2010 Annual Conference, Blueprint for Success: Communicate, Collaborate, Advocate

2010 Annual Conference Schedule
Blueprint for Success: communicate | collaborate | advocate 

Parking is available all day at the American Cancer Society Center for $10.

7:30am: Registration Opens

8:30am – 9:15am: Keynote Speaker: Kyle Keyser, Atlantans Together Against Crime

9:15am - 9:30am: Transition

9:30am - 10:15am: Workshop Session #1

• Avoiding Legal Pitfalls: Discuss how not to get sued by a volunteer. Most nonprofits could not survive without volunteers but there are some risks that come with engaging them, specifically the possibility that a volunteer may be injured or may cause injury to others. This workshop, led by Rachel Epps Spears of the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta will focus on preventing injuries to volunteers - both physical injuries and non-physical injuries like discrimination and harassment. This workshop will suggest best practices in volunteer screening, training, discipline and dismissal as well as policies and procedures to limit the risks to your organization.
• Granting Success: Collaboration is often the key to submitting winning grant proposals. Veteran authors and professors Ardith Peters, Ph.D and Walaa Compton, MBA of Kennesaw State University, will explore best practices for developing a team approach focused on identifying, researching and writing professional, yet attention-grabbing proposals.
• Stress Management for the Volunteer Manager: Advocating for yourself in a must in the fast paced and personality driven world of volunteerism. Educator, nonprofit director and nurse, Gail Winston, MSN of The Wellness Center at Dekalb Medical, will discuss both the latest research and practical applications to help manage emotional reactions to stress, enhance the ever-elusive work-life balance and more.

10:15am - 10:30am: Transition

10:30am - 11: 15am: Workshop Session #2

• High Level Appreciation: Veteran nonprofit administrator, Carol Fey of Cobb/Marietta Communities In Schools, will present diplomatic methods to help you collaborate more effectively with your Board of Directors and agency leadership team to enhance understanding of the volunteer value and increase recognition efforts.
• Compassionate Communication: Nonviolent Communication facilitator, Lucinda Patterson, will share a process to help transform conflict into connection. How deeper listening and empathic reflection help you and your staff meet needs with co-operation instead of judgment and blame. There are times when you need to offer "hard to hear" messages to your volunteers about their contributions to your organization and to their own well-being. Want more ease and authentic communication? Support the values of your organization with more comfort and satisfaction for yourself and others? Learn how this process can support you in your daily work life and create greater well-being for all.
• Why Advocacy Works: The only constant in nonprofit management is change. As nonprofits and their volunteers continue to adapt to economic, social and organizational shifts, the need for well-organized, efficient advocacy efforts has never been greater. We will reveal how your organization can benefit from a formulated advocacy plan and the steps necessary to develop, implement and maintain advocate roles within your agency or individual programs.

11:15am - 11:30am: Transition

11:30am: Lunch Buffet Opens

12:00pm - 1:30pm: Lunch Panel: Collaborating with the Corporate Sector: Our panel of corporate movers and shakers from Atlanta's Corporate Volunteer Council will reveal tips for building long term partnerships with a focus on what the business community looks for in a service project, the overall expectations of a corporate partner, how smaller nonprofits can break into the inner circle, and more. Panelists: Lisa Fogarty, Federal Reserve Bank, Jessica Laiti, Cox Enterprises, Kate Modolo, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Cheryl Naja, Alston & Bird

1:30pm - 1:45pm: Transition

1:45pm - 2:45pm Workshop Session #3

• Mastering Local Media: National trainer, consultant and professor Dr. Joseph Trahan, with Trahan & Associates Communications Consultants will infuse your media outreach efforts with a fresh approach. On-trend tips for communicating with community-based reporters and editors will empower you to get your volunteer program needs and news noticed and publicized.
• Advanced Corporate Connections: As an intensive follow-up to our lunch panel, veteran project manager and consultant, Elizabeth Feichter with Corporate Community Outsourcing will share her expertise in connecting the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Real world examples will provide an insider’s view into both the process and outcomes of corporate service initiatives, while also addressing the unique challenges both sectors may face when joining forces.
• The Volunteer to Donor Circle: While recognizing the gift of time is always a top priority, many volunteer managers shy away from efforts to further engage volunteers in monetary or in-kind giving initiatives. Vic McCarty, Director of Development at Hemophilia of Georgia will discuss unique ideas on how to make the ask and why your program can benefit from a direct funding appeal to your volunteer base.