Free virtual webinar: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 12pm ET / 11am CT / 10am PT
Instructors:
Ruby Bailey, Executive Director, Injustice Watch
Corinne Colbert, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Athens County Independent
Myers Reece, Executive Director, Underscore Native News
Jo Ellen Kaiser, CEO, J. The Jewish News of Northern California
The right board can strengthen a small newsroom by bringing in expertise and connections that support its goals. But figuring out who belongs on that board and what you should expect from them isn’t always straightforward. Should you prioritize high-profile names or people with specific skills? How much journalism or fundraising experience do you need? And how do you build a strong board when you work in a rural, small, or specialized community where the pool of potential board members may be limited?
This session, co-hosted by the Center for Community Media and the Reynolds Journalism Institute, will bring together news leaders who have built and worked in partnership with boards at their organizations. They’ll share how they decided who they needed at the table, what they expect from board members, and what they have learned along the way.
What we’ll discuss:
– How to identify the skills and experience your newsroom needs on its board
– How to think about the tradeoff between high-profile names and people who can actively contribute
– What you can reasonably expect board members to do beyond attending meetings
– How to recruit board members when your community is small, rural, or has limited nonprofit or journalism expertise
– How to set clear expectations around governance while protecting editorial independence
The event will be held online using Zoom. Please follow the instructions you receive after registering. Email if you do not receive a confirmation message or if you have any questions.
If you are a part of the community media sector or a supporter, and were forwarded this invite, sign up for our mailing list to find out about upcoming CCM events and trainings.
