Tips + tech for doing more with less, new AI tools to help you and more

Would you like to be even more efficient and effective?

Nonprofit leaders are under pressure to do more with less, while still managing board operations and delivering impact. This month, we have two practical resources designed to help. The 3 E’s of governance guide is filled with tactics, tips and tech to be more efficient, more effective and engage your trustees more.

And for those managing the day-to-day, Smarter boards start here offers tips from 100+ board administrators to streamline board operations, reduce manual work and make better use of digital tools. If you’re looking to save time, improve outcomes and future-proof your governance practices, these guides are a must-read.

AI for impact in nonprofit governance with GovernAI 

We’ve also been building more tools to help you. GovernAI on BoardEffect streamlines board meeting preparation, automates minute-taking and distills lengthy board materials into actionable insights, freeing leaders from time-consuming admin work.

With governance-specific AI, you can more confidently make fast, strategic decisions and redirect resources back to mission-critical initiatives.

St Christopher’s Hospice supporting compassionate healthcare with BoardEffect

St Christopher’s Hospice, a leading palliative care charity in the U.K., has revolutionized its board operations and enhanced governance efficiency with BoardEffect. 

They now save up to half a day per board meeting in preparation time, with additional efficiencies from BoardEffect’s RSVP feature. The platform has also enhanced trustee engagement while ensuring robust security and confidentiality for sensitive information.

Read the whole case study here.

News and events 

Webinar: Kickstart risk management with Diligent AI Risk Essentials

October 28, 2025: Discover a smarter way to strengthen risk management. Join us to see how Diligent AI Risk Essentials empowers lean teams to formalize risk oversight without heavy IT projects or complex frameworks. Register here.

Upcoming events where you can visit our booth to connect with our team:

November 1-5, 2025: The LeadingAge and the Global Ageing Network are uniting for their 2025 conferences, in Boston, MA. Connect with global experts, explore breakthrough programs and practices, and more. 

Elevate 2026

Join us in Atlanta, April 22-24, 2026, for Elevate, the premier event for governance, risk and compliance professionals. Discover the latest in AI-powered governance, risk and compliance, connect with industry leaders and sharpen your expertise. Reserve your spot now!

On-demand webinars

Catch up on our recent webinars, all available to watch on-demand:

• Beyond the budget: Smarter financial and risk oversight
• Getting your nonprofit board on the same page: Strategies for alignment, communication & collaboration
• Developing high-impact boards: Skills, strategies & tools you need
• Navigating AI risks & governance: What your nonprofit board should know

More nonprofit events for your calendar for the rest of the year.

Upcoming seasonal events to celebrate with your board

• November 2 - 8, 2025 is Compliance and Ethics Week:A great time to spotlight your board’s commitment to integrity and accountability. Use this week to revisit policies, encourage open dialogue and reinforce ethical leadership across your organization.
• The first week of November is also Trustees Week: Celebrate the dedication of your board members with a simple, meaningful gesture. Share our thank-you graphics to show appreciation for your volunteer board members.
• November 13 is World Kindness Day. Encourage your board to model empathy and inclusion—whether through community outreach or internal culture-building.
• As Giving Tuesday draws near (December 2) turn your board into active ambassadors for your mission. Our blog shares five ways to engage your board in this global day of generosity, from fundraising to storytelling.

The final special events to celebrate this year here and download the full seasonal calendar for free here to share with your board as you plan for 2026.

Celebrating our Community Champions

Would you like to nominate someone for our Diligent Community Champions? Nominate your champion here!

People of Purpose: Meet Carrie Forrester

This month, we’re proud to highlight a team member whose genuine passion for client success and building strong connections inspires us every day.

Carrie Forrester recently marked her seven-year anniversary at Diligent. Over the years, she has contributed across multiple teams, starting with BoardEffect Support, moving into Implementation, and now thriving in Customer Success. With every step, she has remained focused on helping mission-driven organizations use BoardEffect with confidence and ease.

Find out what Carrie gets up to outside of work!

What's trending

Our pick of the newest and most popular items on our blog this month:

• Beyond the board packet: Rediscovering the full value of BoardEffect
• What is a strategic planning committee? A complete guide 
• Experts on how technology and AI are shaping mission-driven governance
• Developing a community engagement strategy

Give your feedback and win!

We love to hear what leaders think about issues and key topics that affect mission-driven organizations. Has your organization adopted AI? How are you overseeing AI use? Take a moment to tell us about this in this month’s survey (and you could win a $50 gift card!).