35: Vital Resources from BoardSource (Jim Taylor)

035: Vital Resources from BoardSource (Jim Taylor)SUMMARYHow can a nonprofit leader take advantage of the resources BoardSource has to offer, especially in a time of uncertainty and strategic challenge?  The answers come from Jim Taylor, who not only highlights the tools available from BoardSource for nonprofit leaders everywhere, but also leans on his personal and professional experience to add even greater value for listeners of this episode of the Path.  A pandemic certainly highlights vulnerabilities within the nonprofit sector, and Jim thoughtfully discusses existing issues for nonprofit boards as they consider their commitment to equity.  We also discussed the dueling challenges facing many nonprofit CEO’s, who struggle with either a dis-engaged board OR one that is micromanaging them. What can staff leaders do to help board members better engage? What can board members do to be more effective?  How does BoardSource help both sides?  We tackle these questions and much more.ABOUT JIMAs Vice President of Leadership Initiatives, Jim focuses on leading BoardSource’s efforts to position nonprofit boards for stronger leadership on diversity, inclusion, and equity. This includes leading the organization’s work to spark and support understanding, action, and change at the board level on these issues; serving as an external representative, speaker, and writer; developing new resources and programming; and partnering with peer organizations around the country. Prior to joining BoardSource, Jim served as the Vice President of Multicultural Leadership at AARP, the Director of Community Relations and Director of Community Development at Capital One, Director of Product Innovation at Fannie Mae, and Corporate Relations Program Officer at the Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships.  Jim has served on boards of directors and advisory boards of multiple nonprofits, including Carpenter’s Shelter, the Latino Economic Development Center, the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers, the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County, Shelter House, and LearnServe International. Jim is from Long Island, New York and earned an MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School and a BA from the University of Virginia.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESJim’s article What Board Commitment to Equity Looks Like in This MomentBoardSource’s special Resource Guide on COVID-19Michael Watkins’ book The First 90 Days