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Herding Well-Intended Cats: A Survival Guide to Navigating Small Shop Boards of Directors

Many small non-profit organizations are led by well-intended, dedicated and thoughtful Boards of Directors. Those generous volunteer leaders also often have little experience with or knowledge of the practical realities faced by professional executive staff. In this session, led by a small shop veteran, we will discuss how to successfully navigate and manage a Board of Directors, including understanding the different types of Boards of Directors, developing foundational documents, and creating systems that set realistic expectations for volunteers and staff alike.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1.Identify the types of Boards of Directors and their corresponding characteristics

2.Understand the foundational documents needed to facilitate a successful Board
3.Identify the core elements of a system with realistic expectations