The Center hosted 300 nonprofit leaders at the 2011 Leadership Summit on September 23 for a full day of networking and knowledge sharing.
The day began with a welcome message from 2008 Summit Keynote, Tom Tierney of the Bridgespan Group.
Keynote Dan Pallotta spoke about the constraints that have traditionally held nonprofits back from their full potential. He provided provocative statistics on topics such as the constraints on compensation in the sector, the prohibition on risk-taking and the perception that low overhead is THE measure of a successful nonprofit.
Following Pallotta, there was a reactor panel facilitated by NHPR's Virginia Prescott and featuring UNH President Mark Huddleston, CASA President & CEO Marcia Sink and board leader and President of Northland Forest Products Jameson French. Dan Pallotta joined the panel as well and the group engaged in conversation about the issues that had been raised during the keynote address.
Before lunch, the Corporate Fund once again presented the Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management in memory of Walter J. Dunfey. Two organizations were selected this year: Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services and Nashua Pastoral Care. Read more about the awards...
During lunch, Ellen Koenig of the Center demonstrated the web-based resource NonprofitNext, which is available to members of the Center. She shared two exciting additions to the site.
Through a partnership with Devine Milliment, the Center is able to offer members an HR Hotline. Members can call the hotline for up to a half hour of general legal advice per employment issue.
A recorded webinar by Andy Goodman, nationally renowned trainer on presentations, storytelling and the power of the narrative. "Why Bad Presentations Happen to Good Causes" - a $250 value - is available FREE for a LIMITED TIME on NonprofitNext. The two-hour webinar - broken into two parts - is designed to help presenters at all levels, including seasoned veterans.
After lunch attendees selected one of five Hot Topic Discussion Panels to attend.
Taking a Second Look at Nonprofit Boards The Nonprofit Board model is remarkable. Community-led governance models currently set the sector apart, but will it work in the future? Are there things about the nonprofit board structure that restrain or prompt progress?
Consultant Anne Peyton facilitated a lively examination of the board model with board leader and businessman Barry Brensinger, nonprofit leader and Mayhew Board Chair Alan Cantor, and former corporate executive turned nonprofit executive, Debby Miller of More than Wheels.
Panelists: Barry Brensinger, Lavallee Brensinger Architects Alan M. Cantor, NH Community Loan Fund Debby Miller, More Than Wheels
Facilitator: Anne Peyton, Yellow Brick Road Consulting
Re-Invention: No Longer "Optional?” Today's economy requires nonprofit leaders to open the doors wide to new thinking and re-invention.Well-known nonprofit board leader Ben Gayman led the conversation with Maryellen Burke of the Portsmouth Historical Society, Joyce Palmer of Lakes Region United Way and Maria White of the American Red Cross NH as they shared lessons learned, surprises and the benefits of re-invention.
Panelists: Maria White, American Red Cross NH Joyce Palmer, Lakes Region United Way Maryellen Burke, Portsmouth Historical Society
Facilitator: Ben Gayman, Devine Millimet & Branch
What Really is Risk-Taking? Consultant Stephen Gianotti,led a discussion on the place of risk taking, its true meaning and its value with Thomas Blonski of NH Catholic Charities and Maureen Beauregard of Families in Transition. They shared insights on how they view risk, what has enabled them to develop adaptive organizations and what to do if you believe a risk is reasonable and called for - but board and staff push back.
Panelists: Maureen Beauregard, Families in Transition Thomas E. Blonski, NH Catholic Charities
Facilitator: Stephen Gianotti, The Woodland Group
New Thinking About Advocacy Senior Policy Advisor Jennifer Frizzell of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England led a discussion about whether the old tried-and-true advocacy strategies still work or if today’s political and economic climate are prompting new strategies.
Will Abbott of the Society for the Protection of NH Forests along with Jay Couture, President of Seacoast Mental Health Center and Connie Rosemont, Executive Director of Red River Theatres shared stories from the front line and their “ah ha” moments of these past two years.
Panelists: Jay Couture, Seacoast Mental Health Center Connie Rosemont, Red River Theatres Will Abbott, Society for the Protection of NH Forests
Facilitator: Jennifer Frizzell, Planned Parenthood of NNE
Paving the Way for the Next Generation: Are Nonprofits Ready? Celina Adams of the NH Charitable Foundation led Amanda Grappone Osmer from Grappone Automotive Group, Jim Nute from the Mahew Program and Stefanie Crystal from the NH Charitable Foundation in a lively exploration of what attitudes, behaviors and practices will be needed to attract and retain the best and brightest to our staff, to our boards and to fill our volunteer needs.
