Many non-profit organizations, particularly in senior living, are facing a crisis in volunteer leadership due to industry complexity and changing board expectations. Board members seek purpose and meaningful contributions but often struggle to engage because they lack industry knowledge. This disconnect results in waning attendance, inconsistent strategic direction, and difficulty navigating change. Organizations must rethink their governance approach to better utilize board members as strategic assets. This session will explore key success factors in building and maintaining an effective board, including strategic oversight, generative discussions, committee structures, and clear member expectations. Attendees will gain insights from case studies of senior living organizations that have successfully leveraged their boards for long-term success. Practical strategies will be shared to help organizations strengthen board engagement and leadership effectiveness.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the critical success factors in creating a high-quality board in today’s dynamic environment
2. Recognize the signs of the decline of board effectiveness and understand techniques to ensure board process attracts good board participants
3. Apply the learning to their organization to ensure the aging services field has the necessary leadership to be successful in the future