Whether thinking about getting involved in a non-profit organization’s board of directors or already serving on a church council or school board, there are many ways you can help guide that ship. Some ways work better than others.
Because effective boards are so critical to the health and well-being of organizations and communities, K-State Research and Extension will offer a Board Leadership Series of workshops in several Kansas communities. The first session is planned for Feb. 23.
Designed to provide basic training for members of community-based boards, the series will be hosted by extension professionals at locations across the state.
“Informed and committed board members are the key to healthy, effective boards and committees in our Kansas communities. K-State Research and Extension’s Board Leadership Series provides an opportunity for board members to learn the basics of being a good board member,” said Trudy Rice, extension community development specialist. “Whether you are a member of a church board, a township board, a United Way agency board or a rural water board, this training is appropriate for you.”
Dates and topics for the four evening sessions are:
• Feb. 23 – Conducting Effective Meetings – Board member roles and responsibilities, basic parliamentary procedure and making meetings productive
• Feb. 25 – Understanding Fellow Board Members and Conflict Management – How personalities and generational differences affect decision making and managing conflict
• March 1– Fundraising, Fund Management, Legalities and Ethics – Options for raising and managing money, understanding articles of incorporation, bylaws and policies
• March 3 – Strategic Planning – Establishing a common mission and vision for the board, and how to plan priorities for the future
All sessions are from 6-8 p.m. Workshop participants will meet at host sites throughout the state to take part in web-based instruction and locally facilitated discussion. Sites include Atwood, Emporia, Harper, Hays, Kansas City, Leoti, Manhattan, Minneapolis, Olathe, Ottawa, Paola, Syracuse, Ulysses and Wichita.
Pre-registration is required by Feb. 12. The cost is $40 a person for all sessions, but each registration buys a seat, which can be rotated by participants. Contact the extension agent at your preferred host site for a group rate. Registration includes refreshments and a workbook. More information is available at http://www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/civic-engagement/Boards%20and%20Commissions.html or by contacting extension agents at the host sites.
• Atwood: Emily Green – emilygreen@ksu.edu or 785-626-3192
• Emporia: Travis Carmichael – trcarmic@ksu.edu or 620-341-3220
• Harper: Jenni Carr – jlcarr@ksu.edu or 620-842-5445
• Hays: Linda Beech – lbeech@ksu.edu or 785-628-9430
• Kansas City: Bruce Chladny – bchladny@ksu.edu or 913-299-9300
• Leoti: Aimee Baker – bakeaim@ksu.edu or 620-375-2724
• Manhattan: Jennifer Wilson or Chuck Otte – jwilson@rileycountyks.gov, cotte@ksu.edu or 785-537-6350
• Minneapolis: Carl Garten or John Forshee – cgarten@ksu.edu, jforshee@ksu.edu or 785-309-5850
• Olathe: Rick Miller – rick.miller@jocogov.org or 913-715-7000
• Ottawa: Fran Richmond or Don Moler – frichmon@ksu.edu, dmoler@ksu.edu or 785-828-4438
• Paola: Diane Burnett – dburnett@ksu.edu or 913-294-4306
• Syracuse: Rebekah McKinley – rmckinley@ksu.edu or 620-384-5225
• Ulysses: Mary Sullivan or Sheryl Carson – msulliva@ksu.edu, scarson@ksu.edu or 620-356-1721
• Wichita: Angela Jones – angelajones@ksu.edu or 316-660-0105