Fundraising Palooza
2021-06-15 10:00 - 2021-06-16 16:15 (America/New_York) | Webinar
This series is offered by Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM).
June 15th (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM) & 16th (10:00 AM – 4:15 PM)
Registration Fees:
Members – $150 (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for discount code)
Nonmembers – $300
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NAM’s Grant Writing Palooza has a new twist for 2021, Fundraising Palooza!
Join us for two days of webinars on all things Grant Writing and Fundraising.
Keep scrolling to see the full agenda!
Keynote Presentation – Asking thru Adversity with Matt Lehrman, Social Prosperity Partners
Be more CARING, CREATIVE, & COMPELLING with donors, members, sponsors, and other stakeholders.  Emerge with 12 specific actions to weave strength into your nonprofit’s fundraising in the face of disruption and uncertainty.  Matt Lehrman animates the principle that while the future is unknowable, it’s incredibly malleable.
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Full Conference Agenda
*All times notes in Eastern Standard Time Zone*

Tuesday, June 15th
10:00 – 11:00 am | The Psychology of Giving – Understand your donors, their intent, and how they view philanthropy
Randall Hallett, Hallett Philanthropy, LLC
11:15 am – 12:15 pm | Online Fundraising Performance – Does Your Nonprofit Measure Up
Jay Wilkinson, Firespring
12:45 – 1:45 pm | Panel Discussion
2:00 – 3:00 pm | Asking Thru Adversity
Matt Lehrman, Social Prosperity Partners
Wednesday, June 16th

10:00 – 11:00 am | Utilizing the Logic Model in Grant Writing
Agne Dizona, Joslyn Art Museum
11:15 am – 12:15 pm | Events in a Digital Age How to Maximize Offline Events in an Online World
Kiersten Hill, Firespring
12:30 – 1:45 pm | Panel Discussion
2:00 – 3:00 pm | The Anti-Small Talk Event
Kevin Mahler, Contributed Line Fundraising Consultancy & Jessica Janssen Wolford, University of Nebraska Foundation
3:15 – 4:15 pm | Data and Funders – Demystifying Reporting and Evaluation
Matthew Henkes & Malena Rousseau, Iowa West Foundation

Lunch & Learn: Social Media Scheduling and Planning Tools
2021-06-24 13:00 - 14:00
This FREE workshop is offered in partnership with TechImpact.
Thursday, June 24, 2021, 1-2 PM Eastern
REGISTER HERE
Session Description
Social media is the most popular way for your organization to engage with constituents. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram – choosing a platform is its own challenge but how can a nonprofit keep up with multiple platforms efficiently and effectively?
In this free 60 minute webinar, we’ll provide an overview and demonstration of tools such as Hootsuite, Facebook Publishing, Tweetdeck, and Airtable.

Models of Volunteer Management
2021-07-08 11:00 - 13:00
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
Thursday, July 8, 2021, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Fee: $35 for members (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code)/$55 for nonmembers
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What motivates your organization to run programs with volunteers? The volunteer workforce can be an important resource to support your nonprofit’s programs and mission. How can you make the most out of the time supporters donate? And how can you recruit and retain volunteers to increase the impact of your organization?
This workshop is designed for small and mid-sized nonprofits. Whether you want to refresh your memory on volunteer management strategies or learn new ideas to expand your impact, this workshop will help you think through research-supported designs of volunteer programs.
Attendees of this workshop will learn:

The principles and practices of volunteer management
The difference between charity-based and transformative service
The theories behind social change, serendipitous, and entrepreneurial volunteer programs
The seven steps of the human resource management model for volunteer management

The workshop is designed to be interactive for you to share your own successes and challenges. Learn from the presenter and your peers in this engaging, two-hour workshop on volunteer management!
Event Details
This event will have AI captions via Zoom’s transcription function. Please note that these captions are automatically generated by the computer software and may not always accurately transcribe what is said. If you need professional captioning, or have another accessibility accommodation, please email MCN’s program assistant with your request at least two weeks prior to the start of the event. Although we will attempt to meet all accessibility requests, late request may not be fulfilled.
This event is done in partnership with the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Common Good Vermont, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA), the Kansas Nonprofit Centre, the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, the Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP), the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM), North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations (NDANO), and the West Virginia Nonprofit Association (WVNP). Members of these state associations can register at the MCN member rate with instructions provided by their respective state association. Visit the Events and Registration FAQ page or contact MCN’s help desk for questions about registering.
Speaker Information
Bradley Wolfe is the regional coordinator for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ Southwest Minnesota Regional Chapter, based in Nicollet. Through his part-time position, Bradley provides local activities, initiatives, and connections to the resources MCN provides in the Southwest region of Minnesota.
Bradley has a doctorate in educational leadership through which he studied the relationship between nonprofits and higher education. In addition to his work with MCN, Bradley teaches courses in Human Communication at Minnesota State University, Mankato and South Central College

The Nonprofit Social Media Toolkit
2021-07-08 13:00 - 2021-08-12 14:45
Thursdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12 $300 for Nonmembers and $240 for Members (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org to request the code!)
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Don’t just be on social media. Be successful on social media. We’ll explore using social media for branding, deep engagement, and fundraising. We’ll also outline how you can integrate and manage social media within a campaign and discuss how to measure your social media impact.
Sound policies will also be important to your social media strategy—we’ll show you how to clearly articulate what content is acceptable and how you should communicate with constituents through social media platforms.
Through participation in this course, you will:

Create and reinforce your organization’s brand using social media.
Learn about strategies for engaging supporters and motivating them to act.
Learn how social media tools can work together to create an integrated campaign that promotes brands and causes through multiple channels.
Begin the process of creating a social media policy for your organization.
Learn how to use social media for fundraising.
Discover tools to measure social media efforts and learn to make this task effective and manageable.
Design a social media strategy.

Beginner Grantwriting: Getting Started
2021-07-14 10:00 - 13:00
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Fee: $89 for members (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code)/$129 for nonmembers
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This workshop will introduce grantwriting to nonprofit professionals who have less than one year of experience with the skill. Many people who work in nonprofits find themselves in the position of “accidental grantwriter” and do not feel fully equipped for the challenge. This training will provide content and resources to deepen participants’ knowledge of and skills in grantwriting.
Participants will have an opportunity to learn about the basics of grantseeking. This session will dig into the basic elements of foundation research and grant planning. This is a beginner-level workshop.
In this training, you will:

Deepen your understanding about the Minnesota funding landscape;
Learn about the types of foundations providing grants to Minnesota’s nonprofits; and
Develop an understanding of the sections of a grant proposal including budgeting and evaluation.

