In the spring of 2024, MNA solicited requests for facilitators and participants to host a focus group exploring what it really means for boards to be welcoming and inclusive. We received a robust and exciting response from folks that wanted to help us all understand the barriers and opportunities to working better together in Montana.

We were delighted to work with Christal Cherry, The Board Pro, to facilitate two conversations this summer with participants from across Montana. These conversations informed the summary below, written by Christal Cherry.

As noted in the RFP, MNA is committed to centering belonging and equity in the nonprofit sector, and recognizes diverse and representative boards are an important component of effective mission-based organizations. However, boards remain largely homogenous, as outlined in BoardSource’s 2021 Leading with Intent report. Barriers remain for sustaining board service long past recruitment, and while policy development and cultural shifts may help with retention, there remains a gap between opportunity and reality. This project seeks to begin filling that gap through curating stories, solutions, and opportunities for boards to build a healthy culture for all board members. 

Moving forward, MNA will be reviewing the report and identifying tools, templates, and trainings needed to address the barriers to participation too many potential volunteers and board members face. You can expect an update from us on this topic in December of 2024.

We are grateful to Christal Cherry for facilitating and to the participants who all demonstrated leadership, vulnerability, and accountability – we are grateful for your gifts of time and wisdom.

We invite you to read the report below. If you have thoughts, ideas, or requests for this ongoing project, we invite you to jump into our online forum or fill out our anonymous form.