All A-Board! The Purpose, People and Process of CAA Boards

Active and engaged board members who possess diverse yet complementary skill sets and expertise help position an organization to succeed and amplify its impact in the community and beyond. It is imperative when recruiting board members to consider the areas of knowledge that would be beneficial to the organization, and keeping in mind legal requirements, to seek board members who offer added value in those areas. Within the context of the federal CSBG tripartite board requirements, we will present strategies for thinking about board composition and recruitment that can assist organizations as they develop their boards. We will discuss ways to engage board members so that their skills and knowledge are put to the best possible use on behalf of the organization.  Jonathan Cohen, Esq., Staff Attorney and Ted Faust, Assistant Staff Attorney will be the CAPLAW presenters.

Jonathan Cohen, Esq.

Jonathan Cohen is Staff Attorney at CAPLAW. He advises community action agencies on legal issues related to organizational governance, tax-exempt law, and federal government grant compliance. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Jon conducted research and wrote business case studies on organizational change management and strategy for Harvard Business School. He has also practiced business law in Boston, worked to promote international human rights with Human Rights Watch in Washington, D.C., and organized around environmental justice issues in Hartford, CT. Jon earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, a master’s from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.

Edward Faust, Esq.

Ted Faust is an Assistant Staff Attorney at CAPLAW. He advises community action agencies on legal issues related to employment law, federal grant compliance, governance, and other legal matters. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Ted worked as a Contracts Administrator and Legal Assistant for clients throughout the Greater Boston area, preparing documents for litigation processes and reviewing complex manufacturing and supply chain contracts. Ted also worked at Boston College Law School’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Clinic while earning his law degree, advising startup companies on legal issues related to corporate governance and intellectual property law. Before earning his law degree, Ted earned his bachelor’s degree in English at Boston College’s Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences.