Berkeley Board Fellows

“Through Berkeley Board Fellows, I got to work on a very interesting problem for a well established national non-profit. The skills needed directly built on tools I was learning in my classes (Micro Economics and Marketing), and the role I got to play was very similar to one I’m trying to pivot my career into – Product Management” 

– Avinash Javaji, MBA Class of 2021

2020-2021 BBF Participant Timeline Overview

Benefits for Berkeley Board Fellows

Organizations in many of our local communities are especially stretched thin as they strain to provide extra help to children, youth and their families, in childcare, schools, food provision, afterschool activities and more. In response to this particularly high need, Berkeley Board Fellows this year will focus on local organizations serving children. Key components and Fellow requirements include:

• Time Commitment. Fellows commit to spending approximately eight hours/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.
• Board Project. 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 is usually 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 or May) 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 – May). Mentors also field questions and provide feedback for Fellows on the required Board project work.
• Students receive two units of credit; one unit of credit for the Nonprofit Boards course and one unit of credit for Berkeley Board Fellows experiential learning.
• Kickoff. Fellows and Mentors meet to discuss and develop project and work plans and agree upon cadence, board and committee meeting dates, methods of communication, etc. Usually planned in October.
• Finale. Wrap-up meeting in April where Fellows share service experiences with each other and discuss future board service goals.

Fellows are required to take the Nonprofit Boards: Governance and Leadership class offered both spring and fall semesters . This one-unit course provides students with a working knowledge of the role played by boards of directors in the nonprofit sector and prepares them to be active and informed members of nonprofit board.  Get exposed to all the things you need to know before starting your own nonprofit board career.  Specifically, the course will explore the following aspects of boards:

• Why boards exist, their legal and fiduciary responsibilities, and the differences between for-profit and nonprofit boards, including Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements.
• The responsibilities of nonprofit boards, with a special focus on practical issues that are likely to emerge as boards seek to fulfill their responsibilities?
• The enablers of strong board performance and how good boards deal with the many practical challenges and tradeoffs in executing these best practices?
• How boards interact with chief executives, staff and community?
• Board assessment tools and other resources board members can draw on to improve governance?
• How should you think about joining a nonprofit board and becoming an effective director?

Students will have the opportunity to meet members of the Bay Area nonprofit sector, including current board members, chief executives, and fundraisers to discuss their roles and learn firsthand the challenges facing these different leaders in an increasingly competitive nonprofit marketplace. In order to enroll in this course, students will need to use 80 bid points.

Timeline