Training Calendar for the Shiawassee Community
The Cook Family Foundation works with nonprofit organizations in Shiawassee County to help them realize their missions, build their capacity to make change in the community, and work with others to improve the quality of life for Shiawassee County residents.
The Cook Family Foundation hosts FREE Board training event and these sessions are open to any current Shiawassee County nonprofit leadership, board members, staff members, or volunteers that live in, or directly serve the Shiawassee County community.
Upcoming Public and Partner Events
These board training sessions are open to any current Shiawassee County nonprofit leadership, board members, staff members, or volunteers that live in, or directly serve the Shiawassee County community.
Professional Development for Nonprofit Leaders and their Boards
Beyond Attendance: Building Board Cultures Where Members Fully Engage
Date: December 10, 2026
Time/s: 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM ET
Location: TBD
Many boards struggle not because members lack commitment, but because the culture and structure of board service limit how people are invited to contribute. Meetings default to reports, decision-making is concentrated among a few voices, and newer members quickly learn to stay quiet. Over time, even dedicated board members may disengage. This session addresses the reality head-on: engagement is not a personality problem - it is a governance and culture design issue. This workshop equips board members with practical strategies to intentionally create spaces, norms, and environments where people can contribute their time, talent, and leadership in meaningful ways. Participants will examine how board culture shows up in meetings, committee work, decision-making, and informal dynamics—and how those choices either invite or shut down participation. The session includes approaches for onboarding and activating new board members while also disrupting stale, transactional patterns that may limit long-serving boards. Board members will leave with concrete tools to reset expectations, share leadership, and build a culture of accountability, inclusion, and sustained engagement that strengthens governance and advances mission. This workshop is ideal for all Leadership and Board Members. Date: December 10th, 2026
Time: 5:15PM to 7:30PM
Location: TBD
Facilitators: Zoe Lyons and Regina Pinney
Please Register HERE
*Cook Family Foundation " Partner Only " Events
*To participate in the Nonprofit Capacity Building (NPCB) program, nonprofits in Shiawassee county and members of Nonprofit Network will work to develop an organization-specific Action Plan. To be eligible, the nonprofit organization must meet certain requirements. Please visit the Cook Family Foundation website for more information.
The Cook Family Foundation Nonprofit Capacity Building Program relies on the expertise of the Nonprofit Network, a nonprofit management and board governance support organization. The Nonprofit Network provides organizational assessments, board education programs, executive director coaching, nonprofit technical assistance, strategic planning, and both online and in-person access to the education and training to implement best management practices. If you have questions about partnership, please call the Cook Family Foundation at (989) 725-1621.
Collaborative Support: Peer Partner Events
Date: November 12th, 2026
Time/s: 5:00 PM to 7:00PM (US and Canada)
Location: TBD
Getting the months started off right! These Peer Support events will be highly supportive and interactive opportunities to share lessons learned. These events will help you be responsive to current issues, staffing, or whatever else you want to discuss.
Come prepared to share what you know and as always, we will find time to breathe, laugh, cry - or whatever may be necessary.
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