First in Statewide Series Draws Trustees, Commissioners, and Executive Directors from More Than Sixty Organizations

The New Jersey Historical Commission, New Jersey Historic Trust, and New Jersey State Library are partnering to offer a statewide series of board training workshops lead by Ivy Group partners Nancy Davis and Pam Fitzgerald.

As part of the Best Practices for History Organizations Workshop Series, the first series of five-hour Build a Better Board sessions took place in Haggerty Education Center in Morristown, Monmouth County Library in Manalapan, and the Mays Public Library of the Atlantic County Library System.

"Excellent not-for-profit governance begins with an understanding of a board's roles and responsibilities," says Nancy Davis. "Especially at a time of shrinking resources, boards must be prepared to address significant fiscal and institutional challenges."

The workshops address the cycle of self-assessment through strategic planning and targeted recruitment. "Getting the 'right' people on board is an ongoing process of identification and cultivation," explains Davis. "By managing not only the big picture policy issues but also the person-to-person relationship-building, boards can engineer the kind of change that will ensure long term sustainability and growth."

The highly interactive program--including diagnosing and treating "sick boards sent to the ICU"--is built around Robert Greenleaf's concept of the leader as servant.

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about the conscious choice to motivate and benefit others," explains Fitzgerald. "Rather than power and prestige, service to the institution is what drives effective not-for-profit governance. It's exciting for us to see how this concept inspires and engages workshops participants."

Interested in consultation and training for your board or organization? Send us an email via our contact form.