Last week, I had the privilege to attend the BoardSource Leadership Forum entitled, Open for Innovation: Governing in a New Era. I heard wonderful speakers and gained new ideas and information from leaders such as Carol Larson, President and CEO of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder and CEO of PolicyLink, and Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Some messages instilled by these individuals is that innovation encompasses attitude and commitment. It also requires collaborative and strategic thinking with willingness to take risks. In taking risks, it’s important that we have adequate monitoring tools and thoughtful planning related to sustainability. In good economic times, are we increasing services beyond what is reasonable and adequate to a point that creates greater difficulty in tough economic times? What is the balance of rigor, respect & due diligence? Innovation is also looking at how we build boards of directors, what is needed to create good strategies, implement positive direction, and be representative of pulse in the community.
The Forum explored the evolving role of good governance in the nonprofit sector. There were many sessions that focused on various components of good governance – from new way of thinking about finance, capital, & collaboration to performance measurement, to legalities & managing risk, leadership, structures and much more. More about the sessions and some materials are located at the website of BoardSource. The Forum’s materials can be founda at: http://www.boardsource.org/blf/sessions.asp.
Kathy Grochow, NRS, St. Cloud
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