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Fall has officially arrived and the NAO staff is ready for our autumn programming. We have an extensive line-up for you over the next few months and I hope that you’ll join us for our cohorts, webinars, workshops, and the Sage Summit.
NAO’s Sage Summit is a new one-day virtual conference geared towards nonprofit leaders and volunteers in Eastern and Central Oregon. Carol Cheney, the brand-new CEO of The Collins Foundation kicks off the day with a keynote address – I can’t wait to hear what she has to say about philanthropy in Oregon. The entire line-up for the Sage Summit is outstanding and we can’t wait for you to experience each session with us. This summit is virtual, so if you are outside of Eastern and Central Oregon but still want to attend – please do!
We also have two cohorts beginning in October that are designed for deeper learning opportunities and peer-to-peer collaboration, idea exchange, and networking amongst your peers throughout the state. NAO’s cohorts allow a lot of time, opportunity, and information for you to build new skills or expand on existing knowledge. If you or a member of your team is looking for extended learning opportunities this fall, I’d highly recommend reviewing our upcoming cohorts here.
In addition to our Sage Summit and cohorts, our Virtual Networks have started and will continue virtually through the end of the year. We’re adding new sessions regularly, so check our website frequently to see what’s coming up.
If you’re interested in our programming, please think about becoming an NAO member to save on registration fees, gain access to free member events and resources, and to support the strong community of nonprofits we have here in Oregon.
Thank you all for everything you do in your communities and beyond. I look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming programs this season.
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Jim White
NAO Executive Director
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Oregon Values and Beliefs Center August Survey Results
Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (we’re proud to say a new NAO member!) has published their findings from their August survey on their website. We think the insights around the pandemic, climate change, and workplace safety shared by Oregonians is important information to be aware of and could be used as a reference point when thinking ahead to next year and beyond.
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COVID: Scientists and doctors are the most trusted sources of information about things like COVID-19 (80%) with science agencies at 60%. Media outlets are considered only a mid-tier source in terms of trust.
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Climate Change: Six in ten Oregonians say governments and residents need to work together to mitigate the impacts of climate change (60%). Disconcerting is that two-thirds of Oregonians think there is a small or no chance that humans can solve climate soon enough (66%).
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Workplace Safety: Two-thirds of Oregonians (66%) believe that businesses should be allowed to require their employees to verify their vaccination status.
Statewide Inclusive Emergency Messaging & Preparedness Webinar for Oregon Nonprofits/CBOs
One result of the devastating wildfires of 2020 is that we now know more than ever that our BIPOC, non-English speaking, and otherwise vulnerable communities need to be intentionally included in traditional disaster preparedness planning and programming. Our friends at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) are partnering with BIPOC community members, culturally specific CBOs, and public sector representatives to implement a planning process around culturally and linguistically inclusive emergency preparedness materials. Through a cross sector inclusive process, the team at UWCU hopes to better understand and report on what Oregon agencies and organizations are already doing, what communities need, and where gaps exist when it comes to accessible messaging and programming.
When: Thursday, October 7, 2021
Time: 1 – 2 p.m. (PT)
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Oregon Redistricting: Legislators have until Monday or Secretary of State will decide
Oregon lawmakers met this week in Salem to fulfill their constitutional duty of redrawing the state’s congressional and legislative district maps based on the 2020 Census data. Every ten years, new maps are drawn effectively setting the tone for state politics for the next decade.
In earlier discussions on redistricting, House Speaker Kotek promised to give Republicans equal weight on a crucial redistricting committee. This week, she pulled back from that deal and established separate committees to approve Democratic proposals on both the federal Congressional and state legislative maps. Both committees were structured in a way that gave the bills containing the maps a clear path to a vote on the House floor, where Democrats hold a 37-23 advantage. The move led to an intense moment in the House when several Republicans rose to criticize Kotek’s decision. They said it “lacked integrity” and signaled to them that she never intended to seriously take their concerns into account. For more on this political drama, check out this great coverage from OPB.
At 365 deaths and counting, September’s total toll could easily exceed the 404 COVID-19 reported deaths in August, when the lethal impact of the delta surge became apparent. This is another grim reminder that the pandemic is still raging across the state. Please get vaccinated if you are able to do so and follow all of the public health mandates to keep your communities as safe as possible.
