Designing Training that Makes a Difference

We’ve all attended conference training sessions that engaged us in learning and energized us to try new things back on the job. How can you design your upcoming presentation so that you can have that kind of impact on your audience?

The purpose of this Webinar is to provide trainers with information, ideas and tips for effectively sharing what they know and do so that participants have a great experience and can apply what they learn in their lives.

During this Webinar, we will:
• Share our own experiences of, and assumptions about, conference presentations;
• Discuss three elements of successful training programs;
• Cover key adult learning principles that should influence how we design training;
• Consider visual aids and activities that make learning “stick;” and
• Review training setup and requirements.

Ultimately, this session will raise the bar on the quality and consistency of presentations so that participants at your presentation experience practical, engaging learning. This Webinar will be of value to nonprofit staff and volunteers who design (or wish to design) training programs for their own constituents.

Webinar participants will receive a form to help them write a presentation goal and objectives, and for considering visual aids and activities to help learning stick.

About the presenter:

Renee McGivern is president of Spark Plug Consulting, a company she recently founded after having served for more than 25 years in the nonprofit sector. For 15 years, she was executive director of the Minnesota Newspaper Foundation and her previous roles included communications and fundraising positions in social service and educational nonprofits. She’s raised $32 million, managed well over 1,000 volunteers, and trained numerous subject matter experts to powerfully share what they know with others.

Through Spark Plug Consulting, Renee coaches and supports organizations in creating clear, intentional, authentic connections with constituents through e-newsletters, Web content and blogs, podcasts, and classroom and online learning programs that matter to people.

Details:

Date: Thursday, September 9
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m. CST
Location: From any online computer - this event is a Webinar
Fee: $65 for MCN members/$95 for nonmembers
Please note - this fee is paid per phone/computer connection. You only pay one fee if you have several people sitting around one phone/computer. Please note that Webinar access codes cannot be shared or forwarded to others.

The Essence of Sponsorship…Simple Steps to Expand Your Sponsorship Success in 2010

In this economy, your organization is thinking about your revenue, and whether it's secure. For many organizations, corporate sponsorships can be a way to augment your budget. And, just because the economy's lean doesn't mean that you should hold back on your sponsorship requests. The truth is that companies don't want to lose market share and in many cases keep their marketing budgets in tact.

Participate in this content-rich online Webinar where you will learn about:

1. Sponsorship Defined – Sponsorship means different things to different organizations. Learn the latest lingo for confident and accurate presentations. Understand the various types of sponsorship programs and how to know which are most appropriate for your organization.
2. Sponsorship & Ethics – Chart a course of excellence and recognize pitfalls that can damage your image. Plus, learn to demonstrate your own high standards to corporations by providing an easy-to-produce Sponsorship Post-Analysis.
3. Building Marketing Benefits – Accessing marketing budgets is a proven strategy for nonprofit organizations of all sizes. Understand the benefits marketing-decision makers’ desire most. Walk through the research process to determine assets, set fair market value and target a manageable number of excellent prospects.
4. Effective Sales Process – Learn a proven system for organizing the sales processes. Tips for securing meetings, appropriate follow through and when to make the Big Pitch. Save time by streamlining efforts and focusing on what matters most.
5. Sponsorship Proposals - Marketing pitches and philanthropic asks are not interchangeable; they require different proposals. Learn five critical questions that must be addressed to get to yes.
6. Targeted Case Studies – Walk through the sales process for three innovative sponsorships.

There is an opportunity to ask questions during the Webinar, as well as an opportunity to connect with the presenter (at no charge) during individual “call-in days” that will take place 2 weeks after the Webinar. This is a unique opportunity to ask the detailed questions to the presenter that may come up once you begin to implement the strategies and recommendations. Each attendee is asked to limit questions during the call-in day to a 15-minute period. Attendees may choose to forward proposals or sponsorship ideas for discussion prior to their phone conversation with the presenter.

About the presenter:

Nationally renowned trainer Barbara Harrington of the Sponsorship Network has been selling and signing sponsorships across the country for 17 years, from $500 special event programs to multi-million dollar venue naming rights. Sponsorship Network has a reputation of excellence and the highest ethical standards. Barbara knows the benefits corporations crave and provide services to a variety of clients including: PGA tournaments, national concert tours, festivals, museums, universities and many others.

