United Horizons Board Training Program

Have you thought about serving on a nonprofit board but are unsure where to start? Or maybe you have some board experience but want to broaden your skills with training from experts in board leadership? Serve Wisconsin and AmeriCorps logo

United Way of Racine County has launched United Horizons Board Training Program to help prepare community members to serve on nonprofit boards, with an emphasis on increasing the number of individuals from populations historically underrepresented on boards (racially and ethnically diverse, LGBTQIA+, and young professionals). The program is available to Racine County residents and free to all participants.

A separate component of the program offers sessions to representatives from nonprofit organizations in best practices in board management and creating safe spaces.

The completion of the program is a matchmaking session that brings together individual participants and the nonprofit representatives to connect and begin to build nonprofit boards that are representative of the community we live in, with a goal of matching each individual participant to a nonprofit board. 

Who can apply?

Anyone can apply to join the individual program, but preference will be given to those from historically under-represented communities, including people of color, people in the LGBTQIA+ community, people with lived experience in poverty and people in rural communities.

United Horizons Board Training Program is made possible by a grant from the Volunteer Generation Fund in partnership with AmeriCorps and Serve Wisconsin.
 

Session Topics: For Individuals Seeking Board Training

Tuesday, May 21: Community Conditionsdiverse group talking

  • An in-depth look at data for the city and county, allowing participants to understand the issues and the nonprofits in the community. 1 to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, June 4: Nonprofits 101

  • Answers the question what is a nonprofit and how do they operate? 1 to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, June 18: Panel Discussion

  • Current nonprofit board members from under-represented populations will share their experiences and answer questions. 1 to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, July 16: Financial, Legal and Bylaws

  • Participants will learn about the legal components of serving on a board, including the verbiage commonly used in the nonprofit sector. 1 to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, July 23: Identifying and Leveraging Your Strengths

  • Participants will complete strength assessments prior and receive reports that will help them further develop their strengths and improve in areas of weakness. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuesday, July 30: Matchmaking and Graduation

  • Individual participants and organizational participants will meet and identify possible matches. Time TBA.

All sessions will be held in Racine. Priority will be given to those who apply prior to May 8. Selection and notification will be made via email. All those selected will be notified on or before May 10.

Are you ready to share your voice? Fill out the application for the United Horizons Board Training Program to be considered for the program.

Session Topics: For Organizations Building a Diverse Board

Thursday, May 23: Best Practices in Board Managementpeople at a table

  • Facilitators will discuss best practices for an inclusive board, including recruiting, training and engaging board members. 9 to 11 a.m.

Thursday, June 20: Creating Safe Spaces

  • Participants will hear from current board members from underrepresented populations, facilitated by Kimberly Payne from Payne Consulting. 9 a.m. to noon.

Tuesday, July 30: Matchmaking and Graduation

  • Individual participants and organizational participants will meet and identify possible matches. Time TBA.

Nonprofit organizations applying will be notified of acceptance via email on or before May 10.

Are you ready to help ensure important voices are heard? Complete the registration form for United Horizons Board Training Program for members of your nonprofit organization. 

United Horizons Q&A

Here are some additional questions and answers you may have about United Horizons. If you have questions that are unanswered, please contact Special Projects Manager Katie Tuttle via email at ktuttle@unitedwayracine.org.

Q: How much does this program cost?

A: United Horizons is presented with a grant from Serve Wisconsin and United Way of Racine and is free to all individual and organization participants.

Q: What can I tell my employer if I need to ask for time off for the training sessions?

A: We can help provide information about the program and the benefits to you and to your employer, as well as verify attendance at the sessions. Please indicate on the application form if you will need information to provide to your employer.

Q: How will I meet representatives of nonprofits after the training sessions? 

A: The graduation and matchmaking session held on the July 30 is designed to ensure representatives of nonprofits enrolled in the program meet the individuals in the program. The goal is to help both individuals and organizations find a good match for future members of nonprofit boards. 

Q: Will there be follow-up to document the results of the program? 

A: There is a 60-day tracking period following the conclusion of the training sessions. United Way of Racine County Special Projects Manager Katie Tuttle will follow up with individuals and organizations to track the number of matches made by individuals who completed the training program. Organizations will be asked to complete an organizational assessment to further understand the impact the training program has on the board. 

Q: Can my organization help promote this training program?

A: Yes. We have one-page posters in color and black and white that can be printed and/or shared electronically. We also have sample social media graphics and language that you can share on your organization's social channels.

Additional Resources

Want to learn more about nonprofit board diversity and equity? Check out these links.