2024 Workshops – The Center for Nonprofit Leadership

Break Through the Noise: Messaging that Makes a Mark & Engages the Public

When:
Friday, November 15th, 8:30am – 12:30pm
Where:
Bright Futures for Youth, Event Room
Trainers: Maria Bryan & Lisa Renner
Cost: $60 – CNL Members; $75 – Not-Yet-Members

This 2-part training will empower nonprofits to effectively share their stories and valuable information with those around them.

Part 1: Nonprofit Messaging that Moves Hearts, Builds Community, and Inspires Action with Maria Bryan

In this first 2.5-hour section of the training, participants will learn how to effectively position their nonprofits, harness the power of storytelling, and write compelling copy that drives action. Led by trainer Maria Bryan, this part of the workshop will provide hands-on activities, live feedback, and valuable resources to help nonprofits differentiate themselves, create impactful messages, and inspire their audiences.

Key Takeaways

Understanding Positioning: Learn what positioning is, why it matters for nonprofits, and how to identify and articulate your unique value and point of view.
Crafting Positioning Statements: Discover the elements of a strong positioning statement, review examples, and practice writing your own.
Power of Storytelling: Understand the importance of storytelling, explore supporting data, and learn the storytelling framework and narrative arc.
Creating Messaging Maps: Define and create a story-led messaging map tailored to your nonprofit, with opportunities to share and receive feedback.
Compelling Nonprofit Copy: Explore best practices for writing engaging copy, with a focus on ethical and trauma-informed storytelling.
Long-Form Piece Outline: Review a framework that combines story, data, and a call to action, and outline a long-form piece with group feedback.

About Maria
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Over the past 15+ years in the nonprofit and public sector, Maria has trained thousands globally in person and virtually—focusing on trauma-informed storytelling and purpose-driven marketing.

She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. You can learn more about Maria at mariabryan.com

Part 2: Engaging the Public: Strategies for Nonprofits to Convey News Effectively with Lisa Renner

Armed with an understanding of messaging, attendees will turn their attention to a specific tool in the marketing bucket. Press releases are essential for gaining media coverage and raising awareness about your organization’s mission, activities and impact. They can inspire new donors and volunteers to get involved and they can build your reputation and credibility in the community.

Learn some tricks of the trade about how to write an effective press release from former award-winning newspaper journalist Lisa Renner. She will talk about how to use the classic inverted pyramid organization method to grab attention, how to identify compelling stories from your organization and why sticking to a consistent style gives you credibility. She will also discuss common mistakes nonprofits make with their press releases.

About Lisa
Lisa Renner was a full-time newspaper journalist for 20 years, working at the Modesto Bee and San Mateo Times. For the last 10 years, she has worked as a freelance writer for clients such as Nevada County (County Executive Office and Elections Office), UC Santa Cruz, Capitol Weekly, Bay Area Parent Magazine and California Health Report.

Suggested participants: For leaders of nonprofits responsible for messaging on behalf of their organization

Date: Friday, November 15th, 8:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Bright Futures for Youth, Event Room
Trainers: Maria Bryan & Lisa Renner
Cost: $60 – CNL Members; $75 – Not-Yet-Members

Webinar Viewing: Tom Ahern – Writing Direct Mail Appeals That Work

“TOM AHERN … IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER CREATORS OF FUND-RAISING MESSAGES.”
~ THE NEW YORK TIMES

CNL offers another opportunity to listen and watch a recording of a Tom Ahern webinar, take in some of the Q&A and have in-person, discussion time around the take aways from the topic. … just in time for your fevered year-end fundraising efforts.

Learning how to write an effective direct mail and email appeal is the best basic training you can get in fundraising. This 1.5 hour heavily-illustrated mega-webinar will teach you about offers, expectations, grabbing attention, emotional triggers … and so much more.

How do you know this webinar about successful fundraising (digital and print) appeals is timely for your organization?

Ask yourself… Were your year-end results in 2023 disappointing to you (your boss, your board), then, yes, some investment in training is definitely worth it. Or, maybe your year-end 2023 revenue was good, but you want to tweak your appeal to have even better results.

This webinar was developed over a decade for small-to-midsize and local charities, to explain what the big, direct-mail-dependent charities with hundreds of thousands of donors have discovered and practice. It will introduce local charities with limited budgets and smaller staffs to the BASICS of direct mail and (now) e-appeals. It also openly shares “insider” tricks that help big-charity pros consistently produce above-average response.

Be prepared to leran the important core principles of writing a successful direct-mail annual appeal … scaled down to causes with modest-sized audiences (hundreds to low thousands to a few tens of thousands).

In 2024, don’t guess … KNOW what’s what. Learn the best basics for appeal writing … how the pros implement them with impactful flair … and how you can reach for the sky and soar!

