Kelly B

Describe your board/organization, its objectives, and your responsibilities during the NPBI internship 

Radius Community Health & Healing is Edmonton’s only non-profit, community-owned and operated health center, serving our community for over four decades under the guiding principle – of delivering compassionate health care without barriers. Through services and programs which include primary care, dental care, mental health care, addictions services, and social supports, Radius improves the quality of life and well-being of individuals who face a multitude of barriers such as poverty, homelessness, addictions, mental illness, and lack of social supports. The Board of this non-profit organization consists of 11 volunteer directors with a diversity of skill sets ranging from accounting, community representation, fund development, public relations, government relations, criminal justice, health care, and social work, as well as capital planning. The Board’s objective is one of governance, whose fundamental duty includes overseeing strategic planning and acting as stewards of the finances and resources to ensure ongoing organizational success. My role as a Board intern was to prepare, attend, and engage at the monthly Board of Director meetings, attend and present information from scheduled workshops delivered by the Board Development Program with the Government of Alberta, and select and complete a meaningful and relevant project.

Can you describe your project and how you think it will benefit your board?

In collaboration with the Board of Directors, I selected my internship project, a Board evaluation tool, to address an unmet need. The Board evaluation aimed to identify strengths, address challenges, and leverage opportunities for improvement. This information would be of benefit to enhance board effectiveness, thereby driving organizational success. The Board evaluation tool I selected was an anonymous Google survey that focused on the evaluation of three key areas: board governance, operations, and culture. By providing a platform for candid feedback and objective assessment, the evaluation served as an outlet for constructive feedback, enabling Board members to express their opinions candidly. By highlighting areas for development, these evaluations empower boards to adapt, evolve, and enhance their effectiveness over time, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

What stands out for you as key learning moments as a result of volunteering on a board?

Throughout the non-profit board internship, I gained firsthand experience in Board operations, such as how meetings are run, and decisions are made at the Board level. It was interesting to see non-profit organizations' challenges and how the Board works as a team to address them. Being able to interact and learn from Board members with such varied skill sets was truly invaluable. I was able to witness the dedication, commitment, and compassion of the Board members in fulfilling the organization’s purpose and was left with an appreciation of the hard work that goes on to meet the needs of our community. I gained unique insights into Edmonton's political, economic, judicial, and social landscape from the point of view of a non-profit organization.

Would you recommend this program to UofA students and why?    

I would recommend this program to UofA students of all ages and backgrounds. It was incredible to gain such an array of firsthand experience in a supportive environment. The theory from the Board Development workshops combined with hands-on application through regular Board meetings and a project provided a truly valuable learning experience.