Board Connect is the nation’s first and only online artificial intelligence-infused platform and hybrid event series that speeds the process of connecting prospective volunteer board members to nonprofits looking to expand and diversify their board. The platform is only accessible in a state through its state service commission, integrated into a companion guide to the active nonprofits in each state.

Q: Why am I seeing information about this in Nevada?

A: Thanks to Nevada Volunteers, the service commission sanctioned by the Nevada Governor and authorized by the federal agency AmeriCorps to grow access to volunteerism, Board Connnect and a guide to active nonprofits throughout Nevada are now available at no cost to the public.

Q: If I am a volunteer, how do I begin using both the guide and Board Connect?

A: Either search by places to help ( more than 500 nonprofits) or ways to help (more than 1,000) and narrowing those respective searches based on what interests you, location, type of volunteering, etc. If you want to serve on a Nevada nonprofit board, create an account by completing a profile of your background, interests and experiences so the artificial intelligence can recommend your best fits with board and committee positions that are available. In both instances, you can reach out directly to the nonprofits to begin the process of connecting.

Q: If I am a nonprofit leader, how do I begin using both the guide and Boardconnect?

A: Most of the active nonprofits in Nevada are already included in the guide. You can keep your organization’s profile updated, add additional ways to engage volunteers and create board positions (or if your organization isn’t included, add it) by using this link — Find or Add Your Nonprofit – Nevada Volunteers.

Q: What’s the purpose of the Oct. 13 Board Connect event?

A: The platforms work 24/7 to connect Nevada residents to volunteer opportunities in a modern, frictionless method that showcases active nonprofits unavailable in any other way. However, to speed the Boardconnect platform’s impact, a hybrid event is being planned on Oct. 13 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Boy Scouts’ Las Vegas Area Council, 7220 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV, 89119. Candidates and nonprofits have the choice to participate in person or virtually. Highly-qualified and diverse board candidates ranging from young professionals to leaders looking for encore experiences will get a chance to meet with nonprofit leaders looking to expand their boards.

Q: How do I sign up to attend the event?

A: Once a volunteer creates an account and a nonprofit creates their board positions, each will see a link to sign-up for the event. Prior to the event, candidates will be able to schedule meetings using the platform to ensure that the event is productive in helping them meet nonprofits that are their best fits.

Q: How much does the event cost?

A: Candidates are asked to make a $20 donation to attend the event and will get a $20 gift card to an area restaurant after they participate in the event. The candidate must attend the event either in person or virtually to receive the restaurant gift card. Nonprofit fees are waived for this event thanks to the partnership with Nevada Volunteers.

Q: I want to attend the event in person. How will that work for a hybrid event?

A: If you attend the event in person, please bring a device you can use to do a Zoom call with anyone who chooses to attend the event virtually. You will connect with them by Zoom for your meeting.

Q: I want to attend the event virtually. How will that work for a hybrid event?

A: You will be given Zoom links to attend all your meetings. The people you meet with will join by Zoom, no matter whether they choose to attend the meeting in-person or not.

  1. What is the event agenda?

A: The event is scheduled from 6-7:30 p.m., following this agenda:

  • 5:30 — Arrival time for those attending in person.
  • 6:00 — Event starts with opening statement and instructions on Zoom,
  • 6:10 to 7:25 —  5, 15-minute rounds of meetings.
  • 7:25 — Event wrapup.

Q: Why are the meeting times only 15 minutes?

A: This event is designed to be a “speed dating” style event with the idea that you spend just enough time with the other person to know if you want to continue the conversation later. The session is not intended to discuss all the aspects, requirements and onboarding of board service for a particular organization. The goal for participants at the end of the event is to have a good idea of at least one connection that should be pursued for follow up.

Q: If the candidate selects which nonprofits they want to meet with, will the nonprofit be able to see who has scheduled sessions with them ahead of time?

A: Yes, all nonprofit participants will be able to see who has scheduled meetings with them. Both the candidates and the nonprofits will be able to see the candidates’ “relevancy score” — the artificial-intelligence generated score that calculates the candidate’s and nonprofit’s fit. 

Q: What do I do after the event?

A: After the event, you will reach out to the people you are interested in connecting more with to see if it is a good match for joining a board. Nonprofits typically have onboarding and recruiting processes that will be followed, but the event provides a pipeline of candidates that typical board-recruiting methods are unable to achieve.

Q: What if I have more questions this FAQ doesn’t address?

A: Reach out to Doug Bolton at doug@inspiringservice.org (text/cell, 513-910-2584) or Carol Rountree at carol@inspiringservice.org (text/cell, 513-300-4122).