Join CNL for a viewing of the recorded webinar including the Q&A, as well as our own, in person, question time with peers in the room!

Tuesday, October 8^th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Bright Futures for Youth, Event Room
Cost: $25 – CNL Members;
$35 – Not-Yet-Members

THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSOR:

Terry Brown

Workshop: Board Essentials-Getting to Great

When: Monday, September 9^th
5:00pm – 8:30pm
Where: Bright Futures for Youth, 3rd Floor
200 Litton Drive, Grass Valley, CA
Trainers: Julie Hardin & Wendy Willoughby
Cost: $60 – CNL Members;
$75 – Not-Yet-Members

Are you a current or emerging board member who aspires to be a vital part of your favorite organization?

Do you want to take your board role to the next level and increase your value?

Then you will want to join us for this CNL Board Development workshop. It has been designed with an eye to current and emerging or new board members looking to strengthen their effectiveness.

Participants will come away KNOWing the 10 essential functions charged to those serving on nonprofit boards. You will learn how to BE a role model and adopt the attributes of a strong, effective director. And finally, leave prepared to DO the rewarding work of a productive leadership team.

Attendees will:
KNOW: Examine what is behind the 10 roles and responsibilities of a Nonprofit Board member
BE: Explore the qualities and traits of a great board member
DO: Get tools and approaches around the 3 areas of responsibility: Leadership, Fiscal and Fiduciary

Workshop attendees will also receive digital follow up material including many examples and templates.

Invest in yourself and build your governance capabilities… join CNL and Get to GREAT!

To learn about our Board Essentials presenters, Julie Hardin and Wendy Willoughby, click HERE.

This workshop is offered twice a year in February and September. Be sure ALL your board members are on their way to GREAT!

Suggested Participants: Board Members – New, Potential and those currently serving and looking to strengthen their effectiveness, Executive Directors & Staff wishing to learn and support their directors.
Date and Time: Monday, September 9^th – 5:00pm – 8:30pm
Cost: $60 – CNL Members; $75 – Not-Yet-Members
Location: Bright Futures for Youth, 3rd Floor, 200 Litton Drive, Grass Valley, CA

Workshop: Engaging Teams for Recruitment & Retention

Friday, January 26^th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Bright Futures for Youth, Event Room
Trainer: John Schroeder
Cost: $60 – CNL Members;
$75 – Not-Yet-Members

No matter what type of team you lead, we hope you will join CNL for this Leadership Development workshop: Engaging Teams for Recruitment & Retention.

This in-person workshop is for anyone who manages and leads others: Executive Directors, nonprofit managers, volunteer leaders, and Boards. It will be facilitated by John Schroeder from CNL. John has significant experience leading teams who drive employee engagement and leadership development with Fortune 500 companies.

The most effective leaders lead with a high degree of Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and are keenly focused on their organization’s greatest assets: people. They intentionally create a space where they are able to:

attract great new talent,
grow their teams and help them to thrive,
inspire good people to stay in the organization.

This workshop will focus on key skills and the mindset needed to create a highly engaged, highly performing team of staff and/or volunteers. We will review a simple framework that will help to guide you as you develop an action plan for your organization.

You can expect a very engaging session that is a combination of lecture and discussion, as well as small group breakout sessions with your peers.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Define and understand employee/volunteer engagement – root drivers, importance, and impact to achieving your organization’s mission.
Understand the 5 elements of Emotional Intelligence and how to apply to your leadership style.
Framework for engagement: understand 3 key pillars for engagement and how to utilize in your organization

Don’t MISS THIS!

Suggested participants: For anyone who manages or leads others: Executive Directors, nonprofit managers (of staff or volunteers), volunteer leaders, and Boards
Date and Time: Friday, January 26^th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: $60 – CNL Members; $75 – Not-Yet-Members (registration deadline: Wednesday, January 24^th)
Location: Bright Futures for Youth, Event Room, 200 Litton Drive, 3rd floor

Webinar Viewing: Tom Ahern – Great Donor Newsletters

“TOM AHERN … IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER CREATORS OF FUND-RAISING MESSAGES.”
~ THE NEW YORK TIMES

GREAT DONOR newsletters: digital/print. Newsletters are donor-retention’s best friend. (And make serious money, too!)

… yes, a decent donor newsletter can be the gift that keeps on giving to your mission and those you serve …

This one-of-a-kind webinar will help: whether you hope to tune up a newsletter you already have … or are considering a launch.

Join CNL for a viewing of the recorded webinar including the Q&A, as well as our own, in person, question time with peers in the room!

Thursday, February 15^th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Bright Futures for Youth, Event Room
Cost: $25 – CNL Members;
$35 – Not-Yet-Members

… you will learn how to turn your organization’s newsletter into a powerful stewardship tool that will increase donor retention and harvest added gifts!

