Nonprofit Center Offers Webinar to Help Boards Strengthen and Succeed

07:47AM / Sunday, August 31, 2025Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires has partnered with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to host a webinar series entitled "Empowering Berkshire Nonprofit Boards for Success."

The sessions take place virtually on Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sept. 5, 12, 19 and Oct. 3. The cost is $150 per organization with unlimited participation by staff and board.

This training series is designed to strengthen nonprofit leadership and governance. Topics include: board roles & responsibilities, financial oversight and fiscal accountability, recruitment, nominations and retention, fundraising and development, orientation and training for new board members, alternative governance models and nonprofit life cycles. There will be opportunities to exchange ideas, explore best practices, and build connections with other nonprofit leaders—helping organizations create strong and effective boards. Participants will leave with several practical tools and actionable steps to increase the effectiveness of their boards.

Presenter Andy Robinson provides training and consulting for nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. Over the past 30 years, Andy has worked with clients in 47 US states and across Canada. He is the author of six books, including Train Your Board (and Everyone Else) to Raise Money. He lives in Plainfield, Vermont.

For more information and to register, visit npcberkshires.org.

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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building.

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.

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