Workshop participants will receive a digital copy of the Handbook for Successful Grant Writing that covers topics ranging from research and planning to a glossary of commonly used terms. The Handbook is only available to participants and is not otherwise for sale.
Event Details
This event will have AI captions via Zoom’s transcription function. Please note that these captions are automatically generated by the computer software and may not always accurately transcribe what is said. If you need professional captioning, or have another accessibility accommodation, please email MCN’s program assistant with your request at least two weeks prior to the start of the event. Although we will attempt to meet all accessibility requests, late request may not be fulfilled.
This event is done in partnership with the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Common Good Vermont, the Kansas Nonprofit Centre, the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, the Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP), the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM), and the West Virginia Nonprofit Association (WVNP). Members of these state associations can register at the MCN member rate with instructions provided by their respective state association. Visit the Events and Registration FAQ page or contact MCN’s help desk for questions about registering.
Speaker Information
Aileen Rosa Sánchez is an entrepreneurial, donor-centric strategist with more than two decades of experience increasing revenue, engaging stakeholders, and furthering organizational missions. Aileen’s previous philanthropic portfolio includes Mayo Clinic, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, and various Twin Cities nonprofits, as well as political and foundation engagement. Aileen helped co-found the Latino Economic Development Center and also the New World School of the Arts Alumni Foundation in her hometown of Miami. She has also helped build diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at various institutions.
Aileen received her B.A. from Oberlin College; M.B.A. from Augsburg University; Oberlin College Community Action Fellowship; Mayo Clinic Bronze Quality Fellowship; Metro State University Community Development Careership; and Hispanics in Philanthropy Next Generation Philanthropy Fellowship. Aileen is the director of development and communications for Genesys Works Twin Cities and serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Minnesota Chapter and the Latino Economic Development Center.

Conflict Management & Communication Skills
2021-07-14 14:00 - 16:30
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Fee: $45 for members (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code)/$65 for nonmembers
REGISTER NOW
Optimal conflict management includes the ability to address disagreements and tensions early, directly, and with dignity, professionalism, and respect. Unfortunately workplace conflict too often saps morale, diverts energy, and causes staff to look for other employment. Even worse, it prevents organizations from harnessing different opinions and ideas that are critical to effective problem-solving, workplace improvements, and organizational growth. Many have been disappointed that remote work and virtual environments have not magically eliminated workplace conflict. After a tense interaction, staff often dread seeing each other and begin practicing avoidance. There is a better way.
During this training, participants will learn, observe, and discuss:

Conflict management styles
Upholding values to treat coworkers and clients with kindness, dignity, and respect
How to maintain strong working relationships during conflict and difficult conversations
Strategies to improve communication during difficult conversations
Role modeling how to handle difficult situations with coworkers

Events Details
This event will have AI captions via Zoom’s transcription function. Please note that these captions are automatically generated by the computer software and may not always accurately transcribe what is said. If you need professional captioning, or have another accessibility accommodation, please email MCN’s program assistant with your request at least two weeks prior to the start of the event. Although we will attempt to meet all accessibility requests, late request may not be fulfilled.
This event is done in partnership with the the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA), Kansas Nonprofit Centre, the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP), and the West Virginia Nonprofit Association (WVNP). Members of these state associations can register at the MCN member rate with instructions provided by their respective state associates. Visit the Events and Registration FAQ page or contact MCN’s help desk for questions about registering.
Speaker Information
Owner and principal consultant Rebecca (Becky) Schueller has three decades of experience working with national, urban and rural nonprofits, community groups, tribal organizations and small businesses. In addition to 30+ years of management and leadership experience, Becky has served multiple community agencies in Chicago and the Bemidji area in Board, committee, and consultant and training roles. She served as the primary staff member and resource development lead at three organizations for more than 25 years. Becky has trained 700 nonprofit, tribal, county, and school staff in the past three years. She worked her way through college as an administrative assistant and receptionist.

Supervisor Coaching Labs: Sharpen Your Supervision
2021-07-15 15:00 - 16:00
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
Thursday, July 15, 2021, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Additional Sessions: August 12, September 9, October 21, November 18, December 9
Fee: $129 for members* (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code)/$169* for nonmembers
*The registration fee covers the cost of the 6-part series. See below for the additional topics and dates.
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Sharpening your supervision helps create strong employee engagement, high staff morale, and great functioning teams. Lisa Negstad and Debbie Okerlund are teaming up with MCN to offer monthly one-hour virtual supervisor coaching lab sessions to help you amplify your supervisor skills. Each session is on the second Thursday of the month from 2 – 3 p.m. central (with the exception of October and November which are on the third Thursday).
Each session will center on a specific supervision topic and will include a mix of teaching and interaction. These labs will allow you to immediately apply skills or techniques to your work situation. They are geared towards people who are new to supervision as well as those who want ongoing content to renew their supervision practices. The labs are also relevant for those who supervise volunteers.
The topics for this series are:
July 15 — Shift from Boss to Coach: Listening
Develop awareness of the different listening modes; learn engaged listening skills to increase trust and improve your conversations with staff.
August 12 — Creating High Functioning Teams
Increase your understanding of what makes an effective team and learn practical ways to improve shared leadership within a team.
September 9 — Shift from Boss to Coach: Power of Inquiry
Learn useful “drill down questions” and simple strategies to connect with staff, increase staff ownership and confidence in problem solving, tackling challenges and exploring opportunities.
October 21 — Supervising Former Peers
Explore the challenges of managing former peers and learn ways to successfully develop a new working relationship.
November 18 — Performance Evaluation to Performance Learning
Learn about the shift away from annual performance evaluations to ongoing learning conversations. Gain insight into approaches that increase employee performance.
December 9 — Delivering Developmental Feedback
Learn and apply a 4- step process to giving feedback for performance, explore strategies to reduce your dread and ensure feedback conversations are successful.
This event is done in partnership with the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Common Good Vermont, the Kansas Nonprofit Centre, the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, the Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP), North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations (NDANO), and the West Virginia Nonprofit Association (WVNP). Members of these state associations can register at the MCN member rate with instructions provided by their respective state association. Visit the Events and Registration FAQ page or contact MCN’s help desk for questions about registering.
Speaker Information
Lisa Negstad consults with a diverse clientele of nonprofits, philanthropies, and government in leadership and organizational development. Believing anyone can be a leader, Lisa lives in two worlds: traditional hierarchies, where she helps managers excel in their role, and collective teams, where she helps groups think systemically and improve their shared leadership skills. Before starting her own consulting firm, Lisa held senior leadership and management position in several international and US-based nonprofit organizations. Lisa has an M.B.A. from Yale and a B.A. in psychology from Luther College and is certified as a Human Systems Dynamics professional. Lisa, an ongoing learner of cultural agility, brings a strong value of inclusion and participatory processes to her training.
Debbie Okerlund is executive coach, trainer, and principal of Lead With Agility LLC. She values connection and warmth in partnering with managers, supervisors, educators, and nonprofit executives whose aspirations are to develop resilience and agility as leaders. Debbie provides compelling, practical tools that inspire self-awareness, build trust in your communication practices, and create a truly inclusive organizational culture. She trains and facilitates peer-coaching groups with a focus on coaching skills, transformational communication, and conversational intelligence.
Debbie has 25-years’ experience as a leader and facilitator including 14 years as an executive director in a nonprofit organization. She is certified in Conversational Intelligence, Peer-Coaching Group Facilitation, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

Persevering Through Crisis: The State of Nonprofits
2021-07-20 14:00 - 15:15
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The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) recently released a new research report, Persevering Through Crisis: The State of Nonprofits, which presented findings on how US nonprofits fared better than expected in 2020 in large part due to increased giving from individual and foundation donors as well as federal funding. The report also revealed that concerning disparities existed in the experiences of women-led nonprofits and nonprofits serving certain communities of color.
Join us on July 20th from 2-3:15pm EDT for an interactive virtual discussion based on CEP’s report. CEP President Phil Buchanan will moderate a candid conversation between nonprofit leaders Dara T. Munson, president and CEO of Family Focus, David Lee, CEO of Imagine MKE, and philanthropic leader Jarrett Tomás Barrios, senior vice president of strategic community and programmatic initiatives at the California Community Foundation. These leaders will expand on their experiences from the past year and offer advice for funders moving forward. The webinar will conclude with an open Q&A and we look forward to answering your questions!
We hope you’ll join us for this free webinar!
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Behaviors that Trigger Negative Bias
2021-07-21 11:00 - 13:00
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Fee: $45 for members (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code)/$65 for nonmembers
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We are most likely to act on our implicit biases when we are triggered by stressful situations. Recognizing our triggers will help us interrupt unintentional bias-based mistreatment and create a stronger workplace culture of equity and belonging for all. Participants in this workshop will unpack the behaviors from others that they personally struggle with in different circumstances, reflect on their responses to those behaviors, and examine how implicit bias influences these responses in ways that might result in negative outcomes and experiences for others.
Event Details
This event will have AI captions via Zoom’s transcription function. Please note that these captions are automatically generated by the computer software and may not always accurately transcribe what is said. If you need professional captioning, or have another accessibility accommodation, please email MCN’s program assistant with your request at least two weeks prior to the start of the event. Although we will attempt to meet all accessibility requests, late request may not be fulfilled.
Speaker Information
Rebecca Slaby, executive director, leads AMAZEworks in working with schools, communities, and organizations to create equity and belonging for all. She gives workshops on Anti-Bias Education with a focus on cultural responsiveness, bias, identity, and stereotype threat and has co-authored two AMAZEworks curriculums. With an M.Ed. from DePaul University, she has 15 years of experience teaching middle school humanities/social studies and has worked with schools on issues of equity, inclusion, and justice on institutional, state, and regional levels. She has presented at Overcoming Racism, MEA, NAEYC, MnAEYC, Impact, and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits conferences and teaches courses on equity-based pedagogy at the University of Minnesota.

Board Training Series: Nonprofit Finance
2021-07-21 16:30 - 18:00
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Fee: $45 for members (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code)/$65 for nonmembers
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Nonprofit boards have an obligation to act as responsible stewards in managing their financial resources. By adhering to sound accounting principles that produce reliable financial information, you can ensure fiscal responsibility and build public trust. Does your organization follow the appropriate regulations and procedures to accomplish your mission in effective and efficient ways?
Event Details
This workshop is one session of a four-part board training series. The other sessions are Legal Duties on July 7, Models of Governance on August 4, and Inclusion and Diversity from 3:30 – 5 p.m. central each day. Use the registration button at the top of this page to register only for the Nonprofit Finance workshop. Use the following link to register for the full series for $115 for members and $165 for nonmembers: Register for the full series.
Special discount for this series: This workshop series is great for groups of board members and executive staff to attend together. Register more and save! As a special offer for this series only, buy three series registrations at the regular price and receive a fourth series registration for free. Instructions for group registrations are available on our Event and Registration FAQ page.
Please note that this special discounted rate is only for registrations to the full four-part series and does not apply to registration to individual workshops in the series.
MCN strives to support the learning and growth of the next generation of nonprofit leaders through relevant skill- and vision-building programs that center equity and justice and address historical barriers to participating and leading in the nonprofit sector. In this context, we are offering a limited number of sponsored, free registrations to individuals who have never or are not currently serving on a board of directors. BIPOC and historically underrepresented individuals are encouraged to submit a request. Free registrations will be on a first come, first served basis. Please email Dr. Bradley Wolfe at bwolfe@minnesotanonprofits.org to submit your request to attend the series for free.
This event will have AI captions via Zoom’s transcription function. Please note that these captions are automatically generated by the computer software and may not always accurately transcribe what is said. If you need professional captioning, or have another accessibility accommodation, please email MCN’s program assistant with your request at least two weeks prior to the start of the event. Although we will attempt to meet all accessibility requests, late request may not be fulfilled.
This event is done in partnership with the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Common Good Vermont, the Kansas Nonprofit Centre, the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, the Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP), and the West Virginia Nonprofit Association (WVNP). Members of these state associations can register at the MCN member rate with instructions provided by their respective state association. Visit the Events and Registration FAQ page or contact MCN’s help desk for questions about registering.
Speaker Information

Yohannes Ghebru is the finance manager at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. In his role, Yohannes oversees accounting and finance functions of MCN and works to make sure MCN’s finances are accurate and are according to GAAP. Yohannes works closely with executive and program leadership in areas of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

Prior to joining MCN, Yohannes worked as finance and accounting professional in nonprofits as well as for-profits. Originally from Asmara, Eritrea, Yohannes has a B.A. in business and accounting and an M.A. in organizational management and leadership from Concordia University, Saint Paul.

Building Bridges Leadership Institute 2021
2021-07-30 09:00 - 2021-12-17 11:00
This series is offered by The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.
July 30th, August 27th, September 24th, October 29th, November 19th, & December 17th
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Registration Fee: $25, Scholarships are available
Please note, if you attended this session last year you are asked NOT to register for this year, but instead recommend BBLI to a friend or colleague.
REGISTER NOW

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Intermediate Grantwriting
2021-08-03 10:00 - 13:00
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
Tuesday, August 3, 2021, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Fee: $89 for members (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code)/$129 for nonmembers
REGISTER NOW

Many people who work in nonprofits find themselves in the position of “accidental grantwriter” and do not feel fully equipped for the challenge. This session will provide a balance of tools, practice of skills and significant writing opportunities to deepen participants’ knowledge of and skills in grantwriting.

