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Board Shorts

Bite-Sized Learning for Stronger Nonprofit Leadership

Board Shorts is an ongoing professional development series created in direct response to requests from nonprofit leaders seeking accessible, meaningful training opportunities for their boards and leadership teams. Each module is designed to deliver high-impact learning in approximately 30 minutes, making them easy to incorporate at the beginning of regular board meetings or during leadership retreats without overwhelming busy schedules.

These short, focused sessions combine engaging video content with a concise lesson and discussion guide on a key topic in nonprofit leadership. Designed to spark conversation and deepen understanding, Board Shorts help boards strengthen their knowledge and capacity in essential areas such as diversity, effective governance, leadership dynamics, storytelling, and organizational sustainability.

One of the key features of Board Shorts is their ease of use. They are intentionally designed so that anyone can facilitate them without prior expertise in the topic. Each module provides all the materials and guidance needed to lead a productive conversation and learning experience, making them ideal for organizations of all sizes and experience levels.

Because they are modular and adaptable, Board Shorts can be used individually as stand-alone trainings or woven into a year-round board development plan. The series is continuously expanding based on the evolving needs of nonprofit organizations, ensuring that each new installment remains timely, relevant, and responsive to the challenges boards face today.

Whether you’re looking to build shared language around inclusion, clarify board roles and responsibilities, or simply invest in your team’s ongoing growth, Board Shorts offers a practical and impactful way to strengthen leadership one meeting at a time.

How to use

Board Shorts is a flexible professional development series designed for nonprofit boards and leadership teams. Each module takes about 30 minutes and can easily be adapted to fit shorter meeting times. No prior expertise is needed to lead or participate. Each session includes a short lesson plan, a video (in most cases), and a discussion or activity to help boards learn together and apply new concepts right away.

Board Shorts were created to:

  • Strengthen board knowledge and confidence.
  • Encourage continuous learning without requiring long trainings or external facilitators.
  • Build shared understanding and alignment among board members over time.

Format Options

Option 1: Full 30-Minute Session - Each full session includes:

  • Video Lesson (10 to 15 minutes) — Play the short curated video to introduce core ideas.
  • Discussion & Activity (10–15 minutes) — Use the included worksheet or guiding questions to connect the lesson to your organization’s work.
  • Identify one practical takeaway or change to implement.

Option 2: Split into Two 15-Minute Segments - When you only have a few minutes per meeting, split each module across two sessions:

  • Part 1 – Watch & Reflect (15 minutes)
    • Introduce the topic and show the video. (Not all modules have a video component.) 
    • Encourage members to consider how the topic shows up in your organization before the next meeting.
  • Part 2 – Discuss & Apply (15 minutes)
    • Begin by revisiting key points from the previous session.
    • Complete the activity or small group discussion.
    • Identify one practical takeaway or change to implement.

How to Facilitate a Session

  • Preview the Materials - In most cases, the only thing needed is the presentation itself. Some session have handouts or worksheets to accompany the presentation and that is indicated in the lesson plan.
  • Review the video and lesson plan ahead of time. Decide whether to use the full or split format.
  • Set the Stage - Share the learning objective so participants know why the topic matters.
  • Play the Video - Most sessions include a video.
  • Lead the Discussion/Activity - Use the discussion questions included in the lesson plans or on the presentation slides. Feel free to add your own. Handouts and Activity Worksheets are included in the lesson plans, along with any Activity instructions.
  • Wrap up with one insight or action the board can apply before the next meeting.

Suggested Uses

  • Begin each board or committee meeting with a mini learning segment.
  • Integrate into annual retreats or orientation sessions.
  • Use selectively for targeted board development topics.
  • Combine several modules for a themed training series (e.g., “Governance & Leadership” or “Fundraising Foundations”).

Tips for Success

  • Rotate facilitators so different board members lead each session.
  • Keep discussions focused but conversational.
  • Encourage personal connections. How does this topic affect our board, our mission, and our community?
  • Revisit completed modules during annual evaluations to reflect on progress.

