Excellence in Board Leadership

SPONSOR: Kaiser Permanente

2011 Award Recipient: John Curtis, Board Member, Family Service Agency of Marin

Like many nonprofits, the last several years have been fiscally challenging for FSA. Reductions in public and private funding necessitated painful downsizing of staff and programs, as well as other cost saving measures.

Realizing the importance of taking control of their destiny instead of reacting to environmental forces, John took the lead in enlisting the support of a skilled volunteer in strategic planning through the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership’s ProBono Marin program, establishing a board, staff and volunteer task force.

The group held two-hour meetings every other week for more than a year making regular reports to the board and management team to present recommendations. The workgroup established key initiatives and the findings were complied in a final report in June. One of the areas of high priority from this endeavor was to pursue potential affiliations with other organizations within the context of the evolving and changing healthcare environment.

John provided leadership in identifying and responding to prospective partners and zeroed in on one. A joint merger group was created for a final recommendation.

John joined the board to give back to his community, using his expertise in the field of mental health helping to bridge essential life saving services to disadvantage families in need. John has kept the mission of the organization in the forefront of the planning.

Over the past year, the amount of time he has devoted exceeded 40 hours per month. John is committed to working in collaboration with staff and volunteers and is an active partner with the constituents and the community.

The Excellence in Board Leadership Award and $5,000 for the recipient’s nonprofit is presented to an exceptional volunteer member of a Marin nonprofit board of directors.

Download 2011 Heart of Marin Brochure and Form

1. Using examples from the past 12 moths describe how the nominee has made a significant, positive, measurable impact on the organization.

2. How has the nominee demonstrated leadership, dedication and exhibited best practices in nonprofit governance during the past 12months?

3. Describe how the nominee has supported a collaborative relationship with the executive director, constituents and/or the community.

4. Briefly state the organization’s mission and services offered.