This intermediate-level training is also a hands-on writing clinic, in which registrants will receive feedback from other participants about specific sections of one of their grant proposals as well as have an opportunity to create and/or improve some usable grant content for their organizations.

Learning Objectives

Develop grant content for your organization
Analyze actual grant applications, and recognize successful and unsuccessful strategies
Receive peer feedback on submitted grant applications and on the content written in the workshop

Workshop participants will receive a digital copy of the Handbook for Successful Grant Writing that covers topics ranging from research and planning to a glossary of commonly used terms. The Handbook is only available to participants and is not otherwise for sale.
This session is focused on writing. For a session on the grantseeking process, you may wish to instead register for the Beginner Grantwriting: Getting Started session.
Speaker Information
Kari Aanestad serves the director of advancement at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. In this role, Kari advances the mission and work of MCN and Minnesota’s nonprofit sector through strategic visioning, fundraising, relationship development, sector research, and education. Kari also serves as co-director of GrantAdvisor, an anonymous review site of grantmaking foundations, and vice president of the Minnesota-Northstar Chapter of the Grant Professionals Association. Kari holds an master of divinity degree from Luther Seminary and bachelor of arts degree from Augsburg College.

Board Training Series: Models of Governance
2021-08-04 16:30 - 18:00
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
Wednesday, August 4, 2021, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Fee: $45 for members (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code)/$65 for nonmembers
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Great boards don’t happen by accident. It takes vision, planning, training, structure, tools, technology, passion, and dedication to create a high-impact board. In this session, the presenter will lead nonprofit board members through an educational training on effective models of nonprofit governance. This workshop is great for current and future board members, along with nonprofit staff who work with boards.
Topics include:

Define “Governance” what it means to be on a nonprofit board
Develop a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities of a nonprofit board member
Learn the characteristics of a high-impact board
Understand various types of board: working board, managing board, policy board, ratifying board, and a failing board

Event Details
This workshop is one session of a four-part board training series. The other sessions are Legal Duties on July 7, Nonprofit Finance on July 21, and Inclusion and Diversity on August 28 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. central each day. Use the registration button at the top of this page to register only for the Models of Governance workshop. Use the following link to register for the full series for $115 for members and $165 for nonmembers: Register for the full series.
Special discount for this series: This workshop series is great for groups of board members and executive staff to attend together. Register more and save! As a special offer for this series only, buy three series registrations at the regular price and receive a fourth series registration for free. Instructions for group registrations are available on our Event and Registration FAQ page.
Please note that this special discounted rate is only for registrations to the full four-part series and does not apply to registration to individual workshops in the series.
Speaker Information
Jennifer Rajala Sawyer is a business entrepreneur, Partner and Founder of BoardBOS and Rebound Partners. Rebound Partners is an Investment Management and Services company for real estate, hospitality hotels & restaurants, manufacturing and banking. BoardBOS is a board governance consulting and technology company offering board operating tools, educational training and technology systems. Jennifer is dedicated to powering up boards by engaging, educating and empowering board members and executive leadership teams.
Jennifer specializes in three key areas: board governance, strategic planning and leadership development for nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses. She has been trained as a certified executive business coach, a certified Mastermind facilitator, and an expert in the EOS Traction Strategic Planning system.
Jennifer is currently a Board Member of Merchants Financial Bank in Winona, MN, serving on board Governance and Personnel Committees. She is also a board member and governance chair of Northfield Shares Community Foundation. She is a founding board member of Northfield Area YMCA, Past Board Chair of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, and has served on numerous nonprofit boards including St. Olaf Alumni Board, Junior League of Minneapolis, Northfield Arts Guild, WINGS, 5th Bridge, and Bethel Lutheran Church.

Investing ARPA Funds in the Work of Charitable Nonprofits
2021-08-10 15:00 - 16:15
This webinar is offered in partnership with the National Council of Nonprofits.
Tuesday, August 10, 2021, 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM
This is a FREE event.
Understanding (and Securing) New COVID Relief Funds
Don’t Miss Out on Once-In-a-Generation Opportunity for Support
How can your nonprofit access some of the $350 billion that Congress recently allocated for state, local, and Tribal governments to help “households, small businesses, and nonprofits” recover from the pandemic? What types of activities and costs are eligible for funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)? How can nonprofits make sure governments know how important it is to invest in the work of charitable nonprofits in their communities?
The answers to these and many other questions will be provided in a free national webinar: Investing ARPA Funds in the Work of Charitable Nonprofits | Promoting Nonprofit-Government Partnerships on Tuesday, August 10, 3:00 – 4:15 pm Eastern.
REGISTER NOW
Brief Background: The ARPA includes $350 billion for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to provide “assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or to aid impacted industries” (emphasis added). State, local, and Tribal governments may use the federal funds directly or through others, meaning that charitable nonprofits can be both the recipient of assistance as well as the provider of assistance to others. In practice, charitable organizations are eligible for both direct assistance through grant programs and relief of unemployment costs and contracting burdens, and governments can use the funds to hire nonprofits to expand programs serving the public.
This Webinar: Recognizing that charitable nonprofits and governments are natural partners, serving the same constituents in the same communities, the webinar opens with remarks from Svante Myrick, Mayor of Ithaca, New York, a noted champion of the work of charitable nonprofits. Nonprofit leaders from across the country will share their experiences working with governments and nonprofits to develop effective COVID-related relief programs. All will offer advice and answer questions on how to make the case for investing the ARPA funds in community-based work performed by charitable organizations in partnerships between nonprofits and governments. Learn how to help set the priorities for spending the ARPA funds, consider recommendations for how the spending plans should (and should not) be implemented, and how to make the case for prioritizing the work of nonprofits. Also hear examples of successful approaches that have worked in many parts of the country and can be replicated in your community.
The Nonprofit Perspective: Learn more by reading the National Council of Nonprofits’ Special Report: Strengthening State and Local Economies in Partnership with Nonprofits: Principles, Recommendations, and Models for Investing Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Board Training Series: Inclusion & Diversity
2021-08-18 16:30 - 18:00
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Fee: $45 for members (email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code)/$65 for nonmembers
REGISTER NOW
s building an inclusive and welcoming board culture a priority for your organization? While very important, even well-intended efforts to do so can be insensitive and harmful. It matters how your organization recruits board members, and recruiting efforts must be done thoughtfully to create a culture that values every perspective. How do you diversify board membership? How do you set up an environment that welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives? How do you name the privilege that is in inherently in the room to ensure privileged voices sit back?
Event Details
This workshop is one session of a four-part board training series. The other sessions are Legal Duties on July 7, Nonprofit Finance on July 21, and Models of Governance on August 4 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. central each day. Use the registration button at the top this page to register only for the Inclusion and Diversity workshop. Use the following link to register for the full series for $115 for members and $165 for nonmembers: Register for the full series.
Special discount for this series: This workshop series is great for groups of board members and executive staff to attend together. Register more and save! As a special offer for this series only, buy three series registrations at the regular price and receive a fourth series registration for free. Instructions for group registrations are available on our Event and Registration FAQ page.
Please note that this special discounted rate is only for registrations to the full four-part series and does not apply to registration to individual workshops in the series.
Speaker Information
The most important thing about Bukata Hayes is that he is the son of Dia Damani and Karen Hayes, husband to Lisa and father to Damani, Jalen, Zavier, and Zuri. In addition to this, he has served as the Executive Director of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council, a non-profit, focused on diversity, inclusion and equity in Southern Minnesota since September, 2006. In March 2020, he co-authored a book titled, WRITE on RACE to be RIGHT on RACE Resource Journaling Guide which is a self-study on race highlighting its many impacts on our communities. He also co-hosts a local radio show and podcast called DEI: Engaged Exchanges which discusses issues with diversity, equity and inclusion with local and statewide leaders. Bukata received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. He has membership and/or is on the board of numerous organizations such as the Mankato Chapter of the NAACP (Executive Committee), Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Board (President), Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation Board (Vice President) and the Blandin Foundation Board.

