Learning Opportunity

Improv Skills for Work & Life: Public Speaking & Persuasive Communication w/ Lacy Alana 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, & 4/27Whether you regularly lead trainings, or just need to share your ideas in small team meetings, being able to effectively communicate information is an essential skill for both work and life. Through this experiential training series, you'll strengthen your public speaking skills, harness your ability to persuasively communicate your ideas, and better understand how to connect and affect your listeners. Each week, we'll explore a different sub-topic in this category. Each training can be attended individually, regardless of whether you've attended the others. This training will be interactive and experiential, so it is best to join by computer with video. Weekly sub-topics include: Weekly sub-topics include:1. Connect & Affect: Getting others on board with you is a valuable skill. This workshop will focus on tools that you can use to harness your persuasive power and build genuine rapport with your audience.2. Effectively Organize Your Information: Sometimes, relaying the facts isn't enough. This workshop will focus on tools that you can use to best cluster and present your information for buy-in and engagement. 3. Anxiety & Distraction Busters: Often, anxiety and other distractors […]

Get that Grant! The Series w/Susannah Ehler 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22 & 4/29Can be taken as a 5-part series or as stand alone sessions! Learn what you need to "Get that Grant" w/Susannah Ehler.Join us and invite your colleagues!Week 1. April 1, 2021 | 12 PM to 1: 30 PM - The Art of Finding Grant Opportunities It is one of the biggest ‘grant writing secrets’: your chances of obtaining funding increase significantly when you find the right funding opportunity. Don’t spin your wheels; make sure you’re applying to funders that align with your nonprofit organization. This online class will clearly lay out the steps and strategies for effective grant prospecting. This can be taken as a stand-alone class or part of the April 2021 series.Week 2. April 8, 2021 | 12 PM to 1: 30 PM - Get that Grant I: Grant Writing Basics for Nonprofits So, you want to be a grant writer. Or maybe you’ve recently started writing grant applications for a nonprofit organization. This online class will describe the items funders are looking for and will provide a clear framework for crafting winning proposals. The focus is on writing grant applications for nonprofit organizations; join us […]

The Unspoken Message: Saying What You Mean & Deciphering Messaging When Others Don't with Lacy AlanaIn our modern world, we're more connected to our colleagues, friends, and families than ever, and it has never been easier to send quick bits of information to others. However, a lot still gets lost in translation, and communication often breaks down - despite all of the tools we use. People don't always say what they mean - and they don't always mean what they say - which can result in a mismatch between what someone intended to communicate - and what was received by the other parties. This series will explore this communication nuance and will equip attendees to understand the function and meaning of underlying messaging from others, while also equipping attendees with tools to infuse clarity into conversations by naming the unspoken truths of the exchange. Week 1: Understanding Communication: The Rules We All Use, But Don't Always KnowWeek 2: Naming Truths: Removing Subtext to More Effectively ConnectWeek 3: Deciphering Meaning and Creating Communication ClarityWeek 4: Bringing it all togetherEach workshop’s content is intentionally standalone, however, each session also builds on earlier material.

Executive Presence --The Series - with Alice Mar RocherExecutive presence is essential to successful leaders, and establishing it can sometimes feel elusive. It means making great impressions, having a keen self and other-awareness, demonstrating emotional intelligence, building strong relationships, and maximizing your influence for high impact, and so much more! Join us to build your leadership presence in this four-part series.Session 1: Develop Your Credibility with a Unique Warm, Strong, and Valuable Leadership PresenceSession 2: Enhance Your Self and Other-Awareness to Demonstrate Flexibility and Build Positive RelationshipsSession 3: Maximize Your Influence Through Powerful Communication For Better Collaboration, Bigger Impact for Mutual Gain Session 4: Shape and Manage Your Reputation and Brand in Good Times, and for Bad Times, When They ComeEach workshop’s content is intentionally standalone, however, each session also builds on earlier material.

