Boards in Uncertain Times:

Exploring the Implications of Financial, Technological and Generational Change for Nonprofit Governance

A Conference for Practitioners and Researchers

Convened by
The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership

The Henry W. Bloch School of Business & Public Administration at the

University of Missouri - Kansas City
and
The Nonprofit Quarterly

April 23-24, 2009

Marriott Country Club Plaza Hotel
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.

Effective governance and board leadership are integral to nonprofit sector performance, yet scholars and practitioners alike continue to be challenged to understand the complex and changing nature of nonprofit governance and the boards that engage in it. Few doubt that the pace and scope of change in the nonprofit sector is dramatic, or that it has significant implications for nonprofit organizations and their boards.  Financial turmoil in the U.S. and across the globe, unprecedented innovation in information technology and systems, impending generational change that promises to challenge and change nearly all aspects of the nonprofit sector, and the continued attention to social entrepreneurship and enterprise solutions to community issues – all of these have major implications for the future of nonprofit governance and the work of nonprofit boards.   

Among the topics to explore at this year’s conference:

• Are changes in the economy changing how institutions expect charitable organizations to address risk and uncertainty? 

•  Boards of nonprofit organizations are mandated to behave as prudent stewards of resources, but are they increasingly expected to be disciplined risk-takers?  What are the implications of such expectations for boards and governance?  Are there particular implications for nonprofit boards and governance exploring entrepreneurial opportunities? 

•  Both soft and hard innovations may influence the nature of nonprofit governance, as well.  For example:

• Social networking technologies seemingly are influencing friendships, political campaigns, social movement organizations and, perhaps more contentiously, civil society. 

• Is “venture philanthropy” an innovation that is affecting nonprofit governance?  Are new philanthropic orientations and philosophies (e.g., venture philanthropy, “philanthrocapitalism”) uniquely affecting governance through their processes and expectations?

• What social and technological innovations are changing boards?  Is nonprofit governance adapting to technological change? 

• Generational changes seem to pose significant challenges for the future of nonprofit boards.  What are boards, executives and organizations doing to attract, prepare, and retain a new generation of younger people for board service?  What is known about the pace and nature of generational change and leadership succession issues for nonprofit organizations and their boards? 

This highly participative conference will employ the Midwest Center model that has been so successful for previous academic-practitioner conferences.  It will offer multiple opportunities for formal and informal discussion and dialogue among the consultants, executives, and academics who are most engaged in addressing these challenges.  One key element of the conference will be sharing highlights and insights emerging from recent governance research.  Fifteen of the leading researchers and writers in the field will discuss their work to explore the changing sphere of governance through empirical research, case studies, and conceptual papers. 

Equally valuable will be the opportunities to build on and go beyond the theory and research – for experienced leaders who are exploring new and innovative strategies and approaches in their communities and organizations to participate in facilitated and informed discussions.  Half of the conference sessions will be facilitated (non-presentation) dialogue sessions, each focused on a specific issue or interest.

Three leading speakers will set the stage with special presentations on key aspects of governance in these uncertain times:

• Ruth McCambridge (The Nonprofit Quarterly) will speak on “Reality Governance: Trusteeship in Chaos?” (Bio);

• Yvonne Harrison (Seattle University) will report on her team’s research in “What Matters About the Chair of the Board?” (Bio); and

• Melissa Stone (University of Minnesota) will speak on “The Challenges of Network Governance: Reflections from Research Outside the Field.” (Bio)

The conference is designed to be a relatively intimate gathering of those who are serious about sharing and shaping governance ideas and learning.  To facilitate active dialogue, the conference will be limited to 150 participants, about half of whom will be nonprofit and community leaders and practitioners.

Questions about the conference may be directed to conference co-directors: