The Philadelphia Bar Association YLD and the Board Observer Program is hosting a program entitled How to Be an Effective Ambassador as a Nonprofit Board Member: Strengthening Lawyers’ Communication, Professional Judgment, and Ethical Awareness on May 12, 2026 from 4:30 PM-5:30 PM Eastern.

Registrants may attend:

• In-Person  at  Aramark, 2400 Market Street, 7th Fl., Philadelphia, or
• Via Virtual Webcast.

Lawyers who serve on nonprofit boards take on roles that closely mirror core aspects of legal practice, including fiduciary responsibility, strategic communication, reputation management, and ethical decision making. Serving as a nonprofit board member requires lawyers to communicate clearly and responsibly about an organization’s mission, governance, and impact. These skills directly translate to effective client counseling, advocacy, and professional conduct.

This CLE program explores how nonprofit board service enhances lawyers’ professional competence by strengthening communication skills, judgment, and ethical awareness. Panelists address how attorneys serving on nonprofit boards act as informed ambassadors for their organizations, balancing advocacy with accuracy, discretion, and fiduciary duties. The program also identifies common challenges faced by new board members, including gaps in onboarding, governance literacy, and role clarity, and how lawyers can proactively seek information necessary to fulfill their duties.

Attendees learn how engaging with nonprofit staff, participating in events, and building relationships sharpen lawyers’ abilities to communicate with diverse stakeholders, manage risk, and maintain professionalism in public facing and internal contexts. The program also examines how board service reinforces core legal skills such as issue spotting, informed decision making, and ethical leadership. The program concludes with practical guidance on identifying appropriate board opportunities, evaluating readiness for service, and advocating for oneself while maintaining professional responsibility.

Participants leave with the ability to:

• Apply effective communication strategies as nonprofit board members that mirror best practices in client communication and professional advocacy
• Recognize fiduciary and ethical considerations inherent in nonprofit board service and how they align with professional obligations
• Enhance governance literacy and professional judgment to support competent, informed decision making
• Translate nonprofit board experience into stronger networking, leadership, collaboration, advocacy, and risk management skills

Event Rates

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE
$60.00  Member Attorney
$50.00  Member - Government/Judicial/ Court Reporter/Paralegal
$30.00  Member - Legal Services & Public Interest
$25.00  Member - Law Student
$80.00  Non-Members
$65.00  Non-Member - Government/Judicial/ Court Reporter/Paralegal
$40.00  Non-Member - Legal Services & Public Interest
$35.00  Non-Member - Law Student; Philadelphia Bar Staff

NO CLE/CJE Credit_NO Course Materials - IN-PERSON
$25.00  Member for NO CREDIT
$35.00  Non-Member for NO CREDIT

VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE
$60.00  Member Attorney
$50.00  Member - Government/Judicial/ Court Reporter/Paralegal
$30.00  Member - Legal Services & Public Interest
$25.00  Member - Law Student
$80.00  Non-Members
$65.00  Non-Member - Government/Judicial/ Court Reporter/Paralegal
$40.00  Non-Member - Legal Services & Public Interest
$35.00  Non-Member - Law Student

VIRTUAL - NO CLE/CJE Credit_NO Course Materials
$25.00  Member for NO CREDIT
$35.00  Non-Member for NO CREDIT