LETTER: Another resource for non-profit board members

We at the Whitefish Community Foundation are happy to see the recent dialogue started by Susan Repa and continued by Kristin Bruninga in letters regarding financial oversight of nonprofit boards.

So many of us in our community give selflessly of our time to many worthy causes through board service. But with that service comes a great deal of responsibility for oversight. As a board member, you should not take your responsibility lightly. Board members come from a variety of backgrounds, some with and some without prior board experience. For that reason, it is crucial that board members educate themselves, and that nonprofits offer resources and guidance in order for them to do so.

The Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership is one such resource. Our organization also serves as a resource to nonprofit boards and staff. Every spring we offer a half-day workshop to our local nonprofits on a variety of relevant topics. This year our workshop will be at the end of April and will focus on board oversight and best practices for accounting and finances.

We will be offering this workshop absolutely free, so be sure to take advantage and bring as many board members and staff as possible. Visit our website for updates on the workshop, and other useful information for nonprofits. You may also sign up for our newsletter.

And, as always, nonprofits can contact us anytime for guidance, we are here to help! —Linda Engh-Grady and Daria Perez, Whitefish Community Foundation