Details:

Date: Thursday, September 16
Time: 10a.m. – noon CST
Location: From any online computer - this event is a Webinar
Fee: $99 for MCN members/$149 for nonmembers
Please note - this fee is paid per phone/computer connection. You only pay one fee if you have several people sitting around one phone/computer. Please note that Webinar access codes cannot be shared or forwarded to others.

Getting Your Board to Raise Money: Plan B (and C and D and…)

If your board isn't raising all the money it could - indeed, if your board isn't raising any money at all - you're not alone. In this Webinar, we'll discuss the reasons why, and outline strategies to turn things around. You'll leave with several practical, specific ideas for increasing board involvement and effectiveness.

During this session, we'll address:

• Boards and fundraising: the three "non-negotiables;"
• Different ways to structure your board to make fundraising more manageable;
• Developing board fundraising menus; and
• They said they would raise money...now what? Holding board members accountable.

This Webinar is for board members, executive directors, development directors and other fundraising staff, and consultants. Webinar participants will receive the following materials electronically: PowerPoint presentation, board training materials, sample board fundraising menus, and relevant articles from the Grassroots Fundraising Journal.

About the presenter:

For 29 years, renowned trainer Andy Robinson has worked with a variety of nonprofits as a fundraiser, publicist, grantwriter, and community organizer. Since starting his consulting practice in 1995, he’s provided support and training to thousands of nonprofit staff and volunteers in 47 U.S. states and Canada. Andy specializes in the needs of organizations working for human rights, social justice, environmental conservation, and community development. Andy’s books include “Grassroots Grants, Second Edition” and “Selling Social Change (Without Selling Out): Earned Income Strategies for Nonprofits,” available from Jossey-Bass. Emerson & Churchpublished his latest books, “Big Gifts for Small Groups” and “Great Boards for Small Groups.”

Details:

Date: Wednesday, November 23
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m. CST
Location: From any online computer - this event is a Webinar
Fee: $65 for MCN members/$95 for nonmembers
Please note - this fee is paid per phone/computer connection. You only pay one fee if you have several people sitting around one phone/computer. Please note that Webinar access codes cannot be shared or forwarded to others.

Registration:

Charity or Mission Driven Business? The Road to Sustainability

During trying times we’re all looking for options to cut back, but also to continue to diversify and grow our revenue sources. For some of us, earned income strategies might be a good option. Participate in this Webinar to understand what social enterprise is, and to explore whether or not a social enterprise venture might be a good fit for organization.

During this Webinar, Jean will cover:
• What is social enterprise? Why consider it?;
• Myths and truths;
• Assessing organizational readiness;
• Six critical steps to successful social enterprise: organizational dynamics, assets and opportunities, market research and feasibility, costing and financing, sales planning, and business planning; and
• Examples of social enterprise.

By participating in this Webinar, you will:
1. Understand the difference between social enterprise and traditional funding;
2. Explore the business concepts required to launch a successful venture;
3. Review examples of successful social enterprises; and
4. Determine next steps in adopting social enterprise in your organization.

About the presenter:

Jean Block has more than 50 years of experience in nonprofit management and administration, strategic planning, volunteer recruitment and retention, marketing, public relations and fundraising. Her clients include local, regional and national businesses and nonprofits. Jean has served as executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of New Mexico, as campaign director for the United Way of Central New Mexico, as program and development director for a hospital...and as staff, volunteer, board member and officer for numerous local, regional and national nonprofits. Now, Jean helps nonprofits develop and strengthen their boards and is often called upon as a motivational speaker on volunteering and service. In 2006, Jean was a founding principal in Social Enterprise Ventures, LLC, a national training company that teaches nonprofits sustainability through earned income and best practices.

Details:

Date: Thursday, December 2
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m. CST
Location: From any online computer - this event is a Webinar
Fee: $65 for MCN members/$95 for nonmembers
Please note - this fee is paid per phone/computer connection. You only pay one fee if you have several people sitting around one phone/computer. Please note that Webinar access codes cannot be shared or forwarded to others.