At The CBO Center, we recognize the vital role that volunteer board members play in the life of a nonprofit organization. We also know, from our personal experience and work with hundreds of boards, that boards often lack the training and resources required to be as effective as they would like.

We offer a complete array of programs and services to support individual board members and the board team in providing the leadership and oversight great organizations require.

If you have questions about any of our resources for boards, or if you have a question or concern you’d like to discuss with a governance expert, don’t hesitate to contact us.

In three hours, participants will learn the roles and responsibilities of the board as a governing body, the difference between the work of the board and the work of individual board members, the differences between board and staff functions, and some practical tips and tools that will help board members serve their agencies more effectively.

BoardWorks is designed specifically for potential and current board members who have never served on a board, have never had formal training on the basics of good governance, or could use a refresher.  You will leave BoardWorks with a foundation of the principles of good governance, specific ideas to improve your board’s effectiveness, and action steps to implement your ideas.

Our approach is based on best practices that are common to highly functioning boards, all drawn from the work of several of the field’s best thinkers and consultants: BoardSource, McKinsey & Co.’s Institute for the Nonprofit Sector, Jim Collins (From Good to Great), Richard Chait (Governance as Leadership), and Jude Kaye, nationally respected author, trainer, and consultant.  You will also get the benefit of the experience of The CBO Center’s senior staff that have trained and consulted with hundreds of boards and board members over the past two decades. 

Workshop attendees will receive a free one hour board development consultation to be used within six months of participation.  The cost of the program is $75 and includes materials and light snacks.  For more information, contact our office at  (510) 835-1009 to reserve your seat.

Customized board trainings:

• Board Recruitment
• Board Roles & Responsibilities
• Leadership Development
• Succession Planning
• Fundraising

Consulting Services for Boards:

• Accountability & Fiduciary Responsibilities
• Board Development
• Board Retreat Design and Facilitation
• Executive Director/Board relations
• Strategic Planning

For more information on our services, rates and approach, please contact Leyna Bernstein, Director of Programs at  (510) 835-1009 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .