4th Annual Powerhouse Boards: Training that transforms your board

January 13, 20, and 27, 2027 (Wednesdays)
12:00–1:30 pm Pacific | 1:00–2:30 pm Mountain | 2:00–3:30 pm Central | 3:00–4:30 pm Eastern

“The class provided us with practical tips that we can use TODAY.”

You joined a nonprofit board because you care about its mission and want to make a difference. But caring about the mission is only the beginning. Great boards need people who understand their responsibilities, make good decisions, work well together, and bring their strengths to the table.

Powerhouse Boards helps you turn your commitment into action.

In this three-part online series, you'll learn what makes boards effective and how to put those ideas to work in your own organization. Whether you're new to board service or have years of experience, you'll gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and greater confidence in your ability to contribute.

This isn't a sit-back-and-listen class. Each 90-minute session combines engaging instruction with opportunities to practice, reflect, and learn alongside fellow board members. You'll work with a 24-page workbook filled with tools you can use long after the series ends.

By the end of the series, you'll be better prepared to:

• Recruit people who bring the perspectives, skills, and connections your board needs.
• Understand your governance responsibilities, including financial oversight, legal obligations, and risk.
• Build a board culture where people contribute and work well together.
• Make meetings and committees more productive and purposeful.
• Find meaningful ways for every board member to support fundraising.

JANUARY 13
Build a Powerhouse Board

A strong board starts with a clear sense of purpose and the right people working together to achieve it. Learn how to build a board that brings the perspectives, strengths, and connections needed to make a difference.

We'll explore:

• Purpose: Connect your mission to the bigger difference you're trying to make.
• Recruitment: Attract board members with diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills.
• Culture: Create the conditions for board members to contribute and work well together.

JANUARY 20
Know the Job

Being an effective board member starts with understanding your role, not just your list of responsibilities. Learn how to approach decisions with a governance mindset, contribute your strengths, and provide the oversight your organization needs.

We'll explore:

• Role: Understand how board members think, make decisions, and show up as stewards of their organization's mission and future.
• Responsibilities: Clarify what the board does collectively and how individual board members contribute.
• Finance: Understand financial statements and the questions board members should ask.
• Law and risk: Recognize essential legal responsibilities and how boards provide oversight.

JANUARY 27
Work Well Together

Board members have limited time. How can you make the most of it? Learn practical ways to strengthen communication, make better decisions, and get more done together.

We'll explore:

• Communication: Share information that helps the board understand progress and make good decisions.
• Meetings: Create purposeful meetings that encourage participation and lead to action.
• Committees: Share leadership and expand your board's capacity.
• Fundraising: Find meaningful ways for every board member to build relationships and raise support for your mission.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Powerhouse Boards is designed for nonprofit board members at every experience level, as well as executive directors and staff leaders who work closely with boards.

Each session includes 60 minutes of interactive learning followed by 30 minutes of guided practice and peer conversation. Participants receive a digital copy of the 24-page Powerhouse Boards Workbook, available in English and Spanish.

What past participants said about this class:

“I appreciated how encouraging the questions were.”
“It was a great mix of presentation and interactivity.”

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Nancy Bacon is a teacher, instructional designer, and learning strategist with more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has trained thousands of nonprofit board members and leaders, drawing on her experience as an executive director, program director, board member, and volunteer.

Nancy is Founder and CEO of Nancy Bacon Consulting, where she designs learning experiences that help nonprofit leaders make sense of complex topics and turn knowledge into action. She has developed board education programs used statewide in Washington and by nonprofit state associations across the country.

Nancy co-founded the Nonprofit Learning Center to expand access to practical nonprofit education and co-hosts the Nonprofit Radio Show, a podcast offering accessible learning for small and rural nonprofits. She is known for engaging, interactive training that helps people learn together and put what they've learned into practice.

www.nancybacon.com | www.nonprofitlearning.center | www.nonprofitradioshow.com

COST

$75 for the complete three-part series and all learning tools.
10% discount for groups of four or more individuals so whole boards can attend. Email us for a discount code.

Registration includes:

• Three 90-minute interactive online sessions
• Recordings of all three sessions for registered participants
• A digital copy of the 24-page Powerhouse Boards Workbook
• Guided practice and peer conversations
• Practical tools to use in board orientation, meetings, and planning
• Pre- and post-learning exercises designed to strengthen your board practice
• An invitation to reach out with any specific needs your board might have

All registrants will receive recordings of the live sessions. Because recordings are provided, no refunds are available in case of cancellation.

In partnership with