Nonprofit Board Mentoring Program
Nonprofit Board Mentoring Program
The Nonprofit Board Mentoring Program is aimed at providing students with the experience of participating on a board of directors for a local non-profit organization.
This involvement will provide:
- opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the local community,
- increased leadership development skills,
- learn about the challenges in leading nonprofit organizations
- knowledge of the importance of fiduciary (i.e., financial) responsibilities,
- experience working in large and small groups.
Your participation on a nonprofit board helps the Board of Directors:
- to diversify the perspectives and voices participating on the board
- to bridge generational gaps
- infuse information and talent with skills sets which students are adept
Student Participation Requirements:
- Participate as a volunteer to build your resume or earn 1 credit per quarter (credits can count toward the LDST minor or for WWU upper division credit).
- If participating for credit, students must complete an application for LDST 341 Practicum in Leadership.
- Must be at least Sophomore class standing.
- Willing to commit to serving on the board for a minimum of 6-9 months. (You can participate for up to 1 year as an ad hoc, non-voting member of the Board of Directors for a local nonprofit).
- This program is self-designed, and self-paced. It is the student and participating organizations responsibility to agree upon the participation terms.
- Attend a mandatory orientation meeting with the Morse Leadership Institute
- Students are encouraged, but non required, to enroll in any of the following classes prior to or while engaging in this program.
- LDST 416: Leadership in Nonprofits
- LDST 416: Social Change in Communities
- HSP 435
Procedure
- Contact the nonprofit organization(s) you are interested in working with to apply (max 3, see list below), and follow their application process (likely to require an application and résumé. Be prepared to interview with these organizations as you would for any job. Organizations will contact you with their decision. Students can only accept one board membership and must convey their decision to the nonprofit and Morse Leadership Institute.
- Upon selection by an organization, complete the following:
- Complete the Nonprofit Board Mentoring Student Application
- Coordinate with your Nonprofit Organization to have your supervisor complete the Nonprofit Board Mentoring Supervisor Application in order for your application to be complete
- Please read the Board Mentoring Program FAQs
Participating Organizations
For nonprofit organizations who are participating or want to participate:
Please contact the Morse Leadership Institute at Morse.Institute@wwu.edu for more information.