Workshops to strengthen nonprofit leadership
The Maine Arts Commission is offering a series of free board development and leadership workshops throughout the state to bolster the strength and effectiveness of Maine’s nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.
Board members, leaders and directors from cultural organizations are invited to attend the workshops that begin on Thursday, Sept. 8, in Portland and move on to Norway, Lewiston, Bangor, Belfast, Presque Isle and Camden.
With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Maine Arts Commission has organized this series of workshops to address both board development and the training of future leaders within organizations. The all-day workshops will be led by Tony Scucci, a senior governance consultant with Board Source, who has worked with clients such as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the American Red Cross.
“Board members want to feel like they are making a real difference rather than attending meetings that turn out to be spectator sports,” said Scucci. “The workshops I am presenting will take participants beyond the basic roles and responsibilities; it will explore creative ways for boards of cultural organizations to bring greater value to their organizations and for individual board members to feel truly valued for their time and talent.”
With over 35 years in the nonprofit sector, Scucci has a deep understanding of the issues that can arise between an organization and their board.
“We have all been to board meetings that end up as ‘bored’ meetings,” said Scucci. “It is my goal to have participants walking away with a strong sense of purpose and knowledge of how they — individually and as a board — can make a real difference in their corner of the cultural world.”
The Maine Arts Commission has arranged five board development workshops that take place on the following days and locations:
• Sept. 8, St. Lawrence Arts Center, Portland;
• Sept. 9, Western Maine Art Group, Matolscy Gallery, Norway;
• Oct. 19, University of Maine Museum of Art, Bangor;
• Oct. 26, University of Maine, Presque Isle; and
• Oct. 27, Waterfall Arts Center, Belfast.
Additional leadership training sessions will help participants understand their own leadership qualities and styles while providing insight into the five core leadership competencies. These sessions take place at the following times and locations:
• Oct. 7, Olin Arts Center, Bates College, Lewiston; and
• Oct. 28, Camden Opera House, Camden.
Participants are welcome to attend both the board development and leadership workshops; lunch will be provided for all those in attendance. Those interested should sign up soon as space is limited. Full details, including registration, for each location can be found on MaineArts.com.
