Creating Special Events: Planning for Success
Originally presented: October 13, 2015
In this session, Ann Rowland from the United Way of the Capital Region shared her experiences as a special events manager, as well as insight from her events background volunteering with community organizations. Ann discussed ways that organizations can integrate theming, engage their audiences and stretch their event budgets. Best practices and event planning tips were explored. With a focus on working within tight budgets and maximizing quality engagement, this session included insight into the planning process, the role and rewards for sponsors, and interesting case studies.
About the Presenter
Ann Rowland has more than 20 years of professional and volunteer marketing and special events experience in central Pennsylvania. Currently the special events manager for United Way of the Capital Region, Ann works with the staff there to develop, plan and implement year-round special events to promote the mission and work of the organization. Ann also serves as a board member on the Derry Township School District’s Trojan Foundation, a citizen advisor to the Derry Township School Board and co-chair of the Hershey Elementary PTO Assemblies Committee.
Pursuing Grants: Tips and Trends
Originally presented: August 18, 2015
In this session, grant writer Pam Tricamo discussed grant research and the types of grants that may be available for your organization. She provided a list of the basic information normally required to apply for a grant and some tips on what to look for or avoid while writing your grant. The session also included a review of resources that may provide leads to grants. The session concluded with a discussion of trends in funding.
About the Presenter
Pam Tricamo has been writing grants for various organizations for more than 15 years. Today, Pam is managing partner for Premier Grants, a small grant-writing firm in Lebanon County. She has successfully written grants for a few hundred dollars from local funders to six-figure grants from state government agencies. She has helped obtain funds for housing, history, parks and the alleviation of recidivism. In addition to her involvement with Premier Grants, Pam works with the marketing department at Armstrong Industries in Lancaster and is the marketing coordinator for the Susquehanna Chorale.
Communicate Effectively with Anyone!
Originally presented: May 26, 2015In this session, Lisa identified key communication techniques that empower you to communicate with even the most challenging individuals. She identified the blind spots we all possess when communicating and gave advice on how to communicate assertively in all situations.
About the Presenter
Lisa Murray is a full-time practice manager at a busy ophthalmology office in Carlisle, managing 13 employees. She also owns a training and consulting business and for the past 11 years has presented seminars on a variety of topics, including emotional intelligence, leadership, communication, assertiveness, and resiliency to business and educational professionals. In her free time, Lisa is passionate about working with homeless mothers and children in Lancaster County shelters. She is also asked frequently to speak on the topic of domestic violence, educating people on its impact in their community.
Volunteers: Your Greatest Asset
Originally presented: March 31, 2015
In this session, PANO Executive Director Anne Gingerich explored the “musts” in cultivating relationships with volunteers, helped you understand how your passion can be used to recruit and retain volunteers, and explained how capturing volunteers’ passion for why they volunteer can help you identify if they are a good fit for your organization. She gave you the knowledge needed to recruit and manage volunteers, both today and as you plan for the future, and she talked about who is volunteering today, what motivates people to volunteer, and how to engage volunteers from multiple generations. Lastly, Anne discussed the importance of having a volunteer management structure that addresses issues such as volunteer orientation, liability and succession planning.
PowerPoint Presentation: Volunteers-Your-Greatest-Asset-Tri-County-Area
Additional Resources
- Sample Volunteer Management Handbook
- PA Department of Humans Services: Volunteer FAQs
- Keep Kids Safe PA
About the Presenter
Anne Gingerich, MSW, is executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO). She has more than 16 years of experience working in the community benefit sector. Previously, she worked as the director of Millersville University’s Nonprofit Resource Network and as development officer for Lancaster General Hospital. She also worked for United Way of Lancaster County providing training on outcomes assessment for nonprofit managers, overseeing the annual allocations process and conducting research for various community needs reports. As the emergency social services manager at the American Red Cross, she oversaw disaster response in a six-county area. She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Millersville University and Marywood University, respectively.
Thank you to Giant for sponsoring this session of the ECLS.
Low–Cost Tech Tools to Improve Collaboration, Effectiveness and Outreach
Originally presented: August 26, 2014
Faced with increasing budget pressures, many nonprofits believe they cannot afford to be technologically advanced. Yet, the truth is that your organization does not need tons of money to acquire technology tools you can use to facilitate collaboration with other organizations and more effectively share your story with potential clients, partners and supporters. In this session facilitated by Dave Seaman of The Partnership for Hope, you will learn about several low-cost or free technology tools that will make it easier for your organization to do things such as create a website, collaboratively write and edit documents, coordinate the efforts of your staff and volunteers, and communicate your mission and work through social media.
Click here for the PowerPoint Presentation.