The Unspoken Message: Saying What You Mean & Deciphering Messaging When Others Don't with Lacy AlanaIn our modern world, we're more connected to our colleagues, friends, and families than ever, and it has never been easier to send quick bits of information to others. However, a lot still gets lost in translation, and communication often breaks down - despite all of the tools we use. People don't always say what they mean - and they don't always mean what they say - which can result in a mismatch between what someone intended to communicate - and what was received by the other parties. This series will explore this communication nuance and will equip attendees to understand the function and meaning of underlying messaging from others, while also equipping attendees with tools to infuse clarity into conversations by naming the unspoken truths of the exchange. Week 1: Understanding Communication: The Rules We All Use, But Don't Always KnowWeek 2: Naming Truths: Removing Subtext to More Effectively ConnectWeek 3: Deciphering Meaning and Creating Communication ClarityWeek 4: Bringing it all togetherEach workshop’s content is intentionally standalone, however, each session also builds on earlier material.

Executive Presence --The Series - with Alice Mar RocherExecutive presence is essential to successful leaders, and establishing it can sometimes feel elusive. It means making great impressions, having a keen self and other-awareness, demonstrating emotional intelligence, building strong relationships, and maximizing your influence for high impact, and so much more! Join us to build your leadership presence in this four-part series.Session 1: Develop Your Credibility with a Unique Warm, Strong, and Valuable Leadership PresenceSession 2: Enhance Your Self and Other-Awareness to Demonstrate Flexibility and Build Positive RelationshipsSession 3: Maximize Your Influence Through Powerful Communication For Better Collaboration, Bigger Impact for Mutual Gain Session 4: Shape and Manage Your Reputation and Brand in Good Times, and for Bad Times, When They ComeEach workshop’s content is intentionally standalone, however, each session also builds on earlier material.

The Unspoken Message: Saying What You Mean & Deciphering Messaging When Others Don't with Lacy AlanaIn our modern world, we're more connected to our colleagues, friends, and families than ever, and it has never been easier to send quick bits of information to others. However, a lot still gets lost in translation, and communication often breaks down - despite all of the tools we use. People don't always say what they mean - and they don't always mean what they say - which can result in a mismatch between what someone intended to communicate - and what was received by the other parties. This series will explore this communication nuance and will equip attendees to understand the function and meaning of underlying messaging from others, while also equipping attendees with tools to infuse clarity into conversations by naming the unspoken truths of the exchange. Week 1: Understanding Communication: The Rules We All Use, But Don't Always KnowWeek 2: Naming Truths: Removing Subtext to More Effectively ConnectWeek 3: Deciphering Meaning and Creating Communication ClarityWeek 4: Bringing it all togetherEach workshop’s content is intentionally standalone, however, each session also builds on earlier material.

Executive Presence --The Series - with Alice Mar RocherExecutive presence is essential to successful leaders, and establishing it can sometimes feel elusive. It means making great impressions, having a keen self and other-awareness, demonstrating emotional intelligence, building strong relationships, and maximizing your influence for high impact, and so much more! Join us to build your leadership presence in this four-part series.Session 1: Develop Your Credibility with a Unique Warm, Strong, and Valuable Leadership PresenceSession 2: Enhance Your Self and Other-Awareness to Demonstrate Flexibility and Build Positive RelationshipsSession 3: Maximize Your Influence Through Powerful Communication For Better Collaboration, Bigger Impact for Mutual Gain Session 4: Shape and Manage Your Reputation and Brand in Good Times, and for Bad Times, When They ComeEach workshop’s content is intentionally standalone, however, each session also builds on earlier material.

