Beyond Evaluations: Transforming Outcomes Into Funding

Ultimately, nonprofits and for-profits must do the same thing:

This requires that nonprofits move beyond purely emotional appeals by learning how to demonstrate the impact of the organization's work, and how to make a compelling case for investment based on the value of that impact.

This requires a change in the traditional nonprofit way of thinking through three paradigm shifts:

• Moving from a charity mindset to one of sustainable investment
• Placing an emphasis on delivering measurable results
• Relying less on an emotional approach and more on the return of value

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

Beyond Evaluations: Transforming Outcomes Into Funding participants will leave the sessions knowing:

• How to move from a "Tin Cup" to an Investment-Based Organization.
• Why strategic plans and business plans often fall short on the single most important part: FUNDING!
• Why emotional appeals are becoming less effective in today's funding environment, and why sustainable organizations of the future must adopt a more value-based culture.
• How to develop investable outcomes: translating specific outcomes into specific benefits for different stakeholder and investor groups.
• How to implement an ROI-based program using a 5 step approach, culminating in a compelling Organizational Value Proposition® that:
  
  
  • Determines the motivations of your stakeholders
  • Develops a program with definable outcomes
  • Translates those outcomes into specific benefits
  • Demonstrates effectiveness in investment terms
  • Reports results on a regular basis

All participating organizations will develop an Organizational Value Proposition® that normally starts at $9,500.

Organizational Value Proposition is a registered trademark of Capital Strategists Group

Session Detail

First Session

Day 1

Afternoon   The Evaluation/ ROI Connection

• The Evaluation Continuum
• Introducing OVP
• Defining ROI
• Beyond Logic Models
• Getting To Value

Morning   Developing Your Value Proposition

• Determining Areas of Focus
• Framing Up Your Value
• Value Methodology


Not in a Vacuum
• Talking to Funders
• The Conversation
• Gathering Relevant Information
• Your Homework

Individual Assistance

• Individual assistance addressing specific challenges facing the
• 2 separate 90 minute meetings, approximately six weeks apart
• Typically done in central location

Meeting One
• Funder feedback
• Determining Areas of Focus

Meeting Two
• Fine Tuning Your Message

Second Session

Day 1

Morning   Taking It Public

• Individual Presentation of Results
• Most Effective Uses
• Your Communication Plan
• Putting Value to Work

Program interest may be expressed by:

• Clicking here or
• Contacting Nick Dietsch or Tom Ralser at (770) 745-9993

Deadline to express your interest is: January 31, 2008

Crossroads: Dealing strategically with change

During our trainings over the last four (4) years with Care Foundation, it has become evident that many organizations need help facing and dealing strategically with change in their organization.

We initially addressed conflict and change-related challenges in TeamTrack and Management MAP. We addressed the issue again during 2007 by providing focus groups to ensure organizations are not making assumptions about changes that need to be made. Yet even with these three programs, we realized organizations need detailed assistance as they plan and go through the change management process.

The Crossroads workshop will help organizations: define the scope of the problem, issue or opportunity; create a plan of action; and prepare them to navigate through change successfully going forward.

We firmly believe this workshop will benefit many organizations in Northwest Arkansas who are struggling to face and deal effectively with change.

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

Step One: Preparation
We will meet one-on-one with the executive director or leader within the organization who would like us to facilitate for them. We will discuss the current situation and how they need our help.

Step Two: Proposal
We will come back to them with a proposal on how to help assist. This will include a detailed agenda and process design for them to consider (i.e., what we want to accomplish, how we will accomplish it and who should be involved, and what are the anticipated outcomes)

Step Three: Implementation
Likely, we will work with these teams for one day of facilitation or two (2) half days. The agendas for each of the teams will be customized to meet the needs of the organization. Pre-training surveys will likely be used depending on the nature of the issue to learn more about each participant.

Step Four: Evaluation
We will provide evaluations to each team member through an on-line survey to ensure anonymity for each respondent. Sending an evaluation to participants 24-hours after the facilitation, also allows participants to provide thoughtful feedback.

Step Five: Observations and Recommendations
A written document will be provided to our client contact within one week of the facilitated discussion to capture everything shared including the plan of action. In addition, we will provide some observations and recommendations from a consultant's perspective.

Step Six: Measurement
We will meet one-on-one with our client contact 90 days after the facilitation to:

• determine the progress that has been made by the team;
• help work out any challenges their facing; and
• determine next steps.

