Beyond Attendance:
Building Board Cultures Where Members Fully Engage
Many boards struggle not because members lack commitment, but because the culture and structure of board service limit how people are invited to contribute. Meetings default to reports, decision-making is concentrated among a few voices, and newer members quickly learn to stay quiet. Over time, even dedicated board members may disengage. This session addresses the reality head-on: engagement is not a personality problem - it is a governance and culture design issue.
This workshop equips board members with practical strategies to intentionally create spaces, norms, and environments where people can contribute their time, talent, and leadership in meaningful ways. Participants will examine how board culture shows up in meetings, committee work, decision-making, and informal dynamics—and how those choices either invite or shut down participation. The session includes approaches for onboarding and activating new board members while also disrupting stale, transactional patterns that may limit long-serving boards.
Board members will leave with concrete tools to reset expectations, share leadership, and build a culture of accountability, inclusion, and sustained engagement that strengthens governance and advances mission.
This workshop is ideal for all Leadership and Board Members.
Date: December 10th, 2026
Time: 5:15PM to 7:30PM
Location: TBD
Facilitators: Zoe Lyons and Regina Pinney
48 Hour Minimum Cancellation Required
*Sponsored by the Cook Family Foundation - These board training sessions are open to any current Shiawassee County nonprofit leadership, board members, staff members, or volunteers that live in, or are directly serving the Shiawassee County community.
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