What's Your Board's Adaptive Capacity?

About this event

Paula Manley
Nonprofit Consultant & Educator
Paula Manley Consulting

Pizza, Salad, No-host Bar & Networking at 5:00
Presentation at 5:30

In an increasingly complex and interdependent environment, nonprofits are continually challenged to both stabilize their operations and respond to changed circumstances. Building adaptive capacity can help Board and staff leaders navigate this terrain, keeping mission impact at the forefront. Adaptive capacity refers to an organization’s ability to continually understand what’s going on, both inside and outside the organization; to learn from this information; and to respond and plan appropriately.

In this highly interactive session, you will have the opportunity to:

• Assess your nonprofit’s adaptive capacity based on characteristics such as: external focus, network connectedness, curiosity, and innovation
• Use adaptive leadership principles to rethink governance and Board leadership in an environment of continual change
• Identify adaptive challenges for your organization—these are challenges that will require new learning and the engagement of stakeholders rather than “tried and true” responses
• Discuss potential roles for Board members in strengthening the adaptive capacity of their nonprofits

The session will combine theoretical frameworks, practical suggestions, and hands-on learning activities that draw from the experiences of participants. For maximum benefit, consider sending your Board chair and executive director, or a team of two or more Board members.

Paula Manley is a consultant, facilitator, and educator who helps organizations develop Board and staff leaders, embrace diversity, engage in participatory planning, and navigate leadership transitions. She is the principal of Paula Manley Consulting and co-founder of The Learning Commons, a nonprofit that presents intensive leadership institutes for nonprofit leaders throughout the US. As an experienced nonprofit executive director, program director, and Board leader, Paula brings extensive practical knowledge to her work. Learn more at www.paulamanley.com.

About the Network

Nonprofit Board Network offers regular opportunities in a relaxed atmosphere for you to learn about nonprofit governance, network with board members from other organizations, and meet the experts. Nonprofit Board Network gives you a chance to interact with respected thinkers and practitioners in the nonprofit world and to share information and experience.