James Francavilla of First Book looks on as participants take on new personas in an exercise to demonstrate how to manage the skills and talents of Advisory Board members.

First Book University recently held two seminars in the South — Memphis, TN and Oxford, MS.

Sixteen Advisory Board members from First Book-MidSouth and First Book-Rhodes College gathered at a local restaurant in Memphis, TN. Advisory Board members shared stories and received information on Board structure and fundraising techniques.

The long-standing and successful First Book-MidSouth Advisory Board discussed their strategy for actively recruiting new community members as they recently faced challenges with transitions in membership. First Book-Rhodes College explained how they organized a Speed Read on campus, which included attendance from the President of Rhodes.

Members from the community representing the U.S. Coast Guard and the Junior League of Memphis also attended to learn more about First Book to determine if they would like to join the local Advisory Board.

(From left to right) Helen Taylor of Starkville, Samantha McCain of First Book-University of Southern MS, Kay Stricklin of First Book-MS Delta, and Ricky Douglas of First Book-Oxford/Lafayette Counties review sample book grant applications.

From Memphis, First Book staff headed further south to the land of fried catfish and “Fighting Okra” (Delta State University’s official mascot) to host a First Book University Seminar in Oxford, MS. This seminar was made possible through a grant First Book received through the U.S. Department of Education. Twenty participants, representing all six Mississippi-based Advisory Boards as well as some folks interested in starting a Board, drove to Oxford for a fun networking dinner on Friday evening and full-day of training on Saturday.

Participants gained insight on topics such as identifying and utilizing the skills of Advisory Board members, mapping the fundraising universe (what combination of fundraising techniques is best for your Board — individual donors, corporate giving, foundations, events), and granting books.

Claiborne Barksdale, CEO of the Barksdale Reading Institute, spoke to participants during lunch about the state of literacy in Mississippi and the work of the Reading Institute. His comments reiterated the importance of focusing on literacy and commended First Book volunteers for their efforts.

A special thank you to Susan Nicholas of First Book-Oxford/Lafayette Counties for hosting us in Oxford!

Want to lean more about First Book’s volunteer-led Advisory Boards? We are always looking for new volunteers to start a First Book Advisory Board or to join an existing Board. Locate the board nearest you.