The Unspoken Message: Saying What You Mean & Deciphering Messaging When Others Don't with Lacy AlanaIn our modern world, we're more connected to our colleagues, friends, and families than ever, and it has never been easier to send quick bits of information to others. However, a lot still gets lost in translation, and communication often breaks down - despite all of the tools we use. People don't always say what they mean - and they don't always mean what they say - which can result in a mismatch between what someone intended to communicate - and what was received by the other parties. This series will explore this communication nuance and will equip attendees to understand the function and meaning of underlying messaging from others, while also equipping attendees with tools to infuse clarity into conversations by naming the unspoken truths of the exchange. Week 1: Understanding Communication: The Rules We All Use, But Don't Always KnowWeek 2: Naming Truths: Removing Subtext to More Effectively ConnectWeek 3: Deciphering Meaning and Creating Communication ClarityWeek 4: Bringing it all togetherEach workshop’s content is intentionally standalone, however, each session also builds on earlier material.

Executive Presence --The Series - with Alice Mar RocherExecutive presence is essential to successful leaders, and establishing it can sometimes feel elusive. It means making great impressions, having a keen self and other-awareness, demonstrating emotional intelligence, building strong relationships, and maximizing your influence for high impact, and so much more! Join us to build your leadership presence in this four-part series.Session 1: Develop Your Credibility with a Unique Warm, Strong, and Valuable Leadership PresenceSession 2: Enhance Your Self and Other-Awareness to Demonstrate Flexibility and Build Positive RelationshipsSession 3: Maximize Your Influence Through Powerful Communication For Better Collaboration, Bigger Impact for Mutual Gain Session 4: Shape and Manage Your Reputation and Brand in Good Times, and for Bad Times, When They ComeEach workshop’s content is intentionally standalone, however, each session also builds on earlier material.

Board Leadership Series- The Series w/Wendy Biro-Pollard, BoardSource Certified Governance ConsultantRecruiting Board Members and Keeping Them Engaged - 6/9/21, 12-1:30p Nothing is more important to the health and sustainability of your organization than finding highly qualified and enthusiastic people to serve on your board and committees. But many organizations struggle to identify the right leaders. The job of board building is about more than just filling slots. It’s about finding leaders who have skill sets and perspectives that align with your organization’s strategies, goals and needs—not just now, but into the future. This session will show you the steps to building an effective board. Understanding these steps can help you avoid the common ups and downs of building and maintaining a diverse, inclusive and enthusiastic board. What we will cover: • Determining the board building process • Creating a recruitment plan that will help ensure you have members with the right blend of skills, expertise, and community connections. • Exploring the benefits of a governance committee that will support and strengthen overall board performance and recruitment. • Cultivating candidates—help them find you. • Identifying board and committee recruitment tools and resources. Show Me the Money: Creating a Fundraising Culture - […]

Board Leadership Series- The Series w/Wendy Biro-Pollard, BoardSource Certified Governance ConsultantRecruiting Board Members and Keeping Them Engaged - 6/9/21, 12-1:30p Nothing is more important to the health and sustainability of your organization than finding highly qualified and enthusiastic people to serve on your board and committees. But many organizations struggle to identify the right leaders. The job of board building is about more than just filling slots. It’s about finding leaders who have skill sets and perspectives that align with your organization’s strategies, goals and needs—not just now, but into the future. This session will show you the steps to building an effective board. Understanding these steps can help you avoid the common ups and downs of building and maintaining a diverse, inclusive and enthusiastic board. What we will cover: • Determining the board building process • Creating a recruitment plan that will help ensure you have members with the right blend of skills, expertise, and community connections. • Exploring the benefits of a governance committee that will support and strengthen overall board performance and recruitment. • Cultivating candidates—help them find you. • Identifying board and committee recruitment tools and resources. Show Me the Money: Creating a Fundraising Culture - […]

