The Center hosted 300 nonprofit leaders at the 2012 Leadership Summit on October 11 for a full day of networking and knowledge sharing.

Opening Remarks

The day began with a welcome message from John Gilbert, Chair of NH Center for Nonprofits Board of Directors, Kathleen Reardon, Citizens Bank and Mary Ellen Jackson, Executive Director at the NH Center for Nonprofits.

John Gilbert highlighted how the Summit this year was all about partnerships and listening to what the sector needs to move forward. He noted the sector  needs to be a collective vision for the future. Kathleen Reardon, Citizens Bank stated that they look to the nonprofit sector for innovation due to the sector’s success it its ability to deliver during challenging times.

Mary Ellen Jackson impressed upon the audience that the business as usual today is very unusual and that the nonprofit sector depends on everyone across all sectors in the state. Together she stressed the importance of evaluating what the nonprofit sector needs to preserve as whole and what needs to change – in other words shine a light on the truths of what sustains a community.

NH Notables

Three NH Notable leaders kicked off the 2012 Summit on a panel moderated by Steve Norton to share how they have managed the discomfort of these challenging time sand been able to sustain mission delivery while seizing the new ways and tools of tomorrow. These leaders were described as sage leaders with the ability to lead and balance strategic thinking with pragmatic implementation needs. 

When asked where each of these leaders turn during challenging times - Gerardine Ferlins, President and CEO, Citronics responded that the source of her strength comes from her faith and by asking each morning "what is my purpose?, Sara Kobylenski, Executive Director, Upper Valley Haven, replied she gets her inspiration comes from trust and from asking what are the questions that need to be asked, Paul LeBlanc, President, Southern New Hampshire University, finds his inspiration from areas outside his field and from sharing new ideas with friends or acquaintances not involved in the same work for a new perspective.

Keynote Paul Rosenberg

Keynote Paul Rosenberg, Partner with The Bridgespan Group spoke about how the nonprofit sector can strategically reframe the dialogue with their funders and find to find common group with shared goals. His Get Clear, Get Real, and Get Better presentation highlighted the ways in which organizations can identify the middle layer between mission statement and programs with using both intended impact and theory of change.

The Corporate Fund Award

During the luncheon, The Corporate Fund once again presented the Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management in memory of Walter J. Dunfey. After a moving video presentation two organizations were selected this year: Community Bridges and City Year NH.
Read more about the award winners...

Graphic Mapping

The Summit offered a new feature this year – graphic  mapping.  Laura Knight Detering of “Ideas Take Shape” recorded the discussion on large 4’X8’ sheets of paper, transferring the verbal concepts into visual concepts, and encouraging the viewers to make stronger connections with the highlights of the discussion.  Graphic  mapping is a technique used more and more frequently at national conferences as an additional method of documenting the discussion and the Center was pleased to showcase this technique for attendees. See her images here..

The World Café

After lunch attendees selected one of five World Café sessions to attend. Each of the World Café sessions had one question to discuss in three rounds of discussion in small groups of four. The questions came from survey feedback and pressing issues facing the nonprofit sector and how we can move forward.

What is the image and message of the nonprofit sector and how is that hurting or helping?
The small group discussions circled around a number of negative images that are impacting the way the nonprofit sector is viewed in the public eye. Almost all of the group comments and comment themes indicated that this negative image is hurting the sector and resulting in a lack of trust and understanding from the broader audience.
Sponsor: Teresa Rosenberger, Divine Millimet
Facilitator:Deborah Watrous

What new partnership models can be created to strengthen the sector?
The group discussed the possible benefits of partnerships that could include sharing of resources as well as the ability to strengthen how groups communicate their value to partners.
Sponsor: Chris Dwyer, RMC Research
Facilitators: Diane Raymond & Kathleen Reardon

What assumptions and myths should we let go of as a sector, individual or as organizations?
One common assumption that groups identified was that “our organization is the only one who can deliver on our mission.”
Sponsor: Chris Grennier, Citizens Bank
Facilitator: Maria Sillari

What is one thing you or your organization has done this year which is clearly not “business as usual?” Did it lead to success or failure?
Many of the groups talked about the cycles and levels of change for organizations as not being driven by impact and instead by the economy. Instead the group noted that change should be driven by actual need.
Sponsor: Kelly Boyle, Nathan Wechsler & Co.
Facilitator: Mary Ann Kristiansen

When you think about the sector embracing sweeping change what will it take and what about the current status quo will we need to leave behind?
The group discussion circled around the need for the sector to be nimble, and adapt to change. There was a strong theme around collective impact and common goals and directions to create the strong infrastructure needed for the sector going forward.
Sponsor: Josh Robinson, Checkmate
Facilitator: Jamie Batson

Wrap-up

Attendees were able to view all of the World Café discussion results as well as the Graphic Map created during the morning, network with each other and enjoy the dessert buffet during the Summit Wrap-up. 

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:
The Corporate Fund, Devine Millimet and Nathan Wechsler & Company

Our Co-Sponsors:
The NH Charitable Foundation, Checkmate, 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
John Gilbert
Joan Goshgarian
Mary Ann Kristensen
Catherine McDowell
Steve Norton
Kathleen Reardon
Deborah Watrous

Our Board of Directors:
President  - John Gilbert, Synchrony Advisors, LLC
Vice President - Grace Mattern, Author and Nonprofit Advisor
Secretary - Joan Goshgarian, NH Business Committee  for the Arts
Treasurer - Sol Asmar, Triumph Business Advisors, LLC

Cheryl Lee Bozek, Cambridge Trust Company
Chris Conroy, Heartwood Media
Paulette Faggiano, Public Service of NH
Nadema Gemmell, CPA
Catherine P. McDowell, McDowell Project Management
Diane Raymond, Vice-President, Ameliorate Data Solutions
Alan Reische, Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green
Susan Scacchi, SMS Publishing
Jeffrey Tatro, Citizens Bank
Patrick Tufts, Granite United Way

Our Staff:
Carrie Bean
Karen Blow
Deborah Clark
Stephen Donahue
Michelline Dufort
Laurette Edelmann
Mary Ellen Jackson
Ellen Koenig
Erin Payne
Janet Surak


Volunteers:
Jamie Batson
Mary Ann Kristensen
Diane Raymond
Kathleen Reardon
Maria Sillari
Deborah Watrous