Assess and Communicate the Capacity of Your Nonprofit Organization
2021-08-26 09:00 - 12:00
This series is offered by Nonprofits LEAD.
August 26th
9:00 – 12:00 PM
Registration Fee: $35 (WVNPA Members save $5!), includes book, access to the recording, and all handouts
Learn to use the Nonprofit Lifecycles model to assess your nonprofit organization’s current capacity and communicate your capacity building needs to board members, funders and collaborative partners.
You will learn:
• An easy to communicate capacity and lifecycles model
• How to conduct a quick organizational assessment using these models
• How to represent capacity visual to your team, donors, funders and so forth
• How to categorize and prioritize organizational strengths and challenges
• How to use assessment results to communicate to funders and collaborators.
REGISTER NOW

DEI for Managers & Supervisors
2021-09-14 11:00 - 13:00
This series is offered by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
September 14, 2021
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Registration Fee: $45 for Members, $65 for Nonmembers. Email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code.
REGISTER NOW
Supervisors and managers play a critical role in reinforcing an organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). That role may involve particular challenges and opportunities, including how DEI affects hiring and promotion, performance reviews and improvement plans, managing conflict, addressing bias, engaging employees, and offering professional development, among others. In this interactive workshop, we create the space managers and supervisors need to explore how DEI impacts them, offering practical solutions for continued development as a leader on DEI.
Speaker Information
Anne Phibbs is the founder and president of Strategic Diversity Initiatives. Anne brings over 25 years’ experience helping organizations advance their equity, diversity, and inclusion goals. She is adept at assessing an organization’s strengths and challenges and tailoring her approach to its context, culture, and goals. Anne has delivered hundreds of workshops and classes for thousands of participants in corporate, government, higher education, nonprofit, healthcare, and faith community settings. Anne built a successful diversity and inclusion leadership program at the University of Minnesota, with a focus on emotional intelligence (EI), and she is an EI Practitioner certified in the EQ-i2.0 and EQ360 methods. As director of education at the University of Minnesota, she was responsible for developing and implementing their successful Certificate Program, a series of 10 workshops designed to increase capacity for diversity and inclusion work across every part of the institution. Anne earned her Ph.D. in philosophy and feminist studies from the University of Minnesota.

~POSTPONED~ The Organizational Assessment: An Annual Snapshot of a Nonprofit's Performance and Potential
2021-09-16 15:00 - 16:30
This series is offered by Washington Nonprofits.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED, THE NEW DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET
Registration Fee: $40 for Members, $80 for Nonmembers. Email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code.
REGISTER NOW

It’s a well-known fact that people and organizations are stronger and more grounded in creating their futures when accurate information is the basis for their decision-making. Yet, as diverse stakeholders are invited into solving problems, leveraging opportunities, and charting the future, many are taking part in conversations that are based on a low-degree of facts and a high-degree of subjectivity.
A well-timed and thoughtful assessment is as fundamental to the health and vitality of an organization as a physical examination is for any living thing. The results provide an indication of areas that are functioning as needed and expected. It also can draw attention to processes or systems that may be underperforming or putting the organization’s viability ultimately at risk.
This 90-minute overview of organizational assessments offers a framework for participants to consider the key elements of a reasonable review and have a discussion within their own association, congregation or charitable cause about what constitutes reasonable evaluation of the key indicators of their performance. At Third Sector Company, we believe that the results of an organizational assessment create a foundation for deeper dive evaluations aimed at the chief executive performance review process and an annual board assessment.
Learning Outcomes:
You will leave this course ready to:

Construct a thoughtful organizational assessment framework
Engage in a directed conversation with board and management about starting a reasonable organizational assessment process and its value to both management and governance
Coordinate a timed evaluation culture that creates a synergistic relationship between an organizational assessment and the resulting impact on executive and board performance reviews

Who Should Attend: Board Members, Nonprofit Staff, Executive Directors
REGISTER NOW
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
Jeffrey Wilcox, CFRE, is President and Chief Mission Advancement Officer for Third Sector Company. Founded in 2002, it is one of the largest teaching and support organizations for interim executive management and leadership continuity solutions for associations, congregations and charitable organizations in the country. He is the former Senior Vice President of Community Development for United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and Valley of the Sun United Way in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also the former nonprofit columnist for the Long Beach (CA) Business Journal, founder of “The Board Chairs Academy,” and author of “The Nonprofit Leader of the New Decade.” He co-developed and is the former lead trainer for the Wells Fargo New Executive Directors Institute of Greater Los Angeles. He is the immediate past chair of the Executive Advisory Board of the School of Business, Government and Economics at Seattle Pacific University and was named Alumnus of the Year in 2015. He is a past national chairman of the Executive Transitions and Succession Planning Affinity Group for the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and served as national governance chair for Camp Fire USA. He currently serves on the board of AFP Advancement Northwest in Seattle.

