Upcoming Courses

Instructor: Amy Nisenson
Location: Webinar, link will be sent to participant
Cost: $70.00
CEUs: .5
Date: March 25, 2021

This class will address the best practices around board meetings and making decisions as a group using Robert’s Rules of Order and other meeting tools. Robert’s Rules of Order is the guide preferred by most professional parliamentarians for being fair and complete. An effective meeting keeps members engaged and helps organizations make better and more informed decisions.

The class will cover what the role of the board chair is and what the role of the board member is when conducting business meetings using Robert’s Rules of Order and following parliamentary procedures. Techniques such as the order of business, handling of a motion, amending a motion, and other fundamentals will be covered. There will be some role play and hands on exercises to reinforce best practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand what Robert’s Rules of Order is and why organizations use it
• Understand the basics of Robert’s Rules of Order
• Understand how Robert’s Rules of Order help ensure an effective meeting
• Understand how an organization’s bylaws work in relation to Robert’s Rules of Order
• Understand the role of the presiding officer (board chair) when using Robert’s Rules of Order
• Understand the roles of the members (board members) when using Robert’s Rules of Order
• Understand how to write an agenda for your business meeting
• Understanding the role of the quorum
• Understand how to handle a motion
• Understand when and how to refer a motion
• Understand voting methods
• Understand how to adjourn a meeting
• Practice using the 7 fundamental motions

Instructor: Sarah Milston, The Spark Mill
Location: Webinar, link will be sent to participants
Cost: $70.00
CEUs: .5
Dates: February 23, 2021

In a pandemic universe our ability to tell our story is limited to online – which has benefits and downsides. So how do we leverage the power of storytelling virtually through social media and equity based storytelling to get the word out about our services. Great stories attract, inspire, and move people to action, storytelling is a key element of any marketing and communications plan. It’s essential for nonprofits to identify, articulate, and most importantly, market the impact they make with their programs. Does your nonprofit story put a face on your nonprofit’s work and make an impact? Do your stories resonate with donors? Powerful storytelling makes an emotional connection, keeping your current supporters engaged and prospective supporters wanting to learn more.

Learning Objectives:

• Get 2020/21 social media tips and tricks
• Understand equity-based storytelling and how to work with volunteer storytellers
• Understand how to transition back to a post=pandemic marketing environment

Instructor: Amy Nisenson and Trina Willard
Location: Webinar, link will be sent to participants
CEUs: 1.5
Dates: May 13, 20, and June 3

Grant writing has rules, just like chess or backgammon. To be successful, you need to learn the rules. You need to practice your “game,” becoming more expert with each successful proposal. The end result? A winning strategy! Participants will be asked to sign up for a three-part series of one-day classes that will cover all aspects of successful proposal writing, with a focus on local foundations, corporations, and government funding opportunities.

The classes will review the critical process of researching funders to match funding opportunities with your non-profit’s program and activities, as well as strategies for approaching funders. In addition, classes will cover the essential elements of the proposal, including case and need statements, program design, evaluation, and the budget, with a particular emphasis on stewardship and reporting. And because your organization has many different kinds of supporters – not merely foundations, corporations, and government funders – we’ll also look at techniques for writing successful solicitation letters, case statements, newsletters, and similar products.

Participants will learn about these topics.

May 13:

• Funding trends
• Different types of grants and the grant process
• The parts of a proposal
• Research techniques

May 20:

• Trends in corporate philanthropy
• Understanding how and why corporations give
• Understanding different types of corporate support
• How to search for corporate support
• Writing effective proposal elements
• Writing collateral pieces: case statements, annual reports, interim reports, and more.

June 3:

• Creating an evaluation plan
• Understanding why and how to measure outcomes
• Creating your final report

Instructor: Naomi Takeuchi
Location: Webinar, link will be sent to participants
CEUs: .5
Dates: April 21, 2021

This fundamental course covers the strategic nature of financial planning especially when considering the budgeting process. This course is designed for individuals who lack an extensive background in financial management but are in areas of responsibility which require an understanding of how the budget should be developed for the success of the organization.

