Spokes Board Academy

Registration Fee: $175

Spokes Members: $150

Held at: San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo, CA

Do you have the tools to make your board service successful? Are you seeking clarity about your role as a board member? Would you like to serve as a board member but aren’t sure how to get started?

Whether you are just starting board service or have served for years, we’re here to make your experience easier and more rewarding. Start with Spokes Board Academy and develop the skills critical to excellent board service. You’ll also gain practical knowledge of nonprofit management and skills to guide your successful board service and answer questions such as:

--What are the legal and governance responsibilities of nonprofit board members? Am I liable?

--Why is managing a nonprofit organization different from other corporations and businesses? How do we achieve our mission?

--What is the board member’s role in establishing and maintaining productive relationships with fellow board members and nonprofit staff? How can I be most impactful as a leader?

--Why is fundraising is so important? How can I overcome my fear of fundraising?

Join us and learn:

The Key Responsibilities of Officers

The Difference between Governance and Management

Managing for Conflicts of Interest

Who is accountable for the Organization

Why and How to Evaluate Your Executive Director

Elements of Effective Meetings

Building a Philanthropic Culture

Facilitate Discussion, Build Trust

Differences between Nonprofits and Traditional Businesses

Registration includes light breakfast refreshements and a full lunch.

Registration closes at noon on Monday October 15th. 

Spokes Board Academy Sponsored By:

Facilitated by (in order of appearance): 

Dr. Consuelo Meux

Consuelo is Spokes’ CEO. Formerly, she was Executive Director of a SLO County health-based nonprofit and serves on the SLO County Commission on the Status of Women. Consuelo holds a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems with expertise in organizational strategy, and diversity and inclusion. Originally from Fresno County, she taught at the Nonprofit Support Center of Fresno County, led a Small Business Development Center, served as a Director of Development and Public Relations, and has held university faculty and administrative roles.

Morgen Houlis, CPA

Morgen is a Principal at Glenn Burdette. She is known for her knack of making tax codes and strategies clear and understandable. An expert in cross segregation studies and fixed and capitalized asset concepts, Morgen is also passionate about trust administration. Morgen was hired by Glen Burdette straight from Cal Poly after working her way through school as a bookkeeper. She has served on several nonprofit boards including Rise, the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center, and San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens.

Leslie Buckingham

Leslie has been exposed to many different nonprofit organizations through her father's extensive involvement with the nonprofit community. He is the owner of Digital West. Leslie began working for Morris & Garritano in 2017 as the risk advisor in their small business unit. Her insurance designations include Small Business Coverage Specialist, Accredited Advisor in Insurance and Associate in General Insurance. She is a member of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee, SLO Women's Network, and Young Professionals Network Group.

Lesley Santos

Lesley began her career as a development officer and grant writer for the California ScienCenter and Menlo College. She served as the Community Relations Manager for Adobe Systems, Inc., managing the company’s corporate philanthropy and community relations programs. Lesley joined Spokes’ predecessor organization, the Nonprofit Support Center, and founded Spokes in 2011, serving as CEO until 2018. She is presently the Agency Business Consultant at Farmers Insurance. Lesley earned her undergraduate degrees from the University of Southern California.

Samantha Watkins

Samantha has been a professional mediator since 2006 and has successfully mediated over 400 disputes. She is the Director of Creative Mediation at Wilshire Community Services, San Luis Obispo
County’s local not-for-profit Community Mediation Center. She is also a lead-instructor for Creative Mediation’s Elements of Mediation bi-annual training, as well as their monthly Advanced Mediation
Seminars.

Adrienne Harris

Adrienne has fifteen years of experience working with nonprofit organizations and government to advance initiatives at the national, regional, and local levels. As former Executive Director of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program, she has unique insights into the challenges facing small and mid-sized nonprofit groups. She worked as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, and was co-chair of Artomatic, a 1,000 plus artist art festival in Washington, D.C.

Elena Romero

Elena has more than 20 years of successful fund development experience including annual giving, capital, major gifts, planned giving and special project campaigns. Elena is currently employed with Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation and serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Luis Obispo Chapter. Elena holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from San Jose State University. She is an alumnus of American Leadership Forum Silicon Valley and Leadership Fresno.