“Nonprofit leaders need to recognize that the board chair-executive directors’ relationship is an important and powerful resource. They need to work on the relationship, not just in it, to determine how to best develop it and strengthen trust. Prescriptive roles and responsibilities should be de-emphasized. Executives and board chairs need to be flexible in how they structure their work together – empowering each other to consider their individual strengths, interests and the organization’s important work – rather than “going by the book”.
Mary L. Hiland, Effective Board Chair-Executive Director Relationships: Not Just About Roles
Research shows that achieving high trust and a productive partnership between the Board Chair and ED is possible when the following behaviours are consciously developed – flexibility, give and take, dialogue, frequent check-ins on the relationship not just tasks, reciprocity and aligned vision & purpose.
Our Partnership Program was created to help EDs and Board Chairs design their working alliance to create a relationship rooted in trust. When misalignment, misunderstanding and/or distrust occur in the relationship, it impacts the culture of the board, can be felt in board meetings and can produce harmful disengagement. However, when this partnership flourishes, it creates the conditions for a high-performance board governance culture and produces transformational outcomes for the entire nonprofit.
Learning Objectives:
- Strengthen your organizational culture. Design a working alliance that will ensure both parties are well supported and can thrive in their roles
- Discover your Strengths. Introduction to Strengths Based Partnering
- Build trust. Create conditions for a high trust relationship
- Increase effectiveness. Clarify expectations that inform roles and responsibilities
- Design effective and constructive communication. In a shared leadership model the board chair and executive director must work collaboratively to manage conflict and
Investment includes:
- Two sessions (½ day each)
- A CliftonStrengths assessment for each participant and other resources to support learning and skill development
- Each Board Chair & Executive Director Partnership will select 2-3 intentions for action in between sessions
- Tips for effective Board meetings with a focus on agenda preparation, how to present recommendations, and facilitate good discussion to support strategic decision making
- Networking with other local directors
Bursaries Available
Thanks to the Willy Van Klooster Nonprofit Governance Scholarship, we are able to offer this program at 50% off to 10 organizations in our community that fit the criteria.
The Willy Van Klooster Nonprofit Governance Scholarship was developed to honour Willy's exemplary leadership in board governance as the founding and long-serving chair of Pillar Nonprofit Network. Through the experiences of past recipients, we learned the deep value of strengthening the relationship between the Board Chair and ED. At Pillar, we promote it as a key best practice that Board Chairs and Executive Directors have some intentionality around their relationship.
Bursary Criteria
Organizations are eligible to apply for the award if they meet the following criteria:
- Operating budget of $500,000 or less
- Registered Nonprofit
- Board Chair and Executive Director must be at both sessions
- Must be Pillar Members
- Must submit application form
- Available to 10 organizations
Please complete the bursary application before registering. Upon completion we will review and reply with registration details (including discount code). Bursaries are first come, first serve.
To apply, click HERE.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Incoming or established Executive Directors and Board Chairs
255 Horton St. E
London, ON N6B 1L1
Canada
Program Fee | |
Program (Pillar Member) | CA$400.00 |
Program (Non-Member) | CA$500.00 |