Who it's For

This program is designed specifically for member camps and conference centers of Christian Camp and Conference Association who want to build into their boards and improve the overall health of the organization.

The reality is, board members are the least-trained, invested in and supported group of people related to a nonprofit organization, yet we expect them to govern and steward the organization. Thriving Boards aims to invest in your board so your ministry can benefit from their leadership.

By participating in Thriving Boards, your board will:

• Commit to agreed-upon roles and responsibilities.
• Shift your focus to the future direction of the ministry, rather than day-to-day operations.
• Learn to better care for and feed your camp director through fair evaluations, compensation reviews, goals and more.

For $1,500, a camp or conference center can include an unlimited number of board members, along with its CEO and camp director. (The Thriving Boards program is worth $12,000, but as a CCCA member, you have access to this low price because this initiative is essential for the long-term well-being of member camps. We know thriving boards lead to thriving camps.) We expect to reach our capacity quickly, so register today. The registration deadline for Spring 2023 Cohort is March 1, 2023.

How it Works

The Thriving Boards program is a good balance of virtual and in-person training and coaching. 20 hours of virtual training spread over four days make it easy for all your board members to participate, no matter their location. The two days of board coaching may be done in person, with the coach traveling to the board on mutually agreed-upon days. All of this takes place over a six- to nine-month period. The program is built on a cohort-learning model that includes:

• Surveys
• Assessments
• Resource readings
• Interactive faculty presentations
• Work sessions for every board to focus on the application of teaching
• In-the-trenches practical dialogue
• Top-five strategic next steps for each board
• Tools and templates boards can modify and use for their camp/conference center, as needed.
• Interaction with colleagues from within each organization and with other camp and conference leaders
• 2 days of professional coaching with a coach assigned to work directly with individual camps and conference centers in the cohort, assessing an organization's needs and offering practical help

Each cohort is composed of up to 15 camp boards. Every board member is invited to participate. We expect to reach our capacity quickly, so register today. The registration deadline for Spring 2023 Cohort is March 1, 2023.

The value of this program is worth $12,000, but as a CCCA member, you have access to the low price of $1,500 for an unlimited number of board members. This initiative is essential for the long-term well-being of member camps. We know thriving boards lead to thriving camps.

What to Expect

Participating organizations will commit to the following:

• Invite everyone on the board to be part of the training. We recommend a minimum of three board members and the camp director for effectiveness. Commitment to the training is key for improving board effectiveness.
• Participants must complete the readings and assignments before, during and after the sessions.
• Participants will be expected to complete three surveys related to the program.
• Each camp/conference center will be encouraged to invite another camp/conference center into a future Thriving Boards program.

In addition to the cohort interactions, each registered organization will be assigned a coach who will provide hands-on, practical help for the assigned board, including two days of personalized coaching. Based on an organization's specific needs, the coach will suggest how they might allocate the two days of coaching throughout the program. Some boards will choose to have the coach come for two consecutive days to facilitate a board retreat. (CCCA will cover the travel cost of the coach for one trip to the camp/conference center).

Phases of the Spring 2023 Cohort:

• Phase 1: Pre-reading, baseline surveys and virtual briefing (prior to Session One) with your coach
• Phase 2: Spring 2023 Cohort Session 1: March 21-22, 2023
• Phase 3: Spring 2023 Cohort Session 2: May 9-10, 2023
• Phase 4: Identify the top-five strategic next steps for the board
• Phase 5: Implement the top-five strategic Next steps with coaching support

Phases of the Fall 2023 Cohort:

• Phase 1: Pre-reading, baseline surveys and virtual briefing (prior to Session One) with your coach
• Phase 2: Fall 2023 Cohort Session 1: Sept. 22-23, 2023
• Phase 3: Fall 2023 Cohort Session 2: Nov. 3-4, 2023
• Phase 4: Identify the top-five strategic next steps for the board
• Phase 5: Implement the top-five strategic Next steps with coaching support

The value of this program is worth $12,000, but as a CCCA member, you have access to the low price of $1,500 for an unlimited number of board members. This initiative is essential for the long-term well-being of member camps. We know thriving boards lead to thriving camps.

Register today to guarantee your spot in our Spring 2023 or Fall 2023 cohorts. The registration deadline for Spring 2023 Cohort is March 1, 2023. 

What You'll Gain

CCCA's Thriving Boards program addresses the essentials of board health with a focus on governance, culture, sustainability and strategy. The training and coaching is practical, usable and accessible.

The program will equip each camp and conference center to fulfill its unique mission as it builds its board and staff capacity. The overall process will also help each organization identify a series of strategic next steps and benchmarks needed to create a sustainable future.

Participating camps and conference centers will receive practical insight, tools and templates for inspiring and educating both current and future board members.

Thriving Boards addresses some of the most challenging issues boards face today including:

• Effective board recruitment, terms, evaluation and completion
• CEO succession planning — preparing for good CEO transitions
• The board's role in fundraising
• Strategic planning that works
• Understanding the board as a spiritual community called by God
• Keys to effective board meetings
• Primary responsibilities of every board member

Register today to guarantee your spot in our Spring 2023 or Fall 2023 cohorts. The registration deadline for Spring 2023 Cohort is March 1, 2023.