5 credits

The success of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) is highly dependent on volunteers: the effective governance provided by the volunteer board of directors and the management of program volunteers—individuals who often serve as the lifeblood of NPOs. Students in this course explore the board governance process. They focus on methods that organizations use to create and maintain an effective board of directors to ensure that the board governs and guides the organization toward their mission. Students also explore board member recruitment, orientation, training, supervision, and evaluation; and they reflect on the use of those practices for program volunteers. Students create a five-section guide that includes a board development and volunteer management plan based on processes presented in the course and fundamental concepts acquired earlier in the program.