Workshops

Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference 2006
Workshop Schedule
(workshops may be subject to change)

WORKSHOP SESSION I
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2006; 10:45-noon

Extreme Reality - Can They Take It?
This is it! One simple strategy to make kids CARE about their decisions, their options, their futures. Walk your Life Line and see how kids can learn to see life as a "Big Picture" and adolescence as one phase in a continuum linking past and present decisions on health, sex and economics to their future. They see that they have control over the decisions they make and determine the type of life they will have. This FUN program is not for everyone -- only for those who work with young people who will have to make CHOICES!
Presenter(s): Marcey Walsh, Reconnecting Teens with Reality
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Out of the box
Room: Charlevoix

Nonprofits on the Brink
This workshop will raise the blinds on the current state of the sector and many suggested best practices to make your organization a model. It will look at the significant issues plaguing the sector and suggest options to resolve them. It will also give suggestions to help the voluntary sector strengthen itself and address pitfalls.
Presenter(s): Gary Snyder
Workshop Level:  Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management, Nonprofit Governance, National Service Program Management
Room: Manitou

Refocus on Program Accountability: When and How to Select an Outside Evaluator
A panel of three presenters representing the Michigan Association for Evaluation will discuss in a non-technical, user-friendly way a number of different types of program evaluation approaches. One or more of these approaches may be directly useful in assessing the processes and outcomes of your programs, and will suggest when and how your organization should select an outside evaluator. In addition, information will be shared about types of evaluators - and when each is best utilized for a program evaluation.
Presenter(s): Allan Becker, APB Associates
Neva Nahan, Wayne State University; Amanda C. Johnson, University of Michigan
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management, National Service Program Management
Room: Saugatuck

WORKSHOP SESSION II
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2006; 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

Building Your Board
This session is from NEW's BoardConnect program, and covers important aspects of recruiting new members for a nonprofit's board of directors, including recruitment planning, identifying and cultivating candidates and electing new members. You'll also learn about BoardConnect's matching services and boardnewUSA, a national online database that connects candidates and nonprofits. BoardConnect staff will be available after the training to discuss how to become involved in the matching program.
Presenter(s): Susan Katz Froning, Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW)
Workshop Level:  Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Governance, National Service Program Management
Room: St. Clair

Cost Cutting After Having Cut to the Bone
This session will discuss how nonprofits can focus on the only area that is controllable in the short run - cost - to enable themselves to become stronger, more competitive, more attractive to donors, board members and staff members and much more successful in achieving their mission.
Presenter(s): Fred P. Leeb, Nonprofit Management Group LLC
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management; Nonprofit Governance; National Service Program Management
Room: Charlevoix

Follow the Dollars: An Insiders Guide to the State Budget
In the past few years organizations have seen their budgets shrink as a result of the state budget. This session will explore the current status of the state budget and provide insight into proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Presenter: Tom Clay, Citizens Research Council of Michigan.
Presenter(s): Tom Clay, Citizens Research Council of Michigan
Workshop Level:  Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Advocacy/Public Policy
Room: Manitou

Framing: Develop and Deliver Effective Advocacy Messages
Messages for internal audiences, opinion shapers and the media, and elected officials and their staff are all important components of nonprofit advocacy. This workshop will focus on framing and developing key messages, identifying target audiences, and selecting communication modes that reach audiences in timely and persuasive ways. Presenter: Joanne Eason, Stony Point Communications, Inc.
Presenter(s): Joanne Eason , Stony Point Communications Inc.
Workshop Level:   Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Advocacy/Public Policy
Room: Saugatuck

Success Case Method: A "New Direction" in Program Evaluation
This presentation describes the Success Case Method. This method is an efficient, relatively inexpensive and credible way of assessing impact of programs. The method's primary purpose is to identify and understand examples of learning and results. The method also identifies and explains organizational factors that differentiate successful from unsuccessful performance.
Presenter(s): Stephen J. Gill, Stephen J. Gill Consulting
Robert O. Brinkerhoff, EdD, Western Michigan University
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management
Room: Interlochen

The Recrutiment & Retention of Quality Employees in a Shifting Economy
This intensive, interactive workshop will address the changing face of the nonprofit employment landscape over the past five years and speak to those in hiring positions about employee expectations, recruitment and retention.
Presenter(s): Gary Dembs, Non-Profit Personnel Network
Workshop Level:  Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management
Room: Keweenaw

