Key Note Speaker: Ann Sitrick Joyce
HOPE IS NOT A SRATEGY: LEAD, STEWARD, AND COMMUNICATE
Competition for innovative programs and services, market share, memberships, grants, and donor dollars make it imperative that non-profits are serious about their mission, their key strategies , and corresponding objectives if they are to succeed and thrive in today’s communities. In non-profits where the focus is often on programming, the critical need for an equal focus on “the business” side of the organization is often obscured.
“Activity is not synonymous with results, and hope is not a strategy!”
Bio:
With a professional background that includes administrative and management experience in the corporate, public, and non-profit sectors, Ann Sitrick Joyce is also recognized as a strong community supporter, a focused volunteer, and a successful fundraiser. She has served on a wide variety of community, professional ,and service club boards, and currently serves as Board Chair for Stateline Community Foundation. Recognized for her work as a strategic planning facilitator, she specializes in non-profit agency planning with a focus on the business side of non-profits.
From Chaos to Clarity: Operational Organization for Non-Profits
Kelsey Paasch. Founder of Contour Consulting
Description: In the nonprofit world, aligning teams, leadership, and boards to execute key goals is often overshadowed by the complexities of daily operations. This presentation takes a deep dive into how nonprofits can move from chaos to clarity by aligning and prioritizing their operational goals and objectives into actionable, measurable, and achievable results. Using a real-world case study, we'll explore practical strategies and tools to enhance organizational efficiency, improve communication, and ensure everyone works toward common goals.
Bio: Kelsey Paasch is a dynamic Business Organizer renowned for her expertise in teaching Read More
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Resources
Caitlin Snyder Worth. Preparedness Grants Section Supervisor.
Description: This is an annual federal grant available to nonprofits that provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack. The intent of NSGP is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies. Read More
Authentic Leadership
Rebecca Francis. Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
Description: Have you ever experienced the guidance of an authentic leader?
Authentic leadership is a powerful approach that underscores the importance of staying true to oneself, demonstrating genuine behaviors and values, and nurturing trusting and transparent relationships with others. This leadership style is rooted in integrity, consistency, and a clear sense of purpose. Authentic leaders are driven by their core beliefs and principles, prioritizing these over external pressures or the need to adopt certain personas.
Leaders who possess such strong qualities are the true keys to unlocking human potential.
Bio: Rebecca Francis, MPA brings a wealth of experience in organizational leadership, with an impressive tenure Read More
Mastering the Money Game: Best Practices for Non-Profit Financial Management
Celestino Ruffini. Executive Director of Visit Beloit.
Description: In this breakout session, attendees will gain crucial insights into managing finances for non-profit organizations. Topics covered include budgeting strategies tailored to non-profit structures, compliance with financial regulations, and ideas on how to educate your board members with the knowledge they need to help you through thick and thin. Participants will learn how to maintain financial transparency through policies and procedures and will be empowered to achieve long-term organizational goals.
Bio: Celestino has been a lifelong resident of the Midwest. He was born and raised in central Illinois Read More
What Every Board Should Know
Stephanie Kusibab. Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
Description: Effective governance is at the root of strong, well performing nonprofit organizations. With pressing system inequities, boards must change the way they operate to focus on purpose, their ecosystem, equity, and power by the people served. A NICNE BoardSource trained professional will share recent research on purpose-driven boards and the basic roles, responsibilities, and legal duties of a nonprofit board of directors. Learn how your board can be more impactful in its critical leadership role.
Bio: Stephanie Kusibab is a strategy consultant with more than twenty years’ experience Read More
Collaborations for the Win; Building Strategic Partnerships That Expand Your Organization's Ability to Serve
Brenda Plakans. Welty Environmental Center
Description: Above all else, nonprofit organizations want to serve their communities effectively. However, this is easier said than done and your program reach depends heavily on staff size, audience, funding, and awareness. How can you develop these resources and increase your ability to serve? Start building strategic partnerships!
These days, funders want to know who are your collaborators and how you support each other's programming--with good reason. Your nonprofit's effectiveness increases when you partner with area service providers to cross-list programs and share resources. Strong collaborations mean more funding and more impact.
This session will offer strategies for building and subsidizing these partnerships. We will discuss ways to create and activate collaborations; how to find funding; and we will brainstorm together so you leave with some ideas to implement at your organization. You may even establish a new connection during our time together!
Putting the "Human" in Resources - What ever Leader needs to know about HR.
