Austin Community College: Highland Business Center

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, […]

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 […]

Two-day intensive workshop integrates the fundamental principles of leadership, strategy, and communication.JBL Strategies’ unique Strategic Leadership Essentials ® (SLE) class for nonprofit leaders includes a two-day intensive workshop that integrates the fundamental principles of leadership, strategy, and communication, followed by two one-on-one coaching sessions.Nonprofit Austin is collaborating with JBL Strategies to offer this unique program designed specifically to work with executive directors and leaders in decision-making positions within nonprofit organizations. The class comprises a two-day intensive workshop, a comprehensive course workbook, and two one-on-one coaching sessions, during which participants have an opportunity to discuss their specific challenges and needs, developing practical ways to address them.This affordable, interactive program discusses personal leadership approach within the context of their organization’s strategic direction and the communication strategies necessary to engage stakeholders and operationalize strategic direction to achieve greater mission impact in the communities they serve. The emphasis is on customized learning, peer exchange and clarity of purpose. It gives participants an opportunity to step back, reflect and take charge.The program is limited to 14 participants – with only one person from each organization – to encourage idea-sharing, open conversation, and on-going peer collaboration. A minimum registration is required for the program to take […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]