WORKSHOP SESSION II & III (Seminar Format)
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2006; 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Building & Maintaining Corporate Partnerships: An Industry Overview In Michigan
Back for the fifth workshop in three years, the folks from Access Philanthropy once again provide us with a workshop, print and online information on the workings of business-related philanthropy. Using thirty years of history in corporate giving, Access Philanthropy discusses industry trends and general business factors that affect corporate philanthropy. Expect an insider’s view and a very interactive, intensive workshop covering fifty major and mid-sized businesses that fund in Michigan.
Presenter(s): Steve  Paprocki, Access Philanthropy
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Fund Development; National Service Program Management
Room: Kensington

Sustainability: A Model for Continuous Program Enhancement
This highly interactive seminar will introduce the audience to a 4-step model for Continuous Program Enhancement. Its success lies in its simplicity in helping staff articulate what their programs are trying to accomplish, establishing benchmarks for getting there, and implementing feedback loops that report progress. Lots of practical tips will be offered along the way!
Presenter(s): Christine A. Ameen EdD, Ameen Consulting & Associates
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management, National Service Program Management
Room: Petosky

The Nonprofit Entrepreneur
The notion of a nonprofit entrepreneur draws on a 1930's economist's definition of an entrepreneur as "an innovator who efficiently combines resources and makes technical improvements." The volunteers, staff, supporters, and in some cases the clients of an entrepreneurial nonprofit, driven by commitment to the cause rather than the profit motive, will constantly seek to improve its impact by exploring and implementing different ways of working. We have identified three principal areas in which this entrepreneurial impulse can have the most effect.
Presenter(s): Richard Brewster, National Center for Nonprofit Enterprise
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Nonprofit Management
Room: Forum Ampitheatre

WORKSHOP SESSION III
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2006; 3:45 - 5:00 p.m.

Capital Project Financing
Do you have a facility project in the works? Existing debt to refinance? What's next? Designed for Nonprofit Executive Staff and Board Members, this workshop presents an open dialog on financing capital projects from capital campaigns through loan financing. Special focus on qualifications and economics of tax exempt bond financing. Presented by the Public Finance team from Comerica Securities.
Presenter(s): John Cavanaugh, Comerica Securities
Alfred V. Diebel, Comerica Securities
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Fund Development
Room: Manitou

Effectively Evaluating Your Website
Is your IRS Form 990 available on your website? Is your annual report online? Is your site handicap accessible? These questions and more are the times of things nonprofits need to consider when evaluating the content and structure of the website. Join us for a discussion regarding a new that’s been developed to assist your organization in evaluating its website. Presenters: Dr. Mark Hoffman, Grand Valley State University and Andy Wolber, NPower Michigan
Presenter(s): Mark Hoffman, Grand Valley State University
Andy Wolber, NPower Michigan; Rodney Minch, GRCMC/GrandNet
Workshop Level:  Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Research; Communications, National Service Program Management
Room: Keweenaw

Finally, Getting Governance Right!
This session is designed for both board and staff members who seek to strengthen their board's performance as strategic leaders and maintaining the proper level of focus on vision and strategy in relation to management and operations.
Presenter(s): David  MedemaMSW, Medema Consulting Associates LLC
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Nonprofit Governance; National Service Program Management
Room: Charlevoix

Finding Funders FC Search to the Rescue
Learn the varied strategies for getting the most from FC Search, the Foundation Center's searchable database of over 78,000 foundations and corporate giving programs. Combine various criteria and get a hot list of funders likely to support your mission.
Presenter(s): Karen Downing, University of Michigan
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Fund Development, National Service Program Management
Room: St. Clair

Fraud in the Workplace--How is Your Nonprofit Vulnerable?
Small organizations are especially vulnerable to occupational fraud and abuse. Recent data reflects that the median cost of occupational fraud and abuse is inversely proportioned to entity size…the smaller the entity, the greater the median losses. In this session we will look to raise your fraud awareness through fraud IQ quiz, examine staggering statistics and what they mean for your organization, learn about the three elements of fraud, look at the various ways it is often discovered, how nonprofits are especially vulnerable and perform a  quick analysis of your controls.
Presenter(s): Charles A. Hawes CPA, Yeo & Yeo, PC, CPAs & Business Consultants
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management
Room: Saugatuck

The Nonprofit Leader as Social Architect: Building Foundations for Collaborative Relationships
Effective relationships are the foundation for leading through change. What if working relationships were viewed as strategically as financial issues? What if we had the tools to create relationships that we can count on in the toughest times? In this session you will learn proven methods for building more successful  relationships.
Presenter(s): Mary Jo Asmus, Aspire Collaboration Services LLC
Paul Knudstrup, Midwest Consulting Group
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Nonprofit Management, National Service Program Management
Room: Interlochen

WORKSHOP SESSION IV
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2006; 9:30 -10:45 a.m.

