Why Building Representative Boards (BRB)?
Diversity is an essential component of board effectiveness, yet nationally we still see significant over-representation (84% Caucasian) in board demographics while people of the global majority and people with disabilities, to offer two examples, each represent less than 10% of nonprofit board members nationally. This is unacceptable.
As nonprofit leaders and board members, we have a responsibility to do more, starting with an examination of the cultures and oppressive structures within our own organizations and dismantling old systems. Too often, when organizational readiness is not addressed, programs designed to increase board diversity ultimately cause harm and/or tokenize participants and newly-seated board members.
CEN’s Building Representative Boards program is built on a comprehensive and intentional approach that engages both the potential board candidates and participating nonprofit organizations in training and support to build and maintain an IDEAL board culture.
Nonprofit boards that authentically embrace and encourage diversity have the undeniable capacity to deepen their understanding of constituents and community needs and increase their overall effectiveness and impact. We hope this program will act as a catalyst for change in the Silicon Valley (and beyond!), resulting in nonprofit boards that foster belonging and represent a variety of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and cultures.
Meet the participants! Cohort 1 | Cohort 2 | Cohort 3
As nonprofit leaders and board members, we have a responsibility to do more, starting with an examination of the cultures and oppressive structures within our own organizations and dismantling old systems. Too often, when organizational readiness is not addressed, programs designed to increase board diversity ultimately cause harm and/or tokenize participants and newly-seated board members.
CEN’s Building Representative Boards program is built on a comprehensive and intentional approach that engages both the potential board candidates and participating nonprofit organizations in training and support to build and maintain an IDEAL board culture.
Nonprofit boards that authentically embrace and encourage diversity have the undeniable capacity to deepen their understanding of constituents and community needs and increase their overall effectiveness and impact. We hope this program will act as a catalyst for change in the Silicon Valley (and beyond!), resulting in nonprofit boards that foster belonging and represent a variety of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and cultures.
Meet the participants! Cohort 1 | Cohort 2 | Cohort 3
Building Representative Boards Participation
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The CEN Building Representative Boards (BRB) Program is a complimentary nine-month-long, leadership development and learning program for individuals historically excluded from nonprofit board rooms to explore board service. The program strives to make board service more accessible while preparing a younger, more diverse pool of talent that truly reflects the communities we live in and serve.
Individual participants in the BRB Program come together monthly as a cohort, acquiring a strong foundation in the principles of effective board governance while building community with peers. Each session is facilitated by CEN facilitators, and/or external guest speakers/panelists. The program culminates in a Matching Event, where the BRB Cohort is introduced to a group or organizations who've participated in CEN's Board Organizational Preparedness Program and demonstrated readiness to engage a wide representative of board candidates. |
Registration for Building Representative Boards will begin in the Fall 2025.
Apply now and a team member will contact you.
Apply now and a team member will contact you.
