The Nonprofit Institute 19th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium

CALL FOR SPEAKERS

Each year, our Nonprofit Governance Symposium brings people together from communities across the region and elsewhere to elevate the importance of strong board governance, share lessons learned from the field, and discuss trends in effective nonprofit and philanthropic governance. Through plenary sessions, workshops, discussions, presentations and networking activities, our participants learn how to guide their organizations toward greater impact and mission fulfillment. 

The 19th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium will take place on January 19-20, 2023 on the University of San Diego campus. We anticipate an audience of approximately 400+ trustees, staff, donors, sponsors, and community leaders. Some elements of the conference will be available virtually.

Over the years we have learned that the best sessions are interactive in some way and provide takeaway resources for the participants. Presentations that contain extreme self-promotion of products or services are generally not well received and are highly discouraged. If you are interested in presenting at this conference, please consider the information below and submit a short proposal no later than July 31, 2022. 

We are seeking presentations that:

• Promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through all board governance activities
• Inform board members about their key duties and responsibilities
• Provide solutions that are readily integrated into nonprofit organizations
• Challenge old models and open up new ways of thinking about governance
• Inspire board members to engage deeply in their board service

We welcome speakers to propose a session within one or more of the following tracks:

1. The Foundations of Governance: Structures and functions in place that help ensure healthy governance. Presentations in this track should focus on the key responsibilities of board members that set the stage for a healthy organization and strong CEO-board partnerships. Examples include: Financial management, legal, strategic planning, resource development, board recruitment strategy, board diversity, equity, and inclusion, strong systems to onboard board members, etc. 
2. Deepening Board Engagement: Meaningful board engagement propels organizations (and boards) forward. Presentations in this track should focus on harnessing a board’s energy to move an organization to the next level, creating an active and involved board, capitalizing on strengths of individual board members to enhance the collective organization and board, finding the synergy between board members’ strengths and needs of the organization, advocacy and ambassadorship, storytelling, community engagement, etc.
3. Future-Forward Governance: Envisioning what may be coming next. Presentations in this track could focus in some way on issues that may not yet be on the radar screen of most boards such as crypto currency, climate change, new revenue sources, new governance structures/shared governance/power sharing, etc.
4. Taking Up Leadership: Strong and healthy boards require foresight, insight, and intentionality. Presentations in this track could focus on effective board dynamics, reimagining your board, the art and science of an effective board chair, developing equity-centered leadership, dealing with difficult board members, etc.
5. The Human Element: In the era of “The Great Resignation,” a board’s attentiveness to its CEO and staff is critical. Presentations for this track could include CEO/ED recruitment, succession planning, supporting CEOs to ensure stability, growth, and impact, culture and climate of organizations, leadership development, retention/compensation strategy – thinking beyond salaries, etc. 
6. Toward a Thriving Ecosystem: Transforming policies, practices, and power dynamics that underlie societal problems is a long-term process that requires vision, strategy, and fruitful partnerships. Presentations in this track could include systems alignment, strategic alliances or collaboration that altered a system, DEI or JEDI systems change, how to engage in/leading systemic change, etc.
7. Hot Topics Now: Don’t see a track you like? Propose something new and innovative here.

Please note: Proceeds from this event support research and programming for The Nonprofit Institute. All selected speakers will receive a complimentary registration.

Presentation Description and Upload

We are seeking presentations that:

• Promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through all board governance activities
• Inform board members about their key duties and responsibilities
• Provide solutions that are readily integrated into nonprofit organizations
• Challenge old models and open up new ways of thinking about governance
• Inspire board members to engage deeply in their board service

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