Assessing the Health of Your Nonprofit Organization
This training will be helpful to all nonprofit organizations and will relate to the needs of start-ups as well as existing nonprofits. Consider the following factors when assessing the health of any nonprofit organization: 1) Administrative duties and responsibilities; 2) Program development, compliance and maintenance; 3) Fundraising development; and 4) Licensing.
Presenter(s): Nicole S. Dandridge, Michigan State University College of Law
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management; Nonprofit Governance
Room: Manitou

Building Your Nonprofit Sustainability
Today's world is over-run with information and it's hard to decide what to believe and what to pass by. In the arena of nonprofit leadership and management, certain models have stood the test of time and proven to be worth some thought. If you're ready to take a step beyond the daily to-do list, join us for a lively exploration of three key concepts: Nonprofit Stewardships, Nonprofit Lifecycles, and Adaptive Capacity. You will think differently about your organization and discover new strategies to energize your board and staff.
Presenter(s): Robin Lynn Grinnell, Michigan Nonprofit Association
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Nonprofit Management; Nonprofit Governance, National Service Program Management
Room: St. Clair

Choosing and Using Your Donor Management System
Donor management systems are essential to the financial health of many nonprofit organizations, but how do you choose a system best suited to your organization's needs? Can you use the system you already have? If not, how do you transition from your existing system to a better system without losing valuable time and information? This session will give you an overview of several different software packages and provide a solid framework to help you evaluate build-versus-buy alternatives.
Presenter(s): Andy Wolber, NPower Michigan
Workshop Level:  Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Fund Development
Room: Interlochen

Collaboration: An Essential Skill For Nonprofits
Workshop participants will learn new tools that will help them create and sustain collaborations with other organizations in the nonprofit sector and across sector boundaries. The session will clearly define collaboration, present seven rules for successful collaboration, involve participants in planning a new collaboration and conclude with a reflective learning discussion.
Presenter(s): Paul Sturm, Collaborative Consulting Group
Workshop Level: Advanced
Track(s): Nonprofit Management, National Service Program Management
Room: Saugatuck

Donors and the Community: What You Must Know & How You Benefit
If you ever wondered how information about your donors and community could benefit your organization, then you will want to attend this session that draws on dozens of research studies conducted for nonprofits. Learn how donor and community information can transform your marketing, communication, and fundraising activities - improving your effectiveness and efficiency.
Presenter(s): Gary M. Goscenski, Perspectives Consulting Group Inc
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Fund Development
Room: Kensington

Enhancing Customer Service
Organizations today are struggling to encourage people to achieve maximum potential and provide outstanding customer service. This workshop is designed to provide you with ways to encourage employees and volunteers by applying the "Fish" philosophy. The workshop will be interactive and include exercises as appropriate for you to apply concepts.
Presenter(s): Mary Ellen Dolan, Dolan and Associates LLC
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management, National Service Program Management
Room: Keweenaw

Remembering Roots and Routes
Are there benefits to discovering lost treasures? Can intentional linkages build the foundation for future legacies? YES & YES! Explore the historical role of volunteerism as a way to reenergize volunteers and staff, celebrate successes and move forward strategically. Presenters are from Wayne State University's Nonprofit Sector Studies Program.
Presenter(s): Debbie Macon, Wayne State University -Nonprofit Sector Studies Program
Daphne Ntiri, PhD, Wayne State University
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Volunteer Program Management
Room: Petosky

Taking the "E" Way - Electronic Marketing & Communications
Presenter(s): Robert A.Robinson, Robert Anthony Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Communications
Room: Charlevoix

What Fundraisers Can Learn From An Arch
As competition for funding intensifies in the nonprofit sector, this workshop reveals why consumer based marketing and branding strategies are essential to effective fundraising. In this workshop evaluate your organization's current efforts and apply consumer based branding, marketing and advertising techniques to dramatically transform how you generate revenue.
Presenter(s): Mark A.Doyal, QueueCreative
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Fund Development; Communications
Room: Forum Ampitheatre

WORKSHOP SESSION V
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2006; 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Evaluating Your PR to Achieve Nonprofit Excellence
People often say PR is about "raising awareness." But there should be much more to a PR program. In this workshop you will learn why PR is a management function, how to set meaningful objectives for your public relations efforts and how to evaluate whether you are meeting them. Emphasis will be on application of principles to your own organization from a management perspective.
Presenter(s): Tim Penning APR, Grand Valley State University/Penning Ink
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Communications, National Service Program Management
Room: Kensington

