An overview of what is succession planning and why it’s important.An intentional process of succession planning, whether for your board or for your executive staff, will safeguard against unplanned and unexpected change and the potential chaos that can ensue. A clear and straightforward process is equally as helpful in facilitating smooth leadership transitions when change is predictable and planned. Either way, it will contribute to your organization’s sustainability and potentially grow leadership in your community. And it’s NOT complicated. It simply requires making the time and ensuring engagement. Learn how and where to start. Designed for both executive staff and board members, this interactive session will provide both strategic and practical insights into this essential practice. You’ll look at what is succession planning, why it matters, who’s involved, and how you can make it happen, including the potential challenges involved.Topics will include: (1) An overview of what is succession planning and why it’s important; (2) Look at what’s involved in executive staff succession planning; (3) Cover the benefits and processes of board development and sustainability, with the emphasis on succession planning, and (4) Discuss how it all aligns to achieve an organization’s mission.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter:Jane Baxter Lynn is passionate about working […]

Learning to develop others to achieve performance goals, develop skills, solve problems, work productively, and advance their careersHow do you engage and develop others, so they can achieve performance goals, develop skills, solve problems, work productively, and advance their careers? In a 10-year research endeavor dubbed Project Oxygen, Google, Inc discovered the key is leadership coaching. Many other research projects have reached similar results (e.g., HBR Leadership that Gets Results), concluding that leaders who coach their staff create productive, motivated, and successful employees, teams, and organizations.Learning to coach — like learning to lead — is a journey, not a quick fix. In this exercise and practice driven introductory workshop, we will clarify the concept of coaching and hone our coaching skills. Please come prepared with at least one personal or professional goal you are trying to achieve, a difficult decision you are trying to make, a problem you are struggling to solve, or a struggle you are addressing. There will be an opportunity to receive in-room coaching and to coach others on their goal, decision, problem, or struggle.Learning Objectives• Understand when coaching is useful and when it is not• Develop skills for effective listening and asking powerful questions• Learn how […]

Participants will experience a variety of methods to help solve problems and make decisions in a nonprofit setting.Participants will experience a variety of methods to help solve problems and make decisions in a nonprofit setting. The class will present tools to assist participants in examining problems and making decisions within nonprofit settings. It will start with the context in which problem solving and decision-making takes place, and includes examining ethical elements, communication, negotiation, various styles of decision-making, and the importance of stakeholders. The tools section of the class will present six steps and various processes to allow participants to examine the problem solving and decision-making tools they already use and add to their toolbox.Learning Objectives:• Understanding ethical issues when making decisions and solving problems.• Determining root causes.• Involving people in the process of decision making and problem solving.• Identifying steps to problem solving.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter:Kathleen McCleskey, KM Consulting and Training Connection, is a facilitator, trainer, consultant, and curriculum developer. She conducts classes in project management, multi-day presentation skills class, increasing personal effectiveness, strategic planning, and leading teams and groups are some of the classes Kathleen has conducted in her career.Kathleen has conducted workshops in the United States, Egypt, Guam, Korea, […]

Interactive, three-part series, where participants will reflect on their own stories, their organization’s stories, and the commonalities.Effectively telling your organization’s story is essential to fundraising, audienceengagement, and even employee satisfaction. Does your board struggle tocommunicate all your organization does? Do your staff members inconsistentlydescribe the organization’s purpose? When you tell your organization’s story, areyour beneficiaries’ voices always included?In this interactive, workshop-style three-part series, participants will reflect on their ownstories, their organization’s stories, and the connections between the work theydo and the people and issues they represent. We will dig into the Why, Who, andNow What of your organization’s story with the goal of crafting a simple,authentic, and compelling narrative that every board, staff, and target audiencemember can engage with and appreciate.Week 1: Your Organization’s Why - January 16, 2025This is where any organization must start when crafting a compelling narrative.We’ll dig into how to identify your organization’s unique Why. (Spoiler: it’s notyour mission statement.)Week 2: The Essential Who - January 23, 2025This is the magical missing piece many organizations overlook when telling theirstory, yet it is most likely the reason the organization exists. We’ll dig into theexperiences, expertise, and aspirations of the most important people (orcreatures or land) related to […]

