Registration is under way for a free seminar on improving the quality of non-profit or governmental boards.

Registration has begun for a free, two-hour training session later this month designed to improve the quality of both non-profit and governmental boards.  The session, which is sponsored by Winneshiek County Development, Inc., will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 13th at the Decorah City Hall, will be led by Jeff Schott of the Institute of Public Affairs, which is affiliated with the University of Iowa.  Schott has been director of the Institute of Public Affairs since 2006. He was the city manager for the city of Marion from 1987-2006, and before that served as Marion's community development director.

The workshop will discuss several questions, including:
•    How should a nonprofit board of directors be structured?
•    How can we contribute to effective board organization?
•    How large should our board be?
•    What should be the length of a board member's term?
•    What committees should our board have?
•    Should the executive director be a member of the board?

The training session will also discuss:
•    Board duties and responsibilities
•    Policy development and analysis
•    Policy and program evaluation and oversight
•    Strategies for enhancing board effectiveness
•    Board orientation
•    Teamwork
•    Decision-making
•    Questions to ask as board members

There is no cost to attend the workshop.  However, advance registration is required. To register, contact WCDI Director Randy Uhl at 382-6061 or e-mail wcdi@thinkdecorah.com