Fidelity Investments Board Development Program

The Fidelity Investments Board Development Program at the Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence aims to enhance the governance and leadership of nonprofit organizations. The Rhode Island Foundation is grateful to Fidelity Investments for its generous sponsorship of this program.

The program:

• Educates members of nonprofit boards about their roles and responsibilities
• Encourages more people to serve on boards
• Gives board members and staff tools to help their organizations become more effective and sustainable

If you currently serve or are considering serving on a nonprofit board of directors, this program is for you.

The program offers four workshops taught by a faculty of expert consultants. Sessions will be held at Fidelity Investments' campus at 500 Salem Street in Smithfield, and - NEW this year - also in Newport County (see specific locations below).

Get directions to Fidelity Investments' campus.

2010 Schedule

Boards 101

Boards 101 provides an overview of the basic roles of boards, with particular emphasis on legal and fiduciary responsibilities. Participants will review the basic documents boards should have in place and learn about policies and practices they can utilize to ensure the legal and fiscal health of the organization.

Presenter: Frank Monti, CPA, KLR & Co., LTD
April 8, 8:30-11:00 a.m.
Location: Child & Family, 31 John Clarke Road, Middletown
September 21, 8:30-11:00 a.m.
Location: Fidelity Investments, Smithfield
Target audience: New board members
Fee: $50 per person
Register online

Fundraising Responsibilities

Too many nonprofits have spent too much time agonizing about board fundraising. In this session, you will cut through the "ought to do" to a build a team of willing fundraising volunteers - when and if you need them.

Presenter: Gayle Gifford, ACFRE, Cause & Effect
April 29, 5:00-7:30 p.m.
Location: Newport Public Library, 300 Spring Street, Newport
October 21, 5:00-7:30 p.m.
Location: Fidelity Investments, Smithfield
Target audience: All board members
Fee: $50 per person
Register online

Board Engagement

For any board to remain effective in their stewardship, it is essential that its members are active and engaged; yet not all board members bring the same level of passion to their work. In this workshop, methods for maintaining strong board member involvement and engagement will be presented. 

Presenter: Michael Daigneault, Esq., BoardSource
May 18, 8:30-11:00 a.m.
Location: Child & Family Service, 31 John Clarke Road, Middletown
November 18, 8:30-11:00 a.m.
Location: Fidelity Investments, Smithfield
Target audience: Board chairs
Fee: $50 per person
Register online

Intentional Board Diversity

Most nonprofits seek board members who represent the constituency they serve yet lack board diversity in terms of race, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and skills. In this workshop, we will present strategies to help nonprofit boards attract and retain a diverse membership.

Presenter: Denise Barge, Barge & Associates, LLC
June 1, 8:30-11:00 a.m.
Location: Child & Family, 31 John Clarke Road, Middletown
December 7, 5:00-7:30 p.m.
Location: Fidelity Investments, Smithfield
Target audience: All board members
Fee: $50 per person
Register online