2021 Nonprofit Leadership Summit - Onward!
2021-09-21 10:00 - 2021-09-23 16:00
Regular Registration is Now CLOSED
Please call Mandy Ray at 304.646.7854 before 1 PM or email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org to register for the Summit. Note, all last minute registrations MUST be paid via credit card.
In registering for this event, you are consenting to appear in photographs and videos recorded at the event and consenting for these photos and videos to potentially be used in future marketing efforts. You are also consenting for your evaluation responses to be used in future marketing efforts

~POSTPONED~ The Board Assessment: Taking the Pulse of Governance Action
2021-09-23 15:00 - 16:30
This series is offered by Washington Nonprofits.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED, THE NEW DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET
Registration Fee: $40 for Members, $80 for Nonmembers. Email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code.
REGISTER NOW

A key responsibility of the board is to make sure it is supporting the chief executive and providing a fair and timely review of performance. But what about making sure the governance of the organization is also being reviewed and working just as effectively as it can for the advancement of the organization?
At Third Sector Company, we believe that a board should participate in a thoughtful self-assessment process. Conducting a periodic board evaluation reminds each member of their individual and collective responsibilities to the mission. It also creates a shared accountability for a board to effectively leverage its position to uplift staff and volunteers, contributors, the community and the users of service or members.
This 90-minute overview of board assessments offers a framework for participants to consider the key elements of a reasonable review of board processes and governance. The results can provide facts and documented perceptions for creating a year-long board development strategy.
Learning Outcomes:
You will leave this course ready to:

Lead a discussion that will result in conducting a board assessment
Complete a board assessment as part of an organizational commitment to accountability which also includes an organizational assessment and the executive performance review
Incorporate the results of a board assessment into a board development strategy
Formation of a governance committee if one does not currently exist

Who Should Attend: Board Members, Nonprofit Staff, Executive Directors
REGISTER NOW
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
Jeffrey Wilcox, CFRE, is President and Chief Mission Advancement Officer for Third Sector Company. Founded in 2002, it is one of the largest teaching and support organizations for interim executive management and leadership continuity solutions for associations, congregations and charitable organizations in the country. He is the former Senior Vice President of Community Development for United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and Valley of the Sun United Way in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also the former nonprofit columnist for the Long Beach (CA) Business Journal, founder of “The Board Chairs Academy,” and author of “The Nonprofit Leader of the New Decade.” He co-developed and is the former lead trainer for the Wells Fargo New Executive Directors Institute of Greater Los Angeles. He is the immediate past chair of the Executive Advisory Board of the School of Business, Government and Economics at Seattle Pacific University and was named Alumnus of the Year in 2015. He is a past national chairman of the Executive Transitions and Succession Planning Affinity Group for the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and served as national governance chair for Camp Fire USA. He currently serves on the board of AFP Advancement Northwest in Seattle.

Conflict Resolution for Nonprofits
2021-09-28 10:00 - 12:00
This series is offered by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
September 28, 2021
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Registration Fee: $89 for Members, $129 for Nonmembers. Email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code.
REGISTER NOW
Conflict can be an opportunity for growth or the cause of chronic discord in your workplace. If you are uncomfortable with conflict, you are not alone. In this workshop, you will come to understand your own conflict resolution styles including their benefits and drawbacks. You will learn concrete skills that will allow you to successfully manage conflict in your workplace.
Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:

Understand your own conflict management styles
Identify how to decide upon which style would work better in different conflictual situations
Learn tools for communication in conflict
Learn how to successfully manage defensiveness

This is a two-part event. Please make sure you can attend both dates before registering: September 28 & 30 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. eastern each day.
Speaker Information
Terri Allred learned the importance of communicating in conflictual circumstances as a therapist for people who had committed sexual offenses. Trained in Restorative Justice Peacekeeping, mediation and conflict resolution, Terri brings her 30 years of experience to help participants understand their own conflict communication style. She believes that there are no right or wrong styles, just more effective styles for different situations. Terri is the owner of Terri Allred Consulting and Director of the Rochester Nonprofit Consortium.

Intentional Impact: Organizational Assessment & Strategic Planning
2021-09-30 08:00 - 12:00
This series is offered by the Lewis College of Business, Brad D. Smith Schools of Business.
September 30, 2021
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Registration Fee: $95

REGISTER NOW

~POSTPONED~ The Executive Director Performance Review: The Pinnacle Example of a Nonprofit's Commitment to Accountability, Talent Management and a Shared Leadership Culture
2021-09-30 15:00 - 16:30
This series is offered by Washington Nonprofits.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED, THE NEW DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET
Registration Fee: $40 for Members, $80 for Nonmembers. Email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code.
REGISTER NOW

It can be extremely challenging for a board of directors to provide a timely, thoughtful and fair evaluation of the chief professional officer. For some, the entire process can seem cumbersome and overwhelming. For others, it can be viewed as a political landmine. Yet, establishing an organizational process for setting goals, creating check-ins, and providing useful feedback lay the cornerstone for a culture of accountability and a commitment to developing and cultivating talent.
This 90-minute overview of executive leadership performance planning and review provides a framework for board members and executives to begin conversations to construct a review process that reflects a year-round commitment to executive success, mutual accountability between management and governance, and a climate of talent development, retention, and succession.
Learning Outcomes:
You will leave this course ready to:

Conduct a thoughtful executive performance review
Engage in a directed conversation between management and the board that results in a published strategy to co-create and sustain a culture of year-round accountability
Incorporate leadership succession planning into thoughtful long-range planning for the organization and its talent management

Who Should Attend: Board Members, Nonprofit Staff, Executive Directors
REGISTER NOW
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
Jeffrey Wilcox, CFRE, is President and Chief Mission Advancement Officer for Third Sector Company. Founded in 2002, it is one of the largest teaching and support organizations for interim executive management and leadership continuity solutions for associations, congregations and charitable organizations in the country. He is the former Senior Vice President of Community Development for United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and Valley of the Sun United Way in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also the former nonprofit columnist for the Long Beach (CA) Business Journal, founder of “The Board Chairs Academy,” and author of “The Nonprofit Leader of the New Decade.” He co-developed and is the former lead trainer for the Wells Fargo New Executive Directors Institute of Greater Los Angeles. He is the immediate past chair of the Executive Advisory Board of the School of Business, Government and Economics at Seattle Pacific University and was named Alumnus of the Year in 2015. He is a past national chairman of the Executive Transitions and Succession Planning Affinity Group for the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and served as national governance chair for Camp Fire USA. He currently serves on the board of AFP Advancement Northwest in Seattle.

Cultural Differences: Leading Through Anti-Bias Practices
2021-10-05 11:00 - 13:00
This series is offered by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
October 5, 2021
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Registration Fee: $45 for Members, $65 for Nonmembers. Email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code.
REGISTER NOW
Leadership that embeds anti-bias practices creates a workplace culture that authentically welcomes, supports, and values people for all of who they are. This workshop will introduce participants to anti-bias leadership practices. These practices affirm healthy complex identities of staff and constituents, model respect and appreciation of differences, and appropriately respond to bias-based mistreatment as it appears in the workplace in order to create equity and belonging for all.
Speaker Information
Rebecca Slaby, executive director, leads AMAZEworks in working with schools, communities, and organizations to create equity and belonging for all. She gives workshops on Anti-Bias Education with a focus on cultural responsiveness, bias, identity, and stereotype threat and has co-authored two AMAZEworks curriculums. With an M.Ed. from DePaul University, she has 15 years of experience teaching middle school humanities/social studies and has worked with schools on issues of equity, inclusion, and justice on institutional, state, and regional levels. She has presented at Overcoming Racism, MEA, NAEYC, MnAEYC, Impact, and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits conferences and teaches courses on equity-based pedagogy at the University of Minnesota.

