Communication, Trust, and Conflict Resolution for Nonprofit Boards

Does your nonprofit board struggle with conflict or miscommunication? Join us to learn how to build a trusting culture throughout the organization. 

Learning Objectives

• Develop the skills necessary to easily collaborate, make sound decisions, and remain accountable
• Learn how to see others (relatively) free of judgment and bring out their best
• Know how you teach others in your organization the basics of peer coaching and conflict resolution
• Understand the language of healthy moods/culture and build it into your organization

Description

This training will elicit from nonprofit board members areas of concern regarding communication, trust and conflict resolution. Board members will be introduced to methods of communication and building a trusting culture that can serve as standards moving forward so that as new board members enter the organization, procedures are clear.

Following this training, these standards for communication, trust and conflict resolution can be cascaded throughout the organization to all staff and volunteers to create a culture of collaboration.

This session will cover:

1. Brief review of issues that have impeded board/organizational progress
2. Training in best practices for communication, trust building and conflict resolution
3. Practice in coaching staff and volunteers in the above best practices
4. Guidance in documenting procedures for communication, standards for meetings and expectations of board and staff for addition to employee handbook.

Level

Advanced

Audience

Board of Directors

Presenter

Ben Thomson holds a master’s degree in Developmental Psychology and is a Certified Martial Art Instructor. He loves to walk his three-legged dog Nikolai in the hills of Santa Fe, New Mexico, enjoy a good beer, write and play tennis. He is the author of The Remarkable Self: A Manual for the New Leader and uses his knowledge of psychology, organizational development and martial arts to bring teams to higher levels of performance.

Ben’s other endeavors include working with school-age children as a life-skills coach helping them people prepare for the challenges of the real world; as a certified Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance® instructor helping older adults in his community prevent accidental injury and death from falls and is currently the Board President of the Santa Fe Healthcare Network, an active member of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library fundraising committee.

CFRE Credits

Participants can receive 3 CFRE credits for this training. Participants must ask for a CFRE certificate when they check-in on the day of the training. 

Guiding Practices for Nonprofits

• Nonprofit leaders should ensure that conflicting views can be expressed respectfully on the way to reaching resolution.
• Nonprofit leaders should lead by example and provide oversight on moral and ethical issues and decision-making.
• Nonprofit leaders should communicate, model and hold themselves and employees accountable to the organizational values and principles, norms and behaviors expected of colleagues.
• Nonprofits should create a culture of open and transparent internal communication that encourages employees to participate in and contribute to discussions and where management actively solicits, listens and responds respectfully to their views.
• Nonprofits should respond to ideas, concerns and feedback from employees and volunteers, with a commitment to fully understanding their perspective and taking action if necessary.
• Nonprofits should create a culture where regular, open communication is a priority; internal information is shared appropriately; and employees are given opportunities to provide input about organizational activities and results.

The Guide is available as a free digital download at CNPENM.org/Guide. Hard copies of the Guide and Companion Workbook will be available for purchase at this training for $25 each with a credit card or check.

The Center for Nonprofit Excellence often takes photos during our trainings to share on social media. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let us know in the Special Needs field when you register.