MORE INFO from Tom about this opportunity:
When the pandemic hit, interest in donor newsletters jumped, as charities sought ways around isolation. Tom Ahern led the creative teams behind two new and highly lucrative donor newsletters introduced during pandemic times. Both are print, coordinated with companion emails. Both are written in-house (after training and ever-lighter handholding).

One is for a national charity. It now raises almost a half-million in extra gifts each time it mails. (It took about 4 issues to get it right.)
The other, for a local California charity, makes $70K+ every time it mails. (Again, it took about 4 issues.) That adds up to more than a quarter-million dollars in added charitable revenue annually for a small-ish organization.
In both cases, as the newsletters were under construction, staff was also being trained. Both these NOW successful donor newsletters are NOW written in-house.

“Would you … (maybe even your board!) like to know exactly how such stewardship ‘miracles’ happen?”

Don’t Miss this opportunity – the webinar content itself is 90 minutes; Stay for as much of the following Q&A and peer learnings as you would like!

THANKS TO OUR
GENEROUS SPONSOR:

Terry Brown

Workshop: Board Essentials-Getting to Great

When: Monday, February 26^th
5:00pm – 8:30pm
Where: Bright Futures for Youth, 3rd Floor
200 Litton Drive, Grass Valley, CA
Trainers: Julie Hardin & Wendy Willoughby
Cost: $60 – CNL Members;
$75 – Not-Yet-Members

Workshop attendees will also receive digital follow up material including many examples and templates.

Invest in yourself and build your governance capabilities… join CNL and Get to GREAT!

To learn about our Board Essentials presenters, Julie Hardin and Wendy Willoughby, click HERE.

This workshop is offered twice a year in February and September. Be sure ALL your board members are on their way to GREAT!

Suggested Participants: Board Members – New, Potential and those currently serving and looking to strengthen their effectiveness, Executive Directors & Staff wishing to learn and support their directors.
Date and Time: Monday, February 26^th, 5:00pm – 8:30pm
Cost: $60 – CNL Members; $75 – Not-Yet-Members
Location: Bright Futures for Youth, 3rd Floor, 200 Litton Drive, Grass Valley, CA

Workshop Series: Launch Your Impact-Results Driven Strategic Planning

3 Sessions – Results Driven Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizational or Programming Initiatives

Training Dates: All in person from 9am – 12pm
Session 1: March 12
Session 2: April 16
Session 3: May 21
Location: Bright Futures for Youth, Event Room
200 Litton Dr, 3rd Floor
Optional Coaching Sessions:
April 2 & 30 – Virtual from 9am – 10:30am
Cost: $250 – CNL Members: $25 discount for each
additional attendee from the same organization
$300 – Not-Yet-Members

Have a plan already so only need some of the tools?
Register for Session 2 & 3 or only Session 3
Check out the details of each HERE (available for members only)

**Trainer: Megan Joseph**
(click to see Megan’s Bio)

This comprehensive and cumulative workshop series is designed to provide you with the DIY tools needed to complete strategic planning with your organization – whether your needs are for the organization overall, or a specific aspect or program within your organization (fundraising, programming, culture, operations, etc.). You will receive a series of tools, processes, worksheets, instructions, practice/workshopping time, peer to peer support and professional coaching to help you move through the process and focus on what your organization needs most.

Hear directly from Megan about this amazing opportunity!
Have a strategic plan but don’t use it? Have one that’s too broad or hasn’t been implemented? Have an overall plan but need a more specific plan for an area or program? Or haven’t delved into strategic planning yet and need to start somewhere? This is for you. You can choose to learn the tools for your full planning process to be completed at another time, or you can set yourself up to complete the planning process in real time throughout the workshop series! **

Every organization can benefit from strategic planning. A well-built strategic plan – whether for your organization overall or a specific aspect of your nonprofit – helps you prioritize and focus your resources effectively. It can give you the opportunity to step back, assess your current situation, and identify the KEY areas where you can make the most significant difference to help you achieve long-term success and results for our community.

STILL NOT SURE THIS SERIES IS FOR YOU?

CLICK to see details for each session

Suggested participants: For any and all leaders of nonprofits: Executive Directors, Nonprofit Managers (of programs/projects) and Board Members
Dates: Session 1: March 12, Session 2: April 16, Session 3: May 21 – All in person, from 9am – 12pm;
Optional Coaching Sessions: April 4 & 30 – Virtual from 9am – 10:30am
Cost: $250 – CNL Members: $25 discount for each additional attendee from the same organization
$300 – Not-Yet-Members

**Please note, completing a plan during the workshop series will require you to focus additional time between sessions on completing each planning component.