Building Better Boards: A three-part series for Board Leaders & Executive Directors Session 1
2021-10-06 13:00 - 14:30
This series is offered in partnership with the Maine Association of Nonprofits.

Increasing Board Engagement: Governance as Leadership
Tuesday, October 6, 2021, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Fortifying the Board-Executive Director Partnership
Tuesday, October 27, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Who’s Next: Proactively Navigating Successful Leadership Transitions
Wednesday, November 9, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Registration Information:
Series:
$129 Members/$179 Nonmembers, $40 off additional registrations from the same team (applies to both members and nonmembers) Click HERE to register for the whole series.
Single Sessions:
$49 Members/$69 Nonmembers, $20 off additional registrations from the same team (applies to both members and nonmembers). Click the session titles above to register.
DESCRIPTION:
We’re excited to welcome back international governance consultant Susan Meier to lead this three-part series for board leaders and executive directors as a chance to collectively discuss the various challenges nonprofits face in board development and how to overcome them by fostering a healthy board culture built on trust, candor, and mutual respect. Participants can register for single sessions or the entire series. You will find intended audiences within each session description specific to current and future board leaders and executive directors. Attending as a team is highly encouraged for maximum benefit; discounts on multiple registrations from the same organization.
Session 1: Increasing Board Engagement: Governance as Leadership
October 6, 1pm-2:30pm EDT
This session is for board leaders grappling with questions like: Is your board struggling to effectively engage on matters of the greatest importance? Is it trapped by habitual tasks and routine, marginal work? Does it fail to ask the hard questions, or any questions at all? Does it suffer from groupthink, or even worse, tend to listen to the same handful of board members over and over?
Many nonprofit boards, especially as we emerge from the pandemic, are rethinking how they govern in order to more effectively advance our missions in constructive partnership with the chief executive. Based on the book, Governance as Leadership, we will engage in a highly interactive discussion on how to effectively reframe the work of the board using the fiduciary, strategic, and generative modes. We will also explore how boards can cultivate a culture where assumptions are challenged and tough questions are asked to ensure due diligence and ethical decision-making.
In this session, you will learn how to:

Better engage your board by offering more meaningful and consequential work
Increase the value of board contributions to fiduciary and strategic work
Invite your board to engage in generative thinking, the most underutilized of the three modes
Build a culture of inquiry in your boardroom

Who should attend Session #1
This session is for current and future Board Leaders and Executive Directors interested in building a board culture for effective engagement. Discounts on team registrations!
Learn about Session 2.
Learn about Session 3.
Register for Session 1 HERE or for the entire Series HERE.
PRESENTER BIO:
Susan Meier, Principal at Susan Meier and Associates, LLC and Senior Governance Consultant with BoardSource, brings over 30 years of governance and nonprofit experience to her work. From 2004 through 2011, Susan served as the vice president of consulting and training for BoardSource, the nation’s premier governance resource for nonprofit organizations. She works collaboratively with nonprofit executives and board leadership to identify governance challenges and opportunities and to implement proven strategies to address a broad array of governance issues.
Susan works with all types and sizes of nonprofit organizations from charities to associations to foundations who are advancing their missions in the U.S. and around the world. Much of her work has focused on increasing board engagement, the board/staff partnership, and addressing culture and dynamics in the boardroom. Specifically, she engages boards in a deeper understanding of roles and responsibilities, strategic and generative thinking, governance structures, concrete ways to maximize board meetings, and leadership transitions.
In addition, Susan has served on a number of boards of directors and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Ripon College Board of Trustees where she graduated cum laude. She has served as guest faculty for the Kellogg School of Management Nonprofit Executive Education program, American University, and George Washington University. And, she is the author of the BoardSource publication The Board-Building Cycle: Finding, Engaging, and Strengthening Nonprofit Board Members, Third Edition.
Testimonials about Susan Meier and her work
“Your workshop was one of the BEST I’ve ever attended. Your presentation was excellent. Frank, honest, to the point, and right on target. It seemed that you were able to look into my head and see all of the concerns and you spoke directly to them! Thank you for this excellent workshop.”
—Executive Director, Winter Harbor, Maine
“In spite of having decades of experience on boards and staffing boards, I learned a TON at Susan’s governance training.”
—Senior executive, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Ask the Experts: Marketing and Communication for Nonprofits with Firespring
2021-10-19 10:30 - 11:30
Tuesday, October 19th, 10:30 AM
Fee: FREE
REGISTER NOW
This Ask the Expert Session will introduce you to the WVNPA’s newest partner, Firespring, and their expertise in marketing and communication for the nonprofit sector. This webinar will allow you a chance to ask questions regarding marketing and communication issue that you are having or ask for that advice that you have been seeking. Firespring has expert solutions and services regarding nonprofit websites, creative services, marketing workshops and services, as well as print and direct mail for nonprofits. If you are a WVNPA member be sure to check out the amazing member benefit this new partnership provides! Just log in to the member portal for more details.
About the Speaker:
Kiersten Hill has almost 2 decades of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising. She has raised over $20 Million for Nebraska nonprofit organizations and worked to better train and equip nonprofit leaders and Boards of Directors.
She frequently speaks to nonprofit groups and other organizations about fundraising, board development and organizational change. Kiersten, her husband Chad and their thirteen-year-old son Cooper live in Seward, Nebraska, with one large dog and one tiny cat. She has passions for leadership, networking, fundraising and nonprofit organizations.

Learn more about AmeriCorps NCCC
2021-10-19 14:00 - 17:00
This informational webinar is offered by Volunteer West Virginia.
Tuesday, October 19th, 2:00 PM
REGISTER NOW
Get A FREE Team of Volunteers For Your Organization
Learn More About AmeriCorps NCCC

Could your nonprofit, school, or State Agency use a free team of volunteers to accomplish a big task or a series of tasks on your to-do list?

AmeriCorps NCCC is hosting an Informational Webinar on Tuesday, October 19th at 2PM.

The webinar will cover the basics of the program, what NCCC teams can do, and will walk you through the application process with plenty of time after for questions.

Teams are available for the spring of 2022. These teams come at no cost and projects typically last 3-8 weeks.

Building Better Boards: A three-part series for Board Leaders & Executive Directors Session 2
2021-10-27 13:00 - 14:30
This series is offered in partnership with the Maine Association of Nonprofits.

