Nonprofit Sustainability Conference

Break Out of the Box -- Work Smarter, Not Harder!

More than 100 nonprofit leaders gathered on July 29th for the Nonprofit Sustainability Conference. Every nonprofit leader knows the harsh reality of today’s environment first-hand. The challenge to nonprofit sustainability in today’s environment exceeds anything most nonprofit leaders have seen in their careers. 

Our presenters have generously allowed us to make available for you the materials that they shared at the event. You can download them below the description of each session.

KEYNOTE:  
 
In his keynote address, Stan Birnbaum will describe the history and accomplishments of MACC CommonWealth, a nationally-noted back-office collaboration in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.  Using the MACC CommonWealth collaboration as a case study, Stan will identify some of the critical success factors behind transformational collaborations, as well as sharing lessons learned in MACC CommonWealth’s story.  Finally, he will help members review their organization’s readiness for accepting the organizational risks and openness to radical change that accompany deep collaborations.

Stan Birnbaum is President and co-founder of MACC CommonWealth.  After completing academic work at the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University, Stan began working in the nonprofit sector.  His extensive leadership experience spans a wide range of nonprofits, primarily in the human services area.   Additional experience as a college faculty member, government administrator, and Chief Information Officer of an international human resources consulting firm further enriches his perspective and knowledge base.
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WORKSHOPS

Getting Your Message So Clear, It Sells, Julie Lang
Julie Lang founder of Kaikias Consulting and faculty at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth will present a workshop on smart messaging. Julie will discuss the questions that you should ask yourself for each communication that you undertake, including: 

• Who is the primary audience?
• What do you want them to do differently?
• What are their needs?
• How can you appeal to their needs?
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Developing Strategies to Reduce Expenses, Rudy Bazelmans
With contributions down, saving money on expenses is a key factor in retaining the cash that allows your organization to fulfill it's mission. Rudy Bazelmans, Director for Expense Reduction Analysts, will give you some concrete tips and techniques that can help you reduce your expenses and boost your profitability including:

• Where are the savings opportunities
• How to create the right culture
• What are the fallacies and challenges in expense reduction
• Overview of the required steps with tips for each step
• Category specific expense tips you can use
• Open discussion/Q&A
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The Ins and Outs of Outsourcing Your Back Office Needs, Rick Szilagyi
Rick Szilagyi, from Lexian Management Associates, will explore how nonprofits operating on a limited budget can utilize outsourcing as a cost-effective solution. Outsourcing finance, HR or technology management can provide you with access to a level of expertise you would not otherwise be able to afford.  But how do you ensure that the lessons learned by others are put to good use? Join Rick for a discussion of:

• How to decide if outsourcing is right for your organization
• Choosing the right contractor
• Understanding your ongoing responsibilities
• Tips for making the transition smoother
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Using Web-based Computing and Social Networking to Your Advantage, Eric Halter
Eric Halter of EFHalter Associates, brings more than 25 years of first-hand experience to help nonprofits become more balanced, productive and profitable.  Eric will describe how web-based (“cloud”) computing can address productivity challenges for small to mid-sized nonprofits, many at little or no cost, including:

• What cloud computing is, and is not.
• Access, security and true costs
• How to integrate cloud-based computing strategies into your organization while mitigating the risks
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Assessing and Re-structuring Insurance and Benefit Costs, Eleanor Spinnazola
Eleanor Spinnazola, from E&S Insurance Services, will provide you with the tools you need to determine the right mix for your insurance programs and keeping within your insurance budget: 

• Deductibles – Don’t pay a lot for a little
• Wellness programs – will they improve your fiscal health
• Health Savings Accounts vs. Health Reimbursement Arrangements – which is best for your staff
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Making the Most of Your In-Box – Reducing Clutter in an Email Intensive World, Eric Halter
Eric Halter, Prinicpal of EF Halter Associates, brings more than 25 years of first-hand experience to help nonprofits become more balanced, productive and profitable.   In times of limited resources and limited time, it is critical for each of us to be working effectively and efficiently.  Join Eric to learn some tips for:

• Getting your in-box to zero emails to prevent clutter and procrastination
• How to act on emails by asking simple questions
• How to get started with your overflowing in-box
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PANEL DISCUSSION

Join our afternoon panel for more ideas on how to creatively sustain your organization:
Stan Birnbaum, President, MACC CommonWealth
Christine Charman, Executive Director, The Coalition
Dick Henry, Executive Director, The Jordan Institute
Mary Vallier-Kaplan, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Endowment for Health

The Conference has been generously supported by