Summit 2009 - Pre-Summit Workshops

Monday, June 1

Pre-Summit Half-day Workshops 1pm - 5pm (choose one)

Working Together: The Board-Staff Partnership  Management

This seminar comprises a survey of nonprofit operations and the many ways the Board and staff work together. The leadership of a nonprofit organization is a unique partnership between the Executive Director and Board, who work together to fulfill their joint and separate responsibilities. For this partnership to work, it is important to understand the differences between governance and management, clearly delineate Board and staff responsibilities, ensure strong committees, and work together to fulfill the mission.

Presenter: Patricia Wyzbinski, Director, BoardStar

Patricia Wyzbinski, President of Management Cornerstones Inc., has more than 30 years experience as a management consultant to 3,500 nonprofits.  Management Cornerstones Inc., a 21-year old firm, offers technical assistance to nonprofits through consultation, training, management audits, publication of resource materials, and the coordination of special projects. 

Along the way, she and her partner, Scott Gelzer, co-founded the Corporation for Cultural ReInvestment, sponsor of Arts Bridge, the nation’s first business incubator for the arts.  Since 1994, Patricia's firm has been engaged by the Nonprofit Management Fund, in Milwaukee and Waukesha, to advise the 18 funding partners on grant applications and initiatives, including BoardStar.

Signing Sponsors in a Lean Economy  Development

Nonprofit sponsorships are powerful marketing tools for corporations because sponsorships outperform traditional advertising. However, to be successful in sponsorship sales, nonprofits need clear ethical standards as well as a thorough understanding of the benefits corporations really crave and how to deliver that information to marketing decision-makers. This fast-paced, practical workshop will cover top local companies and what they really desire from nonprofit partnerships, plus:

• Ways to Increase Sales
• Sponsorship & Ethics – Drafting a Statement of Excellence
• Building Connections in the Electronic Era
• Motivating Decision-Makers with Effective Proposals
• Inspiring & Educating Your Board
• Valuing Benefits and Pricing Packages Competitively
• Case Studies That Drive Sales for the Sponsor
• National Sponsorships

Presenter: Barbara A. Harrington, Partner, Sponsorship Network

Barbara Harrington established Sponsorship Network in 1992. As a founding partner, she has created and implemented ethical sponsorship programs for clients nationwide, including Fore Hope in Cleveland, The Spirituals Project in Denver, and The Love Ride with Jay Leno in Los Angeles. Barbara works closely with clients – in all size markets -- to create ethical sponsorship programs that deliver results to the organization as well as drive sales for corporate decision makers.  Her innovative benefits and accurate assessment of sponsorship values have lead to dramatic success for clients.  Barbara has published two sponsorship books, The Essence of Sponsorship and Advance Sponsorship Sales that draw upon her vast sales and marketing experience.

Why Media Rules! and What You Are Doing Needs to Change  Technology

Changes in both technology and society have affected the communications and operations of nonprofits. In this session, based on the book Media Rules!, you will examine the framework for understanding this dynamic world and overcoming its many challenges -- whether the focus is online constituent engagement, communications, advocacy or fundraising.   You will also explore how people's habits and expectations change in a tough economy.

Media Rules!, co-authored by Brian Reich, discusses what it takes for today's organizational leader to survive and thrive in the new communications universe. Media Rules! offers a rare look at how you can effectively develop and implement successful media-centric strategies. Stay tuned for on-line ordering of this book. Media Rules! will also be for sale at the Summit.

Presenter: Brian Reich, Principal, EchoDitto Inc.

Brian Reich is the Director of Community and Partnerships for iFOCOS, the media think tank and futures lab. He's also Managing Editor of WeMedia.com and a Principal at EchoDitto, one of the most successful Internet and online communications firms in the nation. Brian has extensive experience in brand strategy and communications; leveraging communication opportunities created by technology; and helping political and nonprofit organizations use new technology to improve communications, drive action, and support fundraising. He is editor of Thinking About Media, a blog examining little ‘m’ media around the world (among other things); blogs as an expert on FastCompany.com; and co-authored Media Rules!: Mastering Today’s Technology to Connect With and Keep Your Audience.

Lobbying to Make a Difference  Advocacy

This workshop will introduce the basics of developing strategic relationships with the goal of effecting good public policy.  You will examine the lobby law for 501c(3) charitable organizations, get tips on planning for advocacy, learn about legislative processes and the political landscape, and how to effectively work in coalition with others.

Presenter: Marcia Avner, Public Policy Director, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Marcia Avner is Public Policy Director with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. Her work includes advocacy training and education and lobbying on issues that are important to nonprofits and the people they serve. Marcia teaches at the Center on Advocacy and Political Leadership at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is a former educator at the Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management program at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Prior to her work with MCN, Marcia served as Communications Director for US Senator Paul Wellstone, Deputy Mayor to St. Paul, Executive Director of The Minnesota Project, Assistant Commissioner of Energy for the State of Minnesota, and Legislative Director with the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group.