What I’ve Learned in 6 Years as a Board Member of a National Nonprofit

Just received this beautiful plaque to commemorate 6 Years on the National Board of AVANCE (www.avance.org), a national nonprofit transforming families through an innovative parent-child educational model. The organization has changed dramatically throughout my 3 Board terms and I’ve personally learned and developed tremendously as a Board member. My oldest was just 6 months when I joined the Board and now I have a 6.5, 4.5 and 2.5-year-old. During the past 6 years, I’ve been honored to see and witness the power of early childhood education from the Boardroom to our own Playroom. It was often tough traveling to Board meetings and committing to long conference calls but in the end, it was all worth it. Here are 6 key observations from my 6 Years as a Nonprofit Board Member:

1. Nonprofits are tough. Long-term leaders in nonprofits must be passionate, resilient and full of grit. Sustainability of funding sources is a key issue for nonprofits.

2. Early childhood education is one of the best ways we can spend our public and private dollars. Much has been written here but I’ve personally seen the impact of quality early childhood education and can’t say enough about investment here versus almost any other use of public money.