Board Member Bootcamp

Board Member Bootcamp is a one-day, immersive workshop that gives new and seasoned board members alike a practical foundation in nonprofit governance. Structured around the three fiduciary duties: Care, Loyalty, and Obedience, the session moves participants from foundational concepts (what boards are legally and structurally responsible for) into the daily practice of good governance: asking sharp questions, reading financials, evaluating ED and organizational performance, navigating conflicts of interest, fundraising and networking on the organization's behalf, and understanding where board authority ends and staff authority begins. The workshop is designed for board members, aspiring board members, executive directors, and other nonprofit leaders looking to strengthen how their board operates.

Rather than treating governance as an abstract legal obligation, the bootcamp translates each duty into concrete habits and behaviors participants can bring back to their own boards immediately. The day closes by asking participants to synthesize care, loyalty, and obedience into a single, integrated practice of governance, and to leave with a personal action plan, identifying their own strengths and a first set of concrete steps for showing up as engaged, effective board members.

Sponsored by:

Pricing: 

Members: $125.00

Non-members: $185.00

Presented By: The Nonprofit Strategy Group

Amanda Kearney-Smith

Prior to consulting, Amanda worked in the nonprofit sector as founder and Executive Director of the Colorado Mental Wellness Network (CMWN). Working in partnership with other peer organizations, Amanda championed the need for effective peer support in Colorado’s behavioral health system. She worked with other dedicated stakeholders to establish statewide standards for the role of peers and developed state-certified training. During that time Amanda served on numerous nonprofit boards, councils, and advisory committees including Governor-appointed task forces championing transformational change for individuals impacted by mental health conditions.

Before moving to Colorado, Amanda taught Psychology at Central New Mexico Community College. She also coordinated essential services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque, New Mexico, by overseeing funding for homeless service providers at the City of Albuquerque’s Family and Community Services Department. Originally from Illinois, Amanda moved to Colorado in 2008 and resides in Monument with her husband Jeff, and furry children. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, hiking, reading fiction, cooking, and visiting her family in the Midwest.

Richard Eveleigh

Richard’s journey in the nonprofit world began as a caseworker at a mental health center in Pennsylvania, a role that sparked his passion for making a difference in people's lives. Before moving to the U.S. in 2001, Richard spent four years training as a psychotherapist in the UK, honing his skills at the York Centre for Psychotherapy and the Metanoia Institute in London. His professional path has also taken him into the classroom, where he taught social studies in the UK, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. In 2005, Richard relocated to Colorado, his wife’s home state, and continued his dedication to mental health and nonprofit leadership. He worked for a Denver-based mental health advocacy organization before stepping into the role of Executive Director for a youth suicide prevention nonprofit. His leadership journey also extended into the animal welfare sector, reflecting his broad commitment to community well-being.