Thursday, June, 13th, 2013,  8:30am – 12:30pm, Registration begins at 8:00am (registration deadline is June 10^th ) United Methodist Church, 236 South Church Street, Grass Valley, Wesley Hall

• Your organization’s story is dynamic and complete
• You know what your fund development goals are
• Your relationships are solid

In short, you’ve done your homework.  Now it’s time – Let’s Do The Ask!

Join Kim Rhinehelder, CFRE, Vice President, Philanthropy at the Eskaton Foundation and learn how to take all that work and use it to ask potential donors for their support.

Making “The Ask” can be daunting, but this workshop will assist you with tools and hands-on-practice.  You will actually work on “getting the words out of your mouth” and come away with more comfort and increased confidence in your success of asking for financial support for your organization.

Kim brings many years of experience having served as Chief Development Officer for Mercy San Juan, and Co-Executive Director as well as Development and Public Relations Officer for Sierra Adoption Services. During her tenure at Sierra Adoption Services, she built a fundraising department which now raises over $2 million annually.

Kim is also past president of the Association of Fundraising professional and one of only 100 certified national presenters.

Presenter: Kim Rhinehelder
Date & Location: Thursday, June, 13th, 2013, 8:30am – 12:30pm, Registration begins at 8:00am (registration deadline is June 10th ) United Methodist Church, 236 South Church Street, Grass Valley, Wesley Hall
Suggested Participants: Board Members, Executive Directors and Development Directors
Cost: $45- First one or two CNL member registrants from the same organization; $60 -Non-members. Additional participant from the same member organization – $25; non-member organization – $35

Fee includes continental breakfast.

Click here to REGISTER or just scroll to the bottom.

Workshop generously sponsored by:  

Valerie Logsdon, Attorney at Law

2013 Workshop Series Sponsors:

Friday, April, 26^th, 2013,  8:30am – 12:30pm, LOVE Building, Condon Park, 660 Minnie Street, Grass Valley

Story is our most versatile organizational building block. It allows us to transform vision, need or opportunity into actions, strategies and objectives. When we approach a nonprofit organization as an unfolding story, we gain access to the most dynamic elements of the institution.

Each of us knows when we hear a story told well, or when we witness others being moved by a powerful story. This workshop will serve as a point of entry to crafting compelling stories for each of our organizations. The workshop is designed for nonprofit leaders who wish utilize the tools of story to engage and mobilize partners, team members, volunteers and donors.

Join Mark Simon, principal consultant at Storywalkers Consulting Group. As an educator, consultant, writer and storyteller with more than 20 years of experience in social service, government, education, and faith-based organizations, Mark has helped small grassroots non-profits as well as large public agencies raise money, clarify vision and articulate key pieces of their story. He is adept with board and staff teams as well as with large-scale community-needs assessments.

This workshop is designed for organizations to bring multiple members including staff, board, even key volunteers.

The morning together will be entirely participatory and hands on. We will explore how story is arguably the most universal element of human culture and dabble in the magic ways that story binds, unites and engages people. Organizational teams will collaborate to identify and convey the story of what you do, why you do it and how others can help your organization succeed. By the close of the workshop you will walk away with tools and strategies that can be utilized immediately across your organization.

Our workshop location also makes it possible for organizations to use this opportunity to have a group picnic to continue the conversations of the morning as well as support team building.  If desired, CNL can arrange for boxed lunches for your group.  Please contact Wendy, CNL Administrator at info@cnlsierra.org for details.

 SPECIAL GROUP ORGANIZATIONAL PRICING!

5  members of a CNL organization only $100, $5  for each additional member; non-member organizations - $150 for 5 and $10 each additional.

Presenter: Mark Simon
Date & Location:  Friday,  April 26^th, 2013, 8:30am–12:30pm, Registration begins at 8:00am (registration deadline is April 22^nd) Love Building, 660 Minnie St., Condon Park, Grass Valley
Suggested Participants: Organizational teams including Staff, Board Members and Volunteers
Cost: $100- First 5 CNL member registrants from the same organization; $150 -Non-members.  Additional participant from the same member organization – $5; non-member organization – $10
Fee includes continental breakfast.

Click here to REGISTER or just scroll to the bottom.

Workshop generously sponsored by:  
Scott Browne, Attorney at Law, Grass Valley  and

2013 Workshop Series Sponsors:

A Series Exclusively for Board Members

This year’s board training is designed in response to member feedback.  Rather than one long session that conflicts with work responsibilities, we are offering a 4-part, evening series, each 2 hours in length.

These sessions will be dynamic, reaching beyond theory and into implementation using interactive group learning.  In order to maximize improved effectiveness for your board  it is STRONGLY encouraged that organizations bring a minimum of two board members.  The more members that attend, the more impact the series will have for your organization.  Space is limited so visit our Upcoming Workshops page to register, get session dates and more details.

Board Development 2013
A Series Exclusively for Board Members

This year’s board training is designed in response to member feedback.  Rather than one long session that conflicts with work responsibilities, we are offering a 4-part, evening series, each 2 hours in length.  Refreshments will be provided.

This series of four sessions will be dynamic, reaching beyond theory and into implementation using interactive group learning.  In order to maximize improved effectiveness for your board  it is STRONGLY encouraged that organizations bring a minimum of two board members.  Exceptions will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. The more members that attend, the more impact the series will have for your organization.

Session #1 – March 4^th, 2013   5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Nonprofit Board
Presenter Norm Westmore will not only provide information on the responsibilities of serving on a nonprofit board, but much, much more. You and your colleagues will work through what roles prove challenging for your organization and how to improve board members’ level of involvement with regard to board responsibilities.

Session #2 – March 18^th, 2013   5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Building a Fundraising Board
One important role of all board members is fundraising, although it is often viewed as the most challenging responsibility a director has.  Many feel at a loss or out of touch with how they can be involved in this all-important responsibility.  Join Gail Johnson Vaughan and put the “fun” back in fundraising by learning how to tap into the emotional excitement your board members have about the organization’s mission.  Learn how to let that enthusiasm become motivation which can then be turned into powerhouse fundraising efforts.

Session #3 – April 8^th, 2013   5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Assessment and Evaluation of the Board and Executive Director
Learn first hand why evaluation and assessment are paramount to the growth and sustainability of a successful organization.  Attendees will hear directly from an executive director and current board member what tools can be used for board self and organizational assessment as well as evaluation of the executive director. Most importantly you will learn how to integrate these into your organization and start the process immediately. Sample evaluation tools will be provided.

Session #4 – May 6^th, 2013   5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Closing Session with “Having the Difficult Conversation”

The final session in this series will take a short time to use interactive learning through role-playing of situations wherein board members may be required to have difficult conversations with others inside the organization.  Practice knowing the “right thing to say” and be prepared for those always-demanding moments.  We will also connect with attendees on their utilization of of previously learned skills as well as feedback on the progress of implementation and any additional assistance needed to bring that learning to fruition.

Dates: Mondays – March 4^th, 18^th, April 8^th, May 6th, 2013, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. (registration deadline is February 27).

Participants: This series is exclusively for board members and each session will include networking time. It is STRONGLY suggested that organizations bring a minimum of two board members.

Location: Please note change from original announcement: All sessions will be held at the United Methodist Church, Wesley Hall, 236 S. Church St., Grass Valley, CA 95945.

Cost: $80 for the first one or two CNL member registrants from the same organization; $100 for non-members.  Additional participant from the same member organization is $45 each; additional participant from the same non-member organization is $55.

Fee covers ALL FOUR SESSIONS and includes light refreshment.

Board Development Sessions generously sponsored by:  
The Law Office of Minor & Keene, Grass Valley

2013 Workshop Series Sponsors:

Join Father/Daughter team Keith Porter and Chris Bennett for this very interactive morning and learn to operate at the highest performance level and increase the positive impact of your work on your organization’s mission – with LESS STRESS!

Learn how to:

• Evaluate the use of your time and priorities and develop tools to accomplish your goals with less stress.
• Maximize productivity while, at the same time, increasing personal satisfaction.
• Enable your Board of Directors, staff and committees to increase their effectiveness and productivity.

This half day workshop will be held Friday, February 1st, 2013, 8:30am – 12:30pm, Registration begins at 8:00am (registration deadline is January 28th)

United Methodist Church, 236 South Church Street, Grass Valley, Wesley Hall

REGISTER TODAY! And don’t forget about our NEW LOWER PRICING – we encourage organizations to bring multiple people for ease of bringing learning back to others.

First one OR two CNL member registrants from the same organization only $45 (non-members = $60).

