Center for Nonprofit Excellence Presents Board Chair Essentials

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Center for Nonprofit Excellence Presents Board Chair Essentials

(Norwalk, CT) Fairfield County’s Community Foundation strives to impact critical needs in Fairfield County by helping to strengthen area nonprofits that directly help Fairfield County thrive. Supporting area nonprofits with programs and training is one of the essential components of the Community Foundation.

This September, Board Chairs will be given the opportunity to boost their knowledge and improve their skill set when Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) presents Board Chair Essentials. Registration is open to new and current board chairs and information can be found here.

Being a prepared board chair is a rewarding and challenging experience, yet it can be overwhelming at times. As a board chair, one is charged with managing the board, building an effective relationship with the Executive Director, providing strategic leadership to the organization and much more.

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Center for Nonprofit Excellence Board Chair Essentials workshop provides knowledge and tools necessary to be a more effective board chair. The workshop focuses on:

• Gaining confidence as a Board Chair and in leading more effectively at board meetings
• Getting the tools needed to navigate relationships with the Executive Director and other Board Members
• Understanding ways to effectively utilize an Executive Committee
• Creating and monitoring board goals

According to Board Chair Essentials participant, Kim Petrone, Board Chair of Malta House in Norwalk, CT, “The Board Chair Essentials workshop provided me with a great foundation as I began my first year as Chair of the Malta House Board of Directors. In fact, I was chairing my first Board meeting that very evening after the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation CNE training!  I was especially thankful that the relationship between the Chair and Executive Director was addressed in the workshop, as it was one aspect of the role I was unsure of.”

She continues, “The workshop reinforced and introduced some approaches to meetings and committee work that I have followed. It also identified areas that I needed to reconsider and improve upon.  Debra Hertz was a very effective presenter! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to become a better board chair and enrich Malta House!”

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) strives to improve the effectiveness of Fairfield County nonprofit organizations by developing leaders, improving operations, and fostering an environment of collaboration. By strengthening local nonprofits, the Community Foundation touches lives in a powerful way. Together, we thrive.

The Essential Details

Board Chair Essentials
Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2016
Time: 4:30-7:00 pm
Fee: $45 (light dinner included)
Location: Merritt View Building 1st floor Conference Room, 383 Main Avenue, Norwalk
To Register: Click Here

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About Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation promotes philanthropy as a means to create change in Fairfield County, focusing on innovative and collaborative solutions to critical issues impacting the community. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds or contribute to existing funds. The Community Foundation is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards, and has awarded over $185 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond.

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence strives to improve the effectiveness of Fairfield County nonprofit organizations by developing leaders, improving operations, and fostering an environment of collaboration. By strengthening local nonprofits, the Community Foundation touches lives in a powerful way. Together, we thrive.

About the Presenter

DEBRA HERTZ is Managing Director of The Strategy Group, a strategic advisory firm that works to help strengthen the impact of non-profits and private foundations. The firm works with organizations on issues related to planning, leadership training, merger negotiations and integration, and organizational effectiveness. In addition to her consulting work and volunteer service, Debra teaches in the Graduate School of Social Services at Fordham University.  Prior to opening The Strategy Group, Debra served as Executive Director of the William Pitt Foundation, a private foundation that focuses on education for low-income youth. Previously she served in several executive positions at a non-profit agency in Stamford, CT serving families and women who are homeless, persons with HIV/AIDS, and individuals with mental illness. Debra received her Ph.D. and Master of Social Work from Fordham University and her B.A. in International Relational and Latin American Studies from American University.

As a trusted nonprofit partner and thought leader, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation brings together community organizers, business experts and philanthropists to solve our region’s challenges. Our goal is to create a vital and inclusive community, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Learn about available resources and how you can support the work being done through the Community Foundation by visiting the Center for Nonprofit Excellence on the web.