By: Mitch Isaacs—
Muncie IN – Fifty two community leaders gathered at the Innovation Connector on Tuesday March 29th for All Aboard: Board Leadership in Motion. All Aboard is a three-hour workshop ideal for individuals who have a desire to serve on a not-for-profit board but want to learn more about what serving as a board member entails, and how to find the potential board opportunity that suits their interests and skill sets.
The program was provided free of charge by Shafer Leadership Academy, United Way of Delaware County, and the Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network. Sponsors included Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement, Star Bank, and Stallings Wealth Management.
Dave Sternberg, Senior Partner of the Indianapolis and Ft. Lauderdale based firm of Loring, Sternberg & Associates, facilitated the dynamic and highly informative session. He is a member of the faculty at The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University’s Fund Raising School and a Governance Consultant for BoardSource. He is the only person in America to hold a position with both organizations.
Muncie Y.W.C.A. Executive Director, Nance Buchert, found the information helpful in her role as a nonprofit professional. “Dave Sternberg’s dynamic, solid presentation provided valuable information and ideas I can easily put into place as the executive of a non-profit (or as Dave said, Social Benefit Organization). Board development is always taken seriously, and now I have better tools to further develop our board. Kudos to Shafer, and all those who had a hand in bringing this program to our community!”
Participants came from over 25 organizations, including higher education, manufacturing, finance and small business owners. Andrew Gillette, Graduate Assistant at Ball State University, had this to say about his experience: “All Aboard introduced me to the basics of how a nonprofit (social benefit) organization works. It laid the foundation of knowledge which I’m sure will be helpful in my future professional endeavors.”
Shafer Leadership Academy Executive Director, Mitch Isaacs, credits the event’s success to strategic parnterships. “We were thrilled with the turnout. Clearly there is a strong interest in nonprofit board service. Our partners at Ball State University, United Way of Delaware County, and the Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network did a phenomenal job getting the word out. All Aboard participation has doubled since we engaged these parnters.”
Shafer Leadership Academy is currently following up with program participants to connect with them with nonprofit board opportunities.
For more information on All Aboard, or other leadership programs offered by Shafer Leadership Academy, go to www.shaferleadership.com or call 765-748-0403.
