The Women on Boards Program for Social Impact – Applications are now open for Cohort 3!
Application Deadline 12th February 2023
Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) got seeded as an idea in early 2016 when its founders came together with a common vision to launch a first-of-its-kind educational institution that would develop and groom the next generation of professional leaders and managers for the development sector. ISDM envisions building Development Management as a stand-alone domain and an aspirational choice for professionals in the development sector. By 2025, ISDM aims to become the go-to management institute for top professionals wanting to transform the development sector for a greater impact on people’s lives.
Dasra meaning ‘enlightened giving’ in Sanskrit, is a pioneering strategic philanthropic organization that aims to transform India where a billion thrive with dignity and equity. Since its inception in 1999, Dasra has accelerated social change by driving collaborative action through powerful partnerships among a trust-based network of stakeholders (corporates, foundations, families, nonprofits, social businesses, government and media). Over the years, Dasra has deepened social impact in focused fields that include adolescents, urban sanitation and governance and has built social capital by leading a strategic philanthropy movement in the country.
ISDM, Governance Counts, and Dasra are back with their most exciting joint initiative – the Women on Boards program.
The program is aimed at building women board members for a more inclusive future of board rooms in social impact organisations.
The Future of Boardrooms: Greater Diversity, Higher Impact
The 5th goal of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Why Women
One of the specific targets for SDGs’ 5th goal is to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. While there has already been a significant growth of women at senior levels in the corporate sector, there is still a lack of women in leadership and advisory roles in social impact organisations.
Why Boards
Given the SDGs’ focus on leadership, it makes sense to first focus on boardrooms, as they are in the position to set the direction of organisations. Being a board member or advisor to an organisation enables individuals to contribute to the social impact sector whilst leveraging their network, leadership skills and technical knowledge. Additionally, the individuals also implement these learnings in their current roles.
Why this Program
While expanding leadership potential for non-profit organisations, the program looks to provide participants with the necessary perspectives, tools, means of engagement and networking opportunities with social impact organisations that align with their skill sets.
Here’s your opportunity to obtain a nuanced understanding of the social impact space. This experiential, three-month program enables you to give back to society by sharing your unique perspective and lending your expertise to create sustained and scalable impact.
Program Objectives
Build a thorough understanding of the social sector
Develop an understanding of self in the context of the social sector
Deep-dive into Board roles and responsibilities
Explore structures and processes that improve Board governance
Volunteering engagement in-between modules to empower the learning journey with field based experience as board readiness is being built
Master classes (virtual) between modules on various aspects of Board and organisation engagement to enrich the knowledge base
Who is it for?
Women who have:
- A minimum of 15 years of experience in any professional sector, such as corporate, academic or entrepreneurship, among others.
- A desire to learn about, serve and influence social impact organisations.
- An aspiration towards serving in a Board role.
- Served in leadership positions and/ or led organisations, built businesses/ teams, possess deep expertise in a particular field.
What’s in it for you?
- Exposure to the needs and challenges of the sector to help you find the areas where you can add most value
- Advisory Board positions in the sector that align with your profile and interests
- Mentorship and support during the first year to enable a smooth transition into the board role
- Organisational preparedness sessions with Founders/ CEOs of social impact organisations to ensure their readiness to induct you as a new board member
- Sector immersion through the intensive curriculum developed by social impact organisation governance expert, Aarti Madhusudan, and delivered by experienced sector leaders, practitioners and academia
Program Overview
– For women with at least 15 years of professional experience, such as corporate, academic or entrepreneurship, among others
– Blended learning pedagogy via virtual and in-person sessions (one in Delhi NCR and one in Bangalore)
– Three weekend-long modules delivered across April and May
– Learning through classroom sessions, case studies and volunteering engagements with social impact organisations.
Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Join us for this dynamic program focused on equipping women professionals to make a lasting impact by joining Board roles. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from sector stalwarts.
Learning Journey
This is a blended program (a mix of virtual + in-person) that comprises three modules. At the end of the program, participants will be matched with social impact organisations that can leverage the specific skills and expertise that they bring to the table. The participants will be provided with mentorship support during their onboarding phase.
Each module offers:
Cross-functional curriculum focusing on perspectives, tools and means of engagement on social impact organisation boards
Peer learning and experience-based exercises in the form of case studies, discussions, group work, activities and role play
Interaction with sector leaders and experts
Reflection and self-work
Through the modules you will explore the social impact sector and good governance in the context of social impact organisations as described below:
Module
1 Understanding of the Social Sector and Self in that Context
This module provides a strong understanding of the sector, its challenges, founders’ journey and strategic imperatives for the organisational leadership. Participants will also be able to reflect on their own motivations and aspirations that will enable them to be more conscious of their alignment to specific domains within the social impact space and how their experience and expertise could be well-suited to those.
2 Board Roles and Effectiveness
This module will outline the role of a Board and the responsibilities associated with it both at the Board and the individual member level. It will also provide insights into the various types of Board role engagements aligned to the life stage of organisations.
3 Governance Mechanisms and Best Practices
The module will cover aspects like a rotation policy, the work of Board positions and committees, conflict/ duality of interest policies and Board development.
Hands on volunteering between modules at nonprofits in your location for 10 hours. The engagement will involve interactions with clients and recipients of the efforts of the nonprofit. The aim is to empower the learning journey with field based experience as board readiness is being built.
Masterclasses (virtual) between modules on various aspects of Board and organisation engagement on topics like leveraging networks, using technology for change, the role of a good Chair etc.
Program Schedule
| Curriculum | Mode | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1: Understanding of the Social Sector and Self in that Context | Virtual | 7th – 8th April 2023 |
| Volunteering | In your own city | TBD |
| Module 2: Board Roles and Effectiveness | ISDM Campus, Noida | 28th– 29th April 2023 |
| Masterclasses | Virtual | TBD |
| Module 3: Governance Mechanisms and Best Practices | Bangalore | 26th – 27th May 2023 |
Program Fees: INR 70,000 + GST
STEPS TO FOLLOW
STEP 1 Register Yourself
STEP 2 Verify Email
STEP 3 Fill Application Form Online
STEP 4 Submit Application
INSTRUCTIONS
- This online application is for Women on Boards program.
- Email ID submitted at the time of registration will be used for all future correspondence.
- Applicants are requested to use Women on Boards Query Management System (Women on Boards.-QMS).
Have a Query?
Please reach out to us on WhatsApp at 8287523698 Or write to us at womenonboards@isdm.org.in
Click here to know more about the program– Video
