Learning Opportunity

Measuring Volunteer Program Outcomes w/ Kathy McCleskeyStrategically engaging volunteers is essential to a well-run program. The ability to intentionally examine where volunteers are needed and how to strategically integrate them into the overall nonprofit’s mission is a key to successful engagement. This course will enable participants to develop a clear path to incorporating volunteers into the overall mission and vision of their nonprofit.

Building Effective Volunteer Committees w/ Wendy Biro-PollardStrong committees contribute to strong organizations, and yet, in many nonprofits they are its weakest link. When committee members have clearly defined roles and direction, staff support and organized and experienced leadership, there are no limits to their effectiveness. In this course, participants will review committee roles and responsibilities, determine who should serve, and learn how to create committee work plans and monitor their progress.

Harnessing the Power of Organizational Storytelling - A great primer to our Ethical Storytelling Series!Humans are natural storytellers. We exchange stories to make and share meaning about who we are, the world around us, and our place within it. The way that stories are told by individuals and organizations drive relationship, connection, consumer action, and perception. This workshop series will explore foundational Organizational Storytelling tools, and will teach you to use storytelling to your individual and organizational advantage. Regardless of your professional role, this workshop will provide you with understand and tools that you can use to better understand and facilitate change within yourself and your organization.Expect: - Understand Organizational Storytelling Basics-Understand the role of organizational storytelling in internal relationships and collaboration- Understand how your personal story supports or challenges your organization's story-Understand the role of organizational storytelling in external relationships and consumer action-Identify gap areas between the spoken narrative within your organization and the actual narrative-Understand storytelling multitudes and how to hold space for various perspectives within an organizationA great primer to our Ethical Storytelling Series!

Ethical Storytelling: Holding Vulnerability & Avoiding Exploitation-Part 1Storytelling is one of the most powerful currencies for human connection that exists. And it is one that is frequently used in the nonprofit and helping fields to amplify awareness, garner funding, create connection, validate donations and volunteering, and so much more. We tell stories to invite others in and to invite participation in the work being done. We often tell stories with great intentions. But, how do we ensure that we're not using someone's story or exploiting their experiences for our own gain? How do we ensure that we're empowering and amplifying someone's voice, rather than exploiting them and their vulnerability? How can we ethically tell someone's story while describing what we do? With the power of storytelling comes great responsibility. In this mini-series, we'll be exploring these questions, and the ways that you can ensure that you're ethically using storytelling in your organization and personal life without exploitation.This workshop is interactive and experiential, so you'll get a chance to engage in hands activities during the workshop, in addition to walking away with new knowledge.

Ethical Storytelling: Holding Vulnerability & Avoiding ExploitationStorytelling is one of the most powerful currencies for human connection that exists. And it is one that is frequently used in the nonprofit and helping fields to amplify awareness, garner funding, create connection, validate donations and volunteering, and so much more. We tell stories to invite others in and to invite participation in the work being done. We often tell stories with great intentions. But, how do we ensure that we're not using someone's story or exploiting their experiences for our own gain? How do we ensure that we're empowering and amplifying someone's voice, rather than exploiting them and their vulnerability? How can we ethically tell someone's story while describing what we do? With the power of storytelling comes great responsibility. In this session, we'll be exploring these questions, and the ways that you can ensure that you're ethically using storytelling in your organization and personal life without exploitation.This workshop is interactive and experiential, so you'll get a chance to engage in hands activities during the workshop, in addition to walking away with new knowledge.

Funder Focus Series w/ Susannah ErlerFunder Focus Series:Your participation is invited as we learn more about The City of Austin’s Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs). GTOPs provides three award pathways for Austin nonprofit groups to apply for funding or devices. Jesse Rodriguez, Interim Program Manager, will talk about how this funding program supports participation in the digital society and will share details about how funds and resources are distributed to area nonprofit organizations. Series description What do funders look for in a grant proposal: data, stories, both? What kinds of projects do foundations find inspiring? What choices do funders make in support of communities? Join us for Nonprofit Austin at ACC’s Funder Focus series to learn more about the funding and grantmaking process. Bring your questions for this exceptional opportunity to connect directly with those who make funding decisions that support nonprofit work. Funder Focus Host: Susannah Erler, Director, Greater Good Strategies Susannah Erler started in a public radio career (including being Director of a National Public Radio affiliate) which later morphed into her current calling to support nonprofits. She earned her master's degree in Business with an Arts Administration (Nonprofit) specialization, is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) […]