Strengthening Service to Your Community: The Second Annual Training Series for Greater Cleveland’s Community and Faith-Based Groups

Join us!

Presented by Neighborhood Connections and The Cleveland Foundation

Monthly Sessions

March 2012 –November 2012 Second Tuesday Evening of Each Month 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Trinity Commons 2230 Euclid Avenue

Free parking is available in the lot accessible from Prospect Ave. between E. 22nd Street and E. 20th Street

Advance registration is required.

RegistrationRegistration Fee: $10 per session or $70 for the full series. (Registration fee covers two participants from your group)

Register today! Space is limited to 40 participants per session!

For questions or more information, please call 216.615.7582 or send an email to neighborhoodconnections@clevefdn.org. To register please visit http://strengtheningservices2012.eventbrite.com or www.neighborhoodgrants.org.

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Budgeting and Bookkeeping Basics for Community Programs – May 8, 2012

– An understanding of finances is critical to the stability and success of any group.

This workshop session will address the basics of creating a budget, how to begin to

set up financial books, and understanding financial statements and their relationship

to your budget. Presenter: Joanne Montagner-Hull

Working with Fiscal Agents – Pros, Cons, and Realities – June 12, 2012 –

What is a fiscal agent? What is a 501(c)(3)? Do I need to form a 501(c)(3) or are there

other structural options for community and faith-based groups that will allow them

to raise money and function effectively? This workshop session will explore these

questions and provide you with the knowledge needed to further explore what is the

right structural option for your group. Presenter: James S. Simon

Building Your Volunteer Team – July 10, 2012 – Volunteers are the lifeblood of

community and faith-based groups, providing extra hands, insights, and expertise.

This workshop session will help you solidify and strengthen your ability to recruit,

train, engage, and recognize your many volunteers. Presenters: Tom O’Brien, Kevin

McDaniel, and Janus Small

Liability Basics for Community Programs – August 14, 2012 – Every well-

intentioned community program can get caught up in worst-case scenarios. How

does a group protect itself from litigation? From organizational insurance to event

liability, come learn the little steps to take to protect yourself and your organization

before anything big happens. Presenter: To be determined

Fundraising 101 for Community Programs – March 13, 2012 – A good fundraising

plan should include several sources of funding, be realistic, and incorporate clear

goals. Whether you scratch it out on a napkin at lunch or detail it in a comprehensive

spreadsheet, developing and implementing a fundraising plan will pay off. This

workshop session will explore creating a plan that may include funding sources ranging

from bake sales and car washes to drafting an annual appeal letter and approaching

foundations. Presenters: Tom O’Brien, Kevin McDaniel, and Janus Small

Getting the Word out: Marketing and Publicity – April 10, 2012 – There are

many vehicles that can be used to market your group and publicize your programs.

This workshop session will help you clarify who your multiple audiences are and will

explore various options such as press releases, newsletters, and electronic media

(Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, websites, and more) that can be used to reach your

targeted audiences. Presenter: To be determined

Grassroots community and faith-based groups like yours are critical to vitalizing our Greater Cleveland neighborhoods—offering opportunities for community members to make a difference right where they live. From urban gardening and computer skills training to food pantries and street fairs and serving youth through seniors, there are a variety of opportunities for “everyday people” to take action on issues important to them. This series is designed specifically for your sized group and will connect you with available resources to be more efficient, effective and impactful as you work with your neighbors in your community.

Join us for one, some, or all of the following sessions! Pick and choose what best meets your needs! Bring your volunteers, Board members, or staff members!

Demystifying outcome Measurement and Evaluation – september 11,

2012 – This session will provide you with an understanding of how collecting and

analyzing data about your group’s programs can not only improve your service

to your clients but can also increase chances of finding successes. Attention will

be paid to building evaluation capacity even when resources are few. Presenter:

Dr. Rob Fischer

Planning outstanding Community Events– october 9, 2012 – In planning

for an outstanding community event or fundraising event, nonprofit organizations

should be responsive to community cultures and needs while at the same time

solicit input from a variety of sources such as board, staff, volunteers, and

community members. In this session you will learn how to plan an event that has

clear goals, properly allocates staff, successfully recruits and utilizes volunteers,

and remains within budget while matching the event to your organization’s mission

and target audiences. Presenter: To be determined

Developing strong Boards and Advisory Boards – november 13, 2012 –

Strong Boards and Advisory Boards are the backbone of any organization. In

this session you will learn how to develop a plan for analysis, recruitment, and

engagement of an effective Board or Advisory Board that will help to further

strengthen the foundation of your organization. Presenters: Tom O’Brien, Kevin

McDaniel, and Janus Small

“ strengthening services was an excellent capacity building training

series appropriate for small nonprofits. The series focused on providing

us with the necessary tools to strengthen our organization to have a

greater impact on the individuals and families we serve. The networking

opportunities provided during the series were invaluable in today’s

economy.” – Sr Sheila Marie Tobbe, Thea Bowman Center