THE BOARD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Master the community landscape, build board experience, skill up in leadership and gain professional networks. Become a next generation leader. Kizuna's Board Fellowship Program offers all that and more.

ABOUT

The purpose of the Board Fellowship Program is to provide adults and young adults with the skills, networks, and experiences to successfully be involved in the Japanese American community.

This program will accomplish this by providing education in basic skills and knowledge for nonprofit board members, mentorship and introductory involvement with actual boards of directors, and involvement and experience in community events & activities.

After running two concurrent Board Fellowship style programs year after year, Kizuna and Asian American Professional Association have joined forces in 2025. This change shares resources between our organizations and has the added benefit of connecting our audiences. The parts of Kizuna Board Fellowship that we love won't change. We are still placing young, inspired professionals on the boards of JA nonprofits.

 

BOARD SERVICE

The Board Fellowship Program places participants in a fellowship position with a Board of Directors providing you a direct experience with leadership at the top.

In the role of this position, participants regularly attend board meetings, take on tasks, and are paired with a board mentor who provides guidance through their experience. In essence, you are a “board member in training,” taking on all the roles and expectations of a standard board member.

The board internship will occur over the course of the 9 month period.

BOARD EXPERIENCE

Kizuna's Board Fellowship Program is the only program in our community offering real-time board experience. Our program will give you a hands-on experience of board leadership.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Nomination and Registration for 2025 Board Fellowship has opened! Thank you for your interest in our program.

Contact info@gokizuna.org for any questions.

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

Locations

Seminar Locations

Virtual via Zoom &

SoCalGas Learning Center

Board Meeting Locations

TBD

*Fellows communicate directly with their placement for meeting location.

Dates

Program Dates

April - December

*Beginning 8 sessions are educational seminars, September and December are mid-session and closing discussions.

Educational Seminar Session Dates:

  • Sessions #1-3 - Saturday, April 26th, 2025 from 9:00am-4:00pm PT @ SoCalGas Learning Center (in-person)

  • Session #4 - Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 from 5:30-7:30pm PT (virtual)

  • Session #5 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 from 5:30-7:30pm PT (virtual)

  • Sessions #6-8 - Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 from 9:00am-4:00pm PT @ SoCalGas Learning Center (in-person)

Board Meeting Dates:

Dates vary based on nonprofit organization.

*Fellows communicate directly with their placement for meeting dates.

Cost

$500

*If program cost is prohibitive to participation, fee reductions are available upon request.


*No refunds: fees will not be returned after received.

BUILD NETWORKS

The Board Fellowship Program provides connectivity to community leaders of high net worth through our Board Fellowship and cohort learning sessions. As a participant you will work alongside with a variety of leaders and community influencers.

TESTIMONIES

  • Board Fellowship Program has opened my eyes to the numerous tasks and responsibilities of board members. As a staff member of a nonprofit, the program has given me a deeper understanding of how our organization works, as well as new programmatic strategies and effective communication channels.

    - Kent Marume

  • The Board Fellowship Program has been instrumental to finding my place in the Japanese American community in Los Angeles. In just one year, it has provided me with opportunities to lead, teach, and learn. From the weekly Board Governance lessons, to application in Kizuna Board meetings, I have skills that have translated to better operations in the other organizations I'm involved in.

    - Emi Kamemoto

  • The Board Fellowship Program has been a wonderful experience; I learned what it takes to bring about change and work alongside individuals who believe in the potential of our communities. I'm excited for our cohorts and how we will continue to shape the Japanese American story in the coming years.

    - Airi Takashima

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

The Board Fellowship Program is designed to drastically increase your knowledge of the inner workings of nonprofit organizations, personal marketing, and leadership in the Japanese American community.

WORKSHOP TOPICS

Our workshop topics are carefully chosen to cover a broad range of skills and knowledge necessary for effective Board leadership.

 

Board Governance

What does board governance mean? This workshop will provide an overview of the general role of the Board of Directors and why they are essential to the function of the nonprofit.

Strategic Planning

This topic will discuss the importance of long-term planning as well as how to build consensus for a long term vision.

Fundraising

Provides tools and frameworks for successful fundraising events and campaigns. Also discusses the role of every board member as a fundraiser.

Challenge of Next Generation Leadership

Provides discussion, tools and skills for navigating generational, age and cultural diversity amongst boards of directors.

 

Finance Management

Every board member should know how to read a financial statement to determine the financial health of the organization. This workshop will cover the basics of decoding statements of activity, balance sheets, and investment reports.

Meeting Management

Discusses the basics of Robert's Rules of Order, facilitation, and running an effective meeting.

Japanese American Community Needs

Discusses the role of next-generation leaders in evolving the Japanese American community for the future.

Marketing & Public Relations

Board members serve as stewards and representatives of the nonprofit. This workshop will discuss presentation, introduction, and relationship building for a nonprofit.

DO SOMETHING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

Make a difference in your community by participating in the Board Fellowship Program. You’ll get first-hand involvement at the top while seeing the leadership involved in creating community change.