Looking at the bigger picture for nonprofit programs and their organizational performanceSometimes it is challenging to see the forest through the trees. Nonprofits often have many programs running at the same time, and an endless “to do” list for each program. This workshop will guide participants in taking a step back to assess the big picture for their organization, program, or activities. Participants will engage in an evaluation exercise that will include identifying bottlenecks and “traps” their work may have fallen into. Identifying and addressing these bottlenecks and traps will lead to increased organizational agility, resilience, and sustained performance. This learning opportunity will utilize the Liberating Structures EcoCycle Planning micro-structure, an open-source tools.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our facilitator, Christine Gendron: Christine Gendron is an experienced and entrepreneurial leader, a systems thinker, connector, collaborator, and capacity builder. She has nearly 20 years of leadership experience serving as a resource for nonprofits, policymakers, government, and philanthropy organizations on strengthening outcomes for children, youth, families, and underserved populations.Christine previously served as the Executive Director of a statewide association and advocacy organization for eight years. She stepped into that role when the organization was […]

This workshop will focus on how to tie nonprofit programs to its goals to help accomplish the mission.Managing a nonprofit takes strategic thinking and strategy to be able to purposefully tie their programs to their goals. To do this, program managers need to strategically consider the internal and external factors facing each nonprofit program and the outcomes and results each program will produce. This workshop will focus on how to tie nonprofit programs to its goals to help accomplish the mission. Participants will learn to develop the basic outline of a strategic plan by determining how each program fits into the overall strategic plan of their nonprofit.If possible, participants should bring their nonprofit’s strategic plan with a mission statement, vision statement, and priorities/goals/objectives/strategic initiatives.Learning Objectives:• Understand the differences and relationships between strategic planning, strategic thinking, and operations.• Develop an understanding of the relationship between nonprofit programs and the goals of the nonprofit.• Construct concrete goals.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter: Kathleen McCleskey, KM Consulting and Training Connection, is a facilitator, trainer, consultant, and curriculum developer. She conducts classes in project management, multi-day presentation skills class, increasing personal effectiveness, strategic planning, and leading teams and groups are some of the classes Kathleen has conducted […]

Differences in leadership and management, and how those differences affect decision-making.Research has highlighted the differences in leadership and management. Cultivating strong decision-making skills is not optional. This session looks at the aspects of leadership that involves how to make informed choices for the organization and the people in it. Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this event if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our facilitator, Pam Benson Owens:Pamela Benson Owens is the President and CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting, Inc and is currently serving as the Acting Executive Director of Six Square. For 23+ years Pam has owned Edge of Your Seat Consulting, a unique consulting firm that is dedicated to assisting for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The firm’s major focus is to provide methodologies that help manage perceptions and narratives about complex and challenging issues with courage and strategic passion. Pam feels she is most effective when she partners with organizations from the inside out in order to streamline the hierarchical needs, create infrastructure, coach teams, shift organizational cultures and, of most importance, help leaders become more effective. Clients’ transformations are the essence of her work, and they’re also what bring her great joy and empirical pride. She serves on the […]

Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your meetings.If you are a typical professional, you have about 62 meetings per month, and your coworkers believe 50% of these meetings are a waste of time. (Altissan, 2019). Learn simple, immediately applicable skills and processes to facilitate any group conversation, foster collaboration, come to decisions, and drive productive outcomes. In this workshop, you will learn to facilitate by facilitating – please come prepared to experiment with new techniques and give and receive feedback and challenge how you lead groups.Learning Objectives• Practice and develop core facilitation skills for framing dialogue, effective listening, and asking productive questions• Learn to use processes and tools to enable groups to share and analyze information and make decisions• Learn to manage individual and group “dysfunction”Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitators:

Review committee roles and responsibilities, determine who should serve, and learn how to create committee work plans and monitor progress.Given the difficulty in finding people to serve on boards, committees are becoming even more important. Strong committees contribute to strong organizations, and yet, in many nonprofits they are often 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. This 1.5-hour virtual session includes multiple handouts, resources and opportunities for group discussion and individual work.In this course, participants will• Review committee roles and responsibilities• Determine who should serve• Learn how to create committee work plans and monitor their progress.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter: Wendy Biro-Pollard is a Certified Volunteer Administration (CVA) and BoardSource Governance Consultant. She has conducted webinars, keynotes, workshops, and retreats for individuals in the public-private sector, for national and international associations, corporate and community foundations, and faith-based and governmental agencies.Wendy directed the Volunteer Center of Austin and healthcare volunteer programs at large hospitals in Austin and San Antonio. She has served on several national training teams including one for VISTA AmeriCorps. Wendy is an adjunct faculty member for Nonprofit Austin at Austin Community […]

Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help you rediscover joy by aligning your personal values with your professional life.Are you a nonprofit professional struggling to find excitement in your work and struggling to set boundaries so that you can take care of yourself?If so, join us for an interactive workshop designed to help you rediscover joy by aligning your personal values with your professional life. In this interactive session, you'll:• Discover Your Core Values: Engage in a values exercise to identify what truly matters to you and how these values influence your happiness.• Align Actions with Values: Participate in an action vs. values exercise to see where you might be out of sync and how to realign for greater fulfillment.• Gain Inner Peace and Job Satisfaction: Learn how living by your values can bring more inner peace and make your work feel more meaningful.What to Expect:• Interactive Exercises: Hands-on activities that will help you uncover and understand your values.• Group Discussions: Collaborative conversations with fellow nonprofit professionals to share insights and support each other in this journey.No prerequisites or materials are needed—bring yourself and a willingness to explore. By the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a […]

Participants will learn the key principles of Design Thinking and how to apply them to their nonprofit work.Today's nonprofit organizations face unique challenges, demanding innovative solutions that are both cost-effective and make a measurable impact. This 3-hour course introduces participants to the fundamentals of Design Thinking—a human-centered approach to problem-solving that empowers organizations to tackle complex issues with creativity and empathy.Through a blend of interactive lectures, hands-on activities, and real-world examples, participants will learn the key principles of Design Thinking and how to apply them to their nonprofit work. From empathizing with stakeholders to prototyping and testing solutions, attendees will gain practical skills to drive positive change within their organizations.By the end of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of Design Thinking methodology and how it can be leveraged to foster innovation, improve program effectiveness, and ultimately, drive growth for their nonprofit initiatives.Key Learning Objectives:1. Understand the principles and process of Design Thinking.2. Learn how to empathize with stakeholders to uncover their needs and challenges.3. Practice ideation techniques to generate creative solutions.4. Gain skills in prototyping and testing ideas to iterate towards impactful solutions.5. Explore real-world examples of Design Thinking in nonprofit contexts.6. Discuss strategies for implementing Design […]

Eileen Garcia (she/her) has spent her career working in support of the social impact sector, including over a decade of experience as the leStrategic planning is dead! Long live strategy. Increasingly, the nonprofit sector is abuzz with the idea of eliminating the traditional multi-year strategic plan, and its associated high price tag and significant investment of time. While traditional plans might go the way of the dodo due to increasing awareness of the rapid changes of our sector’s environment, the need to thoughtfully assess organizational strengths and challenges and unearth blind spots remains. In addition, with an emerging workforce that demands new levels of decision-making engagement and transparency, the need to codevelop and articulate an organizational North Star becomes all the more important. Join this 90-minute exploration for nonprofit professionals and board members of where the sector goes from here in terms of defining strategy, including a look into the key tools and flexible frameworks that can keep your organization aligned without being tied to a plan that is outdated almost as soon as it is finalized. Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator: Eileen Garcia (she/her) has spent […]

A comprehensive session to budgeting for nonprofit organizations.Utilize a comprehensive guide to the essentials of nonprofit budgeting. Effective budgeting is crucial for nonprofits to achieve their mission, allocate resources efficiently, and maintain financial stability. However, nonprofit budgeting comes with its own set of challenges, including managing restricted funds, aligning budgets with mission-driven goals, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements. Leave with examples and a clear path of how to tackle your next budget cycle.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator, Holly Raymond: The success of Upbring's mission depends largely on two key components: finances and operations. Holly Raymond understands not just the importance of efficient operations and sound finances, but how to maximize both. As the Chief Financial Officer of Upbring, Holly directs finance, facilities, budget and procurement functions as well as information technology and human resource administration for the organization. Since joining Upbring in 2017, Holly has implemented structural modifications, strengthening financial operations that has resulted in a 25% overall organizational growth. In her prior role, as Senior Vice President of Finance, she deepened the finance and facilities resource capabilities by strategic staffing additions. Her success at Upbring is a testament […]

Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the key sections of the 990.Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the key sections of the 990, including how to report financial information, disclose organizational governance, and highlight program accomplishments. We will emphasize the strategic importance of the 990 as a public document. You’ll learn how to use the 990 to tell your organization’s story, demonstrating your impact and financial stewardship in a way that resonates with stakeholders.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter:The success of Upbring's mission depends largely on two key components: finances and operations. Holly Raymond understands not just the importance of efficient operations and sound finances, but how to maximize both. As the Chief Financial Officer of Upbring, Holly directs finance, facilities, budget and procurement functions as well as information technology and human resource administration for the organization. Since joining Upbring in 2017, Holly has implemented structural modifications, strengthening financial operations that has resulted in a 25% overall organizational growth. In her prior role, as Senior Vice President of Finance, she deepened the finance and facilities resource capabilities by strategic staffing additions. Her success at Upbring is a testament to her outstanding leadership, determination and servant-hearted commitment to breaking the cycle of child abuse.Before joining […]

