Have you been contemplating whether board service is right for you? One way to get started is by asking yourself these three simple questions: 

1. Do you have special skills or lived experience that a nonprofit could benefit from?
2. Are you committed to sharing your time, talent- and even possibly treasure- to advance a cause you are passionate about? 
3. Can you be a tireless advocate for an organization’s mission, encouraging others to get involved? 

If you answered yes, then there is a good chance you are on the right track and board service is something to pursue further. But where do you go from here? What’s the first step? 

One thing we know at VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, making the transition to board service does not have to be intimidating. Enter Board Boot Camp, a three-hour comprehensive training that is designed for individuals with limited or no board experience. Sessions are offered quarterly, however companies can also invite VHR in to provide a Board Boot Camp training specifically for their teams. Either way, the sessions provide participants a foundation to confidently step into their new role of Board Member. 

Topics covered include board member roles and responsibilities, board operations and expectations, and strategic board practices. Together we will bust through some of the nonprofit jargon, tackle the basics of Robert’s Rules of Order, and lay the groundwork for understanding financial reports so you aren’t reaching for the P&L when the finance chair is discussing the balance sheet. 

Registration is now open for the next Board Boot Camp session which will be offered Tuesday, December 5  from 9am to 12 pm in downtown Norfolk. Space is limited!

And if you are interested in exploring current board position openings here in Hampton Roads, you can always visit the VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads website. 

VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads is an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber.