The Fellowship
Fellows commit to spending approximately eight to ten hours per month on nonprofit board service. This includes time attending board meetings (usually in the evening) and completing a strategically significant project identified by the Board.
Together with the participating BBF nonprofit organizations, selected Fellows will scope out a strategically significant business project typically drawing from finance, marketing, strategy, or governance. As one nonprofit partner quipped, “Do not check your business training at the door. Your educational and practical business skills are what are required to propel our mission-driven enterprise.” Project work may be carried out through an identified Committee (on which the Fellow will serve). Completed project work is presented to the Board or Committee at the Fellow’s last meeting (usually in April) and archived with the Center.
- Mentors. Fellows are integrated into host boards with the guidance of a board member who is the primary board resource for the duration of service (October – April). Mentors also field questions and provide feedback for Fellows on the required Board project work.
- Kickoff. Fellows and Mentors meet in October to discuss and develop project and work plans and agree upon cadence, board and committee meeting dates, methods of communication, etc.
- Finale. Wrap-up meeting in April where Fellows share service experiences and discuss future board service goals.
Timeline
- Nonprofit Applications – Due August 31, 2023
- Student Info Session – August 2023
- Student Applications – Due September 2023
- Student and Nonprofit Notification – End of September 2023
Late Sep 2023 – Fellows Workshop
- Student-focused workshop to prepare fellows for the program
Oct 2023 – Kickoff Meeting
- Board Mentors and Fellows meet, set norms and expectations, align schedules, begin scoping project
Late Oct 2023 – Project Scopes Due
- Project scopes are due from each Board Mentor/Fellows’ Team
November 2023 – Cohort Discussion
- Student-focused discussion to share challenges and lessons learned
January 2024 – Midpoint check-in
- CSSL staff check-in with students and organizations
February 2024 – Fellows Workshop
- Student-focused workshop to continue building relevant skills
February 2024 – Non-Profit Workshop
- Nonprofit organizational workshop, peer learning, and networking
February 2024 – Cohort Discussion
- Student-focused discussion to share challenges and lessons learned
March 2024 – Cohort Discussion
- Student-focused discussion to share challenges and lessons learned
April 2024 – Program Finale
- Mentors and Fellows convene to share and celebrate their experience
Matching Process
Students are selected to participate in the Berkeley Board Fellows program through a competitive application process (application coming soon). Once the Center selects Fellows, it matches them to the nonprofits that align best with Fellows’ industry experience and personal interests. If you have specific questions about the application process, please email [email protected].
