For the fourth year, Philanos will be offering this valuable program to support board leaders!

Interest is high, space is limited, so don't miss out. Submit your application now!

8 monthly meetings: Second Thursday of the month, beginning September 11, 2025 3:00-4:30 PM ET (skipping December) through May 14, 2026.

Leading a board is often challenging and even sometimes lonely work, but now it doesn’t have to be. Two former Philanos board chairs, Laura Midgley and Virginia Mills, have designed and will again co-lead “A Table For Chairs” or "ATFC", a trusted circle of peer-to-peer mentors. Through the facilitation of Laura and Virginia, this program develops a cohort of board chairs who can rely on one another tackling the issues participants want to address.

Open to Board chairs only – or “presidents”, if that’s the title used in your organization – “A Table For Chairs” will be limited to 15 Board chairs who apply (If you are a co-chair leader, please select only one person from your affiliate to apply). All Philanos Affiliates are eligible, including organizations which have had a prior chair participate

Unlike other Philanos Webinars and Affinity Groups, which are drop-in, “A Table For Chairs” uses a pre-selected cohort and depends on regular monthly attendance by each participant. This cohort model is the key for establishing a trusted circle of peer-to-peer mentors to help fellow leaders reimagine, re-energize and replenish. The curriculum dives into leader challenges by looking at membership, communications, leadership development and more with a critical lens and especially an eye on identifying the elephant in the room. Your presence and participation is what makes it work. This is your chance to focus on you and what you need to be the best leader for these times!

Potential participants are asked to submit 1-2 paragraphs about why this concept appeals to you and what you hope to get out of it. Submissions are due by June 15th and should be uploaded here. Please do evaluate your ability to participate monthly before submitting. Sickness and other issues we cannot foresee happen to us all, but we ask that this be a priority for you.

Together, Virginia and Laura have more than 50 years of collective giving experience. They co-founded this network alongside Colleen Willoughby. Each chaired Philanos in its early years, as well as numerous roles leading their local collective giving organizations and other nonprofit boards.

As co-leaders, they will offer support for confidential leadership issues. Much of Philanos’ learning is centered on ideas and problem solving; however, “A Table for Chairs” will help identify areas for personal growth and provide resources for troubleshooting leadership and organizational problem solving in addition to enhancing your skills and critical thinking as a leader. You will experience all this as well as a “table” with joy and positive energy!

Here’s what some of this year’s participants liked most about ATFC:

• "The ideas and input from all of the brilliant, thoughtful, committed leaders. I'm amazed by everyone in the group"
• "Learning what other organizations have done and what has made those initiatives successful or not. It's been most helpful to learn the why, how and results, rather than simply about an effort or change. It's difficult to assess whether it's something to consider for our organization without additional background." 
• "Having a group of women who understand my challenges as a giving circle leader and can offer help for specific challenges."
• "It broadens my set of tools, resources, and ever, at least sometimes, my thinking."

We welcome current or incoming Philanos Affiliate Chairs (or Presidents) to apply now to join us!

As always, feel free to contact either Laura or Virginia with questions and ideas.