Skip to Content

Public Management Program

 

Board Fellows Program: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the Board Fellow?

Board Fellows are expected to serve as non-voting board members so that they can understand first-hand the experience of serving on a nonprofit board. Fellows are active participants on the board and in meetings. Over the course of the Board Fellowship, Fellows also complete a project for the organization.

How much time will a Board Fellow commit to my organization?

Stanford MBAs are notoriously hard workers. Fellows are full-time students but delight in giving a lot to everything they do. Over the course of the academic year, Fellows commit an average of about 4 hours per month attending board and committee meetings and 20-30 hours over the course of the year working on projects.

How much time will my organization need to invest in the program?

Each participating nonprofit must designate a board member who will mentor the Fellow. The mentor orients the Fellow to the organization and helps the fellow understand its mission, strategy, and challenges. The mentor also works closely with the Fellow to identify a meaningful project for the organization. Generally, board members and staff members should expect to spend a total of 10-15 hours working with their Fellow over the course of the year.

How are Board Fellows selected and matched with my organization?

The Board Fellows program is highly selective. Fellows are screened through applications and interviews, and must demonstrate a strong commitment to the program, a history of academic and professional excellence, and professionalism. Once accepted, Fellows are matched to nonprofits based on mutual interests and the needs of the organization. We therefore strongly encourage you to be as explicit as possible in your application in describing your Board and the roles that a Fellow might play. While we do our best to accommodate the wishes of each organization, we believe each Fellow admitted to the program brings a set of skills that will be valuable to the nonprofit.

What types of students participate in Board Fellows?

Board Fellows are all Stanford MBA students. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds and typically have 2-5 years of professional experience prior to beginning their MBA.

What steps should we take to create a successful relationship with the Fellow?

A member of the Board or the Executive Director should serve as the Fellow's mentor and point of contact with the organization. The Fellow should be treated as if he or she were a full board member and invited to all events to which a board member would be invited. The most successful relationships integrate the Fellow into board committees and regular board operations.

What are some of the projects that Board Fellows undertake?

Projects are proposed by the board and executive director of participating organizations. Projects vary widely, but are designed to leverage the Fellow's management skills and should expose the Fellow to the strategic and operational issues faced by nonprofits. Fellows should not be asked to solicit donations as part of their project. Successful projects include:

  • Conducting a board effectiveness audit by interviewing board members
  • Segmenting the organization's donor base and analyzing current fundraising efforts to increase donations
  • Benchmarking the marketing activities of similar nonprofits around the country to understand best practices
  • Developing a strategic planning process for the organization
  • Developing a survey tool to understand customer satisfaction and needs
  • Building a financial model to improve planning and cost tracking

How do we create a successful project?

The Fellow's mentor should work closely with the Fellow to identify a project that is meaningful to the organization, utilizes the student's skills and experience, and can be done on the student's own time. The project should be clearly defined and discrete (e.g., can be completed by the end of the academic year).

Do Board Fellows receive academic credit or a paid stipend for their work?

No. Board Fellows volunteer their time and skills to nonprofit organizations. Occasionally, Board Fellows who want to execute a more in-depth and comprehensive project with a larger scope take the initiative to work with their organization and a find a faculty sponsor to conduct and independent study project for credit.

What type of training and support is provided to Fellows and participating nonprofit organizations?

The Board Fellows program sponsors several mandatory trainings throughout the year, including a kickoff reception for Fellows and nonprofit hosts, a session on the basics of nonprofit board governance, and peer networking sessions for Board Fellows working on similar projects. The program also provides recommended readings and resources for various projects types and stores examples of past projects. In addition, the Board Fellows leaders and Public Management Program staff are always available for help and advice.

What are the advantages of having two Fellows assigned to my organization?

Feedback from boards and students suggests that matching both a first year and a second year student with an organization provides continuity for the nonprofit from year to year, helps new fellows get up-to-speed quickly, and facilitates the completion of a quality project.

What if the student is not a good match with my organization?

If you feel the match is not working, please contact the Board Fellows leadership immediately. The best solution will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Not a GSB student but want to start your own Board Fellows program?

Find the answers you need in Board Fellows Programs for MBA Schools: A Guide to Starting a Board Fellows Program [PDF icon] from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College, authored with assistance from Stanford GSB and other schools with Board Fellows programs.

Who is in charge of the program and whom should I contact with concerns?

All questions and concerns should be emailed to the to the program's staff advisor:

Liz S. Peintner, Assistant Director
Phone: 650-736-8899