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Continuing Resolution: On Tuesday, House Democrats released the continuing resolution (“CR”) that would keep federal agencies funded at current levels through Dec. 3. The measure includes a temporary extension of the national debt limit to mid-December 2022, $28.6 billion in disaster aid and $6.3 billion to help Afghan allies and partners settle in the United States. The House plans to pass the stopgap spending measure tonight, but Senate Republicans have made clear their strong opposition to action on the debt limit.
Infrastructure Bill: Also on Tuesday, House Democratic leaders confirmed that floor consideration of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) will take place by next Monday, September 27, as Speaker Pelosi promised a group of moderate members in August. There had been speculation that the vote would be delayed because the Budget Reconciliation Bill will not be ready to be voted on right after the infrastructure bill. The apparent “de-coupling” of the two bills leads some to speculate that progressive Democrats will oppose the infrastructure measure, possibly causing it to fail next week.
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NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities |
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Virtual Nonprofit Learning Cohorts
Effective Board Management for Small Nonprofits (Intensive)
September 22 to November 17, 11 – 12:15 p.m. | Facilitator: Jess Hampton, NAO
Join a cohort of nonprofit leaders to learn about board management best practices while gaining insight from each other’s challenges and solutions, and problem solving together. This eight-week cohort is for new and potential board members who want to understand the fundamentals of board service, seasoned board members looking to increase their board’s effectiveness, and staff and volunteers who support the board. Each session will include a facilitated training component as well as discussion-based peer learning opportunities. More details here. It’s not too late to join! Please email training@nonprofitoregon.org if you’d like to enroll now.
Growing Future Leaders: Creating a Path and Thinking Ahead (Regular)
October 1 – 29, 12 – 1 p.m. | Facilitator: Jess Hampton, NAO
Join this cohort of peers to learn about nonprofit best practices while gaining insight from each other’s challenges and solutions, and problem solving together. This five-part series is geared for nonprofit staff and board members who are strategizing creative ways to strengthen succession and leadership planning among the changing landscape we find ourselves in. We know that our organizations are changing and adapting at a fast clip and these sessions will help to build understanding of ourselves, and how we work, and develop skills and tools that will respond to the need for more effective succession planning. More details and registration information here.
Building a Robust Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan (Regular)
October 3 to November 17, 11 – 12:15 p.m. | Facilitator: Gerardo Ochoa, Ed.M., Linfield University
Join a cohort of nonprofit practitioners to ideate, collaborate, and start an organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategic plan. Nonprofit leaders at every level are often tasked with creating and implementing DEI strategies. In this series, participants will design community-centered strategies for the community they serve. Cohort participants may choose to design their own organizational strategic plan or support the development of a peer’s strategic plan. More details and registration information here.
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NAO Summit
Sage Summit
October 14, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Hosted by: NAO
NAO is combining the High Desert Conference and the Eastern Oregon Nonprofit Conference into one virtual summit with keynote speaker, Carol Cheney, Chief Executive Officer at the Collins Foundation! NAO’s Sage Summit packs in all the learning, networking, and collaboration that you have come to expect from our conferences and we cannot wait for you to experience this one-day event with us. More details and registration information here.
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Registration for individual network sessions are open! Due to the continued rise of the Delta variant, all NAO networks will be virtual only through the end of the year. We will continue to prioritize the safety of our communities, monitor COVID-19 cases, and hospital capacities on a regular basis – we're hopeful that we can convene in person safely in 2022. Members can purchase our Member Pass for a deep discount and priority registration for up to 10 sessions. Member Pass sales are available now through October 31, don't wait! Members and non-members can also purchase individual tickets to any sessions.
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Strategic Fundraising in an Uncertain World
September 29, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Ron Frey, Frey Resource Group
The last two years have shown that the world around us can be volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous and we know that constant change can completely upend your organization's fundraising efforts. This session is designed to give you hope as well as practical strategies to turn your fundraising campaigns into a positive force even during uncertain times. You’ll leave with tools to help you focus on the most strategic fundraising moves to make right now and build a powerful framework for long term success in donor development. More details and registration information here.
How Are Nonprofits Responding to Our New Reality Through HR?
September 30, 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Presenter: Mark Kajitani, IRCO
How are nonprofits moving forward using an HR lens to reimagine their success? This session will share four core strategies Oregon nonprofits are using to adjust to new business realities: Caring for Employees: Employee Assistance Plans; Staffing Crisis: Are you becoming the side-hustle; Workplaces Conflict: Pay Equity's Definition; Hybrid, Hoteling, and rethinking space. More details and registration information here.