Board Leadership Series- The Series w/Wendy Biro-Pollard, BoardSource Certified Governance ConsultantRecruiting Board Members and Keeping Them Engaged - 6/9/21, 12-1:30p Nothing is more important to the health and sustainability of your organization than finding highly qualified and enthusiastic people to serve on your board and committees. But many organizations struggle to identify the right leaders. The job of board building is about more than just filling slots. It’s about finding leaders who have skill sets and perspectives that align with your organization’s strategies, goals and needs—not just now, but into the future. This session will show you the steps to building an effective board. Understanding these steps can help you avoid the common ups and downs of building and maintaining a diverse, inclusive and enthusiastic board. What we will cover: • Determining the board building process • Creating a recruitment plan that will help ensure you have members with the right blend of skills, expertise, and community connections. • Exploring the benefits of a governance committee that will support and strengthen overall board performance and recruitment. • Cultivating candidates—help them find you. • Identifying board and committee recruitment tools and resources. Show Me the Money: Creating a Fundraising Culture - […]

Experiential Self-Care for Nonprofit Practitioners with Lacy AlanaIf you're struggling to balance your own needs, and the needs of others in the midst of increasing demands of your work - you're not alone. Though you know that self-care is important, it may feel like your favorite self-care "go-tos" aren't meeting your needs right now, or that you're just not able to do the self-care you know might be helpful. This experiential workshop series provides an interactive and engaging opportunity to explore and understand self-care in new ways. During this series, you'll have an opportunity to engage in a supportive learning space that teaches new skills and frameworks while also giving you a committed hour of self-care, connection, growth, and learning. You'll learn new tools, theory, techniques, psychological frameworks, and brain science that will help you to re-understand and re-invent your own self-care practice. Each week, we'll focus on a new topic designed to support and improve your wellness and well-being. Topics: WEEK 1 Alternative Mindfulness: While often great, traditional mindfulness and meditation don't work for everyone - and have the opposite effect for some. In this workshop, we'll explore alternative pathways to mindfulness and ways to engage in active meditation […]

Board Leadership Series- The Series w/Wendy Biro-Pollard, BoardSource Certified Governance ConsultantRecruiting Board Members and Keeping Them Engaged - 6/9/21, 12-1:30p Nothing is more important to the health and sustainability of your organization than finding highly qualified and enthusiastic people to serve on your board and committees. But many organizations struggle to identify the right leaders. The job of board building is about more than just filling slots. It’s about finding leaders who have skill sets and perspectives that align with your organization’s strategies, goals and needs—not just now, but into the future. This session will show you the steps to building an effective board. Understanding these steps can help you avoid the common ups and downs of building and maintaining a diverse, inclusive and enthusiastic board. What we will cover: • Determining the board building process • Creating a recruitment plan that will help ensure you have members with the right blend of skills, expertise, and community connections. • Exploring the benefits of a governance committee that will support and strengthen overall board performance and recruitment. • Cultivating candidates—help them find you. • Identifying board and committee recruitment tools and resources. Show Me the Money: Creating a Fundraising Culture - […]

Experiential Self-Care for Nonprofit Practitioners with Lacy AlanaIf you're struggling to balance your own needs, and the needs of others in the midst of increasing demands of your work - you're not alone. Though you know that self-care is important, it may feel like your favorite self-care "go-tos" aren't meeting your needs right now, or that you're just not able to do the self-care you know might be helpful. This experiential workshop series provides an interactive and engaging opportunity to explore and understand self-care in new ways. During this series, you'll have an opportunity to engage in a supportive learning space that teaches new skills and frameworks while also giving you a committed hour of self-care, connection, growth, and learning. You'll learn new tools, theory, techniques, psychological frameworks, and brain science that will help you to re-understand and re-invent your own self-care practice. Each week, we'll focus on a new topic designed to support and improve your wellness and well-being. Topics: WEEK 1 Alternative Mindfulness: While often great, traditional mindfulness and meditation don't work for everyone - and have the opposite effect for some. In this workshop, we'll explore alternative pathways to mindfulness and ways to engage in active meditation […]

