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3+ Ways to Learn About Boards

As professional coaches, we know in our marrow that there’s nothing better than offering your head, heart and hands in meaningful service as a volunteer. Not only does volunteering get us out of our daily grind, expand our horizons and social or professional circles, but it can challenge us to build skills and competencies that stretch us. And all of this has a reciprocal and positive effect in knowing we are needed in and appreciated by our communities, professions and areas of passion. What better way to amplify that volunteer spirit and make a real impact on the coaching profession than to run for a board position? 

But wait! Perhaps, like many, you feel ill-equipped about how boards operate and you’re concerned that it’s too complex to learn. Well, when it comes to learning the ropes of board operations, you’re in luck. There are several resources out there designed to help you gain an inside track on building your board leadership know-how. Below are a handful of easily accessible resources to get you acclimated to board operations and help you make that next step in adding a board position to your résumé.  

Resources:
DirectHer Network - This non-profit network hosts a live Board Basics session a couple of times each year. The next session is slated for September and is a pay-what-you-can offering. In alignment with DirectHer’s commitment to increase board gender diversity by demystifying the boardroom, this women-led, not-for-profit has a Board Basics session that’s both informative and interactive. During this live, hands-on session that includes a mock board meeting, participants will learn about the following using a real non-profit Board as an example:

• Why Gender Diversity on Boards Matters

• What’s a Board and Why is it Formed?

• The Hierarchy of Documents Critical to a Board

• Common Board Language & Process

• Duties & Liabilities

• Basic Financial Literacy

Volunteer Alberta - This non-profit organization supports volunteerism throughout the province. While there are many on-offer webinars and live events individuals and volunteer organizations alike can attend listed on their site, VA has a wealth of reading material related to boards and associated duties you won’t want to miss. Interested in finance? Check out the self-guided workbook on the Financial Responsibilities of Not-for-Profit Boards. This workbook, like others on the site, is complete with reporting examples and a handy financial management checklist, to name but two tools. VA has several free, downloadable workbooks to support key board positions like governance, finance and board chair.

Board Development Program - BDP is an Alberta government unit dedicated to improving the governance of non-profit organizations through curriculum-based training, presentations and consultation services. Their Community Development event series is particularly interesting with sessions like The Role of the Board Chair, Committees & Meetings, and So, you are the Board secretary? Now what?!. Follow them on EventBrite to receive notifications about free, online board development events in the near future.

A couple more options:

• The Little Book of Boards: A board member’s handbook for small (and very small) nonprofits (2014) by Erik Hanberg is a quick way to prepare your mind and heart to the rewarding world of nonprofit boards in a digestible, sampling manner. 

• Roberts Rules of Orders cheat sheet is a handy little tool created by forsmallnonprofits.com. Just in case you thought “Roberts” didn’t actually write it down.

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Looking for a way to learn and grow alongside another coach? Consider participating as a new or experienced member in the chapter Ambassador Program, a mentorship designed that invites reciprocal learning opportunities.

The Ambassador Program was designed to:

• support onboarding and the development of new coaches

• increase and improve member engagement

• build a stronger culture of communication, knowledge sharing, and skills building

What are the benefits for new members? 

• gain skills and insights based on your needs and coaching practice

• develop a relationship with a “critical chapter friend”

• better understand the benefits of  ICF global and local chapter membership 

• cultivate a larger professional network

What are the benefits for experienced members? 

• gain a new perspective in your coaching specialty by interacting with new members 

• give back to the profession by supporting and engaging with mentees in the work

• enhance your mentoring and/or coaching skills

• broaden your existing professional network

Participation in the Ambassador Pilot Program requires a six month commitment from November to March 2022. The nature of the mentorship relationship will be determined by the two participating members based on the needs of the new member with an expectation of regular connection. In April, participants will be invited to provide feedback which will be used to shape the Ambassador Program for the future. 

It has been an honour and delight to be a partner in the Ambassador Program over the past few months. Initially I signed up to give back to a community I am proud to be a part of, and there has been such joy and learning for me personally along this journey. Together we have stretched, challenged and grown as executive coaches. I find myself looking forward to each of the sessions and believe this will be a life-long relationship I will cherish. I would recommend this program to any coach who is feeling somewhat complacent in their role and wanting to push their own boundaries.   It is truly a win-win of a delicious nature.  - Linda Maul

If you are an ICF chapter member with two or more years of membership and are interested in mentoring a new member, we invite you to submit an Expression of Interest by clicking here. 

If you are a new ICF chapter member with less than two years membership and are interested in partnering with an experienced member, we invite you to submit an Expression of Interest by clicking here. 

The deadline for submitting your Expression of Interest is October 23rd. Interested participants will be matched by the Ambassador sub-committee based on the experienced members’ areas of expertise and new member needs. 

For further information or questions, please contact laurie@fenskecoaching.com, charlene.kushner@gmail.com, or contact@joannebergos.com.