Board Track

Members of boards of directors and commissions have fiduciary, strategic and leadership responsibilities for the organizations they serve. The principled exercise of these responsibilities distinguishes a healthy, vibrant, diverse and dynamic governing body from a problem board. The challenges legal aid programs and public defender offices face in providing quality representation and advocacy for low income people in a politically and economically challenging environment necessitate a responsive and effective exercise of trusteeship by boards and commissions.

It is time for our community to reframe the role of our boards and commissions that mirrors the best practices of non-profit and corporate governance. Governing bodies have a leadership role that can be leveraged to position organizations to be responsive to community needs, effective in fulfilling its core mission, and uncompromising in the pursuit of quality and excellence. This year’s board track will explore the value of boards shifting the balance of their focus from micromanagement to “macrogovernance.”

As you consider possible topics for proposed training sessions, we ask that you consider the following examples: