Past Courses
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Understanding Generational Differences:
Baby Boomers to Gen Xers and Beyond (2008)
Does your nonprofit understand the unique expectations and values embedded in constituents of various ages? Studies show that generational differences in work ethics, technology skills and service demands are shaped by the eras in which people grew up. The World War II generation and Gen Yers in their 20s are worlds apart but often are audiences you need to effectively reach. Being able to understand and adapt to generational differences among workers, clients and donors will help position your nonprofit for future success.
Special Events Planning (2007)
This one-day course will take the participants through the basic elements of planning a special event. The focus will be a practical approach to planning, executing, and evaluating a special event using practical tools, tips and tricks. Participants will look at real-life examples of events that worked, some that didn't, and why.
Training and Facilitation (2007)
Do you see yourself as a non-trainer who is often thrust into the role of trainer? Do you attend workshops and seminars; learn new skills and information that should be passed on to others in your agency? For the professional whose primary responsibility is not training and facilitation, this course will equip participants with a step-by-step process to use in preparation for giving trainings and presentations that are effective. Participants will gain an understanding of a variety of ways to approach the tasks of determining needs, developing programs, creating a positive training climate, and presentation tips.
Effective Positioning and Marketing Strategies (2007)
This one-day course will provide a practical introduction to positioning and marketing strategies. The course is designed to teach participants how to reposition a nonprofit by creating a memorable brand and how to form marketing partnerships with businesses and other nonprofits. Other topics include the types of marketing media; their pros and cons; and tips for working with graphic and web designers.
Successful Grant Seeking Strategies (2007)
The bulk of the work in the grant seeking process is in the planning process. In this one-day course, participants will examine the steps of the planning process that will lead to successful grant funding, from clarifying your organization’s needs, priorities and goals; researching funding methods using the internet and library; and identifying the most promising funders. This course will include a segment in the computer lab using the Foundation Directory Online and other sources.
Planned Giving: Laying Groundwork for Future Gifts (2006)
This course is designed to help nonprofit organizations learn to create and direct planned giving programs. You will learn about development, marketing and public relations, finding available resources, and the various types of planned gifts available. Included in the program will be a panel of professional advisors, including a planned giving officer, an estate planning attorney, and a financial planner.
Training and Facilitation: Learning to Teach Others (2006)
Are you thrust into the role of trainer in your organization? Do you attend workshops and seminars and want to know how to share new skills and information with others in your agency? If you are a professional whose primary responsibility is NOT training and facilitation, this course will teach you a step-by-step process to help you effectively train others. Participants will gain an understanding of a variety of ways to determine needs, develop programs, create a positive training climate and give effective presentations.
Virginia Employment Law (2006)
This course will provide an overview of many federal and state employment laws that all not-for-profit executives and managers should know about. Topics to be covered will include important areas such as documentation, hiring practices, harassment and termination.
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Love Thy Reader (2008)
IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNICATIONS...and you'll raise more money...attract new volunteers...and dramatically improve your organization's image and reputation. In his acclaimed, LOVE THY READER workshop, you'll learn the secrets of the world's most successful fundraising and nonprofit communicators.
In this high-energy LOVE THY READER workshop, you'll learn dozens of proven techniques for sending a more powerful message.
The LOVE THY READER workshop is utterly practical. You'll explore dozens of good - and not so good - real-life examples. And you'll learn key "best practices" for your newsletters, case statements, annual reports, program brochures, direct mail and Web sites.
Operational Efficiency: Increasing Revenues, Decreasing Costs (2007)
To ensure an organization is operating at peak efficiency, nonprofits will need to look at their internal processes and procedures in order to increase revenues and decrease costs. The first day of the course will focus on methods to increase revenues through grant writing, capital campaigns, donor appreciation methods and partnership development. Participants will also look at operational procedures to determine ways to increase revenues through their existing processes. The second day will focus on methods to decrease costs by evaluating current operation processes and procedures. Participants will learn how to visualize their current processes through flow-charting methods and determine, based upon those diagrams, how best to cut expenses.
Improving the Effectiveness of Your Nonprofit Board (2007)
Successful board members must be intentionally and strategically educated and groomed to be effective advocates for the agency. Participants will explore the roles and responsibilities of the board and staff; ensuring board and bored members are effective; productive meetings; role of the board in development; and board self-assessment and improvement.
Positioning Your Organization for More Effective Fundraising (2007)
This two-day course with Kay Sprinkel Grace, nationally renowned writer, speaker and consultant to a wide range of nonprofit organizations, will provide staff and board participants with tools, insights and strategies for building the kinds of community relationships that lead to sustained and significant community investment.
Drawing from her books (Beyond Fundraising, The Ultimate Board Member’s Book and the book to be released in late 2007, Building a AAA Organization (working title only)) and her extensive experience, Kay Grace will provide an interactive, inspiring, practical and highly motivating two day academy. Materials will be provided for participants.
Executive Director Survival Strategies (2007)
The job of the executive director is one of the most rewarding yet challenging careers in the nonprofit world. This two-day course offers strategies and skills designed to help relatively new executive directors survive and thrive. Topics to be covered include the nonprofit culture; specific roles of the executive director; board and staff; sound financial management; and leadership development. This course is open to anyone but was designed for executive directors with two years or less time in their position. Project Management: Strategies and Tactics for Success (2006)
Do you find yourself continually juggling priorities and deadlines? Do you need to get organized and break the barriers to personal productivity? This course will examine the key issues and activities involved in effective project management: defining, planning, and implementing. Participants will learn how to speak the language of project management and apply basic project management methodology to ensure project success.
