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3          INTEGRATING CORPORATE SUPPORT INTO BOARD SERVICE PROGRAMS:                                                                                                                   OFFERING RESOURCES AND TRAINING:                                                                                                                 4

                      A CATALYST FOR TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                   Success in board service hinges on providing employees with the necessary
                                                                                                                                                                                 resources and training. Companies can tailor these offerings based on
                                                                                                                                                                                 the target population and the team’s capacity. Hands-on placement for
                                                                                                                                                                                 high-level leaders and executives, accompanied by informative materials
                                                                                                                                                                                 outlining board roles, responsibilities, and risks, as well as insight into
                                                                                                                                                                                 the organization’s missions and cultures, will go a long way in developing
                                                                                                                                                                                 appropriate  and  meaningful  board  experiences.    This  comprehensive
                                                                                                                                                                                 approach  ensures  that  employees  are  well-prepared  for  their  board
                                                                                                                                                                                 service journey.
                                                                                                                                                                                         MATCHING GIFTS AND HOURS OF SERVICE:

                                                                                                                                                                                 To encourage more employees to participate in board service, companies
                                                                                                                                                                                 can  consider  matching  gifts  and  hours  of  service.  This  reflects  a
                                                                                                                                                                                 commitment to community impact while also addressing financial barriers
                                                                                                                                                                                 that may deter some employees. The article stresses the importance of
                                                                                                                                                                                 clearly outlining policies related to matching gifts and donations, setting
                                                                                                                                                                                 expectations for those interested in service.

                                                                                                                                                                                        MITIGATING RISKS AND ENSURING SUCCESS:

                                                                                                                                                                                 Companies also need to acknowledge the high stakes involved in board
         A   s  corporations  increasingly  recognize  the  value  of  supporting                                                                                                service programs with an emphasis on evaluating associated risks and
                                                                                                                                                                                 developing strategies to mitigate them. This strategic approach ensures
             employees  in  nonprofit  board  service,  the  contours  of  effective                                                                                             that both the company and board members navigate potential challenges
        board service programs are taking shape. Such programs not only signify                                                                                                  effectively.
        a commitment to community engagement but also serve as catalysts for                         CONVEYING THE WEIGHT OF THE ROLE:
        transformative leadership development.                                                                                                                                   In  a  post-pandemic  economy,  volunteer  engagement  strategies  must
                                                                                           Encouraging employees to grasp the responsibilities and time commitment               be  adaptable  and  purposeful.  A  successful  board  service  program,
           UNDERSTANDING THE COMMUNITY AND ITS NEEDS:                                      associated  with  board  service  is  crucial.  Board  service  demands  an           with  the  right  training  and  resources,  can  be  a  flagship  initiative.
                                                                                           average of 8 to 10 hours per month, with typical terms lasting two to three           Such  programs  empower  employees  to  acquire  new  skills,  accelerate
        For  a  board  service  program  to  be  impactful,  companies  must  first        years. It emphasizes the need to set clear expectations for employees,                leadership development, and build resilient nonprofit partners, all while
        understand the communities they aim to support. This involves learning             making them aware of fiduciary responsibilities and the potential risks               contributing  to  the  company’s  commitment  to  community  impact.  By
        from nonprofit partners and community leaders, aligning the company’s              involved. Board service is a collective effort requiring dedicated members            embracing  diverse  volunteer  opportunities,  including  nonprofit  board
        work  with  the  identified  needs  of  the  community,  and  considering          to collaboratively steer the organization toward its mission.                         service, companies can cultivate a culture of purpose that resonates with
        power dynamics within partnerships. By centering feedback from these                                                                                                     employees and fosters lasting community impact.
        communities, companies can ensure that their board service programs
        are relevant and responsive to the actual needs on the ground.



                                                                                                                                                                                                TANIA QUIGLEY, CPA
                                                                                                                                                                                                PARTNER
                                                                                                                                                                                                CERINI & ASSOCIATES, LLP
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