CDC Board Development

Program Overview

Our CDC Board Development Program is designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and confidence of board members serving Community Development Corporations across Massachusetts. Board members play a critical role in shaping their organizations' vision, ensuring accountability, and guiding long-term impact. This program provides practical training to help board members fulfill these responsibilities effectively. Their function is particularly critical in times of volatility in this sector, like we’re presently in. 

Through a series of workshops led by experienced instructors, board members learn how to lead with confidence, make informed decisions, and foster collaboration within their organizations and communities. The program aims to includes both introductory and advanced topics so board members can build on their skills over time.

Program Goals

The main goal of this program is to help CDC board members become effective, informed, and confident leaders by ensuring board members gain the tools they need to shape the direction of their organizations, ensure financial and organizational health, and uphold equity and inclusion in all decisions. By supporting board members as leaders in building stronger communities, this program reflects the Mel King Institute’s commitment to providing learning opportunities that increase access, encourage innovation, and promote long-term success in the community development field.

Another key goal is to help boards center equity in their work, as a core value held by the Mel King Institute, MACDC, and our partners. The Non-Profit Leadership with an Equity Lens session offers concrete ways to build inclusive decision-making practices, recruit diverse board members, and evaluate programs and policies through a fairness and equity perspective. Ultimately, this program aims to strengthen the entire community development sector by empowering board members to guide their organizations with clarity, confidence, and accountability.

Program Instructors

Viana Nascimento, Mel King Institute Leadership Development Program Manager

Louise Elving, Viva Consulting Principal

Laurie Gould, Viva Consulting Principal

Attorney Elizabeth Reinhardt, Law Offices of Elizabeth S. Reinhardt and Associates, LLC

CDC Board Development Workshops

November 19, 2025: Effective Board Meetings: Set, Lead, and Follow-through

Well-run board meetings are essential to avoid bottlenecks in decision-making and ensure success in any nonprofit. In this workshop, Viana Nascimento will provide board members with practical tools to structure agendas that facilitate focused discussions and ensure all members leave meetings with clear responsibilities and shared understanding. Key discussion topics include:

  • Best practices for preparing for meetings and presenting information
  • How to develop agendas that prioritize efficient use of time and decision-making
  • Using consent agendas and dashboards to streamline routine updates
  • Best practices for effective facilitation and being facilitated
  • Strategies for clear next steps and expectations before meeting closing

 

December 3, 2025: Introduction to Community Economic Development for CDC Board Members

This workshop is an exploration of contemporary community development and aims to provide CDC Board Members with an understanding of the work and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of this field and drive positive change within communities.

Participants will learn:  

  • History: First we will define community development and delve into the origins of the field.  
  • Ecosystem and Key Players: Learn the community development landscape and the roles of different entities.  
  • Core Values and Goals: The session will review the fundamental principles that guide community development work. 
  • Types of Community Economic Development: We will review the areas of community development such as real estate development, community engagement, small business, capacity building and advocacy.  
  • Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations: We will invite participants to discuss the various challenges and opportunities in the field.