Creating Great Working Boards - Live Webinar

Webinar Description

From dozens of suited figures presenting at an overflowing boardroom table to the handful of well-meaning volunteers chatting at the local coffee shop, nonprofit boards come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of nonprofit expertise. As professionals in this space, the education piece often falls to you. If you are struggling with any of the following, this webinar is for you:

• Board members who mean well, but too often get into the weeds and stall progress
• Board members who are hanging on to their seats and preventing new people from engaging and ideas from blossoming
• A clear misunderstanding of the roles between staff and volunteer board members
• A board that shows up to meetings but lost the spark for the work years ago
• Title holders with little to no interest in your struggles and events
• You are a board member and want to know how you can support your organization and inspire your colleagues to do so

If any of these scenarios sound familiar to you, know that you are not alone. In this 75-minute webinar, Principal of Spainhour Consulting Jackie Spainhour will help you navigate the sticky wicket that is that board/staff relationship to ensure you find the magic in your mission once again. With her nearly fifteen years of service in executive leadership roles in nonprofits of all budget and staff sizes, Jackie has been there too. Drawing from real-life experiences, this webinar will help you reignite that passion for your work by offering ways to engage your board in a healthy, sustainable manner in alignment with your mission.

Details

DATE: June 25, 2026

TIME: 3:00 - 4:15 pm EASTERN (Remember to adjust for your time zone)

COST: $25 members/$45 nonmembers

ACCESS: You will be provided with instructions on how to access the live event upon registration.

Learning Outcomes

During this webinar, participants will learn about:

• Evaluating current gaps in your board and how to fill them
• Developing best practices for working with a board of directors
• Prioritizing relationships over transactions with board members
• Implementing activities for better alignment with board members, including a detailed toolkit for you to bring back to your organization, including a board matrix activity, board commitment documents, and Jackie's favorite activity to spark joy: the North Star Reflection Form (provided).

Recording and Captioning

We will record this event. Captioning is provided for the live event.

Connecting the Content

This webinar will especially help organizations enrolled in STEPS address multiple standards under the Mission, Vision, and Governance section of the STEPS program.

The Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (STEPS) from AASLH is a self-study, self-paced assessment tool designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, organizations enrolled in STEPS review their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against national standards.

Having issues registering? Please contact learn@aaslh.org

Please note AASLH's Notetaking Tools Policy: During webinars and online courses, the use of any AI notetaking tools such as meeting assistants is prohibited to ensure the confidentiality and security of the discussion. Our sessions are automatically recorded and transcribed for participants. AI tools will be removed from events by AASLH staff if they appear. Please contact us at learn@aaslh.org if you need to use AI tools for accessibility reasons.

How to Register for this Event

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.