Junior League of New Orleans to host 18th annual Get on Board nonprofit leadership training Oct. 3

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans’ premier board training workshop, Get on Board, returns Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO). Presented by Waters, Parkerson, & Co., LLC, this full-day training and networking event will prepare current and aspiring community leaders for meaningful nonprofit board service.

Under the theme “Grounded in Service. Growing in Leadership.”, Get on Board will provide participants with practical knowledge, leadership skills and connections to help them identify the right opportunities to serve and make a meaningful contribution once they take a seat at the table.

“Strong nonprofit organizations depend on engaged, prepared and thoughtful leaders,” said JLNO President, Shelby Wynne. “Get on Board reflects the Junior League of New Orleans’ longstanding commitment to developing civic leaders and connecting people with opportunities to make a difference in our community.”

The program guides attendees from understanding their motivation and purpose for serving to building the governance, financial and leadership skills needed to serve effectively. The day concludes by helping participants identify where their individual skills and experiences can have the greatest impact and develop a clear next step toward service.

Sessions will address key aspects of nonprofit leadership and board service, including finding the right board and mission; leading and influencing without positional authority; understanding nonprofit financial statements and financial oversight; and the core responsibilities of nonprofit boards, including governance, accountability and healthy board-staff relationships.

Get on Board featured speakers include:

  • Michelle Bidwell, Founder and CEO of Granted Advisors

  • Ronnie Slone, Founder and President of The Slone Group

  • Crystal Manning-Mitchell, CEO of River Oaks Hospital

  • Elizabeth Hefler, New Orleans Regional President of Hancock Whitney

  • Jessica Rury, Phase I ESA/NEPA Division Manager of Leaaf Environmental, LLC

 

Connecting Leaders with Local Nonprofits

Participants will take part in an interactive Board Service Action Plan workshop, where they will consider the causes that matter most to them, the skills and perspectives they can contribute and the type of organization and board culture that best fits their interests.

The event will culminate with a Connection Hour where participating nonprofit organizations will be onsite to talk with attendees about their missions, board structures, committee opportunities and current leadership needs. The Connection Hour will also highlight committee service as an entry point for individuals who may be interested in getting involved but are not yet ready for fiduciary board service.

Get on Board training will take place at JLNO Headquarters at 4319 Carondelet St. in New Orleans. Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. and the event concludes at 4:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $150 per person and registration is live at jlno.org.

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About Junior League New Orleans
Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. More information on the organization can be found at www.jlno.org.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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