The Board Coach.ca - Training and Coaching for Non-Profit Boards

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on each question to view the answer.

1. Other than a brief orientation to the workings of our organization, none of our board’s members has received board training. Why should we start now?

What a board does, or doesn’t do, directly affects the success of a non-profit. As leaders of their organization, and for the conduct of board business, board members require a clear understanding of the governance role and responsibilities of a board. This requires training and ongoing professional development.

2. Some board members view board training as an unnecessary expense, and would rather use training funds as additional support for programs and services. Why should boards budget funds specifically for board training?

Just as one expects staff to be trained and prepared for their job assignments, the same should be expected for board members whose task is to carry the organization forward toward the desired future. Training should be available to all people at all levels of an organization, including board members. Board members skilled in board governance are better able to lead their board successfully towards the achievement of its vision and mission, plan strategically, and achieve the results they expect.

3. We feel we need board training, sooner rather than later. How can we arrange for board training if we have little or no funding available?

Explain your circumstances to Dr. Thomas, The Board Coach, who will discuss some creative ways of bringing a Board Coach program to your community.

4. One-day workshops are not always perceived as effective training. What follow-up is provided for The Board Coach workshops?

A one-day workshop is rarely the answer to all of a board’s training needs. Workshops enable the board to address specific issues and topics, for example, board governance. Ideally, participants will learn specific strategies from these programs that, when applied, increase personal effectiveness. To the degree that board members understand that meaningful change occurs over time, they may be prepared to make a longer term commitment to ongoing training and coaching. The proper implementation of governance approach takes time, effort, patience, commitment and perseverance.

At the conclusion of each Board Coach workshop, Dr. Thomas challenges board members to do one or more things differently the next day, or for the next board meeting. More importantly, Dr. Thomas challenges the board to do something differently. Having information, but not using and applying it, is otherwise a waste of funds.

5. Who should attend a Board Coach on-site workshop – board members and staff?

Ideally, all board members, along with the board’s administrator, will participate in the full workshop program. Although it is sometimes difficult to get all board members together for training, the more who participate, the greater the success of the program.

6. When there is a change of only one or two board members, is it not more economical to have them attend a workshop rather than having The Board Coach conduct on-site training?

Where a board is already well versed in board governance, it may suffice to have new members individually attend a publicly offered governance workshop. However on-site training often provides a useful review for existing and experienced board members, and can be an opportunity to build the board team.

Boards are sometimes surprised to find that the entire board can receive training on-site for the cost it takes to send one or two board members off-site, once travel, accommodation, meals, registrations, and other fees have been considered.

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