Board Leadership Series Planned for February and March

K-State Research and Extension – Lyon County along with United Way of the Flint Hills, Emporia Chamber of Commerce, Flint Hills Technical College and Emporia Community Foundation is hosting the K-State Research and Extension’s Board Leadership workshop the last week of February and first two weeks of March.

Designed to provide basic training for members of community-based boards, the series will be hosted by local Extension professionals at locations across the state.

“Informed and committed board members are the key to healthy, effective boards and committees in our Kansas communities.  K-State Research and Extension’s Board Leadership Series will provide an opportunity for board members to learn the basics of being a good board member,” said Trudy Rice, extension community development specialist.  “Whether you are a member of a church board, a township board, a United Way agency board, or a rural water board, this training is appropriate for you.”

The series will kick-off on February 23 with Conducting Effective Meetings.  During this session, participants will learn about their roles and responsibilities as a board member, basics of parliamentary procedure, and strategies to make meetings more productive and effective.

The February 25 session will cover Understanding Fellow Board Members and Conflict Management. Participants will explore how personalities and generational differences affect the decision-making process, and learn how to manage conflict in a way that is productive, not destructive, to the board.

On March 1, the topic will be Fundraising, Fund Management, Legalities and Ethics. This session will explore a board’s options for raising and managing money, understanding such things as articles of incorporation, bylaws, and policies.

Strategic Planning will be on March 3.  Participants will learn about establishing a common mission and vision for the board, and how to plan priorities for the future.

On March 8, the final night, there will be a panel discussion with local people who work directly with each of the session topics.

Workshop participants will meet at host sites throughout the state to take part in web-based instruction and locally facilitated discussion.  Sites include: Atwood, Emporia, Hays, Harper, Leoti, Olathe, Ottawa, Manhattan, Minneapolis, Paola, Syracuse, Ulysses, Wichita and Wyandotte.

All sessions will be conducted from 6-8 p.m. at the ValuNet Gigabit Smartroom at the Trusler Business Center, located at 719 Commercial in Emporia.

Pre-registration for the event is required by February 12. The cost is $40 for all four sessions per person. Each registration buys a seat which can be rotated by board members.  For a group rate contact Travis Carmichael at (620) 341-3220.  Registration includes refreshments and a Board Basics workbook. To register either call the Lyon County Extension Office at (620) 341-3220 or visit lyon.ksu.edu.