PLEASE JOIN US FOR A DAY OF LEARNING  ON MARCH 27, 2014 FROM EXPERTS AND PEERS FOR BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS REPRESENTING OUR REGION’S NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.  

Register Online   2014 PROGRAM SESSIONS OUTLINED BELOW

8:00 a.m.   Registration

8:30 a.m.   Breakfast  

9:00 a.m.   Keynote: The New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act; Doug Sauer, NYCON The Nonprofit Revitalization Act is a landmark change in the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York that will usher in a modern era for the operation and governance of nonprofit corporations starting on July 1, 2014. The experts at New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) eagerly anticipated the updated statutes and are prepared to help you understand the “big picture” of the new law governing nonprofits in New York as well as help to address your immediate needs in compliance.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.   Morning Sessions (choice of 3) The Grants Gateway; Doug Sauer, NYCON.  If you currently have a contract with any State Agency, you should have already heard about the NYS “Grants Gateway” and that as a grantee, you are required (regardless of organization size or amount of grant) to go to the Grants Gateway and go through the “Prequalification” process. The process and questions on the Gateway are designed to give a snapshot of a nonprofit organization’s capacity, integrity and policy-making ability. This session will give you a general overview of the ‘what’ ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the Grants Gateway and pre-qualification process. Managing Cash Flow for Small Organizations; Kelly Mathews, NYCON.  Cash flow is always an issue for nonprofit organizations due to various funding streams and the difference in reimbursement methods, timing, and reporting for each. This session will provide participants with strategies for managing, planning and projecting shortfalls, as well as discuss the benefits of funding diversification. Integrate, Aggregate, Manipulate Without Capitulating; H. Aldervan Daly; adjunct faculty member, New York University.  Today, fundraisers must be able to first access, combine, analyze and be comfortable using data/information from social media, prospecting tools and traditional channels, then integrate all the data into a usable form that is accessible by all levels of staff and volunteers. In this session we will review database basics and the various ways we capture information about prospects and the different social media used today, and whatever will be hot by tomorrow. We will also explore ways to ease managing social media platforms by using aggregators. Participants will learn how social media, online applications and databases can work together to create a pipeline for information while retaining workplace sanity.

12:45 p.m.   Innovation Award Finalists Present, Judge Q&A

1:45 p.m. –  2:45 a.m.   Afternoon Sessions (choice of 3)
Using Digital Tools to Engage and Energize Your Board; Valerie Venezia, NYCON.  While we still have to recognize the traditional factors that motivate our Boards of Directors, we also need to acknowledge the fact that the most successful ways to connect with these individuals may have completely changed. Models of board meetings and board communication have not caught up with the current ways we engage in our “everyday” communication. This session will help identify motivating factors (both old and new), identify and discuss new ways of recruiting and engaging board members and how new online tools can help make the best use of everyone’s time and accomplish more with less.
Making Your Board Retreat Strategic (Even When it’s Not a Strategic Planning Retreat!) Audrey Grifel, NYCON.  Have you ever been asked to go on a board retreat and wondered “Why we are doing this, and what will it lead to?” Our time is as precious as ever so we all want to make sure board retreats are focused, outcome-oriented, and make the best use of board members’ time. Audrey Grifel has planned and facilitated scores of board, strategic planning, and other retreats and will discuss strategies, tips, tools, and real-life examples to help you get the most out of your board retreat.
Finding and Retaining Donors; Susan Diamond, Link2Change.  Building relationships with donors is the key to long-term financial sustainability. When your supporters feel seen and valued they give more and for more years. Sending a thank you letter is only the beginning. Come and be inspired to create a more meaningful donor acknowledgement program and recognize the value behind donor retention. Learn how to maximize your ROI.

3:00 p.m.   Innovation Award Presentation and Survey Collection 3:15 p.m.   Survey Participant Raffle and Networking Reception, Cash Bar 4:00 p.m.