Summertime & the Living is Easy

 Music legend, Sam Cooke, sang “summertime and the living is easy” and while he is one of my favorite artists, I’m not sure I agree. While I’m not sure about you and your nonprofit, things with the Kentucky Nonprofit Network have been busier than ever. Each year, our team (which has at times been a team of two) strategizes on things we will accomplish during the summer – our perceived “down time.” Well, it never happens – things don’t slow down in the summer, it just gets hotter!

I realize summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21, but since the temperature is hovering around 90 degrees, let’s say summer is here. My summer has kicked off with travel across this commonwealth, speaking with board members from chambers of commerce through a partnership with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives and community development housing organizations through a partnership with the Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky. These visits have given me a great opportunity to travel our beautiful state, listen to a great audiobook and, most importantly, discuss board governance best practices with volunteers committed to strengthening their organizations.

I believe board education, both new member orientation and ongoing education, is one of the most essential ingredients for successful accomplishment of an organization’s mission. The Kentucky Nonprofit Network has several resources available to assist your organization in strengthening the board. From workshops and webinars to customized presentations to onsite consulting, it’s important to us that organizations across this commonwealth have access to the information needed to educate their members on legal responsibilities and best practices for effectiveness. Contact us to learn how KNN can help your board of directors. Some resources are free, like our Boards 101 workshop and our SkillBuilders webinar series, and our customized consulting is priced affordably.

Regardless of whether or not your nonprofit gets to enjoy a less than hectic summer, we hope you will embrace a commitment to developing a well-trained and educated board. Kudos to KCCE and HHCK for doing just that (and not slacking off this summer)!