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The Value of Nonprofit Board Service

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Did you know there are more than 1,500 charitable nonprofit organizations in San Luis Obispo County? By law, each of them must be governed by a board of directors.

Serving as a director on a nonprofit board offers valuable benefits to both you and your community. You’ll develop leadership skills, expand your network, and make a meaningful impact on a cause you care about. Your volunteer service ensures the organization stays mission-focused and effective, supporting positive change and enhancing the quality of life in your community.

In the video below, Spokes CEO Michael Simkins addresses members of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, sharing deeper insights into the benefits of nonprofit board service—and why it’s a valuable opportunity for everyone. He emphasizes the importance of local employers supporting and encouraging employee involvement, highlighting the transferable skills employees gain and bring back to the workplace.

Interested in serving on a nonprofit board but unsure about the responsibilities and level of commitment involved? Spokes offers a free, live 45-minute online class—Board Service 101—quarterly.

Register for an upcoming live session:

June 10

September 9

December 9

Or, view the following recording of a past Board Service 101 class:

Spokes on Congalton

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Monday, March 10, 2025 Spokes CEO Michael Simkins and Spokes board member Liz Summer were interviewed by Dave Congalton on his KVEC show, Hometown Radio. Take a listen.

KVEC radio logo

Nonprofit Storytelling

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In our recent Board Academy session focused on Fundraising and Resource Development, we discussed the importance of storytelling. To create a lasting emotional connection with the general public, media and donors, your board of directors––and actually every member of your organization––should be prepared to tell their own impactful story as it relates to your organization’s mission.

Given recent executive actions affecting nonprofits, storytelling to donors, media and Congress is increasingly critical. You need to be able to effectively communicate why your organization is important, and what would happen if it wasn’t here?

Here are some components of effective nonprofit storytelling from ChatGPT:

1. A Relatable Protagonist

  • Focus on a real person, group, or community that has benefited from your work.
  • The protagonist should be someone your audience can empathize with.

2. A Compelling Challenge

  • Highlight the struggle or problem the protagonist faced before your nonprofit stepped in.
  • Make the challenge specific, urgent, and emotionally resonant.

3. A Clear Resolution (Impact of Your Work)

  • Show how your nonprofit’s intervention made a difference.
  • Use concrete details, data, and personal testimonials to illustrate success.

4. Emotional Connection

  • Use emotions like hope, joy, or perseverance to engage your audience.
  • Show, don’t just tell—use vivid descriptions, quotes, and imagery.

5. A Call to Action (CTA)

  • Inspire your audience to take action (donate, volunteer, share the story, etc.).
  • Make the CTA clear, direct, and easy to follow.

6. Authenticity and Transparency

  • Stay true to the story and avoid exaggeration or manipulation.
  • If using real individuals, obtain permission and respect their privacy.

7. Multi-Channel Delivery

  • Use visuals, videos, and testimonials to enhance engagement.
  • Adapt your story for different platforms (social media, website, email, video, etc.).

Check out this Forbes article for more storytelling tips and tools. If you’re looking to invest in your storytelling abilities, the annual Nonprofit Storytelling Conference is a great resource.

Spotlight on Spokes

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On October 8, 2024, Spokes board member Liz Summer and CEO Michael Simkins had the opportunity to talk with long-time radio host Dave Congalton on KVEC’s The Dave Congalton Show. Topics that came up included the difficulty nonprofits are having replenishing their pool of volunteers, efforts to help nonprofits diversify their boards, and how people can get involved with board service. Listen below!

Image used by permission.

Board Service 101

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Serving as a director on a nonprofit board offers valuable benefits to both you and your community. You’ll develop leadership skills, expand your network, and make a meaningful impact on a cause you care about. Your volunteer service ensures the organization stays mission-focused and effective, supporting positive change and enhancing the quality of life in your community.

Topics in this short introduction include:

Your responsibilities as a director
The three “duties” of a nonprofit director
Finding the right board for you
Typical time and financial commitment

Guiding nonprofits to achieve their goals through support and expert resources.

How Can We Make A Difference Together?

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