Thursday, March 8

Designed for trustees and staff of non-profit organizations, the 17th annual Best Boards conference will focus on the elements of resilience an organization needs to successfully navigate physical and strategic challenges. The program is valuable to both new and seasoned board members and nonprofit executives. It is most beneficial to an organization when teams attend because they more readily implement what is learned.

DATE: Thursday, March 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (breakfast and lunch included)

FEE: $185

AFP MEMBER FEE: $135 per person

GROUP FEE: $135 per person Group must include three or more from the same organization

CEUs: 0.6Visit cpnl.rice.edu/bestboards and register today!

Best Boards Conference

KEYNOTE SPEAKERCullen K. Geiselman, Ph.D.

Cullen K. Geiselman, Ph.D., chairs the board of trustees of the Cullen Trust for Health Care, a support organization founded in 1978 to grant financial assistance to institutions providing direct healthcare, conducting health-related research, or training healthcare providers in the greater Houston area.

In addition to her stewardship of the Trust, Dr. Geiselman works with her family on busi-ness matters, chairs the board of Bat Conser-vation International, and serves on the Board of

Directors of the Houston Zoo, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, Houston Parks Board, Houston Advanced Research Center, the Turtle Conservancy, and on the Advisory Board of Blaffer Art Museum at Univer-sity of Houston. She also volunteers her time at the Menil Collection, the Glassell School of Art, and the National Parks Conservation Association.

Dr. Geiselman holds a BA in environmental science and policy from Duke University and a MA and Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Columbia University. Her dissertation research focused on seed dispersal and pollination by bats and she has coauthored a book titled “Seed Dispersal by Bats in the Neotropics.”

Best Boards Conference Sessions

Fundraising Before, During, and After Disaster - Afternoon PlenaryIt is easy to feel helpless in the wake of a natural disaster. Learn from a disaster fundraising expert who has been on the frontlines of several of our nation’s largest disasters and crises. As organizational leaders, we must have an executable emergency plan in place for our development team when the unexpected occurs.

Beverly Brooks Thompson, Ph.D., CFRE, Brooks Thompson Consulting

A Framework for GovernanceBoards are responsible for defining why their organizations exists and governing them to ensure alignment to that mission. This session introduces a framework for connecting the activities of a board back to the organization’s greater purpose. With an understanding of how each activity can be viewed and planned within the context of the organization, board members are better able to advocate for the right work at the right time.

Michael Larson, content strategist/senior facilitator with Blank Page and Cyndee Lake, co-founder/chief purpose officer at Blank Page

Achieving the Unexpected through Transformational LeadershipTransformational Leadership is an essential skill that facilitates increased engagement, commitment and performance levels in teams and organizations. In this session, discuss the concept and how this style enhances your board and stakeholder relationships.

April Day, President, Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA)

The Importance of Strategic Planning for Nonprofit BoardsThe process of developing a new strategic plan is, in many ways, as important as the strategic plan itself. An effective strategic planning process engages key people within the organization in answering crucial questions about its work. This session assists board members in identifying the key questions they should address as they start the process.

Barbara Bushong, MBA, senior consultant for Sterling Associates

It’s the Law – Ensuring EEOC Compliance for Your OrganizationThis very timely session introduces board members to the EEOC’s perspective on emerging issues including harassment, wellness initiatives, gender stereotyping, social media and new forms of retaliation. Board members will learn how to navigate cultural and genera-tional differences as boards become increasingly diverse. There's no need for your organization to become a headline when you can take preventive action.

Joe Bontke, outreach manager at Houston District Office, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Organizational Resilience – Managing through Internal CrisisIn this session, explore the factors that can lead to organizational crisis and how the board plays a critical role in the response and recovery efforts to internal crisis.

Heather Patrick, CEO of Prevent Blindness Texas

The Risky Business of Increasing Impact through InnovationExciting new opportunities and innovative ideas for increasing impact inherently come with some risk. Organizations often do their best work when they understand the risk, mitigate what they can, and prepare for the rest. In this session, discuss risk management and change management strategies to help board members and staff boldly move forward with creative and innovative solutions to better achieve your mission.

Claudia Gee Vassar, executive director and general counsel of Houston Botanic Garden

Why Diversity Matters – Building a Successful BoardThis session includes a facilitated panel discussion with experienced board members. Explore the definitions of diversity, why diversity matters and how to overcome the challenges of finding qualified candidates to serve as board members.

Jenn Char, principal with Gueneveram Group

Words in Action – Translating Your Messaging into a Brand ExperienceAn essential component of successful messaging is translating a nonprofit’s unique culture and philosophy of care into what clients actually experience. This session utilizes messaging exercises and case studies to illustrate how to translate messages into experiences that influence income and enhance donor relations.

Kelli B. Newman, APR, president of Newman & Newman Inc. and Linsay Vladimirov, communications strategist at Newman & Newman Inc.