Fuqua on Board FAQs

How many students will be assigned to each nonprofit organization?

Our experience has shown that it is best to assign two students to each organization. By working in pairs, student board associates can learn about the organization quickly and provide a diversity of skills and expertise to the board.

How much time do the student board associates commit to the nonprofit organization?

The general guideline used is that the board associates should commit 2-3 hours per week to their organizations, or about 10-12 hours per month. This includes time spent at board meetings, relevant committee meetings, and required FOB training workshops and peer networking sessions. Please note that Fuqua students study in an intense, six-week term system (see Fuqua Daytime MBA academic calendar). During examinations and vacation periods, students may not be available to participate in board activities.

Do board associates get academic credit for their service?

No. Fuqua on board is an extracurricular service learning program. Fuqua has other for-credit practicum opportunities for students. Please contact CASE for more information.

Do board associates get paid a stipend for their service?

No. Board Associates volunteer their time and talent to these organizations free of charge.

What qualifications does a nonprofit need to meet to be a participant?

To be considered for involvement in the Fuqua on Board program, an organization should:

Be a nonprofit based in Durham, North Carolina.
Have a reasonably stable board of directors that meets at least quarterly. Monthly board or committee meetings are preferable in order to maximize opportunities for student participation and learning.
Be willing to invite two students to participate in a non-voting role in board and committee meetings on a regular basis.
Be able to identify one or more board committees, task forces, or project teams on which the students can serve.
Have the capacity to provide mentoring and supervision to students assigned to the board. This guidance is most effective when provided by both the executive director and a designated mentor from among existing board members.

How will board associates be matched with nonprofit organizations?

Both students and nonprofit organizations must go through an application process including a written application and an interview with CASE staff. CASE will then match pairs of students with nonprofit organizations based on their skills, interests, and backgrounds.

Will students work on a consulting project for the organization?

No. In the 2006-2007 academic year, consulting projects will no longer be part of the FOB program. Instead, each student board associate will be asked to contribute substantively to a board committee, task force, or project team. By the end the year, students will submit a formal report or presentation to include specific recommendations for action. If students wish to undertake a more formal consulting project, they may discuss this with the staff and board of the nonprofit.

What if the board associate and the organization are not a good match?

If the student or organization feels that the match is not working, they should contact CASE immediately. CASE staff will seek the best solution on a case-by-case basis.

What type of training and support do FOB participants receive?

All students will attend an initial training on the basics of board governance and responsibilities. Each participating nonprofit organization is required to provide their Fuqua student with an agency orientation as well. During the year, there will be 3-4 additional training sessions organized by CASE that will be mandatory for all student board associates. These sessions are open to participation from nonprofit representatives as well. In addition, students will be asked to attend regular peer networking sessions throughout the year. View the FOB schedule.

Can Fuqua alumni participate in Fuqua on Board?

Yes. Beginning in 2006-2007, the Fuqua on Board program will be expanded to include Triangle area alumni, who will participate in a similar capacity as students. Whenever possible, we will make every attempt to pair an alum with a current student. For more information and to announce your interest, please contact Matt Nash at mnash@duke.edu.

What is CASE?

The Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) is a research and education center dedicated to promoting the entrepreneurial pursuit of social impact through the thoughtful adaptation of business expertise. A recognized leader in the field of social entrepreneurship, CASE provides individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills they need to address social needs effectively. Founded in 2002 and anchored at one of the nation's leading business schools, CASE is particularly interested in how knowledge developed for use in business can be adapted to address the distinctive challenges of the social sector. To this end, CASE pursues a mutual, cross-sector learning process that engages business school faculty, MBA students, and leaders from both the social and business sectors.

CASE currently offers curricular, extracurricular, and career programs designed to increase and enhance MBA engagement in the social sector. Some of these programs include a course and mentored internships in social entrepreneurship; Fuqua on Board, which places students on local nonprofit boards during the academic year; a summer internship program; a scholarship program for students with a nonprofit background; and a loan forgiveness program that offers financial assistance to recent alumni working full time in nonprofit or government agencies. CASE also works very closely with the student-led Social Impact Club to support a range of student activities and ensure that we are responsive to the needs and interests of Fuqua students.

For more information about CASE, please browse the CASE website.

Where can I find other useful information for our board of directors?

Please see the following resources: