Building a strong and hardworking board of directors for a nonprofit organization is no easy task, but some of the secrets and a lot of the practical knowledge on how to bring it off will be the topic of a new workshop scheduled for Nov. 28.

The workshop, "Building an Effective Board of Directors," is part of a continuing series of special instructional forums sponsored by the Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation and presented by the N.C. Center for Nonprofits.

The workshop will run 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the conference room of Rowan Business Alliance at 1910 W. Jake Alexander Blvd.

The workshop is free to all Rowan County nonprofit organizations, but registration is requested. Calls should be made to Vanetta Morris at the N.C. Center at 919-790-1555, extension 100, or by email to vmorris@ncnonprofits.org.

The workshop, which grew out of concerns expressed by some nonprofit leaders, will address a number of questions about nonprofit boards and their leadership. For example, how can your board better understand its role and responsibilities as a governing body, and what are some effective ways that board members can individually support your nonprofit?

Workshop leaders will discuss effective practices for engaging the board members in accomplishing the organization's mission — from ensuring the public's trust and being ambassadors for the organization to how boards, executive directors and chief executive officers can work together as partners.

The workshop format is designed to allow plenty of time for questions and answer and the exchange of ideas.

Presenting at the workshop will be two of the N.C. Center's most experienced professionals — Trisha Lester and Sally Migliori.

Lester has been a member of the staff since 1992 and vice-president since 1999. She has worked in the non-profit sector for over 25 years and has served on national and local boards of directors.

Migliori is a senior associate at the Center with over 25 years experience in the nonprofit sector as board member, advisor and consultant to nonprofits and local and state governments.

The Robertson Family Foundation and the N.C. Center for Nonprofits have been cooperating on workshops and various issues affecting nonprofit organizations for several years.

The Center serves as a statewide network for all types of 501(c)3 organizations, an information center on effective organizational practices, and an advocate for the nonprofit sector as a whole.

Created in 1990, the Center now works with over 1500 nonprofits throughout North Carolina, and is headquartered in Raleigh.