Monday, December 22, 2008

Investing in NonProfit Skills

Nice piece in the Philanthropy Journal about the importance of developing nonprofit skills. The article highlights the benefits of training and the lack of training dollars for most NGOs:I
n 2005, the average corporation spent just over $1,000 per employee on professional development, and best-in-class businesses spent $1,435, says the State of the Industry Report by the American Society for Training & Development.

Nonprofits and governments, on the other hand, spent an average of $656 per employee.

"People see professional development as the nice-to-haves, rather than the must-haves," says Kathleen Enright, executive director of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, a coalition of about 300 grantmakers. "I would argue it is absolutely critical."
There is a growing movement among grant makers to look beyond program specifics to the total performance and skills a grant seeking agencies. This is driving an effort to increase training and skill building efforts.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

New CEO Class at TCC still open

This note from Irene Bailey at the Academy for Nonprofit Excellence at Tidewater Community College:
Greetings everyone,
Seats remain for the New CEOs course scheduled for January 8 and 15. In addition to executive directors, we have had board members, staff, and volunteers attend with rave reviews. If you are a board member interested in gaining insights into the complexities of your CEOs role, staff or volunteer aspiring to the role, or just in need of more information, come join us. If you have questions about course content, let me know. A registration form is attached.

Workforce Development will be providing coverage throughout the holiday. So do not hesitate to call, 757-822-1170, or email lbailey@tcc.edu. Vickie and I wish you a successful new year and look forward to seeing you soon.

COURSE: "New CEOs: Moving from Surviving to Thriving"
If you are like most new nonprofit executive directors, you find leading your nonprofit to be rewarding but challenging. This two-day course will teach strategies and skills to help new executive directors like you become effective leaders. Topics include understanding the nonprofit culture; roles of the executive director, board and staff; sound financial management; and leadership development. This course is open to anyone but is targeted toward nonprofit executive directors with two years or less experience in their current positions.

Date: January 8 and 15, 2009
Time: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: TCC Norfolk Campus, 5th floor Martin Building, Room 2502
Tuition: $85

INSTRUCTOR: Jane Stein
Jane Stein is the owner of JPS Consulting in Norfolk, Virginia. A sought after facilitator, speaker and trainer, Jane has presented her programs in board development, management, leadership development, marketing, public relations, and fundraising to nonprofit agencies throughout the United States. Her experience also includes a tenure as a national director for major gifts for the American Cancer Society. Currently, Jane serves as the national chairman for training for the United Jewish Communities (formerly the United Jewish Appeal). She shares her secrets for success in these turbulent times and inspires her audiences to solve challenges in the nonprofit community in a humorous and heartfelt manner. Jane holds a Masters in Business Administration from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Wheaton College in Massachusetts.