Oregon Nonprofit Leaders Conference 2023
**Thank you for your interest in ONLC -- We'll see you in 2024!**
The Oregon Nonprofit Leaders Conference brings nonprofit leaders together for sessions on current, relevant, and inspiring topics facing nonprofits today.
This year’s sessions include topics such as government grant readiness, nonprofit advocacy, curating institutional memory, board management, and more! The event will also feature two sessions of funder roundtables for participants to have the opportunity to meet with foundation representatives in small groups.
Dates and Times:
Monday, April 3, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location:
Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites
2525 Ashland Street
Ashland, OR 97520
Additional lodging available at the Ashland Springs Hotel. The following discounted rates apply to April 2-5: $119 for Queen rooms and $139 for King rooms (rates exclusive of 11.5% lodging tax and 0.57% sales tax). Call (888) 795-4545 to book and mention ONLC/NAO.
For information on other lodging options, food, and activities, check out Travel Ashland and Travel Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley Food Trail.
Conference Pricing: $175 NAO Members and $250 Non-members (includes Leadership Breakfast)
Scholarship Pricing: $50 NAO Members and $75 Non-members — All available scholarships have been awarded
Leadership Breakfast Only: $30 NAO Members and Non-members
Outreach Alley (Registration for Outreach Alley has closed). This is your chance to improve your organization’s outreach efforts while providing peer feedback to colleagues at other nonprofits! Organizations that choose to participate will set up outreach displays in alcoves in the ballroom. During Day 1 of the conference, attendees view the displays and submit constructive feedback via suggestion boxes on each table. Outreach Alley displays will be incorporated into Option 3A: Table Talk: Developing Engaging Tabling Experiences. While we encourage you participation in both the tabling opportunity and the session, attendees may opt into just one or the other.
For accommodation requests or trouble registering, contact us at training@nonprofitoregon.org. Re: accommodations, advanced notice of at least 10 days is appreciated.
Day 1 Agenda
Monday, April 3
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. |
Doors Open |
| 8:00 - 9:15 a.m. |
Conference Welcome and Keynote Keynote: The Promise of the Nonprofit Sector |
| 9:15 - 9:30 a.m. | Break |
|
9:30 - 10:45 a.m. Session 1 options: |
Option A: Funder Roundtables Option B: Whose Story Is It? A Multifaceted Model of Storytelling Option C: Misadventures in Nonprofit Employment Law |
| 10:45 - 11:00 a.m. | Break |
|
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Session 2 options: |
Option A: Funder Roundtables Option B: Curating Institutional Memory: Practical Tips and Tricks for Cultivating Nonprofit Continuity Option C: Board Management: Avoiding Common Pitfalls on the Road to Success |
| 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Activity: Birds of a Feather Location: Grand Ballroom |
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1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Session 3 options: |
Option A: Table Talk: Developing Engaging Tabling Experiences Option B: Financial Risk Management: A Stepwise Approach for Responding to Uncertainty Option C: Advocacy 201: Effective Strategies & Tools |
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3:00 - 3:30 p.m. |
Break |
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3:30 - 5:00 p.m. |
Reception sponsored by Pacific University's Masters of Nonprofit Leadership program |
| Adjourn 5:00 p.m. | |
Day 2 Agenda
Tuesday, April 4
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. |
Doors Open |
| 7:30 - 8:45 a.m. |
Leadership Breakfast and Keynote Keynote: Curious, Critical, and Actionable Conversations: Elevating our Leadership in the New Normal |
| 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. | Break |
|
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Session 4 options: |
Option A: Government Grant Readiness Workshop Option B: Take FIVE: Five Steps to Focused Impactful Volunteer Engagement Option C: Moving from the Equity & Inclusion Lens to Long-Term DEI Strategy |
| Adjourn 12:00 p.m. | |
Welcome and Keynote
8:00 - 9:15 a.m.
|
Conference Welcome Keynote: The Promise of the Nonprofit Sector Presenter: Romanita Hairston, CEO, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Description: Across sectors, communities, and geographies, the nonprofit and philanthropic communities are navigating significant change. Romanita will explore the impact of these changes, along with the opportunity for nonprofits to adapt and thrive in the face of change. |
Session 1 Descriptions
9:30 - 10:45 a.m.
