‘Get on Board’ with Junior League Training

When Kelly Harris moved to New Orleans in 2008, she was looking for a way to meet friends and connections.  She found Get on Board, a program run by the Junior League of New Orleans which trains people to serve on nonprofit boards and places them with organizations.

“Part of Junior League’s mission is training young women who then go out in their communities and do good things, so Get on Board fits right in with that,” said Get on Board president Erin Luetkemeier.

The six-week program covers all aspects of nonprofit board membership, from legal and financial responsibilities to serving on committees and attending meetings.  For Harris, who had nonprofit board experience, Get on Board provided a useful refresher course as well as a social outlet, networking opportunities, and a way to learn about the city.

“As someone new to New Orleans, I looked forward to the classes,” said Harris.  “In a room full of people representing various nonprofits in New Orleans, I learned about how nonprofits were adjusting to changes after Katrina and how they were regrouping after the storm, sometimes with fewer resources but with a lot of resiliency.”

Due to her interest and experience in literacy organizations, Harris was placed on the board of STAIR – Start the Adventure in Reading – a 25-year-old organization that trains volunteers to teach second-grade public school students how to read.

“There’s not a lot of funding, so it’s about rolling up your sleeves and reaching out to communities,” said Harris.  “That really takes everybody working together to keep the organization afloat.”

“Kelly is a great board member,” said Sara Woodard, executive director of STAIR.  “Getting board members from this program has been very helpful.  I know they’ve been through a rigorous training program, so they’ll be ready to serve as an active board member and to contribute to the organization.”

“There’s a remarkable diversity of people in the program, from bankers to teachers, and last time we even had a cheesemaker,” said Get on Board chair Tara Luparello.  “These are the next generation of philanthropists.  They’re doing it because they care about the community.  These are people who will be board presidents in ten years – the next generation of leaders.”

The Junior League of New Orleans received a grant for its Get On Board initiative from the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Community IMPACT Program. Over 70 community members will participate in Get on Board training this year.