Program interest may be expressed by contacting us at blake@blakewoolsey.com or calling 479-444-0591

Deadline to express your interest is: March 1, 2008

Develop Your Strategic Plan

A critical process for successful business outcomes is the creation and implementation of plans. Effective leadership guides this process though aligning all activities with the plan and providing the support and resources for their teams to successfully accomplish that plan. This takes high-level skills, including exemplary board and operational leadership, as well as keen business acumen. Developing the plan is not an easy task. Typically most organizations are much more successful at creating the plan when they have an experienced outside consultant facilitate the process. Since such a process is not a one-day project, utilizing such outside services can be timely and expensive. This program provides the skills of an experienced consultant/facilitator, coupled with the efficiencies of a new technology tool for plan development and tracking that can help to make the process more efficient - and thus less costly. During this project, your organization will be Beta site for this new tool.

Program Goals:

• Develop a complete strategic plan for the organization, setting their roadmap for the next 3 years.
• Involve board and staff through a professionally facilitated, customized 5 month process.
• Process will include a series of meetings with various groups within the organization including:
  • Board of Directors and Staff Leadership
  • Planning Committee - includes several board members + select staff
  • Staff leadership
  • Staff - including a broader group - up to all staff - for inclusion in a reasonable/appropriate format
  • Possibly other key external stakeholders
• Objective is to ensure that the process is inclusive and takes on a broad perspective.

Strategic planning process will accomplish the following:

• Consider the environment in which organization currently operates;
• Review and recommitment to the mission;
• Determination of key goals and objectives for strategic and operational direction setting;
• Identify clear performance measures for tracking achievement of goals;
• Prioritization of goals/projects;
• Develop a framework by which the board and staff can operate and be accountable in moving forward to implement the strategic plan - including training for roles (board and staff) in plan execution.
• Project will serve as the Beta Test site for a new web-based planning documentation system that will streamline both documentation development as well as execution updates/tracking/reporting.

Program interest may be expressed by:

• click here or
• Contact: dmcnerney@ibosswell.com or
  Denise McNerney 913-642-1416

Deadline to express your interest is: March 14, 2008

The Executive Edge: business etiquette boot camp

• We originally developed this training at the consistent request of corporate executives saying that it is truly timeless information - for the tenured employee as well as new employees.
• It is a very popular training for us, and we are excited about providing it for nonprofits in Northwest Arkansas who might not otherwise have such an opportunity.
• This also provides an opportunity for leadership to send employees who may want or need some additional "polish", but they do not know how to address it with them.

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes
Note: Participants will be sent a pre-training survey. In this survey, they will be asked to submit specific etiquette questions, so we are sure to address them during the training.

Module One: Business and social etiquette
Social etiquette basics

• How do you have presence in a room of people?
• Remembering names
• Proper introductions
• Shaking hands
• Making small talk; ending conversations politely
• Conducting business in social settings (on the golf course, at sporting events)

Business communications

• Effective meetings
• Telephone courtesy and professional use
• Voice mail
• Cell phone etiquette
• E-mail do's and don'ts

Dining etiquette

• Table manners
• Served meal

Putting it all together: Lunch and conversation

Module Two: Dress for success

• Executive wardrobe guidelines
• Essential pieces for your closet (for both men and women)
• Business casual: interpreting today's fashion trends and challenges for the business workplace

Module Three: Networking

• Building a network that lasts
• Achieving results through formal and informal channels
• Getting help when you need it; mentoring and helping others when they need it

Program interest may be expressed by contacting us at blake@blakewoolsey.com or calling 479-444-0591

Deadline to express your interest is: April 1, 2008

Find It and Fund It

The Nonprofit Resource Center at the Fayetteville Public Library

Are you looking to find all the resources you need as a fundraiser or non-profit board member in one place? Do you wish there were quality workshops targeted to the special needs of nonprofit staff? The Nonprofit Resource Center @ FPL hosts a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection, which provides access to research databases, research support from library staff, as well as a variety of materials and educational programs for nonprofit organizations. The Collection also offers professional journals and resources on board development, annual giving and more. The Nonprofit Resource Center can help local nonprofits improve fundraising efforts, build capacity, and continue to serve as an important resource for Northwest Arkansas. Visit us at www.faylib.org to "check-out" our resources!

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Provide training/workshop opportunities in the areas of management, growth, and leadership for nonprofit staff, boards, and volunteers
• Provide on-demand research assistance to agencies seeking grant information.
• Provide local non-profits with access to the Foundation Center's most comprehensive database of more than 80,000 grant makers and half a million grants, updated weekly, Foundation Directory Online Professional.
• Provide local non-profits with access to a collection of books, periodicals and research resources unsurpassed in the Northwest Arkansas area.

Program interest may be expressed by:

• clicking here or
• contacting the Nonprofit Resource Center at the Fayetteville Public Library, (479) 571-2222 ext. 4450

Deadline to express your interest is: January 18, 2008 and Sept. 9, 2008

Flashpoint

The trigger is pulled, the hammer slams onto a minuscule pan of powder, the powder is ignited, a spark created, an explosion results. The pivotal moment when a gun is fired is known as the flash point, the point when the bullet gains momentum to hit the target. What igniter will prepare and inspire your team for the best possible shot? What do they need before they can move forward with accuracy and hit the next target?

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• FlashPoint is designed to improve team results by developing a foundation of trust, improving communication, and creating an appreciation for the differences among team members.
• Program objectives are customized to the team as defined by the team leader.

Program interest may be expressed by:

• contacting Jen Ardill at ArdillJ@jbu.edu or 479.524.7325

Deadline to express your interest is: February 15, 2008

Foundations and Their Role in Philanthropy

The Nonprofit Resource Center at the Fayetteville Public Library

Are you looking to find all the resources you need as a fundraiser or non-profit board member in one place? Do you wish there were quality workshops targeted to the special needs of nonprofit staff? The Nonprofit Resource Center @ FPL hosts a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection, which provides access to research databases, research support from library staff, as well as a variety of materials and educational programs for nonprofit organizations. The Collection also offers professional journals and resources on board development, annual giving and more. The Nonprofit Resource Center can help local nonprofits improve fundraising efforts, build capacity, and continue to serve as an important resource for Northwest Arkansas. Visit us at www.faylib.org to "check-out" our resources!

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Provide overview of foundation funding in the United States
• Provide historical context for foundation funding
• Discuss sources of information on foundation funding
• Provide local non-profits with access to the Foundation Center's most comprehensive database of more than 80,000 grant makers and half a million grants, updated weekly, Foundation Directory Online Professional.

Program interest may be expressed by:

• clicking here or
• contacting the Nonprofit Resource Center at the Fayetteville Public Library, (479) 571-2222 ext. 4450

Deadline to express your interest is: June 10, 2008

Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course

The Nonprofit Resource Center at the Fayetteville Public Library

Are you looking to find all the resources you need as a fundraiser or non-profit board member in one place? Do you wish there were quality workshops targeted to the special needs of nonprofit staff? The Nonprofit Resource Center @ FPL hosts a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection, which provides access to research databases, research support from library staff, as well as a variety of materials and educational programs for nonprofit organizations. The Collection also offers professional journals and resources on board development, annual giving and more. The Nonprofit Resource Center can help local nonprofits improve fundraising efforts, build capacity, and continue to serve as an important resource for Northwest Arkansas. Visit us at www.faylib.org to "check-out" our resources!

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Gain a better understanding of the philanthropy landscape
• Adopt the terminology used in foundation fundraising
• Prepare your organization to become a desirable partner to grant makers
• Understand the process of getting grants

Program interest may be expressed by:

• clicking here or
• contacting the Nonprofit Resource Center at the Fayetteville Public Library, (479) 571-2222 ext. 4450

Deadline to express your interest is: April 18, 2008
Materials in the collection are available at all hours the library is open.

Grantseeking 101

This workshop is a fast-paced, half-day introduction to the terminology, resources and processes of seeking grant funding for nonprofit organizations. Although it is most suitable to those just starting, those with some grants experience will take away tips and tricks to make their grantseeking more effective too.

We begin by introducing the concepts of grant readiness and matching organizational mission with funder priorities and interests. We then demonstrate how to evaluate a funder profile, how to read and follow funder guidelines and what to say in a grant proposal when funders don't provide guidance. We'll discuss how to present goals and objectives in language funders will understand and respond to. Finally, we introduce budgets for grants - what funders like to see and don't like to see in applicants' grant budgets.

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Develop skills and knowledge in basic terminology, research strategies, and proposal and budget development regarding grantseeking.
• Learn how to read funder profiles and guidelines to determine eligibility to apply and what type of proposal would be most competitive.
• Network other non-profits.
• Learn to focus on developing proposals that fit your mission as well as the funder's priorities.

Program interest may be expressed by calling Cheryl L. Kester at (479) 582-1053 or emailing her at ckester@cox.net.

Deadline to express your interest is: February 8, 2008

Grantseeking Academy

More and more non-profits desire to win grant funds to achieve their mission, but the skills needed to be successful at grantseeking are different from other fundraising or writing skills. If you are serious about winning grants, you need to learn more than just information that can be communicated via a PowerPoint. You need to learn and practice the skills that will help you find the right grants for your agency.

The Grantseeking Academy is an intensive, hands-on learning experience. You attend the Academy 2 hours per week over six weeks so that you have time to digest what you're learning and begin putting it into practice back at your agency. While you learn useful information about seeking and obtaining grants, you are also receiving one-on-one mentoring from two professional grant writers. The instructors provide a thorough critique of your grant proposal in-progress, offering suggestions for improvement and guiding you to getting it into final form for submission. You will leave the Academy with a real grant proposal to a real funding agency and excellent reference materials that you can use in writing future proposals. Several participants from last year's academy were awarded grants with the proposals they prepared during the course.

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Develop skills and knowledge in basic terminology, research strategies, and proposal development regarding grantseeking.
• Prepare an actual funding proposal unique to your agency for submission to a real funder.
• Network with colleagues from other non-profits and discuss ways to partner or collaborate on future programs.
• Learn to focus on developing proposals that fit your mission as well as the funder's priorities.

Program interest may be expressed by calling Cheryl L. Kester at (479) 582-1053 or emailing her at ckester@cox.net.

Deadline to express your interest is: April 1, 2008

Inclusive Boards for a Diverse Community

• Your Board will have 1 or 2 new highly talented non-Anglo board members-from NW Arkansas institutions such as Wal-Mart, P & G and the University of Arkansas-who have been well-trained on all aspects of serving on a non-profit board.
• Your agency's board-now newly diversified-will receive an on-site day-long professionally facilitated retreat, tailor made to your agency's unique needs in becoming more inclusive, coupled with board development and strategic planning for being a higher impact board and organization.
• Your Board Chair (or representative) and your ED will have an increased understanding of, commitment to and skills in creating a diverse and inclusive board and organization.
• Your agency will complete this program with a larger, stronger, more diverse board and an action plan for building upon this foundation of inclusion.

Due to the Care Foundation's commitment to helping increase the diversity of nonprofit boards, they are offering this unique program for a fee of only $450.

Program details
Ultimately, this two-track program will place well-trained non-Anglo board recruits onto nonprofit boards that are trained in cultural competency and high-impact governance. In track one, this program recruits and trains new non-Anglo board members who want to serve successfully on nonprofit boards. Concurrently, track two provides nonprofit boards with diversity and cultural competency training to help them become more inclusive and successful in building and sustaining a diverse, high-impact board.

To achieve this goal, requirements have been set to help participants-both nonprofit boards and new recruits-be successful.

Nonprofit boards must:

• Be at least one year old
• Have a working board with regular meetings
• Have active board committees
• Have identified board diversification as one of their strategic goals
• Commit to sending the key board member and staff senior leader to the two required trainings
• Approve to accept up to 2 of the new recruits (Interviews will take place during both training sessions. Facilitators will give careful assessment during the placement process and final placement will consider organizations' choices)
• Commit to having key staff and a majority of board members participate in a customized day-long follow-up training for their organization.
• Completion of a pre & post organizational assessment survey regarding diversity, inclusion, and board effectiveness.

New board recruits will:

• Be identified by colleagues as a leader and true team player
• Have been called to "serve" the NWA community
• Be committed to being placed on one of the participating nonprofit boards
• Have a letter of support from their employer
• Be able to commit to full participation of all four 4-hour training sessions
• Be committed to becoming an active member of a participating nonprofit board

Over the course of several weeks, nonprofit boards will receive their diversity, cultural competency and high-impact board training, while new recruits receive their board readiness training. After placements are made, each nonprofit will receive a customized day-long workshop for board and staff leadership.