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Option A: Funder Roundtables Funders: Anna May Family Foundation, Arthur R. Dubs Foundation, Ben B. Cheney Foundation, The Carpenter Foundation, The Collins Foundation, Gordon Elwood Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Oregon Community Foundation, Robert & Frances Chaney Family Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, and The West Family Foundation Description: The most successful grant proposals are those that are a great match for the funder's unique process and priorities. In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to visit with representatives from several prominent regional and statewide foundations. Each funder will host a table where participants can ask questions about the foundation's background, funding priorities, and grantmaking process. Attendees self-select which tables to join, and will be asked to rotate throughout the session. Come with questions and leave with connections! Please note: This session is offered twice; attendees are encouraged to participate in either Session 1 or Session 2 (not both) to allow others the opportunity to network. |
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Option B: Whose Story Is It? A Multifaceted Model of Storytelling Presenters: Julie Gillis, Chief Development Officer, Britt Music and Arts Festival and Kevin Brown, Director of Foundation, Government, and Corporate Giving, Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Founder and Chief Storyteller, BE Public Relations Description: Are you responsible for helping your organization tell your fundraising story? Do you work with donors, constituents, volunteers, and organizational leaders to share their stories, in order to attract donor and supporters? Have you noticed a shift in development and fundraising work in our focus between donors and recipients (i.e., a shift from donor-centered to community-centered fundraising)? This interactive workshop will help nonprofit fundraisers tell better stories, learn alternative storytelling models, refine whose story matters in the telling (and when), and how to be holistic in the stories we tell as nonprofits. Included in this workshop:
Interactive portions include:
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Option C: Misadventures in Nonprofit Employment Law Presenter: Cordelia Daniels, Assistant General Counsel, National Domestic Workers Alliance Description: This session will focus on a few of the main areas where nonprofits can run into employment hiccups—such as misclassifications of employees, volunteers, and contractors; failure to make or enforce internal policies; and the slippery slope of bad termination procedures. Come along on as we explore how to avoid employment law misfortune. |
Session 2 Descriptions
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
|
Option A: Funder Roundtables Funders: Anna May Family Foundation, Arthur R. Dubs Foundation, Ben B. Cheney Foundation, The Carpenter Foundation, The Collins Foundation, Gordon Elwood Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Oregon Community Foundation, Robert & Frances Chaney Family Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, and The West Family Foundation Description: The most successful grant proposals are those that are a great match for the funder's unique process and priorities. In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to visit with representatives from several prominent regional and statewide foundations. Each funder will host a table where participants can ask questions about the foundation's background, funding priorities, and grantmaking process. Attendees self-select which tables to join, and will be asked to rotate throughout the session. Come with questions and leave with connections! Please note: This session is offered twice; attendees are encouraged to participate in either Session 1 or Session 2 (not both) to allow others the opportunity to network. |
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Option B: Curating Institutional Memory: Practical Tips and Tricks for Cultivating Nonprofit Continuity Presenter: Kate Dwyer, Executive Director, Four Way Community Foundation Description: Whether you’ve taken over a venerable nonprofit, or you are starting one from scratch, keeping records in a way that really tells your story is essential. Effective recordkeeping helps support continuity of purpose and helps increase board and community support when departing from outdated ideas and adopting a new vision. Kate Dwyer has been leading Four Way since 2018; Four Way has been serving Josephine County since 1975. Granting philosophies and philanthropic paradigms have changed radically since a few Rotarians built what is now a thriving independent grantmaker. Her task of understanding the evolution and history of this organization set the stage for questions of how to record and organize the group’s story both looking back and going forward. This session will clarify what we as Oregon nonprofits are legally obligated to retain, model policy and procedure, and sustaining that practice. Participants will learn specific tricks and techniques for curating the history and trajectory of our nonprofit, including: History:
Trajectory:
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Option C: Board Management: Avoiding Common Pitfalls on the Road to Success Presenter: Sarah Spangler, Nonprofit Education Specialist, NAO Description: Board service can be challenging to navigate! Without a road map, we all run the risk of becoming distracted, disengaged, or downright dysfunctional. In this session, we will discuss the finer details of board management including:
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Session 3 Descriptions
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
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Option A: Table Talk: Developing Engaging Tabling Experiences Presenter: Riki Rosenthal, Starting Strong Program Specialist, Jackson Care Connect Description: Outreach is an essential tool for engaging our community, but how do we ensure that our efforts connect with our constituents? This session takes a deep dive into nonprofit tabling. We’ll touch on creating strong visual displays, developing interactive tabling activities, and generating engaging conversation with passersby. This highly-interactive session incorporates breakout activities where attendees will explore a wide variety of ways (that’s right—more than just freebies!) to capture and hold the attention of visitors to your outreach booth. Participants are encouraged to participate in this year’s Outreach Alley — a gallery space where conference attendees can give and receive peer-to-peer feedback on their outreach tabling display. A review and discussion of the tables on display will be incorporated into the session. |
