At a time of great change, we have morphed into a new age where collaboration and inclusion are becoming more important for nonprofit growth. The issue of diversity needs to be addressed. Although the U.S. is becoming more racially diverse. Since 2010, 96% of all U.S. counties registered an increase in their percentage of nonwhite residents. Yet the people who lead nonprofits including board members in the U.S. remain disproportionately white. In fact, less than 15% of board members are people of color and 90% of Board Chairs are white. As stewards of the public good, boards must act to alter and eliminate beliefs, practices, and policies that perpetuate structural and institutional racism and exclusion. This means being intentional about changing the racial composition of its members and adapting cultures that alienate and exclude others from feeling welcomed.

In this session, boards will learn how to work to ground organizational values and recruitment practices so that they are inclusive. They will redefine their roles by accepting accountability for setting the tone with deliberate and strategic action to have an increased presence of people of color on boards.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand why board diversity matters
• Accept how board Demographics Are Changing
• Empower Leaders of Color in Nonprofits to Move towards Race-Equity on Boards
• Learn the ideal traits, skills and characteristics of the ideal Board Chair and Executive Director
• Discover hiring policies that reveal bias- using an equity lens when hiring the Executive Director
• Identify the Characteristics of an Inclusive-Ready Board
• Apply a Diversity and Inclusiveness Lens
• Build A Pipeline for Diverse Members
• Locate sources to Recruit Diverse Members
• Properly onboard and include others in board culture
• Conduct board meetings that foster inclusivity
• Recognize the impact of diversity on fundraising
• Embrace the value of collective networks in board inclusive culture

This session is appropriate for Board Members, Executive Directors and Development Professionals.