After completing training, I returned home to learn I successfully passed the programme and was formally invited to become a BCGT. I am the first and only designee to deliver BoardSource's signature nonprofit governance trainings in the Pacific Northwest region and Alaska. The approved curriculum includes the following areas: roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards, board-staff partnership, board structure, board's role in fundraising, the board-building cycle, and board performance assessment.
Though I have used and referred clients to BoardSource® materials for decades, I am pleased my training will further enable me to continue offering highly recognised and proven techniques and best practises to advance the nonprofit ecosystem.
The icing in this experience was the strong and enjoyable bonds made with the 23 other candidates, but also attending Board Leadership Forum 2013 (BLF|13) with nearly 800 global leaders. There is something to be said for the energy of rooms packed with seasoned professionals who share a common goal and purpose: to improve 'the impact of nonprofit boards and the unique role they play in advancing the public good'. The energy remained high between nonprofit board members, chief executives, staff, funders, corporate social responsibility leaders, researchers, and consultants committed to building effective nonprofit boards, and, in turn, strengthening nonprofit organisations and the communities they serve.
It was also at once amusing, intriguing, and frustrating to acknowledge that despite an overwhelming availability of workshops, books, webinars, consultants, whitepapers, classes, training, coaches, and conferences...many of us (and our clients) continue to struggle with the same issues. Why indeed?
Whereas it was previously said one had to repeat a message at least ten times to get through, in today's high tech world it is exponentially more challenging to penetrate the fire hose of information and distractions. In order to have true impact, data has to be relevant, actionable, and concise. There are certainly many nonprofits that have successfully achieved their mission and increased effect, and I look forward to providing meaningful and sustainable contributions for my current and future clients.