The Art and Practice of Adaptive Leadership
October 13, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Steve Patty, Ph.D., Dialogues In Action
The times we live in require leadership. One of the key characteristics of a leader is the ability to take a group of people to a place they would not have gone otherwise. This is much more than managing people. This is seeing the good potential in people and providing thoughtful, skillful, and courageous engagement that calls them forward and develops them in service to a virtuous cause. Adaptation, in an evolutionary sense, is about people developing new ways of facing the challenges and making the most of opportunities to thrive and help others thrive in a changing world. More details and registration information here.
Creating Gender Inclusive Spaces - Understanding Pronouns
October 14, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Kaig Lightner Quantum Gender Personal pronouns are a common part of speech that many people in Western cultures pay little attention to, however, pronouns are a critical part of everyone’s identity. In the last decade a significant cultural shift has begun that has brought a spotlight on the use of pronouns, gender neutral language and the appropriate ways to show respect to people of all gender identities/expressions. This workshop uses practical examples and personal stories from the presenter’s own lived experience as a transgender person. More details and registration information here.
Compliance Concerns and Considerations for Federal Funds
October 21, 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Presenter: Lesley Bennett, CFO Selections
Many organizations received increased federal funding or received federal funding for the first time since the pandemic began. Does your organization have compliance measures in place to meet the requirements of these funds? What is a federal audit? This session will address these issues and answer your questions about federal funding compliance. More details and registration information here.
How to Manage the Opportunities and Challenges of Shifts in Funding
October 27, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Lesley Bennett, CFO Selections
Since the beginning of the pandemic, many organizations have seen major shifts in funding. What are the common pitfalls of short-term changes in funding? What should organizations do to weather these shifts in funding? This session will focus on how to manage short-term shifts in funding without overextending their long-term capacity or missing the opportunity to build for the future. More details and registration information here.
These sessions are Member Pass eligible!
NAO Member Pass holders may register for events across all six of NAO’s networks. The unique discount code may be used for 10 registrations (per pass). Passes are shareable across your organization - Purchase now through October 31, 2021.
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These sessions are Member Pass eligible!
NAO Member Pass holders may register for events across all six of NAO’s networks. The unique discount code may be used for 10 registrations (per pass). Passes are shareable across your organization - Purchase now through October 31, 2021.
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Virtual Rural Convening Opportunities
Fall 2021 Learn at Lunch Series
Are you on a nonprofit board or staff member looking for practical training and tools to strengthen your organizational leadership skills? Join NAO for an opportunity to learn at one of our regional Learn at Lunch sessions. Each series is made up of four, one-hour Zoom sessions held each week over the lunch hour. We'll provide bite-sized training in Board Management, Board Recruitment & Retention, Engaging Your Board in Fundraising and Finance Fundamentals. Sessions are provided a la carte, so you can join us for all of them – or what topic you think is most applicable to your work now.
Upcoming Learn at Lunches are available to nonprofit leaders in these regions: Linn and Benton Counties (Oct 12 - Nov 2); Douglas County (Oct 21 - Nov 11); and McMinnville (Nov 2 – 23). More details and registration information, click here.
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NAO Webinars
Board Bright: NAO's Quarterly Board Roles & Responsibilities Training
October 5, 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenter: Jess Hampton, NAO
In this 90-minute webinar, participants will learn about the fundamentals of nonprofit governance and gain an understanding of the board’s role in the management of the organization. This quarterly learning opportunity is designed for emerging and seasoned board members alike, and anyone else looking for a governance refresh! More details and registration information here.
Let’s Talk: Tips for Emerging Nonprofits
October 19, 11 – 12:00 p.m. | Hosted by: Rational Unicorn Legal Services
NAO is co-hosting a virtual panel discussion with our friends at Rational Unicorn Legal Services to talk about nonprofit law and compliance, programming, best practices, and tips for emerging nonprofits! Join us and ask them all real questions you might have about your nonprofit. More details and registration information here.
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Thank you to the following SUPPORTERS and SPONSORS who are supporting NAO’s online events and communications during these challenging times. Their support is vital in helping NAO to bring much-needed resources and information to Oregon’s nonprofits – thank you. |
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FRIEND PLUS PARTNER SPONSORS |
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FOLLOW NAO ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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