leadership
130 East 80th Street, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue

COST: includes all materials, light supper and beverages
$300 for non-New York Junior League (NYJL) participants; $275 each for groups of three or more from the same organization
$275 for NYJL Volunteers

APPLICATION DUE DATE
Spaces still available, apply now!

THE TRAINING SERIES (course outline click here)
Participants in the five-session training series gain competence and confidence in board leadership skills through workshops on such topics as board roles and responsibilities, monitoring financial policies, understanding your legal responsibilities, developing strategic plans and effective leadership skills. A wide variety of learning activities are used, including case studies, lectures, role-playing, group exercises and a panel discussion involving current board members. A detailed training manual covering course information with additional articles and support materials is included. Attendance at all five sessions is encouraged to maximize the benefit of nonprofit board training. More than one absence precludes participants from the placement process.

THE AGENCY ROSTER
The Nonprofit Boards Clearinghouse Committee has established relationships with more than 80 nonprofit organizations in New York City, including many New York Junior League community partners and other nonprofits in a wide variety of substantive areas, including arts and culture; children, youth, and families; community development and health and human services, to name a few. The Nonprofit Boards Clearinghouse Committee volunteers discuss with staff at these nonprofit organizations their need for additional board members and learn about any major developments, transitions or other issues that would be important to potential candidates. At the conclusion of the course, participants receive a roster of nonprofit organizations that are seeking board members, and they have an opportunity to speak with Nonprofit Boards Clearinghouse Committee volunteers about possible placement opportunities at those organizations.

THE PLACEMENT PROCESS
For those participants interested in pursuing a nonprofit board placement and who have satisfactorily completed the training series, volunteers from the Nonprofit Boards Clearinghouse Committee will assist the candidate by facilitating an introduction to one or two agencies currently on our roster. Matches are suggested based on mutual interests and needs. The Clearinghouse volunteers are available to counsel both candidates and agencies throughout the process. The Clearinghouse has facilitated the placement of more than 150 course graduates on nonprofit boards since initiating its placement service in 1994.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please complete the application form and mail, fax or email it together with your resume to the address on the application. We welcome candidates with a variety of experiences and backgrounds, but space is limited and will be allocated first to those who are available to seek a board position within a year following the course and to those who have demonstrated interest and experience in the nonprofit sector through either paid or volunteer work. The final due date for submitting an application is Thursday, February 7, 2008.

PAYMENT
Please make checks payable to New York Junior League. To pay by credit card, please contact the NYJL Membership Office at (212) 606-0246 or via email at membership@nyjl.org or complete the payment section of the application. (New York Junior League volunteers may charge the course fee to their NYJL Account.)

You will be notified by Thursday, February 14, 2008 if you have been accepted or placed on the Waiting List. If, after having been accepted, you find that you are unable to attend, please call the number listed below as soon as possible (and before Tuesday, February 19 to receive a full refund) so that we may include someone from our waiting list in your place.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation notice must be in writing by mail or fax and received by Tuesday, February 19, 2008 or registrants will be the full course fee. The courses are always over-subscribed, so please let us know promptly if you will be unable to attend so that we may assign your place to someone on the waiting list.

For more information or clarification, please email npbc@nyjl.org, The Nonprofit Boards Clearinghouse. Alternatively, you may leave a detailed voicemail message and you call will be returned in a few days – for voice mail, call 212-288-6220 ext. 317.