Ben Niehaus is Director of Member Services for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. He also worked as a school superintendent in Northern Wisconsin so brings lots of experience.

Ben shares his expertise on several key areas that school board members need to stay informed about, as well as the importance of effective communication with stakeholders. He talks about the importance of continuous improvement and staying updated on best practices in school board governance.

Ben gave some really practical strategies for making training programs more flexible and accessible, and we also discussed how technology can support and help board members to stay informed and engaged. Enjoy the conversation as we explore all of this and more.

And find out at the end what advice Ben gives for how to use technology for board member training, he has some great tips. 

Further resources on board development and training for school boards

You can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Cheretta A. Clerkley, is the Executive Director of the Association for Positive Behavior Support, a nonprofit based in New Jersey. APBS is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to promoting positive behavior support across various settings such as schools, families and communities.

Cheretta and I discussed the critical role that continuous learning and development plays in enhancing the effectiveness of volunteer boards. Cheretta shares her journey of streamlining the board from over 30 members to a more manageable 11, and discusses the importance of governance training and communication skills.

She also emphasizes the significance of ongoing training and effective onboarding processes to ensure that board members are well-prepared and aligned with the organization's goals.

Stick around to the end to hear Cheretta's top tips for how to keep board members motivated and engaged in their own development. 

Further resources on board development and training for volunteer boards

You can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Dr. Audrey Young is a member of the Texas State Board of Education and the Chair of the Committee on Instruction for TSBE. Dr. Young represents District 8 and brings a wealth of experience and insight into the critical role of school board training and development, in fact she covered this in her dissertation for her PhD.

In this episode, we explore why board training is essential for effective governance and decision-making in public education, how it can help school boards function efficiently and the importance of ongoing education in areas such as AI and cyber risk.

We also discuss the challenges of onboarding new board members and the vital role superintendents play in supporting board development.

Find out what advice Audrey gives for how to keep board members motivated and engaged in their own development. 

Further resources on board development and training for school boards

You can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Julie Castro Abrams is the CEO of How Women Lead, an organization dedicated to empowering women to take on leadership roles and she has also served on many nonprofit boards.  

Julie shares her insights on how board training and development can transform organizations. For nonprofits, this means understanding the unique role of the board, from governance to strategic oversight, and how to ensure that board members are equipped to ask the right questions and add value without overstepping. 

We also discuss the importance of a strong, supportive relationship between the board and the CEO. Julie shares real-life anecdotes and practical advice on board training and development. 

Stick around to the end to find out what advice Julie gives for leaders to ensure that board training is ongoing and not just a one-time event. 

Further resources on board development and training for volunteer boards

You can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

From recruiting and onboarding members to fostering collaboration and navigating complex decision-making, this 4-part series covers critical aspects of building boards that can drive meaningful impact.

Whether you're an experienced executive or an emerging leader, these episodes offer valuable takeaways for enhancing your organization’s governance practices.

We hear from 4 experts who share their practical guidance and real-world examples.

We hope you enjoy the conversations and find them insightful and interesting!

For more resources on board development and training:

• Nonprofit: www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose
• Education and government: www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose