Interested in Serving on a

Board of Directors or Advisory Board? 

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in your community but weren't sure how to get started?



The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA) and the Strengthening Inclusive Leadership Initiative (SILI) are offering a six-part training program designed to help individuals with disabilities build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become effective board members or advisory board members.



Organizations need boards that reflect the communities they serve. SILI believes people with lived experience have valuable knowledge, perspectives, and leadership skills that can strengthen nonprofit organizations and help shape better decisions.

This opportunity is for individuals with lived experience with disabilities who:


• Are interested in serving on a board or advisory board
• Want to develop or strengthen their leadership skills
• Make a difference in your community
• Bring personal, professional, volunteer, and community experience
• Want to help organizations become stronger and more inclusive

NO PREVIOUS BOARD EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED!

YOUR EXPERIENCE IS YOUR STRENGTH!

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY SEPTEMBER 14, 2026.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Through six 90-minute interactive training sessions, you will learn:

• What boards do and the role of a board member or advisory board member
• How to work effectively with other board members and organizational leaders
• Why your voice and lived experience are important
• How to be connected with opportunities to serve on a board & advisory board
• Board members matched with training participants will receive their own training and coaching.

WHEN, WHERE, and HOW

• The first training series will be held in the weeks of October 5, 2026 through November 20, 2026 (Second series to be offered in the Spring of 2027)
• Training sessions will be done remotely. 
• Training materials and sessions are designed to support different learning styles and accessibility needs.

Training participants will receive a stipend for full and active participation in each training session.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

Please click here to apply.

Please submit your application by September 14, 2026

For questions, please contact

Denise Majka at denise.majka@shanj.org.

Acknowledgements:

This initiative was funded by an Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant (IHC) from the Division of Disability Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services.

Kate Kelly, Executive Director

kate.kelly@shanj.org

Shelby Blair, Associate Executive Director

shelby.blair@shanj.org

Joseph Christensen, Communication & Membership Manager

j.christensen@shanj.org

Kate Leahy, Project Manager, Housing Navigation

kate.leahy@shanj.org

Denise Majka, Project Coordinator,

Strengthening Inclusive Leadership Initiative

denise.majka@shanj.org