About the Presenter
Dave Seaman is executive director of The Partnership for Hope, a Harrisburg-based nonprofit that brings churches, charities, schools and other community organizations together to improve the holistic health of people in need. Before creating The Partnership for Hope in 2010, Dave worked in the for-profit sector doing organizational leadership and developing technologies to improve client service. He has close to two dozen years of experience as an information technology project manager and consultant and extensive expertise implementing and supporting communications systems and applications for multibillion-dollar companies. He also holds academic distinction as a media developer, offering video production, website and graphic design services to other nonprofit organizations.
Besides offering care and basic needs to struggling people in our region, The Partnership for Hope fosters collaborative efforts among like-missioned organizations. It mobilizes volunteers into service in our communities and offers technology tools such as mobile office capabilities, case management solutions, website development and hosting services, and program management software.
First Impressions are Lasting Impressions: Mastering the Art of Networking
Originally presented: June 17, 2014
Love it or hate it, networking is something all nonprofit professionals must do to promote their organizations. Networking is vital to communicating your organization’s message and building a base of support. And, no matter your level of comfort with networking, it’s a skill that must be — and can be — continually improved.
In this engaging and interactive session facilitated by Travis A. Berger of Vide Consulting Group and Alvernia University, you will learn techniques to make your networking more effective and impactful. You also will get a chance to practice your networking techniques with other attendees in a comfortable and supportive environment.
About the Presenter
Travis A. Berger is the founder and president of Vide Consulting Group and specializes in developing programs, processes and systems that drive long-term superior organizational performance. He founded and developed the Masters in Organizational Leadership (MOL) program at Alvernia University, where he is a professor of business and coordinator of the MOL program. An expert in the areas of leadership, organizational development and strategy, Travis studies and researches how organizations can leverage their human capital and related processes, systems and programs to become sources of sustainable competitive advantage.
Strategic Planning: Demystifying the Process
Originally presented: March 24, 2014
Many organizations understand the value of planning strategically, but can become mystified by the models and formats, lost in the process, or bogged in implementation. This brief presentation by Nancy Dering Mock of Nancy Dering, Inc. will demystify the models, outline the process, and provide tools for successfully implementing the plan. In addition, the presenter will describe the unique role of boards in Strategic Planning and assuring its success.
See below for copies of the handouts provided by Nancy.
About the Presenter
Nancy Dering Mock has been working as both a leader and a consultant with nonprofits for over thirty years. She has designed and facilitated scores of Strategic Planning projects and will distill and share her experience and answer questions from the participants.
Taking Fundraising to the Bank: Are you missing out on your fundraising potential?
Originally presented: February 25, 2014
Anne Gingerich of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) discussed key components for building your organization’s development capacity (Fundraising 201). Questions addressed during the session included:
- Where is the money in fundraising and why do donors give?
- What are the components of a well-rounded development program?
- What are the roles of board and staff in a development program?
- How do you develop your case for support?
- How do you use a case for support? (Hint: It’s not just for grants; it’s the cornerstone of all fundraising activity and ties everything together!)
See below for copies of the handouts provided by Anne.
- PowerPoint Presentation
- Simon Sinek: The Golden Circle (Video)
- Sample Gift Acceptance Policy
- Your Case for Support – List of Research Components
- Sample Development/Marketing Plan
- Board Fundraising Assessment Form
About the Presenter
Anne Gingerich is executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO). She has more than 16 years of experience working in the community benefit sector. Previously, she worked as the director of Millersville University’s Nonprofit Resource Network and as development officer for Lancaster General Hospital. She also worked for United Way of Lancaster County providing training on outcomes assessment for nonprofit managers, overseeing the annual allocations process and conducting research for various community needs reports. As the emergency social services manager at the American Red Cross, she oversaw disaster response in a six-county area. She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Millersville University and Marywood University, respectively.
10 Important Questions to Consider for Philanthropic Success
Originally presented: August 20, 2013
Ellen H. Arnold, CFRE, of the Franklin Consulting Group reviewed the necessity of a fundraising plan, helping organization’s answer such questions as why do people give, who should you ask, and how will you ask. Among the topics Ellen discussed were the difference between philanthropy and fundraising, identification of the strengths and weaknesses of an organization’s solicitations, ethical considerations, and determining a program’s effectiveness and efficiency. The presentation provided a brief overview on the many facets of a successful fundraising plan, along with samples and resources for obtaining additional information.
- Click here to review the handout provided by Ellen for this session.
- Click here to review additional information that was captured via flip chart during this session.
- Click here for a Sample Gift Acceptance Policy from the NRN.