Additional participants from the same organization are $25/person (non-members = $35).

Friday, February 1st, 2013,  8:30am – 12:30pm, United Methodist Church, 236 South Church Street, Grass Valley, Wesley Hall

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the number and complexity of projects that need to be completed each day?  As the day flies by, do you often feel as if you haven’t paid enough attention to each task because other tasks keep landing on your desk? Do you find yourself thinking ‘If I could only get organized I could finally be in control of my life?’ ” The truth is that you actually have more control than you might think – managing stress is all about taking charge of your thoughts, emotions, priorities and the way you deal with problems.

In this workshop you will learn to:

• Evaluate the use of your time and priorities and develop tools to accomplish your organizational goals with less stress.
• Maximize productivity while increasing personal satisfaction.
• Operate at a higher performance level and increase the positive impact of your work on your organization’s mission.
• Reduce the negative effects of “everything is urgent” on yourself and your organization.
• Increase your ability to identify and accomplish important organizational goals.

Whatever your role, Board member, Executive Director, Committee Member, Staff or Volunteer, everyone has unique responses to stress. Join us to put together your own personalized tool kit to help you and your organization gain control and accomplish what’s really important.

Presenters: Keith Porter and Chris Bennett
Date: Friday, February 1st, 2013, 8:30am – 12:30pm, Registration begins at 8:00am (registration deadline is January 28th)
Suggested Participants: All interested Staff, Board Members and Volunteers
Cost: $45- First one or two CNL member registrants from the same organization; $60 -Non-members
Additional participant from the same member organization – $25; non-member organization – $35

Fee includes continental breakfast.

Center for Nonprofit Leadership Now Certified Under the
Standards for Excellence Institute

CNL is pleased to announce that we have been approved under the Standards for Excellence Institute, the first organization in California to do so.

The Standards for Excellence is a peer-review based accreditation program for nonprofit organizations that wish to demonstrate they are adhering to high standards of effectiveness and accountability. They outline eight guiding principles and 55 performance benchmarks that nonprofit organizations must follow.

You’ll see the Standards for Excellence logo on the home page by scrolling down a little to the Support CNL item in the right column. And, we created a new section under the Resources tab.

You can get there by clicking on the logo or going directly to: http://cnlsierra.org/resources/standards-for-excellence/

Want some “insider trading”?  Then don’t miss the upcoming CNL Workshop scheduled for Friday, October 26^th from 8:30a – 12:30p.

Led by Karen Marinovich and Gail Johnson Vaughn, participants will work through several fun exercises and scenarios aimed at common nonprofit issues.

Topics to be Covered Will Include:

• The Six Thinking Hats – A way of thinking and discussing critical issues that gets everyone on the same page, involved and working together.
• Taking Stock of Your Stewardship Model - Tools for developing and evaluating a successful mission-focused organization from the perspective of the staff, board and donors.
• The Logic Model – What is it and why should anyone care but Spock? – A simple method for explaining and utilizing this tool in program planning.
• Planning from the Future – Using the logic model to keep your organization focused on your mission during any program planning process.
• Project Management – A Quick and Dirty Method – A simple tool for keeping your project or special event planning on target – no engineering degree required!
• The Six Word Story - Learning to tell your organization’s story in no more than six words – meeting the “Hemingway Challenge” to develop the ultimate elevator speech.

Sometimes there just has to be an easier way – Join us for our final workshop of the 2012 Season.  Fast paced with lots of interaction required!

Deadline for registration is Monday, October 22^nd – REGISTER TODAY!

 This workshop generously sponsorer by  

As times continue to change and challenge, most organizations will need to find ways to remain viable and relevant to better serve the community. Need some ideas?… Join CNL and fellow nonprofit leaders at next week’s Next Generation Organizations workshop.

The deadline to register is this coming Monday, Sept. 24th with the workshop scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 28th.

Facilitating the session is Cristine Kelly, executive director of Music in the Mountains. She will discuss successful new approaches to get ahead of the curve as outlined in a study by CompassPoint, a 35-year-old organization that guides nonprofits in becoming better managed and adaptive to achieve greater results.

Based on the study, “Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out,” the workshop focuses on managing organizations in profoundly different ways, restructuring, new requirements of executive directors and other issues to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Valuable skills and tools will be presented for executive directors, board members and staff associated with well established and newer organizations. So REGISTER TODAY!