The Garden Club of Jacksonville recently brought together its Board of Trustees for a dedicated governance retreat focused on strengthening leadership, enhancing board effectiveness, and supporting the long-term success of the organization.
Facilitated by the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, the retreat provided trustees with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of nonprofit governance, board responsibilities, and best practices for organizational leadership. As the Garden Club enters a new fiscal year with several trustees serving in new leadership roles, the training helped establish a shared foundation for effective board engagement and decision-making.
Throughout the session, trustees explored topics related to governance, fiduciary responsibilities, organizational development, and the important relationship between board leadership and day-to-day operations. The retreat also encouraged thoughtful discussion around board culture, strategic leadership, and the role trustees play in advancing the Garden Club’s mission and impact within the community.
By investing in ongoing board development, the Garden Club demonstrates its commitment to maintaining strong governance practices, ensuring organizational sustainability, and positioning the organization for future growth. Effective leadership is essential to advancing our mission, serving our members, and continuing to provide meaningful programs, educational opportunities, and community engagement for years to come.
We are grateful to the Nonprofit Center for sharing their expertise and helping equip our trustees with valuable tools and resources that will support the Garden Club’s continued success. As we look ahead, we remain committed to fostering a culture of learning, leadership, and excellence in nonprofit governance.
Attendees Included (pictured left to right):
Elizabeth Meaux – Trustee, Sam Runyon – President, Nancy Holmes – Vice President/ Programs Chair, John Peterson – Trustee, Alex Gornik – 1st Vice President/ Development Chair, Sonja Jones – CEO, Julie Howard – Governance Chair, Lauren Campbell- Trustee, James (Jim) Torres – Trustee, Maggie Means – Trustee