Participants will have a basic review the financial statements and particularly learn how these statements are used for the following:

• Allocating Resources
• Creating and maintaining the budget
• Determining and managing reserves

Key Learning Objectives:

•  • Understand the impact of budgeting for a nonprofit organization
•  • Learn how to consider all costs associated with a program in order to make key decisions for the participant’s organization

Instructor: Dr. Liz Scott, Brighter Strategies
Location: Webinar, link will be sent to participants
CEUs: .5
Date: March 10, 2021

Interested in how to be at the top of your game? Most of us are never taught how to manage. We are suddenly promoted and thrown into management trying to learn from those around us and not repeat mistakes we’ve encountered in our own professional lives. This management bootcamp is going to focus on three key areas of management:

• Improving Self-Awareness & Developing your Personal Management Style
• Managing Your Team (i.e. delegation, team development, accountability, managing change, etc)
• Building Strategic Communication Skills & Dealing with Difficult Conversations (i.e. giving & receiving feedback, improving communication skills)

As a part of this bootcamp, we will use the DISC assessment as a common framework to discuss self-awareness, the communication process, barriers to communications, and personal communication preferences. Interactive exercises will help illustrate management best practices. Participants will be able to use this information to create better strategies for self and team-management. A great training for anyone who wants to improve the impact of his or her management style!

Instructor: Trina Willard, Knowledge Advisory Group
Location: Webinar, link will be sent to participants
CEUs: .5
Date: April 6, 2021

Nonprofits are committed to developing programs and services to meet community’s needs; however, planning for new programs can be tricky, especially when demand is high and resources are lean. Join nonprofit program design and evaluation expert Trina Willard from Knowledge Advisory Group to learn how to design an effective program that meets the needs of your target population. Trina will also share practical tips on how you can keep moving forward with program planning tasks, such as assessing the market for your service, building the program framework, and identifying potential program improvements.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the four primary types of program planning
• How to build a program framework
• Important considerations when conducting a needs assessment
• Why you should perform a competitive analysis
• Clarifying your program’s unique value proposition
• Critical questions you should answer to develop a program plan
• Using evaluation tools to make program improvements

Instructor: WD Staff
Location: Webinar, link will be sent to participants
CEUs: .5
Date: February 4, 2021

Our world is changing faster than any time in history. What worked yesterday will not work tomorrow. To thrive, nonprofits must reimagine how they engage donors and do so better than ever before. Join us to learn how to captivate, celebrate and cultivate new and existing audiences to extend your reach and results in this virtual world. We will share best practices to capture and keep your audience attention from the moment they join, with content that puts your mission in the spotlight and technology behind the curtain. Let’s celebrate! Execute an unparalleled experience that combines visual and storytelling with human connection to inspire action and leave attendees craving more. It is all about cultivation – turn attendees into loyal donors with post- event cultivation and engagement strategies.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how to build a virtual event from large meetings, retreats, fundraisers or workshops so staff, volunteers and guests understand your goals
• Review how to prepare in advance for a flawless online event and how to avoid common pitfalls
• Analyze sample program, event timeline, scripts, and a day of event “cue to cue”
• Review how to manage an online event as it is happening and avoid common pitfalls
• How your mission and brand could be transferred to an online experience
• Unique event ideas that could be used for a virtual fundraiser saving you money on typical venue and catering costs
• Program idea timelines and inputs to create a great branded virtual experience
• Sample creatives and ways to sell tickets and promote your virtual fundraiser
• How to host a virtual bingo, 5K, a day at no spa, coffee chat with a VIP, virtual dinner party or brunch, online auction and other virtual fundraiser and event ideas

Instructor: Amanda Lloyd
Location: Webinar, link will be sent to participants
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $25.00
CEUs: 0
Date: June 17, 2021

What’s Covered:

• What to consider before you begin
• What are the required forms
• Fundraising Basics
• Operating and Governance Guidelines

What’s Included:

• Presentation guide to the required paperwork
• Relevant online links & resources
• Networking with others with similar passions and ideas

What’s NOT Covered:

• This is not a complete step-by-step filling out each piece of IRS paperwork, as it may require legal tax advice.