Net Impact Bostons’ 2021-2022 class of board fellows, just wrapped up their fellowships at 11 different sites in the Greater Boston area. Net Impact Boston’s board fellowship program is unique in that it places social impact professionals onto nonprofit boards as non-voting, but participating members for year-long fellowships. Nonprofit organizations have gleaned from the wide variety of business skills and knowledge that fellows have, whereas board fellows have gotten experience in nonprofit management and board governance (some have even become board members themselves!). Learn more about how three nonprofit board fellows have benefited from Net Impact Boston’s board fellowship program.
Alex Gaston
2021-2022 Board Fellow | The Bridge at 211
Serving as a Board Fellow for The Bridge at 211 this past year has been an incredible honor. After moving from TX to MA, I wanted to get involved in the local community, learn more about board service, and share some of the skills I gained from working in the startup and nonprofit sectors. Net Impact Boston had the perfect opportunity through their board fellowship program.
I was matched with The Bridge at 211, a former church built in 1808, that was given new life as a hub for artistic, cultural, and social events when it was incorporated in 2016. Our goal is to become a self-sustaining nonprofit and to hold up the legacy of the church, whose founders advocated for social justice for all and actively supported abolition, women's suffrage, LGBTQ rights, and other social reform movements. Thank you to Net Impact Boston for creating leadership opportunities like this.
Cherline Gene
2021 - 2022 Board Fellow | Community Charter School
Being connected and supporting efforts that facilitate the achievement of equity are very important to me. So I sought out opportunities to support resilience in the face of a seemingly relentless pandemic. The Net Impact Boston (NIB) Board Fellows program supported my overall wellness by connecting me to an organization and like-minded individuals that are addressing critical community needs. NIB allowed me the opportunity to leverage my experience and apply it in a different context yet resulting in the same impact: communities being intentional about equitable processes and outcomes.
In a period of time where we’re constantly faced with uncertainty, it’s important to be connected, grow your network, and enhance your skills. It’s important to continue supporting efforts that align with your values and contribute to your growth, boost confidence, compassion, and your ability to embrace and tackle challenges. I’m grateful that my perspective was embraced by leaders who have the power to enact positive changes within their organizations. I would definitely recommend people to volunteer and think the NIB provides a structure to do so in a rewarding way.
Alexandra Rose
2020-2021 Board Fellow | Mass Farmers Markets
When I became a board fellow with Mass Farmers Markets, I had just graduated from college in 2020 (aka the quarantine class of 2020.) My future felt very uncertain and with a global pandemic and few job opportunities in sight, I decided to gain experience by applying to Net Impact Boston’s board fellowship program. It was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. I have always been drawn to food justice work and I got to work on a variety of projects that supported Mass Farmers Markets’s mission of increasing community access to healthy and fresh food.
I gained invaluable experience in program implementation, creating external partnerships surrounding DEI efforts, grant writing, as well as board governance, and meeting facilitation. Mass Farmers Markets benefited from my marketing communications background when I collaborated with the Head of Marketing to increase engagement through their social media accounts.
Not only did my resume grow by leaps and bounds, but I also learned how to successfully navigate challenges and obstacles in nonprofit operations. In many ways, I feel more equipped to deal with complex problems than other professionals my age because I participated in the Board Fellowship program. I think that more recent graduates should apply to the Board Fellowship program, especially if they are interested in learning about the nuts and bolts of nonprofits, as well as increasing their professional network.
No matter what your experience and background are, there is a place for you to learn and grow your skills in a board fellowship. Nonprofit organizations can additionally benefit from the vast array of skills that board fellows bring to the table. If you have any questions about the Board Fellowship program, email us at boardfellows@netimpactboston.org.