Upon completion, non-Anglo recruits will be empowered to serve as successful board members trained in:

• Role and responsibilities of nonprofit boards
• Legal overviews pertaining to board service
• Board policy development
• Fundraising ethics and accountability
• Diversity and cultural awareness
• Nonprofit financials 101

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes:

• Increase the number of non-Anglo board members in the area.
• Increase the number of non-profit boards that reflect the diversity of the community they serve.
• Create successful, high-impact boards with cultures that are healthy, diverse and sustainable.

Upon completion, nonprofit boards will be empowered to be successful and inclusive boards trained in:

• Diversity Awareness
• Cultural competency
• Successful and high-impact board practices
• Building an inclusive boardroom and organization

Program interest may be expressed by:

• click here
• Contact: dmcnerney@ibosswell.com or
  Val Gonzalez at Just Communities (479) 927-3055 or
  Denise McNerney at iBossWell (913) 642-1416

Potential non-Anglo board recruits, please contact Val Gonzalez at Just Communities:: (479) 927-3055 or Denise McNerney at iBossWell 913-642-1416.

Deadline to express your interest is: March 31, 2008

Individual Leadership Development

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Provide updated insights by collecting current 360 feedback for each manger.
• Assist each manger in the interpretation and application of the feedback received, through a one-on-one coaching session with a Soderquist Center facilitator.
• Assist in creating or refining each leader's Individual Development Plan to reflect prioritized goals and action steps.
• Provide accountability and motivation for each manager through follow-up coaching sessions.

Program interest may be expressed by:

• contacting Jen Ardill at ArdillJ@jbu.edu or 479.524.7325

Deadline to express your interest is: March 3, 2008

My Leadership Path: Leadership Development Coaching

During this 7-month relationship with your professional leadership coach, you will create an individual development plan (IDP) and implement new approaches and practices for success. Your coach will help you negotiate the challenges that arise in your day to day work-life, as well as on your path of growth, and celebrate your achievements with you.

The Leadership Circle Profile® (TLC) in-depth, multi-rater leadership assessment (360°) will be conducted at the beginning of the seven-month coaching period. This instrument provides each participant a deep look at how their self-assessment compares to their colleagues' assessment of their skills and competencies. The results of this assessment offer significant insights for enhancing self-awareness, which then provides rich information for the coaching engagement to embark on the path of self-management and tremendous growth in emotional intelligence. (Click here for more information on The Leadership Circle Profile®.)

The program will kick off with 1 brief phone meeting with your coach to introduce the program and set up your on-line assessment tool, followed approximately one month later (on April 30, 2008) with a ½-day group leadership retreat, where the TLC results will be provided, along with the interpretive guidance. Then, through September 2008, meet with your coach 6 times to work on your IDP, growth and development, and any current leadership challenges you are facing. We will also run the People Styles® Inventory for further self-awareness during the second workshop in June 2008. This additional group workshop held during the month of June to will offer further leadership training and will be scheduled to accommodate participants' schedules.

Program Goals:

• Enhance leadership skills of nonprofit executives based on their individual needs
• Enhance emotional intelligence through accelerated self-awareness and individual coaching
• Enhance performance of agency through more effective leadership

Program provides:

• Broad and deep feedback to leaders regarding their skills, leadership qualities and behaviors through conducting The Leadership Circle Profile® 360 leadership assessment tool. Additionally, the People Styles profile instrument will also be completed and reviewed.
• Individualized coaching goals will be determined through interpretation of leadership assessment results
• Six individual coaching sessions (First one or two are face-to-face, subsequent sessions over phone). Note: if participant desires, select coaching session(s) could include key board member or employee where significant benefit could be gained through "facilitated" conversation.
• Coaching includes creation and implementation of an Individual Development Plan (IDP)
• Two face-to-face group workshops for participants

Program interest may be expressed by:

• click here
• Contact: dmcnerney@ibosswell.com or
  Val Gonzalez at Just Communities (479) 927-3055 or
  Denise McNerney at iBossWell (913) 642-1416

Deadline to express your interest is: March 14, 2008

Legal eSource UA

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes
To provide free online legal information including:

1. video lectures with closed captioning
2. decision trees
3. glossary
4. FAQ's
5. Podcasts
6. blog/chat room
7. legal directory with links to other online resources for NWA non-profits

Program interest may be expressed by:

• http://www.uacted.uark.edu/Legalesource/
• contacting Tim Tarvin at ttarvin@uark.edu

Deadline to express your interest is: There is no deadline to express your interest. You may visit the website at your convenience and as often as you'd like.

