Streamlining the Work of Your Foundation’s Board through E-governance
Date:
Mon, 10/31/2011
This webinar features Scott Owens of The San Francisco Foundation, Leigh Higgins of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and Dottie Schindlinger of BoardEffect for an in-depth discussion of the most successful strategies for implementing e-governance. With over 50% of organizations now using web-based software to manage the work of their boards, “e-governance” is the latest technology trend sweeping the nonprofit sector. E-governance involves the conscious, strategic use of board portals to increase the efficiency and productivity of governance work. But helping your community foundation’s board make the transition from traditional approaches – paper, binders, email, etc. – to e-governance is a process.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
- Determine your e-governance goals and the board’s needs; addressing the concerns of the IT and Legal departments; defining the expected ROI
- Plan for implementation – using your goals/board’s needs as the basis for developing the roll-out and implementation plan; determining which portal features should receive your focus (and which might need to be “turned off”)
- Determine the logistics – deciding on iPads vs. laptops, buying equipment for the board vs. having them bring their own, giving equipment as gifts vs. retaining ownership, and using the portal to conduct live meetings
- Train and transition the board to using a portal – ensuring both staff and board members know how, why, and when to use the portal • Avoid pitfalls, manage challenges, and get the timing just right.
This webinar is designed to help both those in the beginning stages of considering board portals, as well as those who have already started and are seeking strategies for smoother implementation. As part of this session, we will provide a brief online tour of BoardEffect, the leading e-governance solution for foundation and nonprofit boards of directors.