Archive 2013 Workshops

Demystifying Finances: What Every Board Member Needs to Know

As a Board Member:

dollar-sign-and-question-marks
  • Do you rely on your organization’s Finance Committee and staff to fully understand the financial statements without fully understanding them yourself?
  • Do you wish you were more clear but don’t know want to derail a board meeting by asking a question you think you should already know the answer to?
  • Do you wish you had a better understanding of what you are approving?

 

If you answered YES to even one of these questions then this workshop is for you.

You will:

  • Gain confidence as a Board Member when it comes to your organizations finances
  • Have a better sense of what to look for to determine your organization’s fiscal health and/or spot red flags
  • Have FUN while learning

Although aimed at Board Members, Executive Directors and appropriate staff are encouraged to attend so that all members of your organization are “on the same financial page” and speaking about finances with a shared knowledge.

Presenter, Judy Nichols is a local CPA, here in Nevada County for the past 14 years.  Her background includes; CPA practice in AZ and Chief Financial Officer of an insurance company.

Judy delights in bringing clarity and understanding to those of us whose education and professional background did not include nonprofit finances.

In addition to her professional career and passion, Judy is a Distinguished Toastmaster who brings her enthusiasm, knowledge and humor to her presentations.

Presenter: Judy Nichols

Tuesday, October, 8th, 2013, 4:00pm – 8:00pm

No More “Cultivation Fatigue” – Let’s Do The Ask!

  • 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!

kim_rhinehelder

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
Thursday, June, 13th, 2013, 8:30am – 12:30pm

Story as Magic, Story as Tool: Collectively Crafting your Organization’s Story

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.

Mark SimonJoin 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.

Presenter: Mark Simon
 Friday,  April 26th, 2013, 8:30am–12:30pm

The High Functioning Board

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 4th, 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 18th, 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 8th, 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 6th, 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 4th, 18th, April 8th, May 6th, 2013, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Getting it Done – Achieving More with Less Stress

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
Friday, February 1st, 2013, 8:30am – 12:30pm