Nonprofit Resource Center @ Fayetteville Public Library

Never before has there been a location in Northwest Arkansas with a collection of materials specifically designed to support the non-profit community. The Center provides support through access to current books and magazines in the field, access to quality workshops, and with trained staff who make research assistance to nonprofits a priority. The Center also makes fostering partnerships with local organizations a priority. The Nonprofit Resource Center can help local nonprofits improve fundraising efforts, build capacity, and continue to serve as an important resource for Northwest Arkansas.

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Provide training/workshop opportunities in the areas of management, growth, and leadership for nonprofit staff, boards, and volunteers
• Provide on-demand research assistance to agencies seeking grant information.
• Provide local non-profits with access to the Foundation Center's most comprehensive database of more than 80,000 grant makers and half a million grants, updated weekly, Foundation Directory Online Professional.
• Provide local non-profits with access to a collection of books, periodicals and research resources unsurpassed in the Northwest Arkansas area.

Program interest may be expressed by:

• contacting the Nonprofit Resource Center at 571-2222, ext. 4450 or emailing questions@faylib.org

Deadline to express your interest is: Contact us 7 days a week by phone at 571-2222, ext. 4450.

Proposal Writing Basics

The Nonprofit Resource Center at the Fayetteville Public Library

Are you looking to find all the resources you need as a fundraiser or non-profit board member in one place? Do you wish there were quality workshops targeted to the special needs of nonprofit staff? The Nonprofit Resource Center @ FPL hosts a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection, which provides access to research databases, research support from library staff, as well as a variety of materials and educational programs for nonprofit organizations. The Collection also offers professional journals and resources on board development, annual giving and more. The Nonprofit Resource Center can help local nonprofits improve fundraising efforts, build capacity, and continue to serve as an important resource for Northwest Arkansas. Visit us at www.faylib.org to "check-out" our resources!

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Provide training/workshop in the proposal process, including organizing, writing, and packaging proposals
• Provide on-demand research assistance to agencies seeking information for proposal content.
• Provide local non-profits with access to the Foundation Center's most comprehensive database of more than 80,000 grant makers and half a million grants, updated weekly, Foundation Directory Online Professional.
• Provide local non-profits with access to a collection of books, periodicals and research resources unsurpassed in the Northwest Arkansas area.

Program interest may be expressed by:

• clicking here or
• contacting the Nonprofit Resource Center at the Fayetteville Public Library, (479) 571-2222 ext. 4450

Deadline to express your interest is: November 7, 2008

Reaching Peak Performance

• Managers and leaders of non-profits have a difficult time being effective spokespersons for their organization
• These individuals usually have many things they could share with audiences, but they often do not know how to determine the best things they should say and how to communicate those in a compelling and appropriate way
• Many times they are scattered and do not understand how to package or prepare memorable themes or messages for audiences to grasp and remember
• Many times they get lost in the details and do not come across as strategic or visionary
• Many times their personal speaking style is ineffective and gets in the way of the message being delivered effectively

Agenda for the day
Module One: Building blocks

• Advanced presentation tips: insight, context, perspective, expertise
• Charisma
• Individual style test: how do I want to be perceived as a speaker, strengths and weaknesses
• Developing strong content and memorable messages
• Impromptu speaking exercise: developing content for shorter talks
• Preparing for longer talks: main points, supporting thoughts, examples, fearless start/fabulous finish

Module Two: Customizing your presentation

• Fearless starts, themes
• Staying on message· Transition techniques
• Scripting

Module Three: Putting it all together

• Beating fear
• Enhancing your presentation style: delivery tips
• Final presentation exercise

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Teaching participants how to prepare strong content
• Enhancing personal delivery style
• Understanding and making good decisions about key messages; developing those critically important key themes for their organization

Program interest may be expressed by contacting Executive Communications Consultants LLC at blake@blakewoolsey.com or calling 479-444-0591.

Deadline to express your interest is: March 1, 2008

Ready, Set, PLAN! Creating a Comprehensive and Easy Fundraising Plan

Before you say "GO" to fundraising, it is important to develop a comprehensive and easy plan! If you often feel as though you are being pulled in a million directions and that you don't have the time to stop and think, it is important to take the time to actually map out your next year. You will then know where you need to be and when. You will also ensure that you are incorporating the various aspects of fundraising including board management, annual giving, planned giving, marketing, grants, etc. After you have your plan, it will also be easier to make sure everyone - including your board - is going in the same direction.