Strategic Alliances and Funder Connections Series w/Susannah ErlerStrategic Alliances and Funder Connections Series July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29th @ noon.July 1st at noonFunder Focus: Connect with The Moody FoundationGain insights from and interact with the Moody Foundation – whose mission is to empower Texas communities to thrive and prosper. Senior Grants Officer Bernice Torregrossa will describe the philanthropic work of the foundation, including pivots made in response to events of the past year. Nonprofit professionals: come and learn more about the Foundation’s priorities and about what makes an inspiring grant proposal from a funder’s perspective.July 8 at noonNonprofit Professionals: Let’s Talk About Your CareerWe entered the nonprofit sector for many reasons. Now that you are here, what will your career path look like going forward? Whether or not you are currently looking for a new job, it is a good idea to periodically spend time on this question. In this session, you will actively start that process: examine your work values, learn about career scenarios, hear job search tactics and network with other nonprofit professionals.July 15 at noonFunder Focus: Connect with The Trellis FoundationYour participation is invited as we learn more about The Trellis Foundation – whose focus […]

Creating an Anti-Burnout Culture: Acknowledging the stress, trauma, & anxiety of the last year & Adjusting to the New Normal w/Lacy AlanaWhen we're stressed, anxious, or processing trauma - we can't do our best work. And yet, more and more employees are struggling with these forms of dysregulation on a daily basis - especially in connection with the fallout from the pandemic. When we're in these dysregulated states, our ability to communicate is compromised, our focus deteriorates, we struggle to find balance, we can't problem-solve like we used to, and we find ourselves struggling to complete projects. As we struggle to function individually and collectively like we once did, morale can dip, and burnout increases. In this 4- part workshop series, participants will learn how to address these challenges for both themselves and their employees to mitigate these challenges, improve outcomes, and create anti-burnout culture. Each workshop’s content is intentionally standalone, however, each session also builds on earlier materials.

Experiential Self-Care for Nonprofit Practitioners with Lacy AlanaIf you're struggling to balance your own needs, and the needs of others in the midst of increasing demands of your work - you're not alone. Though you know that self-care is important, it may feel like your favorite self-care "go-tos" aren't meeting your needs right now, or that you're just not able to do the self-care you know might be helpful. This experiential workshop series provides an interactive and engaging opportunity to explore and understand self-care in new ways. During this series, you'll have an opportunity to engage in a supportive learning space that teaches new skills and frameworks while also giving you a committed hour of self-care, connection, growth, and learning. You'll learn new tools, theory, techniques, psychological frameworks, and brain science that will help you to re-understand and re-invent your own self-care practice. Each week, we'll focus on a new topic designed to support and improve your wellness and well-being. Topics: WEEK 1 Alternative Mindfulness: While often great, traditional mindfulness and meditation don't work for everyone - and have the opposite effect for some. In this workshop, we'll explore alternative pathways to mindfulness and ways to engage in active meditation […]

Strategic Alliances and Funder Connections Series w/Susannah ErlerStrategic Alliances and Funder Connections Series July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29th @ noon.July 1st at noonFunder Focus: Connect with The Moody FoundationGain insights from and interact with the Moody Foundation – whose mission is to empower Texas communities to thrive and prosper. Senior Grants Officer Bernice Torregrossa will describe the philanthropic work of the foundation, including pivots made in response to events of the past year. Nonprofit professionals: come and learn more about the Foundation’s priorities and about what makes an inspiring grant proposal from a funder’s perspective.July 8 at noonNonprofit Professionals: Let’s Talk About Your CareerWe entered the nonprofit sector for many reasons. Now that you are here, what will your career path look like going forward? Whether or not you are currently looking for a new job, it is a good idea to periodically spend time on this question. In this session, you will actively start that process: examine your work values, learn about career scenarios, hear job search tactics and network with other nonprofit professionals.July 15 at noonFunder Focus: Connect with The Trellis FoundationYour participation is invited as we learn more about The Trellis Foundation – whose focus […]