Finding the Right Fit— How One Connection at Get on Board: Spur Service 2025 Turned into Meaningful Impact

When people attend Get on Board: Spur Service, a one-day board training event hosted by Spur Impact, they often arrive with a simple question: How can I make the biggest difference?

For Georgia Byron, the answer came through a conversation that changed everything.

Get on Board: Spur Service was created to strengthen the nonprofit community in Delaware by connecting individuals interested in board service with organizations seeking passionate, skilled leaders. Through training sessions, panel discussions, and intentional networking, the event gives participants the tools and confidence they need to step into board leadership roles.

Georgia attended the event at the encouragement of her daughter, who knew she had long been interested in becoming more involved in the nonprofit world. As Georgia approached retirement, she realized she finally had the time to pursue that interest more intentionally.

“I had always wanted to be involved in the nonprofit world in my spare time,” she said. “This felt like the opportunity to finally do it.”

A Welcoming Introduction to Board Service

From the moment she arrived, Georgia felt the event was thoughtfully designed for people like her—those curious about board service but unsure where to begin.

“I loved the way it was organized,” she said. “As a potential board member, you felt welcomed immediately into that atmosphere. They made it clear: we want you to have all the tools you need to be an effective board member.”

Through training sessions and panel discussions featuring experienced nonprofit leaders, participants learned about governance, responsibilities, and the realities of board service. The event also created space for meaningful connections between potential board members and nonprofit organizations.

“It can feel overwhelming,” Georgia explained. “But the event makes you feel like you’re equipped with the tools to best serve a board.”

Making the Right Connection

One of the most valuable parts of Get on Board: Spur Service is the opportunity to meet nonprofit leaders and learn about their missions. For Georgia, those conversations helped narrow her focus toward organizations aligned with her interests.

“I appreciated that there were already connections being made,” she said. “It felt like, ‘This is what you're interested in—here’s someone looking for that.’”

Her pivotal introduction came when she met Donna Storan, founder of the Fostering Wishes Foundation.

Georgia had long felt drawn to supporting children in the foster care system. 

“I always felt there were huge gaps for children in general, especially children in foster care,” she said. “I just didn’t know how to help.”

As Donna shared stories about the organization’s work fulfilling wishes for children in foster care—providing everything from birthday gifts to special experiences—Georgia immediately felt a connection.

“Her stories were compelling and heartfelt,” Georgia said. “It struck a note with me. I remember thinking, This is it. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to make a difference.”

Stepping into Board Leadership

After the event, Georgia joined the board of Fostering Wishes Foundation as treasurer.

The nonprofit was still growing, and she became the first board member added after the founding group was formed. While that meant navigating some learning curves, the experience also gave her an opportunity to help shape processes for future board members.

“We actually developed a checklist during my onboarding process that will help outline things for future board members,” she said. “I like procedures, so it was a great time for me to join.”

The support of existing board members helped make the transition smoother. And thanks to the insights she gained at Get on Board: Spur Service, Georgia felt prepared for the responsibilities ahead.

“I think I felt as prepared as I could possibly feel,” she said. “The event provided great information and examples. And the panelists were honest about the fact that every board is different and you’ll face different challenges depending on where you go.”

The training also proved immediately useful in her role as treasurer. Listening to experienced board treasurers discuss financial policies helped her evaluate and strengthen the organization’s financial practices.

A Rewarding Experience

Serving on the board has given Georgia a new professional perspective, particularly when it comes to budgeting and financial reporting.

“Going through the process from start to finish has given me a whole new outlook,” she said. “I can now provide more meaningful financial information that helps guide decision-making.”

But the greatest impact has been personal.

“Emotionally, it has been so rewarding,” she said. “The growth of the organization has been substantial, and there are so many wishes being fulfilled regularly. There’s incredible generosity from people giving both their time and their resources.”

Supporting the mission of Fostering Wishes Foundation has allowed Georgia to address a need she has long cared about.

“Joining this organization helped me fulfill that desire to help,” she said. “You really feel like you’re making a difference in someone’s life.”

And that impact reaches far beyond a single organization.

“The success of the board equals the success of the Foundation,” she said. “Which means so many lives are being touched.”

Why You Should Get on Board

For anyone considering nonprofit board service but unsure where to start, Georgia offers simple advice: attend Get on Board!

“Do it,” she said. “You’ll never know unless you go and experience it and hear what everyone has to say.”

Even if participants ultimately decide board service isn’t the right fit, the experience still provides valuable insight into the nonprofit world.

“You’ll walk away with a whole new outlook,” she said. “For me, I left on such an emotional high knowing I was finally going to be able to make an impact.”

Stories like Georgia’s show how the right connection can transform both individuals and nonprofits. By bringing together passionate community members and mission-driven nonprofits, Get on Board: Spur Service helps strengthen the entire nonprofit ecosystem in Delaware.

And for the next Georgia sitting in the audience, it only takes one conversation to spark the next story of impact—for both a nonprofit and the people it serves.

Spur Impact is a Delaware-based 501(c)(3) focused on connecting emerging leaders to meaningful community impact. Through programs like the Spur Impact Leadership Summit, #DoMore24DE, Delaware Gives, and Get on Board: Spur Service, Spur Impact helps individuals grow as leaders while strengthening the local nonprofit ecosystem. Get on Board: Spur Service is part of the Spur Connection pillar, which also includes a fall cohort and customized workshops. Learn more through the Spur Leaders Network.