For more information on Sample Gift Acceptance Policies, endowment funds, agency funds, and other ways TFEC can assist your nonprofit with sustainability, contact Deb Fulham-Winston, Asset Development Associate, at dfulham@tfec.org.
About the Presenter
Ellen H. Arnold, CFRE, joined the Franklin Consulting Group in July 2007 upon her retirement after 10 years as vice president of institutional advancement for The Brethren Home Foundation in New Oxford, Pa. She has more than 30 years of managerial experience with organizations such as Lebanon Valley College, The Allied Arts Fund and the American Red Cross (Lycoming County). In addition, Ellen has been active with chambers of commerce in Harrisburg, Lebanon and Hanover. Ellen is a past president of the Central PA Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and chaired the association’s national Continuing Education Unit Review Committee. She was recognized in 2000 as the Central Pennsylvania Fund Raising Executive of the Year.
Maximizing Your Public Relations Efforts Using Traditional and Social Media
Originally presented: May 21, 2013
You’ve been sending out press releases and updating your Facebook page, but how effective are you in getting your story told? This workshop provided valuable information on how to work with traditional and social media to make your impact known. Participants learned how to make their public relations efforts more effective and how to integrate social media with those efforts to really maximize their influence!
Megan Kurtz, Karen Gross and Rebecca Porterfield from Suasion provided the “How Tos” along with valuable tips. They also examined how these techniques have been applied and have worked for a few Pennsylvania nonprofits.
Click here to review Suasion’s presentation.
Click here to view the Social Media video Suasion showed as part of their presentation.
About the Suasion
Suasion provides a full array of strategic planning, marketing, communications and people development services to help you achieve your objectives. Whether you need to motivate hard-to-reach audiences or develop your organization’s leadership, Suasion can help. We provide the strategy and techniques to move people to action. For more information, visit their website www.suasion.us.
Is Your Program Successful? Introducing the Measuring Success Consortium to South Central PA Agencies
Originally presented: March 19, 2013
This three-hour session focused on program evaluation, highlighting a little known, local resource, the Measuring Success Consortium – and included the added bonus of a free book titled, Leap of Reason: Managing to Outcomes in an Era of Scarcity, by Mario Morino. Click here to download a PDF of the book for free. Or, download to your Kindle at Amazon – also free.
Along with learning about the Consortium and how to access services, participants heard from Mary Winkler, co-author of the Book, Building a Common Outcome Framework to Measure Nonprofit Performance. Mary discussed a web-based resource, PerformWell, designed for individuals and organizations seeking to enhance their program evaluation efforts.
About the Measuring Success Consortium
The Measuring Success Consortium is a collaborative service-learning group looking to build a h3er measurement culture. They welcome interesting challenges and energetic partnerships. If you are interested, if you have a measurement challenge, or if you think you might like to work with others in a project team, contact the Consortium.
Diversity in Nonprofit Governance
Originally presented: February 5, 2013
It is more critical than ever for organizations to recruit and retain diverse board members. In this first ECLS session of 2013, Norm Jones of Strategic Solutions Group International Inc. introduced salient issues surrounding the global marketplace and discussed how these issues affect nonprofit boards. Participants were oriented to: the reasons why diversity is a strategic issue that must be engaged; prevailing challenges and barriers; important variables to consider if sustainable commitments are to be made; and a model for evaluating strategic diversity efforts.
Click here to review Norm’s presentation and materials.
About the Presenter
Norm Jones, PhD, is president and chief executive officer of Strategic Solutions Group International Inc. In this role, he works with organizations in understanding and engaging the complexities associated with change and change management. Norm specializes in leadership development, strategic planning, capacity-building among senior leadership teams and understanding diversity in a contemporary context. Since 2006, he has served as assistant to the president at Dickinson College and most recently was appointed as dean of diversity as a liaison out of the Office of the President.
Smooth Sailing: Steering Your Organization in Today’s Complex Nonprofit Environment
Originally presented: October 16, 2012
The final ECLS Session of 2012 was a special half-day session which featured several presentations focused on helping your nonprofit build its financial and organizational capacity while navigating legal and government compliance issues, beginning with a keynote address from attorney Josh Bonn with Nauman, Smith, Shissler & Hall, who discussed how to protect your organization in an increasingly litigious society.
Click here for Josh’s presentation.
About the Presenter
For more than eight years, Josh Bonn has practiced as a trial attorney in a wide range of legal matters. Josh represents clients in railroad, automotive, media, insurance and financial industries. He is also the Solicitor for the Capital Area Tax Collection Bureau. Josh has extensive experience representing municipalities, individuals and media entities in public records litigation under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (RTKL). He routinely briefs and argues open records appeals in the Office of Open Records (OOR) and in trial and appellate courts. Josh regularly contributes to the practice group’s RTKL blog. Recently, Josh obtained a favorable ruling from Commonwealth Court that allowed his client to obtain more than 400 pages of emails from the Department of Education related to Louis Freeh’s investigation of the Sandusky scandal at Penn State University. Josh resides with his wife and son in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is an active member of the Carlisle Young Professionals (CYP) and serves on the organization’s outreach committee.
