The Balanced Board: Clear & Meaningful Service

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Goodwill Southeast Georgia, 7220 Sallie Mood Dr, Savannah, GA 31406
Audience: Executive Directors, board members, and governance committee leaders

Facilitator:
Aileen Gabbey, Productive Nonprofits

Registration:
Pre-registration required due to space limitations. 
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019cdd559066752699b8784f6f6a9271

Description:
Improve organizational effectiveness through clear governance structure and board engagement practices. Finding the right balance of roles and responsibilities is critical for a healthy Board of Directors to serve an organization’s mission effectively. This interactive workshop will explore clarification of roles, strategies to strengthen engagement of board members, and steps to form a strong partnership with staff. Executive Directors, board members, and key board leaders are encouraged to attend.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will:

• Distinguish governance vs management responsibilities
• Clarify board and staff roles
• Strengthen board engagement structures
• Improve board–Executive Director partnership

Key Outputs:

• Board role clarity framework
• Governance responsibility matrix
• Board engagement planning tools

About Facilitator:

Aileen is a consultant and facilitator for Productive Nonprofits focusing on Board governance and health. She has assisted clients with projects such as: Board building and engagement; succession planning; strategic planning; bylaws, committee structures; retreat facilitation; coaching new leaders; and guiding community partnerships. Prior to consulting, Aileen led nonprofits for over 25 years including The Maryland SPCA and Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia. In Maryland, the SPCA became no-kill, built a new center, and opened businesses for wellness, spay/neuter, and adoption. She formed and led an alliance of fellow groups. In Coastal Georgia, Aileen oversaw Susan G. Komen’s growth in fundraising, program outcomes, and governance processes. She has taught classes for United Way of the Coastal Empire, SCORE, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Georgia Center for Nonprofits. She is a volunteer for United Way and is the Vice President and Board Governance Chair for Keepers of the Flame Foundation. Aileen and her husband, a teacher and writer, live in Savannah with their adopted street cat Gus.