The Harold D. Shapiro Board Apprenticeship Program
Purpose
The Harold D. Shapiro Board Apprenticeship Program will provide early career Chicagoland area professionals with the opportunity to serve as Board Apprentices, participating as non-voting members of the Museum’s Board of Trustees and on assigned Board Committees. Apprentices will complete a project rooted in research and application that benefits the Museum and the Apprentice. Apprentices who complete the Program will become a source of talented individuals who have an interest in supporting their communities by serving as knowledgeable and effective Board members with nonprofit organizations.
Founded in memory of the late Harold D. Shapiro, a Civic Advisory Board member, trusted counselor and friend to Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago, the Board Apprenticeship Program is generously supported by Sonnenschein Nath, & Rosenthal LLP.
Goals
- Providing hands-on learning experiences in Board governance, including fiduciary responsibility, meeting protocol, philanthropy, leadership and what it means to serve an organization that is providing a service to the community
- Exposing promising young leaders, especially those representing the diversity of our community, to the unique challenges facing not-for-profit organizations and the benefits such organizations provide to the community
- Cultivating new leadership, fresh ideas, perspectives and talent for nonprofit Boards of Directors
- Nurturing ambassadors for the Museum in the community
Program Content
A maximum of three (3) Apprentices will be accepted per year and are expected to fully participate in the following program elements:
- One-day intensive workshop taught by Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management on Board Governance (fee paid by Apprenticeship Program)
- Quarterly Board of Trustees meetings and Board Committee meetings as needed during the year, held downtown Chicago and at the Museum
- Participation in round-table discussions on not-for-profit Board governance and case study issues
- Complete a Museum-assigned project which furthers the goals of the Museum’s Board of Trustees
- Volunteer for a minimum of two (2) Museum events during the year
- Regularly meet with a Board of Trustees mentor
About the Museum
As a leader in demonstrating the role of interactive play in learning, Kohl Children’s Museum creates exemplary, developmentally appropriate, hands-on educational experiences for young children in a fun, intimate environment.
>> To learn more about the Museum, please click here
Application Process
Applications for the second year of the program will be accepted beginning November 15, 2009 and the deadline to apply will be January 31, 2010.
There is no fee to apply and no cost to participate in this program. All expenses, including materials, travel and workshop fees are covered in full thanks to a generous grant from Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal LLP.
Interviews with appropriate candidates will be scheduled and decisions on acceptance into the Harold D. Shapiro Board Apprenticeship Program will be sent to all applicants.