Fiscal Oversight for Non-Financial Leadership: Narrowed Focus, Deeper Understanding, Expanding Opportunities
This workshop helps non-financial leaders tailor the financial management function to meet the new challenges facing the nonprofit sector. Concentrating on three basic elements of financial management, the presentation engages participants in discussion on their respective priorities and recommends a risk-based approach to customizing fiscal oversight to their particular circumstances.
Presenter(s): Robert Blumenfeld, Orchards Children's Services Inc
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Nonprofit Management; Nonprofit Governance, National Service Program Management
Room: Manitou

How to Develop A Successful Investment Strategy
As an executive or board member, your fiduciary responsibilities require that you adopt an Investment Strategy that fits within the Prudent Expert guidelines. It is important to have documented your choice of Investment Manger. Learn the STAR method as a Universal Test of a good investment process...Systematic, Transparent, Accountable, and  Realistic. Get an in-depth look at why Asset Allocation is important from a risk/reward perspective and how non-congruent and alternative asset classes as well as rebalancing can reduce risk.
Presenter(s): Judy Brosky, Good Harbor Investments
Jeremy Olen, Dynamic Capitol Management
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Nonprofit Management; Nonprofit Governance
Room: Interlochen

Living the Leader Role - Managing the Thresholds of Leadership
Is leadership rank and privilege, or responsibility and servant-hood? In the face of constant change, within and outside your organization, effective leadership is especially critical. Leadership can make or break the success of your organization. Effective leaders maintain an outward focus guiding others by providing vision, direction, values, purpose and inspiration. They have skills in both leading and managing and strive to serve those that they lead. They know how to direct, coach and collaborate. They mange the thresholds of leadership. Effective leadership skills enable leaders to enhance their productivity and the productivity and satisfaction of those they lead.
Presenter(s): Sue Waechter, Cornerstone Consulting Associates
Workshop Level:  Advanced
Track(s): Nonprofit Management
Room: Forum Ampitheatre

Our Organization Has A Website, But No One Uses It...
Through this engaging, interactive session, you will discover how to use your Website to save money, increase fundraising and engage constituents.
Presenter(s):Jay Wilkinson, Digital IMS
Lori Kadavy, Digital IMS
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Communications, National Service Program Management
Room: Petosky

Shaking Trees: Raising Resources to Sustain Nonprofit Agencies
Fundraising is tough. Yet, raising the needed resources to do the work of nonprofit agencies is essential to meet growing community needs. Given a troubled economy the need to reinvigorate the way we raise money is obvious. Explore strategic and interesting fundraising from donor cultivation to corporate asks, while maintaining your joy.
Presenter(s): Noreen Keating, Enhancing Your Nonprofit
Aimee Laramore, Allyd Image Solutions
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Fund Development, National Service Program Management
Room: St. Clair

Succession Planning: Leading Your Organization for the Long Term
Planning is key to long-term success of any organization, but don't stop with the strategic plan. Your succession plan is one tool that can help ensure you have the right people to carry out your mission, vision, and activities well into the future. This session will introduce you to the process of succession planning, including the components that make up the plan and the steps that lead to a strong succession plan.
Presenter(s): Amy  Hovey, The Protogenia Group LLC
Workshop Level: Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Nonprofit Management; Nonprofit Governance
Room: Charlevoix

The Costs and Benefits of Activities to Improve Organizational Effectiveness
Organizational change requires readiness on many fronts including executive
director preparedness, board support, and an organizational culture that has a
commitment to growth, willingness to seek help and a responsive approach to
change. This session will focus on issues of readiness as examined through
research in addressing motivation and barriers to change. Presenters: Dr. Joanne Sobeck and Dr. Elizabeth J. Agius of Wayne State University.
Presenter(s): Joanne Sobeck, Wayne State University
Dr. Elizabeth J. Agius, Wayne State University
Workshop Level:  Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Research, National Service Program Management
Room: Keweenaw

What's Hot at the Capitol
Policymakers are continuing to struggle with tough fiscal times and are still considering changes to the oversight and governance of nonprofit organizations. Join us for a brief discussion regarding what’s happening here in Michigan and in DC that’s impacting the work of Michigan nonprofits. Presenters: Rob Collier, Council of Michigan Foundations, Sandi Cotter, Dykema Gossett, Erin Skene, Michigan Nonprofit Association.
Presenter(s): Sandi Cotter, Dykema Gossett
Rob Collier, Council of Michigan Foundations; Erin Skene, Michigan Nonprofit Association; Evelyn Zois, Dykema Gossett
Workshop Level:  Basic/Intermediate
Track(s): Advocacy/Public Policy
Room: Saugatuck

 
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