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What Great Board Members Know (and Practice) [Interactive Governance Training]

Interactive Governance Training

All nonprofit boards—no matter how experienced—benefit from ongoing training. The landscape of nonprofit governance is constantly evolving, and even seasoned board members can struggle with role clarity, accountability, or staying strategic. This interactive governance training engages participants in collaboratively designing a governance style that works for your organization and is built on proven behaviors and habits. This session is often delivered as an add-on to an existing board meeting, retreat, or strategic planning session. It can be conducted as a 60-min or half-day session.

Session Overview

This practical training equips board members with the knowledge, mindset, and tools to govern with confidence and clarity. Through real-life scenarios and interactive discussion, participants will explore their legal, organizational, and cultural responsibilities—focusing on fiduciary duties, board-staff dynamics, and the habits that shape effective governance. The session blends practical insights with a touch of humor, helping board members understand their role, strengthen collaboration, and leave with actionable takeaways they can apply right away. Whether new or experienced, every participant will gain fresh perspective and energy for board service.

Session Takeaways

Fiduciary Duties Are More Than Legal Checkboxes

Board members must actively uphold their duties of care, loyalty, and obedience—not only to ensure legal compliance, but to foster trust, transparency, and mission alignment in every decision they make.

Culture and Behavior Shape Board Effectiveness

Individual behaviors—such as meeting preparation, accountability, and curiosity—directly influence board culture. Positive habits build strong governance; unchecked behaviors can erode effectiveness and strain staff relationships.

Clear Roles Prevent Confusion and Conflict

Understanding where governance ends and management begins is essential. Board members must stay strategic and respect operational boundaries while maintaining open, collaborative communication with staff leaders.

Schedule a Session for Your Board

Katie Appold, MPA

About Katie Appold, MPA

Katie Appold is a nonprofit and association leader with more than 20 years of experience strengthening governance, strategy, and impact across the sector. As founder and principal consultant of Nonprofit Nav, she helps mission-driven organizations build effective boards, clarify strategic direction, and achieve measurable results. Her career spans human services, foundations, and professional associations, where she has led organizations through transformative growth and governance improvement. In her first Executive Director role, she increased organizational revenue by 300% and secured the top national grant for affordable housing from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. She later helped launch Do More Good, a nonprofit educational platform that merged with Nonprofit Hub to become one of North America’s largest free resources for nonprofit professionals. Katie’s governance work centers on helping boards and executives align vision with accountability through practical frameworks, strong policies, and healthy board–staff dynamics. She has guided national and community-based organizations through bylaw reform, board development, strategic planning, and leadership transitions. In addition to her consulting work, Katie serves as an adjunct professor of nonprofit leadership at Cornerstone University and has served on several national and regional boards of directors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Leadership.

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