Cultural Diversity: Increasing Your Cultural Competency (2006)
Is your organization offering effective, culturally appropriate services? Being “culturally competent” can help your organization multiply its community impact. Having a defined set of values and principles and demonstrated behaviors, attitudes, policies and structures will enable your organization to work with constituents from various cultures. This session will define and explore the importance of cultural competence and key issues such as bias blocks, interventions and human resources diversity data and projections.
Human Resources Management: A Primer for Working with People (2006)
This workshop will introduce the principles of human resources management for nonprofit agencies. Legal issues and career development will be highlighted. Topics include interviewing and selecting the best employees, employment law, classification and compensation, career development for your staff and effective performance assessment.
Advanced Grantsmanship: Moving Through the Grants Maze (2006)
A continuation of basic grantsmanship, advanced grantsmanship will explore in-depth proposal writing techniques and processes. Advanced grantsmanship offers the opportunity for in-depth discussion, review and critique of participants' writing. Share tips for searching for grants and collaborate with each other in order to share winning strategies. From project planning to the formulation of budgets, you can network with other professionals who understand the challenges of seeking funding. This course is for individuals who have taken the Academy’s Basic Principles of Grantsmanship course or who have experience writing proposals.
Board Development: Creating a Powerhouse (2006)
A great board of directors is not an accident. This class will teach the skills and secrets to building, managing and keeping great members of your board of directors. It is geared toward both senior staff members and board leaders. Topics will include defining governance, building board roles and responsibilities, creating job descriptions for volunteer leaders, legal and ethical responsibilities of board members, and board self-evaluation.
Program Evaluation: Demystifying the Process (2006)
This course is designed to take the mystery out of evaluation for nonprofit managers and staff members. Taught in plain English, this course will show how good evaluation is really common sense and easily understood by those with no technical training. The course will discuss the use of logic models, process evaluation, outcome evaluation, data collection strategies and techniques, and analytical questions. The course will provide practical information on how to find and work with qualified evaluators and how to keep evaluation costs manageable.
Strategic Planning & Management: Setting a Course for Success (2005)
Do you have a strategic plan that could use updating or a shift in focus? Learn some new ways to keep your organization on track during this intermediate-level course on strategic planning.
Principles of Grantsmanship: Getting Key Funders on Board (2005)
This 101-level course will introduce key fundamentals for successful grant writing and proposal development.
Marketing & Communications: Targeting Your Messages (2005)
Getting your organization’s message to the right audiences is critical to accomplishing its mission. Learn proven ways to create messages that resonate and lead to action. You will explore a variety of ways you can help shape key stakeholders’ perceptions.
Program Evaluation: Measuring What You Do (2005)
Is your organization doing effective work? How do you know the areas you need to improve? This course will teach ways to determine effective organizational performance and evaluate programs and results.
Leadership through Influence: The Power of Persuasion (2005)
Learn new techniques to improve your persuasive skills – whether you want to influence one person or an audience of 100. Learn to structure your messages, both oral and written, so others will understand them and respond in the ways that benefit your organization.
Development & Fundraising: Creating a Plan for Thriving (2005)
A solid foundation in the fundamentals of fundraising is essential for successful nonprofits. In this course you will learn the fundraising strategies needed to develop a stable funding base to help your organization thrive.
Human Resources Management:
Working with the People on Your Team (2005)
This workshop will introduce the principles of human resources management for nonprofit agencies. Legal issues and career development will be highlighted.
Financial Reporting and Analysis: Understanding the Essentials (2005)
This fundamental course covers the essentials of financial reporting and analysis for individuals who lack an extensive background in financial management. Emphasis is on applying financial principles in a nonprofit setting.
Communication for Constructive Conflict Resolution (2005)
Conflicts are inevitable...anger, holding grudges, hurt and blame are not. Conflict resolution can be a growth opportunity. With the right communication tools and frame of mind, you can resolve conflicts in a way that benefits everyone involved. Once people understand conflict and how to more effectively manage it, fear and avoidance can disappear, while personal growth and productivity expand.
Advocacy and Political Action: Mastering the Political Process (2005)
There is power in politics and getting people on the bandwagon. Learn to harness your organization’s potential clout in this course on effective advocacy and political action. This course focuses on initiatives that work at both the grassroots and legislative levels to help accomplish your organization’s goals.
Technology: The Power of Planning Ahead (2005)
Is your organization putting technology to work in the most effective way and planning for the future?
Day one of this course will identify technological resources that can improve your agency’s day-to-day work. Emphasis will be on using technology in agency problem solving.
Day two will teach key concepts for developing a technology plan that can lead to greater productivity, increased staff morale and improved client services. Having a well-developed technology plan will help your organization appeal to funders.
Advanced Public Relations and Marketing (2005)
Everything your organization does communicates a message to your target audiences. Learn the specifics of raising awareness among these audiences so your organization can raise the funds it needs to accomplish its mission. Topics include: branding; research; writing plan; and evaluation.
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