The growth of the non-profit community in Northwest Arkansas presents a challenge to new development officers. There are few institutions across the country that offer degrees in the profession, thus people enter the field with very little knowledge on the many aspects of fundraising. Often organizations rely too heavily on "events" or other more visible methods that may not supply a good return on investment of time and resources. These methods often take time away from other methods that may have a much greater impact on the organization. Planned gifts/endowment gifts can be transformational to an agency, and some development time must be devoted to those endeavors.

This training is easy and fun! It will incorporate both instruction and activities so that you will leave with a plan in hand that is easy to implement and utilize and you will not be bored! A pre-training survey will provide a good assessment of the current situation of the participants and will allow the trainer to have some materials specifically tailored to your organization so that we can get a running start. A major goal is for you to leave with a plan that you can share with all members of your team and board and be ready to meet your financial goals!

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Develop a diversified fundraising plan in an easy to follow format.
• Quickly examine annual giving, major gifts, planned gifts, and grants.
• Examine how marketing ties it all together and is integral to your success.
• Identify top 10 prospects and develop a "moves management" plan for prospects.
• Provide easy tools to participants that can be quickly implemented.

Program interest may be expressed by:

• Clicking hope3663@sbcglobal.net, or
• contacting Hope Bradberry, (479) 575-0369

Deadline to express your interest is: March 6, 2008

Stakeholder Focus Groups: A Navigational Tool for Making Organizational Decisions

Nearly every growing organization has one or more significant decisions they are facing in the next 12-18 months. In the process of making such decisions, many assumptions are made without concrete knowledge, research, or benchmarking being done to guide them to the best decision possible on behalf of the organization, the people it serves and our community. In many cases, if organizations would gather original research from key stakeholder groups through focus groups, they might have a better idea of what strategies they need to implement and decisions they need to make during the next year - or the next 10 years.

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes

• Determine key issues and/or stakeholder groups to plan and prepare for an effective focus group(s);
• Facilitate one or more focus groups with key stakeholders whose feedback would help guide a key decision;
• Provide recommendations to the organization based on focus group findings to help make strategic decisions to move the organization forward.

Program Format - Five Step Process
A comprehensive approach to focus group planning, facilitation and reporting:

• Step One - Initial Understanding and BackgroundIdentify the focus of the study and what the client wants to learn.
• Step Two - Statement of Purpose and ProposalPrepare a statement of purpose based on discussions with the client and a proposal for implementation including an agenda and initial questions to ask participants.
• Step Three - Organize the EventDuring step three, we begin the process of planning the event(s). This could include but is not limited to:
  • Continue working on the set of questions to be asked during the focus group.o Draft a questionnaire to gather relevant data about participants.
  • Identify and invite prospective participants.
  • Confirm the date, location and timeframe with participants.
  • Arrange for food, drink and compensation for the participants.
• Step Four - ImplementationWe host and run the focus group, gathering all data requested by the client. Two methods are used to capture discussion data: a.) recording the session; or b.) comprehensive note-taking during the session. We also administer a questionnaire to gather relevant individual data about participants.
• Step Five: Observations and RecommendationsBased on all data gathered, we provide a comprehensive report including both observations and recommendations.

Approximately six weeks are needed to plan and implement the focus groups depending on the number and size of groups as well as the complexity of the project.

Program interest may be expressed by contacting us at blake@blakewoolsey.com or calling 479-444-0591.

Deadline to express your interest is: March 1, 2008

Team Alignment

Team Alignment focuses on identifying the critical issues that enable a move from today's reality to tomorrow's potential. This 2 ½ day customized program involves a balanced focus on results, relationships and process. We deliver a variety of programs that guide team members through a process of assessment, strategy alignment and development of action plans.

Program Goals/Objectives/Outcomes
We developed our Team Alignment to help senior level teams achieve alignment around the following:

• Mission
• Vision
• Values and their application
• Critical issues facing our organization
• Highest priority objectives that are critical for advancement toward the vision
• Dimensions of leadership and team development that are crucial for a team's success
• What next-step actions are critical to success

Program interest may be expressed by:

• contacting Jen Ardill at ArdillJ@jbu.edu or 479-524-7325

Deadline to express your interest is: February 15, 2008

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