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Option B: Financial Risk Management: A Stepwise Approach for Responding to Uncertainty Presenter: Todd Kimball, CPA, Partner, CFO Selections Description: We all know that effective planning is essential to the stewardship of our organization’s resources. But beyond the obvious need for strong revenue streams, financial controls, and a healthy reserve fund, how exactly do we prepare for next year – or even next month – during what feels like never-ending uncertainty? This session will help your team develop a financial risk management approach that can be applied to your key programs and overall organizational risks; By identifying potential risks, quantifying the severity, and implementing a strategy to manage these risks, your nonprofit can remain equipped and poised to respond to both disaster and opportunity. Attendees of this session will leave with an initial summary of their most acute risks and a stepwise approach that they can bring back to their team to begin developing their own risk management plan. |
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Option C: Advocacy 201: Effective Strategies & Tools Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, Director of Public Policy, NAO Description: Ready to take your nonprofit’s public policy efforts to next level? This session is for nonprofit leaders already familiar with the IRS’s lobbying limits and want to learn how to strengthen your organization’s public policy program. You’ll learn the most effective structure and efficient processes that empower both staff and board. We’ll discuss the role of staff and board when formulating public policy positions and taking on supporting activities. The end result will be a strong foundation for your public policy program that clearly maximizes your organization’s strengths and stays true to your mission and public identity. |
Leadership Breakfast and Keynote
7:30 - 8:45 a.m.
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Leadership Breakfast Keynote: Curious, Critical, and Actionable Conversations: Elevating our Leadership in the New Normal Presenter: Katie McCleary, Professor of Leadership, Pacific University Description: As nonprofit leaders, the quality of your conversations and the depth of your relationships matter. It's likely that you—and your team—spend your workday with people who do not share your background, values, theory of change, and/or perspective. Rarely can you, or your team, accomplish your mission alone. All of us need meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders in our communities because that is where impact, growth, and "everyday leadership" makes a true difference. In this talk, you’ll learn how to show up better in this post-pandemic world to engage, empower, and equip people by elevating your approach to conversations. |
Session 4 Descriptions
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Option A: Government Grant Readiness Workshop Presenter: Hannah Cortez, Grant Specialist, The Dotted i Description: In this beginner-friendly workshop, we’ll dive into what it takes to be considered “ready” to seek government funding. We’ll go over commonly requested documents and how to prepare them in advance of grant deadlines, how to navigate grants.gov, and discuss how to assess your organizational and program readiness for government grants. In this workshop we will offer hands-on learning activities, peer networking, and expert knowledge on preparing to seek government funding. For nonprofit professionals who are new to grant writing and/or government funding, this workshop will make the process more approachable and you’ll leave with actionable next steps on how to prepare your organization for success with government grants. |
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Option B: Take FIVE: Five Steps to Focused Impactful Volunteer Engagement Presenter: Janet Capetty, President, Take FIVE Training Description: Organizations need and want volunteers, and volunteers want to contribute. Drawing on years of experience working with volunteers and training others to do so, Janet Capetty offers this session that outlines five simple steps to achieve Focused Impactful Volunteer Engagement. Take FIVE Training helps nonprofits further their mission by actively engaging volunteers, and giving those volunteers a positive experience, and keeping them involved and returning for more. This session will cover these topics and more:
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Option C: Moving from the Equity & Inclusion Lens to Long-Term DEI Strategy Presenter: Cliff Jones, Consulting Partner, Capacity Building Partnerships Description: Building an effective inclusive and equitable culture is challenging because in organizational culture change, it is difficult to align aspirations with actual attitude and behavior change. Actualizing equity and inclusion in internal operations and service delivery and community engagement adds additional challenges requiring proficiency in the vast complexities of cross-cultural engagement. Facing the reality of inequities built into the systems and structures of society increases the challenge and also increases the likelihood of authentic, long-term change. This session will focus on building an engaged vision for equity and inclusion, assessing the gap between that vision and the current state, and identifying concrete short and long-term steps to close the gap. Zeroing in on aspirations, strategies, and behaviors. We will include a capacity development model to support the individual and organizational process of setting a vision and then implementing it over time, based on our 30 years of research, development, and practice at the intersection of equity and inclusion and organizational development. |
If you have any questions or trouble registering, contact training@nonprofitoregon.org.
Thank You Conference Sponsors
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Epstein Family Foundation
Anna May Family Foundation