MaryAnn Raash. Executive Director of GIFTS Men's Shelter.
Description: Definition of HR: a department that focuses on the most important asset – its people. The role of HR is to ensure they are satisfied, motivated, engaged, and have what they need to perform their job. BUT, wait, you don’t have a department? Buckle up, I will review the basic foundations and provide resources for supporting your employees along with the basic HR fundamentals every leader needs to know.
Bio: My name is MaryAnn Raash and I currently lead the GIFTS Men's Shelter. I hold a PHR (Professional in Human Resources) Read More
Grant Writing From the Inside Out
Max Dodson. Executive Director of Caritas.
Description: Hopefully, I won’t be sharing anything new, rather a different way of approaching grant writing. Just hearing that someone is in the process of writing a grant often sends chills down one’s spine. It doesn’t have to be that way. The goal of this session is to offer a model to remove or at least reduce the stress of grant writing. The grant process will still be a challenge, but you should be able to approach it with confidence.
Bio: Executive Director of Caritas Community Resource Center since January 2018. Worked with adults with diagnosed special needs prior to coming to Caritas.
Herding Cats (aka Facilitation).
Stephanie Kusibab.Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Description:As a nonprofit leader, sometimes one of the hardest things to do is get groups of individuals aligned and acting like a team. From defining the problem to agreeing on the best path forward, navigating differing perspectives to find common ground can be tricky. Creating brave spaces, encouraging respectful dialogue, and enabling co-creation takes planning and practice. NICNE will share tips and techniques to help you become a more effective facilitator of collaborative conversations.
Bio: Stephanie Kusibab is a strategy consultant with more than twenty years’ experience identifying Read More
Marketing for a Mission.
Ben Barker. Founder & Director of Hoan Marketing.
Description: Marketing for a Mission
The digital landscape is as crowded as ever, so how do mission-driven nonprofits stand out to reach new donors, volunteers, and other supporters? In this session, we will explore how nonprofits can develop and improve online communication plans that drive results.
Topics include:
Messaging to segmented audiences
Utilizing marketing tools, including social media, email, and websites
Developing engaging written and visual content
Analyzing data for improved performance
Bio: Ben has spent over 15 years in both the nonprofit and marketing worlds. With HubSpot certificates in Social Media Read More
Leveraging AI Tools for Social Media Success
Brittany Brandt. Owner of 2B Consulting
Description: In this session, we will explore how to use AI tools such as ChatGPT and Canva to enhance your social media presence and optimize your time management. We will discuss the benefits of incorporating AI into your marketing strategies and learn practical techniques to leverage these tools effectively. Through hands-on demonstrations, you will gain insights on how to create engaging and personalized social media content using Canva's design capabilities. Additionally, we will explore the power of ChatGPT and how to incorporate this tool into your marketing strategy. By the end of the session, you will have a solid understanding of how AI can revolutionize your social media efforts, saving you valuable time and boosting your online presence.
Bio: Brittany Brandt, owner of 2B Consulting, is a seasoned marketing specialist with a rich background in nonprofit development and social media. As the former Development Manager for the GIFTS men's Shelter, as well as helping run capital campaigns for The Children's Museum of Rock County and Family Services of S. WI and position of Marketing Specialist with Making Dreams Realty, her extensive experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors is demonstrated well. Brittany has honed her skills in creating impactful marketing campaigns and strategic planning, leading to the continued success of these and other businesses. Her passion for empowering organizations through effective marketing led her to establish 2B Consulting, a company dedicated to providing comprehensive marketing and business development services to businesses and nonprofits in Rock and Dane County, WI. Brittany is deeply committed to community involvement and education, regularly participating in community events and continuing education opportunities. With her strategic vision and innovative approach, Brittany Brandt is a valuable resource for any organization looking to enhance its social media presence and overall marketing efforts.
Get to Know Your Local Funders.
Desc:The session will provide a general overview of each participating foundation as well as highlight some key tips and takeaways to keep in mind when it comes to exploring funding from and submitting applications to local foundations.
This session will be a panel of the following local funders: Tara Tinder, Executive Director - Stateline Community Foundation, Bonnie Wetter, President - Colonel Robert Morse Foundation, Dan Ross, President - Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Jen Tropp, Program Officer - Hendricks Family Foundation
Tara Tinder
Executive Director - Stateline Community Foundation
Bonnie Wetter
President - Colonel Robert Morse Foundation
Dan Ross
President - Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
Jen Tropp
Program Officer - Hendricks Family Foundation