From Burden to Benefit: Boards as Partners through Turbulent Times

Wednesday, November 8, 2017, 9 a.m. - Noon

Registration is closed. Thank you for your interest.

Half-Day Workshop: $90

About the session: The quote “pressure can either burst a pipe or create a diamond” can easily be applied to nonprofit organizations. Whether dealing with a state budget crisis, staffing issues, fundraising campaigns, or technological capacity, many nonprofits experience daily pressures. The ability to survive or even thrive during turbulent times depends on leadership. The way in which the nonprofits’ key leaders engage, especially the CEO and board chair, will ultimately determine the impact of the pressure: the organization will need a plumber to fix those broken pipes or a jeweler to appraise the amazing diamond that leads to the organization’s viable future.

This workshop will incorporate personal and practical experiences; researched best practices, and hands-on activities to address questions such as assessing the type of board, and the appropriate leadership; whether current approaches with the board and members are effective to produce the organization’s desired impact; and how to maintain board and organizational momentum through board leadership changes.  Participants will leave with essential knowledge and tools to better enable them to work with their current board and facilitate its ability to serve as a stabilizing force in the midst of uncertain times; as well as to maximize the board’s future contributions of wisdom, work and wealth.

Who Should Participate: Executive directors and board members

About the Presenter: Roslind Blasingame-Buford, EdD, President & CEO, LINK Unlimited Scholars

LINK Unlimited Scholars is Chicago’s only college and career success program focused solely on economically disadvantaged African American youth. Roslind (Dr. Roz) is a trailblazer in youth development and education, and serves as a national thought leader and change agent influencing college access, workforce development, restorative justice, and afterschool programming. Her sense of urgency for change is deeply rooted in Chicago, but she has also been an advocate across the state of Illinois and throughout the nation. She has made it her life’s work to ensure that youth with disadvantaged backgrounds (resembling her own) are equipped with proper tools and resources needed to achieve their full potential.

Dr. Roz has been instrumental in reshaping the culture and structure of organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, Chicago Youth Centers, BUILD, and now LINK. She has received numerous commendations for her leadership and commitment to service, and is a 2018 Fellow for Leadership Greater Chicago. Dr. Roz has served in an advisory or leadership capacity, for more than a dozen national and local councils or coalitions. She is an avid volunteer within the community, and she has served on various boards.

Dr.  Roz earned a bachelor’s degree in communications, a master’s in nonprofit management, a doctorate in adult education, and was a member of the inaugural class for the IMPACT Leadership Program (Chicago Urban League in partnership with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business). She has a self-published book, The Blueprint: Strategies for BUILDing A Culture of Excellence, in which she shares real-world leadership insights, experiences, and applications for nonprofits and businesses alike.