January 20, 2015 By Kristen Payton
Otsego County, MI: RAISING THE BAR FOR NONPROFIT BOARDS Did you know that more than 1 in 10 Michigan jobs are with nonprofit organizations? The passionate people that work for these organizations help Michigan’s citizens live happier, healthier lives by protecting our natural resources, providing services like health care and education, making funding available to better our communities and so much more. Behind every great nonprofit organization is a dedicated group of board members who direct its priorities and goals and are responsible for long-term planning. Giving back to the community by serving on a nonprofit board can be a very enriching, rewarding experience. Huron Pines and the Otsego County Community Foundation are excited to host a Board Basics workshop on February 3 from 8:30am-noon at the University Center Gaylord. This workshop will be the kickoff for the 2015 Nonprofit Series aimed at providing training for our local nonprofit organizations. If you serve on a nonprofit board, this session is for you!
During this interactive workshop, participants of all experience levels will learn about how to be more effective in their role as a board member. This session will benefit local organizations who have limited access to these types of trainings. “Listening to our community and observing the many hard-working boards, there is a need for knowledge and enrichment. If we can help train our caring citizens on how to be effective board members, organizations can work towards their mission and our whole community will benefit,” explains Dana Bensinger of the Otsego County Community Foundation. Joy Leisen of Huron Pines adds, “We think it’s very important to start up programs like this to provide training and assistance to other nonprofit organizations in Otsego County. By partnering with the Otsego County Community Foundation, we can help our nonprofit partners boost their own capacity by sharing expertise on topics like strategic planning, financial management, proposal development and more. It’s a real need in Northeast Michigan that we want to work toward meeting.”
The workshop will be led by NorthSky Nonprofit Network’s dynamic Jen Booher, who brings a fresh perspective through her experience working with diverse organizations in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, like SAAB, Saturn and Ford motor companies, Detroit Zoological Society and Camp Daggett in Petoskey. She notes, “With most nonprofit organizations operating with limited resources, the role of nonprofit boards is becoming increasingly important. This session will provide board members with a glimpse of what it means to be a highly effective board that truly supports the work of a nonprofit.” Topics to be discussed will include the board’s role in providing their professional expertise, representing the interests of their nonprofits to community leaders and recruiting new talent to the organization at the board level. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of their expected roles and responsibilities as well as how they can be an integral part of their organization’s growth and development. Tickets to this workshop are $10 each and can be purchased by visiting www.volunteernorthernmichigan.org or by calling 989-448-2293 ext 21.
Huron Pines is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization and an equal opportunity provider based in Gaylord. The mission of Huron Pines is to conserve the forests, lakes and streams of Northeast Michigan. We accomplish our mission by managing holistic watershed projects and we make our work sustainable by engaging community members and strengthening our regional network of partners. Learn more at www.huronpines.org.
The Otsego County Community Foundation, your community foundation strives to connect people who care to the causes that matter. The mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community by building endowments, convening leaders, and awarding grants. Learn more at https://www.otsegofoundation.org.
