Maximizing Farmwork Involvement in Board Governance

The health and well being of the migrant and community health center ultimately lies with the board of directors of the corporation. This presentation discusses the interface between the clinical, governance and management of health centers with a particular focus on the role of the board of directors. Long the prevue of the Executive Director, identification of potential board members has rarely extended beyond executive staff and the other members of the board. However, clinic staff, particularly providers, may be excellent sources for identifying interested and competent consumers that would be good candidates. This session will discuss some of the challenges and strategies for success in identifying and recruiting strong consumer board members. The use of case-based teaching will provide real world examples of successful and problematic recruitment of board members.

1. Participants will identify at least three major challenges to successfully working with farmworker consumer board members.
2. Participants will discuss how technology can be used to more successfully work with farmworker board member.
3. Participants will examine two case studies and identify the decision points that led to either a success or a breakdown in health center board governance.