Virginia Main Street (VMS) hosted Spring Regional Rev Ups last month in Gloucester, Harrisonburg and Marion. Over 100 participants from the VMS network engaged in interactive sessions focused on fostering high-impact organizations.
Led by Cindy Colson, Deputy Director of Partnerships, Consulting and Impact at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, attendees learned to focus on three key areas to level up their organization’s impact: shared leadership, board building, and running better meetings.
Shared leadership is all about balance. The board and executive director are partners—each with their own lane, but moving in the same direction. The board sets the vision and holds the organization accountable, while the executive director handles day-to-day operations. When trust and communication flow between them, decisions get better and organizations get stronger.
Building a great board doesn’t happen by accident. Think of it as a continuous cycle: find the right people, keep them engaged, and refresh your team when needed. Look for folks who bring diverse perspectives and skills, make sure everyone understands their role, and give them opportunities to contribute meaningfully. A board that’s informed, involved, and inspired is a real asset.
“Building a capable and competent board that aligns with your mission and vision is vital to your organization’s success.” – Cindy Colson, CNE
Meetings—we all have them, but are they helping or just filling time? Be intentional. Ask yourself: Is this meeting necessary? If yes, make sure there’s a clear purpose, the right people are invited, roles are assigned (like a timekeeper or notetaker), and everyone comes prepared. Keep things on track and avoid the common traps—like rambling, digressions or multitasking.
When nonprofits put these practices into play—fostering shared leadership, engaged boards, and productive meetings—they create a stronger foundation and bigger impact. To learn more, check out the presentation slides and supplemental materials from the Rev Up.
VMS’ Regional Rev Ups are an in-person, half-day workshop designed for networking, learning, and seeing the possible through peer communities. They are offered to all VMS communities biannually in three, rotating locations across the state. Fall Regional Rev Ups will be held the week of September 15-19, 2025. Keep an eye out for event registration and future training opportunities.
Photo credit: Blaire Buergler, Courtney Mailey, Kelvin Whitehurst & Zachary Whitlow
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