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Board Member Institute by Leading Edge

Board members of Jewish communal organizations acquire the knowledge, tools, and network to reimagine their governance and volunteer leadership.

The reimagined signature program of Boardified, powered by Leading Edge, the Board Member Institute, is the premier volunteer leadership development program for board members of Jewish communal organizations.

Through in-person and virtual learning experiences, both new and experienced board members gain the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles, and the leadership skills their organizations need in the future. Along with comprehensive learning with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management and practitioners from the Jewish nonprofit sector, participants connect and collaborate with other outstanding volunteer leaders from across North America.

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Program Overview
  • A 6-month cohort-based executive education experience with in-person and virtual learning components.  
  • Best-in-class board leadership education and instruction by Northwestern University’s Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management, and practitioners from the Jewish nonprofit sector.
  • A Kellogg Nonprofit Executive Education Certificate upon completion of the program.
  • Meaningful and authentic relationship building opportunities that emphasize inclusion, belonging, and deep learning from leaders across the Jewish communal space. 
  • Affinity Groups: Small group discussions and a shared space with peers, facilitated by leadership experts. Cohort 7 features spaces for Jews of Color, Orthodox Leadership, Women’s Leadership, Safety, Respect, and Equity at Camp, and General Applied Learning.
  • Network: Join a supportive BMI alumni community of 180+ leaders across North America, as well the broader Leading Edge community.
Curriculum

Expert practitioners in the Jewish nonprofit sector and Kellogg faculty members facilitate academic sessions, applied learning, small group discussion, and panels of community leaders. An emphasis is placed on peer learning and unfolding the variety of leadership experiences across the Jewish community. 

In this reimagined curriculum, participants begin by examining the fundamental and critical underpinnings of good governance. They explore foundational best practices in board leadership and the issues that are critical to create engaged and inclusive boards. The second part of the curriculum centers on the trends impacting the Jewish nonprofit sector’s trajectory and the future-focused strategies needed to govern organizations toward long-term success. Together, we cover the following topics (curriculum is subject to change):

  • Board Roles & Responsibilities
  • Cultivating Authentic Voices
  • Jewish Values & Leadership
  • The Board’s Role in Fundraising
  • Leadership Succession
  • Who Should Sit at Your Board Table?
  • The Board as a Team
  • Financial Health & Responsibilities
  • Engaging Your Stakeholders
  • Advancing Governance
  • Leading Change
Program Schedule (2022 – 2023)
  • In-Person Program Kickoff (Downtown Chicago)
    Sunday, November 6, 2022, 2:00pm - 8:30pm CT & 
    Monday, November 7, 2022, 7:30am - 3:30pm CT
  • December Affinity Group (Zoom)
    To be scheduled
  • Academic Session 1 (Zoom)
    Wednesday, December 14, 2022
    5:00pm - 7:30pm CT
  • January Affinity Group (Zoom)
    To be scheduled
  • Academic Session 2 (Zoom)
    Wednesday, January 18, 2023
    5:00pm - 7:30pm CT
  • February Affinity Group (Zoom)
    To be scheduled
  • Academic Session 3 (Zoom)
    Wednesday, February 15, 2023
    5:00pm - 7:30pm CT
  • In-Person Graduation (Downtown Chicago)
    Sunday, March 12, 2023, 2:00pm - 8:30pm CT & 
    Monday, March 13, 2023, 7:30am - 3:30pm CT
Tuition

Subsidized tuition is $4,000 per participant.

We are committed to lifting barriers to entry. Please contribute an amount between $1,000 and $4,000 that is meaningful for you. If this range presents a challenge, please contact Isabel Shech at isabel@leadingedge.org.

Payment of the $1,000 deposit is due no later than Friday, October 21, 2022 to guarantee enrollment. Payment of any remaining invoices is due November 18, 2022, and may be paid by the participant, the participant’s organization, the participant’s employer, or another independent funder like a federation, foundation, or individual donor.

Participants are responsible for coordinating and paying for their travel to and from Chicago to attend the in-person components of the cohort. Leading Edge will cover the cost of food and has limited travel stipends available.

Application & Selection Timeline
  • Applications opened Tuesday, August 9
  • Applications closed Monday, September 12
  • Selected participants were notified week of September 26
  • Tuition deposits were due Friday, October 21
  • Program started Sunday, November 6
  • Balance Payment Due Friday, November 18

“Participating in the Board Member Institute equipped me with new tools and skills to be a strong board member and board leader. My favorite takeaway, however, was the incredible community. I know that as I continue on my leadership journey, I have got colleagues, friends, and the Leading Edge team I can count on for support.”

Analucía Lopezrevoredo, Ph.D.

Founder & Directora Ejecutiva, Jewtina y Co. (BMI Cohort 6)

Delivered in partnership with:

Northwest Kellogg Center for Nonprofit Management

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