Panelists: Jim Nute, The Mayhew Program Amanda Grappone Osmer, Grappone Automotive Group Stefanie Crystal, NH Charitable Foundation
Facilitator: Celina Adams, NH Charitable Foundation
The Summit was capped off with a dessert buffet and the inaugural Game-Changer awards. Several weeks prior, the Center sent a survey out inviting nominations for these one-of-kind awards, and nonprofit leaders nominated their peers. Jamie Batson hosted the event, ably assisted by her butler, Jeeves and awarded these prizes:
“A Board that Soars” – Capitol Center for the Arts
“Going the Extra Mile” – Camp Allen
“Making News” – More than Wheels
“Bridge Builders” – The Harris Center
“Best Bash” – CATCH Neighborhood Housing
“New Look” – Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains
“You Rock!” – The Gundalow Company
“Whatever it Takes” – Kathy Kearns, Circle Program
“Hitting it out of the Park” – NH Cares
The NH Center for Nonprofits would like to thank everyone who made this day possible
Our Underwriters: Citizens Bank Foundation and Public Service of New Hampshire
Our Lead Sponsors: Fairpoint Communications, The Corporate Fund, Devine Millimet and Nathan Wechsler & Company
Our Co-Sponsors: The NH Charitable Foundation, the Endowment for Health, RMC Research, Delta Dental, E&S Insurance Services, New England Wealth Advisors, NH Public Radio, Spectrum Marketing Companies
The Summit Committee Members: M. Christine Dwyer Joan Goshgarian Catherine McDowell Kathleen Reardon
Our Board of Directors: President - John Gilbert, Synchrony Advisors, LLC Vice President - Grace Mattern Secretary - Joan Goshgarian, NH Business Committee for the Arts Treasurer - Peter Milnes, INEX Capital & Growth Advisors
Sol Asmar, Triumph Business Advisors, LLC Paulette Faggiano, Public Service of NH Kenneth S. Jue, Monadnock Family Services Catherine P. McDowell, McDowell Project Management Frumie Selchen, Arts Alliance of Northern NH Jeffrey B. Tatro, Citizens Bank Patrick Tufts, Granite United Way
Our Staff: Mary Ellen Jackson Laurette Edelmann Deborah Clark Ellen Koenig Michelline Dufort Tabitha Riley Stephen Donahue Courtney Fontone Carrie Bean
Volunteers: Jamie Batson, Mather Associates Maria Sillari Amanda Vickery
NH Center for Nonprofits - 84 Silk Farm Road, Suite 1 - Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 603-225-1947 - Fax: 228-5574 -
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Keynote Dan Pallotta spoke about the constraints that have traditionally held nonprofits back from their full potential. He provided provocative statistics on topics such as the constraints on compensation in the sector, the prohibition on risk-taking and the perception that low overhead is THE measure of a successful nonprofit.
Following Pallotta, there was a reactor panel facilitated by NHPR's Virginia Prescott and featuring UNH President Mark Huddleston, CASA President & CEO Marcia Sink and board leader and President of Northland Forest Products Jameson French. Dan Pallotta joined the panel as well and the group engaged in conversation about the issues that had been raised during the keynote address.
Through a partnership with Devine Milliment, the Center is able to offer members an HR Hotline. Members can call the hotline for up to a half hour of general legal advice per employment issue.
A recorded webinar by Andy Goodman, nationally renowned trainer on presentations, storytelling and the power of the narrative. "Why Bad Presentations Happen to Good Causes" - a $250 value - is available FREE for a LIMITED TIME on NonprofitNext. The two-hour webinar - broken into two parts - is designed to help presenters at all levels, including seasoned veterans.
The Nonprofit Board model is remarkable. Community-led governance models currently set the sector apart, but will it work in the future? Are there things about the nonprofit board structure that restrain or prompt progress?
Today's economy requires nonprofit leaders to open the doors wide to new thinking and re-invention.Well-known nonprofit board leader Ben Gayman led the conversation with Maryellen Burke of the Portsmouth Historical Society, Joyce Palmer of Lakes Region United Way and Maria White of the American Red Cross NH as they shared lessons learned, surprises and the benefits of re-invention.
Consultant Stephen Gianotti,led a discussion on the place of risk taking, its true meaning and its value with Thomas Blonski of NH Catholic Charities and Maureen Beauregard of Families in Transition. They shared insights on how they view risk, what has enabled them to develop adaptive organizations and what to do if you believe a risk is reasonable and called for - but board and staff push back. 
Senior Policy Advisor Jennifer Frizzell of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England led a discussion about whether the old tried-and-true advocacy strategies still work or if today’s political and economic climate are prompting new strategies.
Celina Adams of the NH Charitable Foundation led Amanda Grappone Osmer from Grappone Automotive Group, Jim Nute from the Mahew Program and Stefanie Crystal from the NH Charitable Foundation in a lively exploration of what attitudes, behaviors and practices will be needed to attract and retain the best and brightest to our staff, to our boards and to fill our volunteer needs.
“A Board that Soars” – Capitol Center for the Arts
