Board meetings

Non-Family Staff Peer Network: Reflecting Back and Looking Forward

Posted on December 20, 2023

Join your colleagues to discuss your 2024 aspirations as non-family staff leaders. There will be opportunities to share your philanthropy’s successes in 2023 and the goals and priorities you have for the new year. In addition to a large group discussion, this meeting will include small group breakouts where you can share resources, tools, and approaches to support your work… Read More

Non-family Staff Peer Network: Generational Transition at the Table

Posted on January 12, 2023 by Ellie Frey Zagel

Three generations at a family philanthropy
Around each board table, there is a need to plan for the next generation and to nurture their leadership and engagement. What conditions make for successful next gen engagement and transitions? How do you empower adult family members to be involved, while also recognizing they are at a particularly busy stage of life? Learn from Ellie Frey Zagel, a next… Read More

Non-family Staff Peer Network: Managing Up for Trust, Relationships, and Impact, Part 2

Posted on January 12, 2023 by Chris Steed, Christy Uchida

Non-family staff at a board meeting
How do you manage tension and differences with your board, while building trust and maintaining important relationships? How do you reconcile doing the work and staying true to yourself? This session will offer a space for lightly facilitated small group conversations with your peers on how to work closely with your board while navigating the complex dynamics that sometime arise… Read More

The Essentials of Good Governance

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Ann Ziker, Gioia Perugini, Tom Zellerbach

Family Foundation Board Members Discussing Governance
Governance, a system for who will make decisions and how, is the guiding framework for your family philanthropy’s long-term success. There are many governance constructs that support an effective board, and different methods to engage family within each construct. But what are the common elements that contribute to an effective board across all governance constructs? In this webinar, learn the… Read More

Board Chair Peer Network: Communication Tools to Improve Meetings and Navigate Uncomfortable Conversations

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Nancy Murphy, Ann Maddox Utterback

Meeting planning and facilitation are a significant responsibility of the board chair. Do your meetings feel more difficult than they should? Are you avoiding uncomfortable conversations for fear of conflict or straining family connections? Does your board sometimes struggle with making decisions? If so, this conversation is for you. These experiences often result from communication challenges. Learn from JF Maddox… Read More

Non-Family Staff Peer Network: Supporting Family Engagement and Philanthropic Impact through Conflict and Systems

Posted on February 27, 2022 by Rebecca Trobe

There are many priorities to consider when balancing family engagement with philanthropic impact. How do you navigate your role as a non-family staff leader? And how can you work with your board to develop systems that support formal and informal decision making to advance the foundation’s mission and goals? Join Dr. Rebecca Trobe for an interactive discussion. Dr. Trobe works… Read More

Board Chair Peer Network: Supporting Your Executive Director and Staff Team

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Jean Whitney, Jim Parsons

Relationships between board and staff are vital to success, effectiveness, and a positive organizational culture for the team and the family. How do you support your executive director through reviews, regular connections, and planning support? How do you intentionally connect with the executive director and staff team? Can you create a two-way street to encourage communication, partnership, and best practice… Read More

Board Chair Peer Network: A Discussion About Racial Justice

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Maggie Lear, Sarah Robinson

Join Maggie Lear and Sarah Robinson to discuss racial justice journeys, practical next steps, and family discussions. Both speakers participated in the NCFP Racial Justice Learning & Action Network. They have had different journeys and will share their experiences as funders and personally. Brainstorm with the group about practical ways to activate in your foundations around racial justice. In this… Read More

Governance Practices for Better Decision Making

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Kerry Ellington, Connie Malloy, Lisl Schoepflin, Miki Akimoto, Laura McCargar

conference, meeting
Governance practices of philanthropic families are evolving to include more diverse voices and perspectives. Two common pathways for donors to become more informed and proximate to the communities they partner with include: the appointment of an expert or community advisory committee to guide social impact strategies and decisions, and appointing independent board members. What are the considerations a family must… Read More

Designing Effective Board Meetings: Purpose, Outcomes, Process, and People

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Jason Belinkie, Bobbi Hapgood, Holli Rivera

boardroom
Board meetings serve as a touchpoint for engaged family members and decision makers to come together in service of a collective giving effort—to make choices about strategy, direct funding, and receive updates on the philanthropy. Board meetings can also provide a space for learning and education. Join us for a discussion on how to intentionally design meetings to engage family… Read More

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