Opportunity at the Intersection of Strategic Planning and Aging Services Boards
In the ever-evolving landscape of aging service organizations, board members are called on to shoulder an immense weight of responsibility. As the future unfolds with its blend of complexity and uncertainty, there is an opportunity. Strategic planning emerges as a critical process offering boards an opening to thoughtfully steward the organization’s mission as they explicitly consider and shape its future. Session highlights include:

• Understand the Board's Role: The model of governance chosen directly impacts how a Board is involved in the strategic planning process. A framework of options and implications is provided.
• Explore Critical Themes: Case studies are used to exemplify frequently surfaced and important themes that Boards wrestle with during the strategic planning process.
• Shared Learnings: Gain insights into the practical strategies employed by high-performing boards during the strategic planning process.
• Carry-Out Questions: A curated set of questions asked by Board members during their strategic planning processes are provided to prompt thinking as participants return to their organizations.

Facilitator: Chris McNiven, Founder and Consulting Practice Lead, Aspire Consulting

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024
at 10-11 a.m. CT

Strategic Thinking for Boards
We all want our boards to think strategically, but to do so requires intentionality from both the board and administration. It is a shared responsibility. This session will examine what is needed from all parties to productively engage a board in this manner. From the importance of “setting the table” for strategic discussions to different tips and techniques to stimulate conversations, join us to consider how to support a board in functioning in the insight and foresight modes of governance.

• Consider the strategic elements of board governance.
• Explore what is needed to prepare a board for strategic thinking.
• Learn ways to support strategic discussions at the board level.

Facilitator: Jane Mack, President & CEO, Friends Alliance

As aging services organizations have innovated offerings and operations over the last several years, governance models and boards that should lead, inform, and govern have remained largely unchanged. While stability is important, just “doing the same old thing” with governance models, approaches, or even composition shortchanges many organizations from the speed and agility necessary to navigate in the future. As our industry adapts, so must our thinking around governance. This session will consider where and how governance needs to evolve, how other organizations have innovated their approach to board engagement, what are the five questions you need to ask about your own board, and what you maybe need to do about it.

• Describe the characteristics of both low- and high-performing boards.
• Summarize how other leading non-profit and aging services organizations have adapted and innovated their approach to governance.
• Evaluate current board performance and identify potential strategies to improve or adapt.

Facilitator: Andy Edeburn, Founder, Elder Dynamics

Economic and Financial Trends for Decision Makers in Not-for-Profit Senior Living
This session will review how our volatile economy has affected senior housing and what senior housing will be financially grappling with in the foreseeable future.

• Understand the impact on senior housing from an economic and financial perspective.
• Discuss the decisions that will need to be made, and the various methods to be incorporated by organizations and communities to sustain viability and growth.

Facilitator: Tom Bowden, Senior VP, HJ Sims