.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} When the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation launched a training series for people who serve on non-profit boards, the response was strong. The education series has remained popular, as events such as the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium salary scandal make people realize the important responsibilities board members have.

The BoardLaunch series of workshops was created in the fall of 2005 with the goal of enhancing the management and leadership skills of board members of local charities. Kristi Knous, the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation’s vice president of donor relations and programs, expected about 25 people to sign up for each of the first three workshops when the program launched. Instead, as many as 75 people registered for the sessions. Since then, the workshops have become regular offerings in the community each fall and spring. To date, 525 people have participated in the 11 different workshops that have been offered.

Topics covered in the three-hour BoardLaunch workshops have included understanding non-profit financials, fundraising and working with the media. Knous said the foundation hires instructors with expertise on each topic to teach the sessions. Knous said some non-profit organizations have signed their entire board of directors up for the workshops, whether they are new or experienced board members.

“It’s great to see the seasoned people there who recognize that there is always more to learn,” she said.

The training is a natural fit for Principal Financial Group Inc., which encourages its leaders to be involved in the community, said Libby Jacobs, Principal’s community relations director.

“For employees who are currently serving on community boards, or who have an interest in board service, we have encouraged them to sign up for two or more sessions,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs said that her company views community board placement as a way to hone leadership skills, become active in something outside of their day-to-day jobs, learn more about the community and meet new people. Jacobs attended the session about understanding financial statements and recommends it to others.

“There are so many responsibilities for board members today,” she said, “and this gives people a forum to learn all the many nuances. It’s a great way to boost your confidence about your role, too.”

For this spring’s series, which begins April 10, the foundation has also opened up registration to other employees of non-profit organizations who may have an interest in particular topics such as fundraising. The decision to expand registration was prompted by several requests from local organizations.

“We get calls year-round now from people asking about BoardLaunch,” Knous said. “It’s great to see so much buzz about it, and we are committed to keeping the program going for the community.”