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For Executive Directors
The Long Island Center for Nonprofit Leadership’s commitment is to provide resources and programming for executive directors.
For current executive directors, the Center provides leadership support networks where executive directors can gather and speak freely about the frustrations, challenges, and joys of working as an ED in the nonprofit sector. The facilitator for the roundtables will be a resource who provides information on topics identified by the executives.
Additionally, a series of workshops will be held specifically addressing issues and challenges an executive director faces.
Executive coaching is also available for the executive director.
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For Boards of Directors
When nonprofit boards practice good governance and effective leadership, their organizations flourish and Long Island prospers. The goal of the Long Island Center for Nonprofit Leadership is to raise the level of board performance through a range of resources and programs.
Today nonprofit boards face serious issues of accountability from funders, government, clients, and the public. Simultaneously, boards face multiple challenges of cultivating new board members, keeping current board members engaged, and raising funds so that the organization can deliver its mission. Boards need to find ways to focus the board’s collective energy in the most productive areas. Boards must also direct their wisdom and engage in strategic and visionary inquiry as they lead their organizations into the future.
The successful and dedicated individuals who give their time for board work often come without specific skills and knowledge of the complex issues that boards must address. Poor board performance can lead to dismal results: mismanaged organizations, damaged reputations, and fiscal crisis.
Boards must take the lead and ensure that their competency matches their passion.
The Center offers three tools to help make a nonprofit organization’s board of directors be the best that it can be.
- Board One-on-One
Customized consulting services, including on-site programs with a board at either board meetings or retreats.
Potential program topics include the following areas: leadership transition; strategic planning; resource development; identifying, cultivating and recruiting new board members; and board governance. The Center can also work with specific committees: fundraising, board development, strategic planning, and leadership transition.
The Center's consulting approach includes the following components:
- Pre-program: A meeting with the board chair and executive director to discuss goals for the program. Often the preliminary work will include a board audit and self-assessment.
- Program: Delivering the agreed-upon program, including materials for each board member
- Post-program: Phone conversations with both the board and chair and the executive director with email communication for the board for a month following program.
- Get on Board
Trends in volunteering have changed dramatically in recent years. People now prefer to volunteer episodically (one-day helping to build a house, clean a park, serve Thanksgiving dinner). Organizations, however, depend on regular volunteer help, most specifically at the board level.
Recent studies show serious problems related to board attrition and difficulty in recruiting committed and competent board members.
Get on Board is a program for people who are not on a board but would like to be. This program may be the ideal way for employers to encourage and support employees to become more engaged in their communities.
After completing the program, participants may choose to take advantage of connecting with a nonprofit organization that matches their interests and geographic preference. The Center and its partners will provide contact information from a variety of nonprofits who are seeking board members. Participants may also choose to use an online board matching service
Format
Board programs will be held throughout the year in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Networking
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Program. (Beginning and ending on time!)
Substitute these programs for board meetings that month. Make it a part of your board contract that board members should attend two board programs during their term.
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For New and Emerging Leaders
While filled with rewards, the professional life of an executive director can also be an isolating experience. The Long Island Center for Nonprofit Leadership provides a variety of resources for new and emerging leaders to help make those first few years in the job as rewarding as possible.
New ED Network
You’re Not Alone Anymore!
The Center has launched a program for new executive directors that will offer the support and resources to help you succeed in your new roles.
The New ED Network is a series of 10 monthly roundtable, peer-to-peer discussions where executive directors can explore daily challenges, discuss board issues and brainstorm big picture topics. The agenda is set by the executive directors and the discussions will be facilitated by Ann Marie Thigpen, the director of the Center who will also serve as a resource on the issues and provide relevant materials.
Who should attend?
The ED Network is geared to any executive director who has been on the job for less than three years.
Why should you attend?
You will now have someone to turn to for support, resources, and suggestions
- when questions or situations arise for which you need guidance and support
- when your board or a funder just isn’t the place you want to go
- when you want to explore new ideas and get some feedback
- when you want a network of colleagues
Mentor Match
During the roundtable series, an opportunity for a Mentor Match will be available for those executive directors who wish to participate. The mentor will be an executive director in a related area who has more than five years experience.
An executive director who does not participate in the roundtable but is interested in a mentor match, should contact the Center.
Leadership Program
The Center is developing a series of programs designed for new and emerging leaders who would like to polish and build their leadership skills.
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For Organizations in Leadership Transition
From Challenge to Opportunity
The Long Island Center for Nonprofit Leadership offers a four-part Transition Management program that consists of:
- The Transitioning Leader
- The Organization
- The Search
- The Hire
The Center can assist with all or a portion of the process.
Part 1—The Transitioning Leader
The Center has the capacity to work with the executive director in several areas from deciding the appropriate time to transition from the organization to articulating the legacy that he/she wants to leave.
- The Center will offer a "New Beginnings" program for executive directors contemplating leaving the sector in the next 7—10 years.
- The Center also offers executive coaching for a departing leader.
Part 2—The Organization
Organizations should resist the urge to hire quickly. When a long-term or founding executive director leaves an organization, boards should take the time to assess their organizations and identify the executive that they will need to lead them in the future.
- The Center can refer an Interim Executive Director to the organization.
- The Center can also provide an organizational assessment and guide the organization through the process, identifying and articulating the organization’s leadership needs for the future.
Part 3—The Search
Organizations must develop a thoughtful job description for the new executive director with clearly articulated expectations and a realistic, competitive salary plus benefits.
- The Center can work with the board in developing and articulating a job description, accept resumes, vet resumes and arrive at a number for the board to review.
- The Center can also assist with the interview process by working with the board on the kinds of questions to ask.
Part 4—The Hire
Often after a search for a new executive director, the board is so relieved that it feels its job is done. However, this is a critical time during which a new executive can fail or succeed. The new executive needs support.
- The Center provides a New ED Network for the executive.
- The Center can also provide a Mentor Match.
Additionally, the Center can work with the board in developing a support plan for the first few months of the new executive's tenure.
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Consultant Development
Train-the-Trainer Program
The Long Island Center for Nonprofit Leadership delivers exceptional programs and services. To ensure a steady source of high caliber consultants on Long Island, the Center offers a two-day intensive train-the-trainer program on board consulting. After completing this course, participants will be able to offer their services through the Center.
This program is an excellent opportunity to build marketable skills and contribute to the strength and resiliency of the nonprofit sector. It has been designed for:
- executive directors preparing for a transition to consulting
- individuals who work with nonprofit organizations and would like to broaden their knowledge of nonprofit boards and the latest trends and approaches
- consultants who would like to broaden or deepen their consulting expertise in the area of nonprofit boards of directors
The criteria for participation includes:
- service on at least one board of directors for a nonprofit organization
- knowledge of the nonprofit sector
- familiarity with Long Island nonprofits
- sense of humor
- flexible personality
The Center encourages participants from under-represented communities. Individuals who are bi-lingual are also encouraged to participate.
The two-day workshop involves one full-day over two consecutive months.
Program topics include:
- The Nonprofit Context
- Adult Learners
- Board Dynamics
- The ED and Board Relationship
- Board Roles, Responsibilities, and Flexibility
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Board Building
- Strategic Planning
- Financial Oversight
- Fundraising
- Succession Planning
- Trends in Nonprofit Boards
- Resources
The method of training consists of discussion, case studies, lectures, observations (observe one board meeting between workshops), role-playing and reporting
A wide variety of materials are part of the program, including handouts and worksheets for participants to use in their work with nonprofit boards of directors.
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