NESC consultants Helene Sostarich Barsamian and Kathy Weida facilitated the Northern New Jersey Board Chair Roundtables.
In the past year, NESC’s Southwestern Connecticut and Northern New Jersey regions have partnered with local organizations to host a series of Board Chair Roundtables for nonprofits in their areas. The Roundtable offers Board Chairs the opportunity to network, share and discuss in a private, collaborative environment. The series been well received in the regions with a high attendance level from a diverse number of nonprofits.
In Southwestern Connecticut, there are two groups of 15-16 board chairs who each met four times in 2013 and will meet four times this year as well. The Roundtables are facilitated by NESC Consultant Bill Brautigam and Elaine Mintz of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, our co-sponsor. The Roundtable is comprised of two parts: the first part is a “sounding board”, during which members are able to raise issues they are currently facing; then, a presentation or a guest speaker on a specific subject followed by discussion on the subject. Bill Brautigam states, “The participants seem to find these meetings highly worthwhile; some have recommended successors.”
NESC of Northern New Jersey has found similar success with its own Board Chair Roundtables. By partnering with Sobel & Co., LLC, a CPA firm with a notable presence in the New Jersey nonprofit community, the Roundtables reached 14 organizations last Fall. NESC consultants Kathy Weida facilitated the sessions and Helene Sostarich Barsamian spoke on various topics such as the basics of board responsibilities, the challenges presented by board membership and chairmanship, and fundraising.
According to Regional Director Sharon Genin, “The Board Chair Roundtable has been a notable success so far, with most inaugural participants returning for the second session.” The next Roundtable for Northern New Jersey is scheduled for March 25. Please contact Sharon Genin if you’re interested in attending.
If you would like more information about a Roundtable near you, please contact us.
National Executive Service Corps 