Leadership Development Events

• Recession-Year Financial Leadership, September 10, St. Paul
  

• Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Network, monthly, St. Paul

Recession-Year Financial Leadership

2009 will go down as one of the most challenging years for nonprofits. And 2010?...It could be worse.

These next two years will test even the sturdiest organizations -- compelling managers and boards to:

• Clearly understand the organization’s current situation,
• Develop and evaluate the actual options available to the organization,
• Engage the support base and constituency of the organization about these options, and then
• Promptly make decisions, communicate them and take action.

The specifics for each organization vary, but surveys and raw experience demonstrate that almost every Minnesota nonprofit is being seriously affected by the recession. You have plenty of company if your organization is experiencing decreased or uncertain revenues, increased demand for services (or decreased participation for arts organizations), a decline in individual contribution amounts, and increasing questions from board members about finances.

Nonprofits will be making thousands of decisions this year, based on projections, scenarios and lists of alternatives. The process of developing, communicating and selecting these projections and organizational choices is an enormous organizing and leadership challenge -- and the focal point of this training.

Recession-Year Financial Leadership will illuminate the key decisions, choices and strategies that you should consider and provide you with analytical tools, templates and talking points to lead your organization, and join forces with partner organizations, in this most difficult year.

Specifically, Recession-Year Financial Leadership will cover:

Recession-preparedness:
Recession-preparedness assessment
Understanding your risks and options

Decision-making practices:
Authority, roles and information flow
Overcoming entrenched decision-making traditions

Budgeting approaches for uncertain times
Scenario planning for shrinking or variable budgets
Revenue risk assessment: funding reliability and flexibility
Program-driven budget options

Hands-on financial management
Renegotiating terms of funding
Realistic cost cutting elections
Employment, contract and vendor liability issues
Liquidity and advanced cash flow management
Special considerations for small, undercapitalized organizations

Fundraising expectations and priorities
Community support strategies
Reinforcing local government relationships
Maintaining solid relationships with supporters

Collaboration options
Cost/benefit analysis
Engaging systems to negotiate greater efficiencies
What to do when the merger question is raised

Communications and community
Communicating hard news (without freaking everyone out)
Defining what success looks like in the New Era

You will receive the following tools to help in your decision-making:

• Recession preparedness assessment (Where are you starting? What are your risks and options?)
• Income analysis grid
• Costs analysis and program priorities
• Liquidity and cash situation
• Types and options for reserves
• Strategic alliances spectrum

Recession-Year Financial Leadership presenters are Kate Barr, executive director, Nonprofits Assistance Fund and Jon Pratt, executive director, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

Thursday, September 10, St. Paul
1- 4:30 p.m. (registration opens at 12:30 p.m.)
Wilder Center for Communities, 451 Lexington Parkway North, St. Paul, 55104
Fees: $65 for MCN members, and $85 for nonmembers

Register:

1. Register online

2. By fax - to register by fax, download and complete the registration form (including credit card information) and fax the form to 651-642-1517
3. By mail - to register by mail, download and complete the registration form, include payment (either a check payable to MCN or credit card information) and mail to: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; 2314 University Ave. West, Suite 20; St. Paul; MN; 55114-1802

Scholarships are available! Please also read MCN's policies on refunds and substitutions

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Emerging Nonprofit Leader Network

The Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Network is for anyone interested in growing their leadership skills. Ideal for those with fewer than 10 years experience in nonprofits, those new to the sector, students, or anyone seeking skills to grow their leadership, this brown bag lunch is aimed at creating strong professional networks for emerging leaders in nonprofits of all sizes, types, and focus areas.

Each month you will explore a topic with your peers, share information, swap resources, and build on skills you can take back to your organization. You are encouraged to bring questions, samples, and insights related to the topic of the day--and don't forget your lunch! The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, ideal for getting to better know current and future colleagues. Seeking a job? You're welcome to come - also see MCN's 2009 Job Seekers Guide.

Each session begins with a few rounds of "speed networking," where you will have the opportunity to meet others in a facilitated way, as well as time for group discussion of the topic and a chance to network informally. The Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Network is free no RSVP is necessary! If you have any questions about the series, please contact Nicole Garst at 651-757-3069, or by email.

Time and Location:
Times for all are noon - 1 p.m.
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Conference Room
2314 University Avenue, Suite 20, St. Paul 55114
Directions and Parking

2009 Dates and Topics (3rd Friday of each month):

January 16 – Nonprofit-Specific Leadership (Will include a brief presentation on growing your leadership through MCN's Nonprofit Leadership Institute, as well as other resources for growth)

February 27 (please note - 4th Friday of the month due to 2009 Nonprofit Technology & Communications Conference) – Meet Your Peers & Grow Your Network - speed networking session

March 20 – Organizational Financial Management for Emerging Leaders

April 17 – Social Media at Work - Advancing Mission

May 15 – Cash Money! Nonprofit Fundraising & Resource Development

June 19 – Boards of Directors - What they Do and How to Get on One

July 17 – Coaching Triangles - A Tactic for Growth

August 21 – Nonprofit Show and Tell

September 18 – Asking for a Raise & Negotiating Salary

October 16 – All About Advocacy (Policy Rocks)

November 20 – Programs: Developing, Managing, and Evaluating

December 18 – What You Should Know about Nonprofits & Government

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