Now Offered Twice a Year!

Fall Cohort registration is now closed!

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Spring 2026 Cohort: April 8 –June 3, 2026 (Biweekly sessions plus optional office hours)

Or register using the form below (Email completed form to [email protected]):

Overview

A board chair plays a vital role in providing leadership for a health center board especially as centers navigate a challenging landscape. Designed for new health center board chairs or those about to step into the board chair role at a health center, the Board Chair Leadership Program is a five-part virtual program that addresses:

• the role of the board chair,
• the board chair-CEO partnership,
• board meeting facilitation,
• navigating conflict,
• board chair succession planning,
• and more.

The Board Chair Leadership Program is designed to provide an interactive and action-oriented learning experience through engagement with experienced board chairs, fellow participants, and subject matter experts. Participants will engage in small group discussions and consider various case studies as part of this program. Participants that attend each of the five sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion after the program.

NEW THIS YEAR: The Board Chair Leadership Program now includes optional office hours to allow participants to address governance issues in real time by an experienced board chair and a governance subject matter expert. Participants will also gain access to practical resources and tools to support their board's efforts including a sample board workplan.

Participants will:

• Develop skills needed to be an effective board chair
• Build connection with fellow board chairs from across the county
• Gain experience navigating common challenges and opportunities faced by board chairs

Dates:

Fall Cohort (October 23 – November 20, 2025):

• October 23, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET
• October 30, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET
• November 6, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET
• November 13, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET
• November 20, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET

Spring Cohort (April 8 – June 3, 2026):

• April 8, 2026 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET
• April 22, 2026 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET
• May 6, 2026 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET
• May 20, 2026 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET
• June 3, 2026 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET

Registration Process:

Current health center board chairs and those who are stepping in to the role can register for one of the cohort opportunities below:

Deadline to register for Fall Cohort is October 16, 2025.

Deadline to register for Spring Cohort is April 1, 2026.

Registration Rates

• Member $600
• Non-member $1,200.

Prices reflect the registration rate for an individual.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this program, participants will be able to: 

• Identify goals for their term as board chair. 
• Apply strategies related to effective board meeting agendas and board meeting facilitation. 
• Discuss techniques to enhance board governance and navigate group dynamics.

Faculty

• M. Scott Alarcón, Incoming Board Chair, LSSC, Governance Consultant (Spring Cohort)
• Benjamin T. Bolser, Board Chair, Thunder Bay Community Health Center Inc. (Fall Cohort)
• Caroline Duong, Board Chair, Lowell Community Health
• Joy Folkedal, Director, Health Center Governance, NACHC
• Emily Heard, Vice President, Health Center Governance, NACHC
• Steven Sera, Immediate Past Health Center Board Chair, MHC Healthcare. 

Course level and any prerequisites

Participants must either be a new board chair or a board chair-elect (or equivalent). An understanding of health center board roles is required.  

Other Important Information

Please note:

• Please note that given the program design, a recording of the training will not be made available for viewing
• The program will be conducted in English
• Sessions will be held on Zoom
• If an individual registers for this course and does not meet the requirements (new Board Chair or Chair-Elect), NACHC reserves the right to cancel the registration and refund the participant’s registration fee.