Join us for this five-week course for boards to dig deep on nonprofit financial best practices, help them avoid pitfalls and permit them toJoin us for this five-week course for executive directors to dig deep on nonprofit financial best practices, help them avoid pitfalls, and permit them to make a strong overall contribution to the organization they serve.Target audience:• Core: Nonprofit Executive Directors and CEOs• Secondary: Nonprofit staff and board members o 90% of the content should have universal appealo When we do breakout rooms, let’s keep the two groups separate so people can have peers they relate to moreFormat:• Zoom or equivalent• Once per week for five weeks• 75-90 minutes each time, including a brief break about halfway through• Mix of presentations, Q&A, and small group activities (using breakout rooms)Week 1: Core roles and duties • Executive Director Role• Financial Staffo Hiringo Firingo Fraud triangleo Preventing burnout/resentments/fraudo Current hiring and retention challenges• Board Roleo Legal requirements of all board members (quoting TX law)o Treasurer roleo Chair’s roleo Finance Committee role • Legal liability • Horror stories • D&O InsuranceWeek 2: Money and Your Relationship with Board and Staff – getting it right• Executive Director with staff o Accounting and […]

A focus on staff development in nonprofit organizationsThis interactive workshop dives deep into the importance of staff development for nonprofits in 2025. You'll gain crucial insights into the evolving skills landscape and learn how to identify the specific areas where your team needs the most support. Through practical activities and discussions, you'll explore a range of development strategies; including training programs, mentorship opportunities, and professional development resources. Ultimately, you'll leave the workshop with a roadmap for creating a customized staff development plan that empowers your team and fuels your organization's success.Learning Objectives:• Identify the key skills and knowledge needed for nonprofits to thrive in the current environment.• Develop a framework for assessing your team's current skillset and development needs.• Explore diverse staff development strategies to address identified gaps.• Create a cost-effective and sustainable staff development plan for your organization.• Evaluate the impact of staff development initiatives on team performance and organizational goals.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator:Sheila Armitage is a trusted advisor for nonprofit leaders seeking to enhance their leadership skills, organizational performance, and impact. As a leadership development facilitator and executive coach, she brings extensive experience […]

This learning opportunity will provide guidance on strategically engaging stakeholders to further an organization’s goals.This learning opportunity will provide guidance on strategically engaging stakeholders to further an organization’s goals. Participants will engage in stakeholder mapping and learn and discuss strategies for prioritizing and achieving engagement. They will have the opportunity to begin developing measurable stakeholder engagement plans. The discussion will address engagement of a range of stakeholders, including grassroots and grasstops stakeholders, potential partners/collaborators, and clients and others with lived experiences.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter:Christine Gendron is an experienced and entrepreneurial leader, a systems thinker, connector, collaborator, and capacity builder. She has nearly 20 years of leadership experience serving as a resource for nonprofits, policymakers, government, and philanthropy organizations on strengthening outcomes for children, youth, families, and underserved populations.Christine previously served as the Executive Director of a statewide association and advocacy organization for eight years. She stepped into that role when the organization was struggling, defined a new strategic direction, streamlined administrative functions, established partnerships with stakeholders across the state, and raised new funds, ultimately tripling the organization’s annual budget. She led legislative advocacy efforts that secured legislation and new state appropriations, led the coordination of high-profile capacity building initiatives for direct […]

This learning opportunity will identify and distinguish between different types of meetings that are common and importantChances are, your calendar is full of meetings - team meetings, weekly meetings, supervision meetings, project meetings, planning meetings, board meetings - you name it. For many nonprofit professionals, the meetings never end. The success of your meetings greatly influences the success of your organization and may even make or break your career. This learning opportunity will identify and distinguish between different types of meetings that are common and important for nonprofit leaders and will provide research and tools to support you in making your meetings as effective, efficient, and enjoyable as possible.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this learning opportunity if thereis inadequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator: Christine Gendron is an experienced and entrepreneurial leader, a systems thinker, connector, collaborator, and capacity builder. She has nearly 20 years of leadership experience serving as a resource for nonprofits, policymakers, government, and philanthropy organizations on strengthening outcomes for children, youth, families, and underserved populations.Christine previously served as the Executive Director of a statewide association and advocacy organization for eight years. She stepped into that role when the organization was struggling, defined a new strategic […]