Yesterday, Galveston’s nonprofit community made a powerful statement in Houston. A dedicated group of 27 board members and nonprofit leaders representing 10 organizations boarded the Best Boards or Bust Bus, traveling to Rice University’s Suzanne Glasscock School of Continuing Studies’ Annual Best Boards Conference for a full day of training on what it means to be an effective board member. Five additional organizations joined us there, bringing the total to 15 Galveston nonprofits committed to strengthening their leadership and governance.

Thank you to Comcast and Xfinity for sponsoring the cost of our bus, and thank you to the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund for a tuition grant so that UWG could send seven people from United Way of Galveston to the conference at no cost to our donors!

It’s no small thing to give up an entire day for professional development, but the energy and engagement from our group made it clear—this was an investment in the future of Galveston’s nonprofits. The training provided valuable insights into board governance, strategic decision-making, and how strong boards lead to stronger communities.

Even more exciting is what happens next. The conversations and connections made on this journey are already sparking new ideas and initiatives. This isn’t just about learning—it’s about action, and we can’t wait to see the impact unfold.

If you were part of this experience and want to dive deeper into any of the topics covered, let us know! We’re happy to help facilitate follow-up discussions, resources, or future sessions to build on what we learned.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. This is just the beginning!

Stay connected with United Way of Galveston for more opportunities to learn, grow, and lead in our community.