Additional workshops that participants were able to attend included:
- “Understanding the IRS Form 990”, presented by a representative of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations. Click here for more information on the Form 990.
- “Nonprofit Financial Capacity Building”, presented by a representative of PNC Bank. Click here to view the presentation.
- “Planning is a Pain! Why Plan and How to do it: The Basics”, presented by Skip Brown of ConnectSynergy. Click here to view Skip’s presentation.
- “Effective Nonprofit Governance”, presented by Renee Lieux and Nicole Kaylor of Bybel Rutledge LLP. Click here to view the presentation and additional resources.
Volunteer Management
Originally presented: June 19, 2012
Heidi Neuhaus from the United Way of the Capital Region discussed strategies that help organizations increase its chances of retaining good volunteers. She talked about the importance of proper placement and training and how on-going support and recognition should be part of the overall volunteer management plan. Heidi was joined by featured agency presenter Joanne Fortney, volunteer coordinator at New Hope Ministries, who discussed some of the best practices she puts to use in her program.
For further reading on Volunteerism – Recruitment, Retention, & Management, click here.
Provided by the Dauphin County Library System.
Social Enterprise Resources
Originally presented: April 17, 2012
Local examples of social enterprise were showcased at the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center’s Mount Joy Campus – which provided an example of social enterprise in action as students at the center cooked and served a breakfast buffet as part of their learning. The dollars generated support the costs of their program.
Along with keynote speaker Melody Keim, vice president of programs and initiatives at the Lancaster County Community Foundation, attendees heard from a panel of organizations that have successfully implemented social enterprise ideas. Discussions included what social enterprise is, what it can and can’t do, as well as taking a look at social enterprise as one new model for change in our community and partnerships between business and community benefit organizations as an area of opportunity. Attendees walked away with various resources to guide them in taking your next “social enterprise steps,” such as the book “Mission, Inc.” by Kevin Lynch and Julius Walls Jr.
Click here for additional resources on Social Enterprise.
About the Presenter
With deep roots and proven expertise in the community benefit sector, Melody Keim inspires new ways of thinking and brings a thoughtful perspective to investing in local organizations. Her leadership sparked the Ah-Ha Project at LCCF and launched a new approach to the way LCCF engages the Lancaster community. Melody graduated with a B.A. in Liberal Arts/ Peace & Justice from Eastern Mennonite University and an M.F.C.S. in Ethnic Textiles/Alternative Business Models from Iowa State University. She is a Lancaster city resident along with her two sons and two cats. She has traveled extensively in Central America, Europe, and Asia. A published researcher, community benefit board member, multi-media textile artist, and active community member, Melody is inspired by Gandhi’s quote “Be the change you wish to see.”
Becoming a GREAT Agency to Fund
Originally presented: February 21, 2012
Skip Brown of ConnectSynergy discussed how to transform your organization from one that seeks funds to one that is sought after by funders. Skip outlined the stages of organizational development detailed in Jim Collins’ best-selling book “Good to Great” and showed attendees how to apply those principles at their agency.
Click here to review Skip’s presentation.
For more great book selections from Jim Collins, click here.
Provided by the Dauphin County Library System.
About the Presenter
Skip Brown and his associates offer organizational planning and training for non-profit and government human services, and public education agencies. We help your organization determine its unique goals and reach its potential through engaging organizational members in collaboration and synergy. We can help you develop/refine three organizational success areas:
- Your purpose-why you exist and what you do
- How you’re structured to achieve your purpose
- How your organization-members get along productively
Thriving through Technology
Originally presented: November 15, 2011
Technology is everywhere, and effective use of technology is becoming increasingly important in all sectors of the economy, including the nonprofit sector. But it can be a challenge to figure out how to best use technology to promote the health and well-being of your organization. This special expanded session gave participants the chance to attend any two of three special breakout sessions designed to provide a deeper look at technology in nonprofits.
“Outcomes Tools” explored technology that can be used to better measure your organization’s impact.
About the Presenter
Skip Brown and his associates offer organizational planning and training for non-profit and government human services, and public education agencies. We help your organization determine its unique goals and reach its potential through engaging organizational members in collaboration and synergy. We can help you develop/refine three organizational success areas:
- Your purpose-why you exist and what you do
- How you’re structured to achieve your purpose
- How your organization-members get along productively
