The 2009 Nonprofit Leadership Summit

An Era of New Realities, New Possibilities

“To face the new world order, we must abandon our practices of distrust, fragmentation, and control in favor of true collaboration, and perhaps new realities, between nonprofits, funders, government and business.”
- Nonprofit Quarterly, Winter 2008

The third annual Nonprofit Leadership Summit will bring together nonprofit leaders from across the state along with business and government partners to examine the rapid changes the economic downturn has brought about and the new realities which are emerging.

This has been a year unlike any other - a year in which nonprofit leaders adapted swiftly to funding changes, coped with unanticipated losses and found the perseverance needed to lead through this economic crisis. This year’s Summit offers leaders a time to explore the new realities of today’s world and the emerging possibilities of tomorrow. 

Keynote Dr. Margaret Wheatley, author of Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time, will  offer her perspectives about the years leading up to the sweeping changes we are now experiencing and insights on what these changes mean to communities and leaders guiding nonprofit organizations.  An internationally acclaimed speaker and writer, Dr. Wheatley will explore the need for the development of true collaborations and for leaders to foster meaningful conversation, invite innovation and support leadership as it emerges.

“By going it alone, individual communities and nonprofits cannot create the change we need.”

View the Schedule for the Day...

World Café
We strive to create a Summit which offers nonprofit leaders and business and government partners a time to step away from their daily pressures and come together to discuss current issues and trends and gain fresh perspective.  

In keeping with the spirit of the Summit, Dr. Wheatley will engage the audience in an interactive dialogue about the issues presented in the style of a World Café.  The World Café model has been used in corporate, government and community settings around the world as a way to support conversations which build the collective intelligence of any group and increase people’s capacity for effective action.   

Afternoon Agenda: Strategic Cafés

Leadership which Invokes Creativity
Instead of reacting to risk and uncertainty by tightening controls and issuing directives, skillful leaders bring people together, provide information and resources and find ways to invoke the creativity of those around them.  During this session, a panel of nonprofit leaders will share ways in which they have established a higher level of trust and engagement with staff and their communities.
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When Collaboration is the Real Deal
Peripheral collaboration, often orchestrated in the past to satisfy grant criteria, was typically one-sided and wasted everyone’s time.  To stay relevant and effective in today’s world, nonprofits must engage in intentional, “real” collaboration based on mutual respect and providing value to all partners. During this session, colleagues who have forged effective partnerships and are reaping the benefits will share their experiences.
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Perspectives on Philanthropy in this New Era
Leaders are discovering that these turbulent times have opened the door to new thinking about the value of relationships with likely and unlikely partners.  In the future, will nonprofits engage donors as part of their organization, rather than remotely connected financers?  Join this session as a panel from the philanthropic community discusses the emerging new thinking about their roles and relationships.
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The Most Important Conversations to Have This Year 
What are the most important conversations for your organization to have this year? What conversations should take place in the nonprofit sector? Is there one action every nonprofit in NH should take next year as a catalyst for long-term change? Join colleagues and explore the possibilities of creating organizations and a nonprofit sector driven by a strong sense of clarity and purpose.
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Navigating Critical Junctures
Every organization faces junctures - some more critical than others.  Significant junctures occur when funding abruptly ends, leaders retire, a relocation is imminent or an opportunity to scale-up or merge is in the offing. How leadership teams identify junctures and approach times of change is critical. In this session, a panel of nonprofit leaders will share their experiences in leading through numerous junctures.
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The Corporate Fund Nonprofit Management Award
The Corporate Fund Nonprofit Management Award will be presented to three nonprofits for excellence in management. The award is presented in honor of Walter J. Dunfey, a noted New Hampshire businessman and philanthropist.. Byron Champlin, Assistant Vice President and Program Officer for Lincoln Financial Group, and Chair of the Corporate Fund Panel,  and Governor John Lynch will present the Award to this year’s winners during the Summit luncheon.

Reflections on the Journey of Leadership
Lewis M. Feldstein has been a catalyst for change and innovation in the NH nonprofit community and nationally throughout his 23 year tenure as President of the NH Charitable Foundation. He has modeled leadership which invokes creativity and collaboration among all of those he touches, both within his organization and in the broader community. As many are aware, Lew will retire from his leadership role at the Foundation in June 2010 to undoubtedly explore meaningful new ventures. Lew will provide us with his reflections of what has inspired his leadership, the hopes and concerns he has for the future and what he believes is the call of leadership for the nonprofit community as we navigate this era of great change.


Join us for that one day each year when sector leaders come together to learn, connect, share and unite for the future.

DATE: Friday, September 18, 2009
TIME: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Registration opens @ 8:00. Program begins promptly at 8:30.)
PLACE: Grappone Conference Center - Get Directions
FEE: $150 Members; $200 Not-Yet-Members

Online registration has been closed for this event. Please call our office (225-1947) for information about space availability.