Creating & Retaining Board Diversity

A Collaboration Between Diversity Coalition SLO County & Spokes

Generously Supported by the City of San Luis Obispo

A key component of a healthy board is diversity. Critical to meeting the varied needs of the distinct populations a nonprofit serves, it should be a principal goal of any organization. 

However, a recent report conducted by the Unity Committee––created by the SLO Sheriff’s Office and supported by the Diversity Coalition SLO County––showed historical and current overrepresentation of white people in board leadership, and concluded more than half of local boards consisted entirely of white board members. This inequity among influential positions that affect policy and practice within local organizations serves to perpetuate inequitable opportunities and outcomes.

To overcome the perceived shortage of trained, willing and supported Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) ready to serve on boards, the Diversity Coalition proposed to the City of SLO a BIPOC Board Leadership Training Program designed to recruit, train and ready local BIPOC professionals for board service.

Upon training completion, each BIPOC cohort will be then provided board matching assistance by way of connection to local boards through in-person mixer events and other networking opportunities.

In an effort to help ensure successful BIPOC board placement, support and retainment, the Diversity Coalition invited Spokes as a collaborative partner to provide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) training to its membership of local nonprofits, as well as other interested organizations.

Creating and Retaining an Inclusive Board Environment Workshops

In coordination with the Diversity Coalition’s BIPOC Board Leadership Training Program, Spokes will offer two facilitated, panelist-led workshops in 2024 on the topic of Creating and Retaining an Inclusive Board Environment. 

These workshops will be designed for nonprofit board presidents and members of governance/nominating committees looking to diversify and planning to attend BIPOC Board Leadership mixer/matching events.

Event Dates:

• May 30, 2024, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. @ People’s Self-Help Housing in SLO
• November 7, 2024, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Basics for Board Members Classes

Additionally, Spokes will offer two Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Basics for Board Members classes as part of its Board Academy 2024. These classes will address topics critical to BIPOC board member support and retention, including implicit bias, privilege acknowledgement, social responsibility, and how socialization and culture impact the work of nonprofits. 

A well-attended, initial class was held in March, with another planned for fall 2024. Stay tuned for an official date as it’s determined.