Each Board Shorts module includes:

  • Lesson Plan, including discussion questions or activities
  • Video Link - where applicable
  • Handout or Worksheet - where applicable

The Governance Series is designed to strengthen the foundation of effective nonprofit leadership. Through five concise, discussion-based modules, board members will explore the essential elements of strong governance from understanding the organization’s purpose to planning for its future. Each 30-minute session blends short video content with guided conversation and practical takeaways that boards can apply immediately to improve performance, accountability, and alignment.

This series is ideal for both new and experienced board members, providing a shared framework for understanding roles, responsibilities, and the culture that drives a successful organization.

Included Modules

Module 1: Mission, Vision, and Values
Clarify the guiding principles that shape your organization’s direction. This session explores how mission, vision, and values work together to inform decision-making and ensure that every action aligns with purpose.

Module 2: Board Duties
Understand the legal, ethical, and practical responsibilities of board service. Learn about the “Three Duties” framework — Duty of Care, Loyalty, and Obedience — and how to apply them in real-world governance situations.

Module 3: Team Culture
Strong governance depends on strong relationships. This module focuses on communication, collaboration, and trust-building within the board. Participants will identify ways to create an inclusive and productive culture that supports shared leadership.

Module 4: Compliance
Explore the systems and structures that keep your organization accountable. This modle introduces 4 practical checklists and assessment tools for your organization.

Module 5: Strategic Recruiting
Build a strong, diverse, and high-functioning board through intentional recruitment strategies. This module covers identifying gaps, understanding board needs, and finding the right people to support mission-driven governance and sustainability.

Module 6: Comprehensive Onboarding
Set new board members up for success. Participants will explore how to create an onboarding process that equips incoming leaders with the knowledge, tools, and relationships they need to contribute meaningfully from day one.

Module 7: Succession Planning
Good governance includes preparing for the future. This session covers strategies for identifying and developing future leaders, ensuring continuity of mission, and managing transitions with intention and stability.

Learning Outcomes

By completing the Governance Series, boards will:

  • Strengthen their understanding of core governance principles.
  • Build a unified sense of purpose and direction.
  • Improve accountability and compliance practices.
  • Cultivate a culture of trust and shared leadership.
  • Develop proactive approaches to leadership transition and sustainability.

The Modules

The Diversity Series invites nonprofit boards and leaders to deepen their understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and how these values shape organizational culture and effectiveness. Across five short, discussion-based modules, participants will explore both personal and organizational dimensions of diversity while building awareness, examining systems, and identifying actionable steps toward more inclusive leadership.

Designed for boards of all sizes and experience levels, this series helps teams move beyond statements of inclusion to meaningful, sustainable practice that reflects the communities they serve.

Included Modules

Module 1: Foundations
Establish a shared understanding of key concepts such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Explore why DEIB matters in nonprofit governance and how it connects to mission, community trust, and long-term impact.

Module 2: Intersectionality
Understand how people’s overlapping identities such as race, gender, sexuality, ability, and class shape their lived experiences. This module helps boards recognize how intersectionality influences participation, representation, and access within organizations.

Module 3: Bias and Privilege
Identify and unpack the conscious and unconscious biases that affect decision-making. Learn to recognize privilege not as blame, but as an opportunity to build awareness, empathy, and equity in board and community leadership.

Module 4: Representation and Communication
Examine how representation and language impact inclusion. Participants will explore how boards communicate internally and externally, ensuring that messaging, leadership, and visibility reflect genuine inclusion and respect.

Module 5: The Organization
Apply learning to the organizational level. Assess policies, practices, and culture to identify barriers to inclusion and develop action steps for creating a more equitable and welcoming nonprofit environment.

Learning Outcomes

By completing the Diversity Series, boards will:

  • Develop a shared vocabulary and understanding of DEIB principles.
  • Recognize and address bias, privilege, and inequity in governance.
  • Strengthen inclusive communication and representation practices.
  • Evaluate organizational systems through an equity lens.
  • Commit to continuous learning and action that fosters belonging.

The Modules