January 5, 2021

Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters,

Happy New Year! I hope that you had some time to relax and reflect over the holidays and that the new year has started off well for you.

The team here at NAO has been working hard to curate a selection of learning and convening events for the development of you and your team. 

At NAO we believe that investments in leadership development and capacity building are crucial to the effectiveness, adaptability, and resilience of Oregon nonprofit leaders, organizations, networks, and the sector as a whole. Through programming that prioritizes adult learning for your leadership growth, NAO supports both new and experienced nonprofit leaders. Guided by our Learning Strategy, we have planned a selection of events and nonprofit learning cohorts for the next few months designed to grow your capacity to achieve organizational missions, collaborate strategically, and create lasting impact in Oregon communities.

I hope you’ll take a look at these upcoming sessions and find the ones that are the best fit for you and your team. 

And, carrying on the Center for Nonprofit Stewardship’s tradition, NAO is excited to announce that the 2021 Guiding More Good Conference will be held virtually on the morning of Saturday, March 13, 2021 – mark your calendars! More details to come.

Here’s to a creative, thought-provoking, and productive 2021!

Stay safe and be well,

Overcoming Donor Fatigue: Asking Through Adversity, Tuesday, January 12, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: Matt Lehrman, Co-Founder of Social Prosperity Partners, delivers a jolt of pragmatic guidance that enables nonprofit leaders and fundraisers to solidify the relationships upon which their organizations depend. He will share 12 tactics in 36 minutes provide clear guidance and vivid current examples for how to drive your organization’s sense of purposefulness through difficult times. More details and registration information here.

Virtual Volunteerism - Recruiting, Retaining, and Celebrating your Volunteers, Thursday, January 14, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: Volunteers are the backbone of the charitable sector and provide vital support to help nonprofits conduct programs, raise funds and serve clients. How are you engaging volunteers to meet your mission during these challenging times? Janet Capetty, Founder of Take FIVE Training, will discuss how to engage dedicated volunteers, to think differently, and consider ways to keep volunteers active virtually. More details and registration information here.

Mindful Inclusive Leader-Shift: Cultivating Your Leadership Capacity to Advance Equity and Inclusion, Thursday, January 21, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: Today’s climate is demanding an urgent SHIFT in the way we lead. Natalie Matias, Global Meditation Coach, Facilitator, and Consultant and Lillian A. Tsai, Founder and Principal at TsaiComms LLC will discuss how to apply an integrative approach using mindfulness with inclusive leadership practices, to begin cultivating the necessary capacity and resilience to be mindful and inclusive leaders to shift, survive, and thrive. More details and registration information here.

Nonprofit Learning Cohort – Planning During Change: Creating a Short-Term Strategic Response Plan for Volunteer and Small-Staffed Nonprofits, five Monday weekly interactive sessions – January 25 through February 22, Noon – 1:15 p.m.: Are you a nonprofit leader looking to rebound from the organizational and economic impacts of COVID-19? Not sure what is the best strategy or direction? Is your small organization adapting to the pandemic and planning for 2021 and beyond? Join Jess Hampton, NAO’s Learning Program Manager, as she guides and helps you create a practical plan for your nonprofit. More details and registration information here.

What Nonprofit Employers Need To Know About COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements, Wednesday, February 3, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: Oregonians have already started receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. But can employers require employees to be vaccinated? Should they? Aren’t newspaper headlines already saying “yes”? Not so fast – the solutions are more nuanced than you may have considered. P.K. Runkles-Pearson of Miller Nash Graham & Dunn will explain federal and Oregon laws on vaccination mandates and address the practical issues for nonprofit employers. More details and registration information here.

Nonprofit Learning Cohort – Grantwriting Fundamentals, five Wednesday weekly interactive sessions – February 3 through March 31, Noon – 1:15 p.m.: Join a group of your peers for this interactive series and embark on a unique journey and learning experience into the world of grantwriting. This webinar series is facilitated by Allison Shirk, Owner/Instructor of Spark the Fire Grantwriting, and is targeted to both beginning grantwriters and those who seek to advance their success. More details and registration information here.

Brain-Science Basics: Using Neuroscience to Strengthen Nonprofit Teams, Wednesday, February 10, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: Anna Young, Principal at Anna Young Leadership Coaching will help us understand the basics of brain science, how we can use this to create support for our nonprofit teams, and look at techniques to support our brains while we are in the work-from-home mode. More details and registration information here.

Virtual Project Impact Cohort, February 16 through August 17, 2021: Join Steve Patty, Ph.D. from Dialogues in Action for a Project Impact Cohort consisting of seven virtual half-day graduate-level sessions over seven months, individualized coaching for each organization, resulting in qualitative and quantitative findings to demonstrate and improve impact. There are openings for up to 12 teams. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021. Learn more and apply at: https://www.projectimpactpdx.com/

Nonprofit Learning Cohort – Organizational Resilience, five Tuesday weekly interactive sessions – February 16 through March 16, 3 – 4:15 p.m.: Join a group of your peers for this series that will help you establish a more resilient organization through these challenging times. Corky McReynolds, Principal of LeadTeam Consulting will help you discover, assess, and apply tools to build or enhance resilience during change that results in a stronger and more sustainable organization. More details and registration information here.

Transforming Your Development Program in 2021 – Fundraising in Times of Change, Thursday, February 18, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: In this session, Laura McCombs, Senior Philanthropy Consultant at the Osborne Group, will look at practical and aspirational ways to approach your development planning and prioritization this year that will help you continue to adapt to uncertainty while addressing key challenges and opportunities that can lead to greater return on investment and, ultimately, greater impact. More details and registration information here.

Becoming a Great Board Member: Fundamentals of Nonprofit Board Governance, Wednesday, February 24, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: In this webinar, presented by Jenn Clemo, NAO’s Director of Nonprofit Leadership and Resources, you will learn about the nonprofit board of directors and gain an understanding of what it means to be an effective board member. Jenn will provide a thorough overview for new board members or those looking to refresh themselves on the fundamentals. More details and registration information here.

Ambassador Training: Better Word-of-Mouth Marketing, Tuesday, March 2, 10 – 11:30 a.m. PT: Even in the era of social media, the most effective marketing strategy is word of mouth. Regardless of your role – board, staff or volunteer – you can represent your organization more effectively and encourage positive buzz. Join Andy Robinson, Principal of Andy Robinson Consulting, to learn how to engage potential supporters, develop compelling messages, and deliver them effectively. More details and registration information here.

*SAVE THE DATE* -- NAO’s 2021 Guiding More Good Virtual Conference, Saturday morning, March 13, 2021: More details coming soon!

If you have any questions or difficulties registering, contact NAO's Training Program Coordinator at training@nonprofitoregon.org.