Organizational Development Consultant Renée Despres, PhD, MPH, will facilitate an upcoming workshop. Despres is seen here (far right) with staff from El Refugio Inc. during last week's Nonprofit Resource Group's workshop on nonprofit sustainability.Silver City, NM – Nonprofits are navigating a time of immense need from the communities they serve, while pursing ways to build long-term viability in the toughest of economic times, according to the Nonprofit Finance Fund's most recent State of the Nonprofit Sector Report.

The analysis says for rural nonprofits the task is more daunting as they report a 76 percent increase in demand for their services while facing funding gaps due to the extended economic recession. At the helm of these rural organizations, navigating between financial needs and community demands, are the boards of directors who are usually volunteers donating their time to the greater good.

National Center for Frontier Community (NCFC) Director, Susan Wilger says, "Nonprofits are critical to the health and well-being of New Mexicans. We are so grateful to the nonprofit Boards and Executive Directors who carry out the missions of nonprofits."

Headquartered in Silver City, NCFC is a research and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and quality of life in frontier America. To aid frontier and rural nonprofits in their endeavors, NCFC sponsors the Nonprofit Resource Group which offers a cadre of services for nonprofits to stay healthy and robust, including a yearly calendar of trainings, free weekly curbside consultations and consultation services for organizations.

The NRG's May workshop is tailored specifically frontier and rural nonprofit titled "Board Recruitment & Retention 2.0". The three-hour workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 10, 2018, and costs $25 per participant. Registration is required.

Organizational development consultant Renée Despres, PhD, MPH, will facilitate the workshop that is focused than previously ones offered by NRG. The workshop includes information on developing a recruitment process, determining if a potential board member is a good fit for an organization, developing a board orientation plan and best practices for board member retention.

Despres says, "Strong organizations need strong boards, and that takes knowledge, work, and dedication. A strong board is the ‘wind beneath the wings' of the executive director and the entire organization."

Wilger adds, "Nonprofit board work is not easy. The workshop will give executive directors and coordinators the tools, resources and information that allows them to diversify and retain their boards members, thus have a meaningful and sustainable impact on those they serve."

Board Recruitment & Retention 2.0 is scheduled for Thursday, May 10, 2018, and costs $25 per participant. It will be held at the Community Meeting Room at HMS's Silver City Community Health Center, located at 1007 N. Pope St. Registration is required.

For a full schedule of the NRG training calendar for 2018 and a listing of their services visit their website at www.NResourceGroup.org.

Registration is required for all NRG trainings. To register or for more information, call NRG at (575) 597-0035 or email NRG@frontierus.org.