Anticipating the BBA’s May 6 Charitable Board Service Program, BBA Week got an exclusive interview with event Co-Chairs Brian Dunphy (Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo) and Jane Harper (Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom) to get the inside scoop. Both members of the BBA’s Public Interest Leadership Program (PILP), Dunphy and Harper are working with their fellow 2011 PILP classmates to develop a program providing lawyers with essential practical skills.
1) What is the value of the Charitable Board Service Program to our members?
Harper: The Board Service Program will give attorneys interested in serving on a board insights into (1) how to get on a board, and (2) the obligations of board service. We hope to engage civic-minded members of the BBA, provide insight into what board service entails, and help them find ways to connect with charitable organizations.
2) What is different about this year’s Charitable Board Service Program from past years?
Dunphy: This year’s Charitable Board Service Program will include representatives from organizations that help connect willing board members with charitable organizations. We will also include topics related to fundraising in the discussion.
3) What experiences have you had that inspired you to take the lead on this program?
Harper: Board service is a powerful way to shape an organization. Attorneys are particularly well suited to board service because by nature they identify and address issues. By virtue of their training, they bring unique tools to a board. PILP has supported the Board Service Program for many years because the members of PILP have tried to play an important role in organizations and issues that we each care about.
4) What about the panelists?
Dunphy: We selected a group of panelists with broad and diverse experiences ranging from directors of agencies such as the Arts and Business Council to representatives from the Public Charities Division of the Attorney General’s office to Partners and Associates in Boston law firms who are actively involved in board service.
We are delighted to report that our panelists will include:
Lanita Tolentino, Director of Volunteer Engagement for United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
Jim Grace, Executive Director – Arts & Business Council. Greater Boston
Leiha Macauley, Partner, Day Pitney LLP
Eric Carriker, Assistant Attorney General and Senior Litigation Manager Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division, Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General
John T. Finning, CPA, Alexander, Aronson and Finning & Co., P.C.
Derek Davis, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
Carline M. Durocher, Associate, Pepper Hamilton
Michelle Limaj, Associate, Foley Hoag
Melissa Sampson McMorrow, Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish
For more information or to register for the event, please click here.
