"Homelessness is an issue I thought I understood well, but my experience with the Shelter Network has given me valuable insight into some of the issues nonprofits in this space grapple with, which has broadened my
understanding of the issue as a whole."
-Board Fellow Sarah Garrett, MBA '08 (left) with Saamra Mekuria-Grillo, MBA '09 (center) and Michele Jackson, Executive Director of the Shelter Network
DOC 39 KB]
Board Fellows Program: Information for Nonprofit Organizations
Each fall, the Board Fellows program accepts applications from nonprofit organizations interested in hosting a student from the Stanford Graduate School of Business for a six to eight month experience as a non-voting board member. The application round for the 07-08 academic year is now closed. Organizations interested in hosting a student in the 08-09 academic year are invited to contact the Board Fellows Leadership Team for more details. For informative documents, please see the links to the right.
Benefits to Participating Nonprofit Organizations
- New ideas and energy from future business leaders
- A small consulting project to improve key strategic or operational issues within the organization
- Opportunity to establish relationships with the Stanford Graduate School of Business and its Public Management Program, a source of high caliber leaders and volunteers in the Bay Area
The consulting project is designed to meet the needs of the organization by leveraging the Fellow's management skills. Such projects typically include developing marketing plans for new membership or sponsorship, assessing new program and joint venture opportunities, and conducting cost/benefit assessments of major activities. The project should be designed to take advantage of the Fellow's skills while being a managable scope to accommodate the student's heavy academic obligations.
Selection Process
Both students and boards apply to be a part of the program. Participating nonprofit organizations are selected through a simple application process. The selected organizations should demonstrate regular and efficient opportunities for the Fellow to participate in board proceedings, the appropriateness of the proposed project, and the promise of a high-quality mentorship relationship. The program seeks a range of boards from every sector, including those with local, regional, and national orientations.
Successful Project Examples
- Development of a plan to implement information technology into Bay Area classrooms
- Creation of a volunteer intake system to coordinate recruitment, placement, action planning and evaluation
- Preparation of a major website plan
- Design of a process to assess customer satisfaction
Feedback from Host Organizations
- "Our Fellow and his project made a tremendous impact on our strategic thinking."
- "Thank you for setting up the program...it works."
- "My hope is that every one of your Fellows goes on to serve as a board member in the communities where they find employment."
Contact Us
Email
the Board Fellows Leadership Team
Email Liz S. Peintner, Assistant Director, Public Management Program