Increasing Board Engagement: Governance as Leadership
Tuesday, October 6, 2021, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Fortifying the Board-Executive Director Partnership
Tuesday, October 27, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Who’s Next: Proactively Navigating Successful Leadership Transitions
Wednesday, November 9, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Registration Information:
Single Sessions:
$49 Members/$69 Nonmembers, $20 off additional registrations from the same team (applies to both members and nonmembers). Click the HERE to register.
DESCRIPTION:
We’re excited to welcome back international governance consultant Susan Meier to lead this three-part series for board leaders and executive directors as a chance to collectively discuss the various challenges nonprofits face in board development and how to overcome them by fostering a healthy board culture built on trust, candor, and mutual respect. Participants can register for single sessions or the entire series. You will find intended audiences within each session description specific to current and future board leaders and executive directors. Attending as a team is highly encouraged for maximum benefit; discounts on multiple registrations from the same organization.
Session 2: Fortifying the Board-Executive Director Partnership
October 27, 1pm-2:30pm EDT
In today’s complex world, it is paramount for Board Leaders and the Executive Director to work in alignment and respect the division of labor between governing and managing. Yet these relationships are often challenged by differing understanding of roles, leadership turnover, personalities, and a lack of good communication. Too often we are content to accept an “ok” relationship rather than investing the time to build a stronger partnership that will advance the mission and strengthen the organization. It’s time to make this a priority.
In this interactive session, you will learn:

Key elements and proven outcomes of a constructive partnership
How to move from a good relationship to a great relationship
The importance of this relationship to overall Board-staff relations
How to disagree and still serve as a strong leadership team
The integral connection between the Board Chair-Executive Director partnership and Board culture

Who should attend Session #2
This session is for current and future Board Leaders and Executive Directors who wish to gain concrete guidance on how to strengthen that alliance and lead more effectively into the future. Discounts on team registrations!
Learn about Session 1.
Learn about Session 3.
Register for Session 2 HERE or for the entire Series HERE.
PRESENTER BIO:
Susan Meier, Principal at Susan Meier and Associates, LLC and Senior Governance Consultant with BoardSource, brings over 30 years of governance and nonprofit experience to her work. From 2004 through 2011, Susan served as the vice president of consulting and training for BoardSource, the nation’s premier governance resource for nonprofit organizations. She works collaboratively with nonprofit executives and board leadership to identify governance challenges and opportunities and to implement proven strategies to address a broad array of governance issues.
Susan works with all types and sizes of nonprofit organizations from charities to associations to foundations who are advancing their missions in the U.S. and around the world. Much of her work has focused on increasing board engagement, the board/staff partnership, and addressing culture and dynamics in the boardroom. Specifically, she engages boards in a deeper understanding of roles and responsibilities, strategic and generative thinking, governance structures, concrete ways to maximize board meetings, and leadership transitions.
In addition, Susan has served on a number of boards of directors and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Ripon College Board of Trustees where she graduated cum laude. She has served as guest faculty for the Kellogg School of Management Nonprofit Executive Education program, American University, and George Washington University. And, she is the author of the BoardSource publication The Board-Building Cycle: Finding, Engaging, and Strengthening Nonprofit Board Members, Third Edition.
Testimonials about Susan Meier and her work
“Your workshop was one of the BEST I’ve ever attended. Your presentation was excellent. Frank, honest, to the point, and right on target. It seemed that you were able to look into my head and see all of the concerns and you spoke directly to them! Thank you for this excellent workshop.”
—Executive Director, Winter Harbor, Maine
“In spite of having decades of experience on boards and staffing boards, I learned a TON at Susan’s governance training.”
—Senior executive, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

10 Social Media Best Practices for Nonprofits in 2021
2021-10-28 15:00 - 16:00
This session is offered by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits.
October 28, 2021
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
Registration Fee: $15 for WVNPA Members, $29 for Nonmembers. Email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code.
REGISTER NOW
It’s no secret that the algorithms are constantly changing and that the best practices of 2020 aren’t the same for 2021. From organic content to paid ads, we’ll arm you with the best practices you need to know. Following this session, you’ll be able to execute a social strategy that helps you stand out amongst competitors and succeed across all social platforms. In this session you will:

Understand how social media can make an impact.
Understand why consumers buy or donate through social media.
Understand how retargeting works.
Understand how to craft platform-specific content.
Understand how to plan and schedule for a content calendar.

Cost and Registration: National Council Affiliates: $15 / Non-Members $29
About the Speaker: Kindra Svendsen, Vice President of Client Partnerships
Kindra Svendsen serves Speak Creative as their VP of Client Partnerships. She’s known as an expert digital and marketing storyteller with a passion for identifying and targeting a brand’s core audience. Kindra helps organizations across the nation build a proactive presence whether it be through social, traditional or out-of-the-box marketing initiatives. Kindra is based in Nashville and in her free time enjoys connecting with other like minded professionals, through various marketing organizations, spending time with her family, and in her community. Kindra is also a permanent panelist for the marketing podcast, A Little Off Topic.

A to Z of Human Resources: HR Compliance
2021-11-02 10:00 - 12:00
This series is offered by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
November 2, 2021
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Registration Fee: $45 for Members, $65 for Nonmembers. Email hilaria@dev.wvnpa.org for the discount code.
REGISTER NOW

Small and medium-sized nonprofits typically don’t have the resources to create a human resources department with an experienced HR professional. The job of HR may be done by the executive director, the chief financial officer, a manager or administrative staff – wherever there is a little capacity or a little interest. So how do you know you’re really doing the right things, complying with the laws, and adhering to best practices?
In this session, we’ll highlight Minnesota and federal employment law so you better understand how to apply and integrate your legal obligations. Examples of what we’ll cover include a core understanding of HR’s legal alphabet soup:

EEO, ADA, ADEA, and the Minnesota Human Rights Act
Employment at will
FLSA and exempt status
Independent contractors
Federal and state leave of absence requirements
MN wage theft law
Miscellaneous Minnesota employment laws

Event Details
This workshop is one session of a two-part series. The second session is HR Best Practices on November 9 from 9 – 11 a.m Central. Use the registration button on this page to register only for the HR Compliance workshop, or register for the full series for $65 for members and $90 for nonmembers.
Speaker Information
Arlene Vernon is a human resource strategist with over 35 years of experience as a consultant and trusted resource for a diverse group of small and medium-sized organizations. She’s seen first-hand what nonprofit leaders face every day, and her results-oriented consulting and training successfully fills that gap. Having worked with over 200 nonprofit and 400 for-profit organizations since starting her firm HRx in 1992, she partners with leaders to develop and implement do-able strategies for the success of your organization. With an MBA in organizational behavior and a Master of Education in counseling, Arlene is both a studied and practiced authority in human resources and human relations. She offers practical, real solutions through her consulting, advising, and training that you can apply today.
REGISTER NOW
