March 8, 2010

Census, ‘ONEplace ONEyear Survey,’ and Workshops Support Nonprofits

March is a key month for Census 2010 efforts and activities: On March 3, the Kalamazoo County Complete Count Committee kicked off local efforts to get everyone counted. Public message campaigns and activities encouraging participation in the census—a confidential count that will effect so many aspects of individual and community life over the next decade—begin now! Kalamazoo Public Library has resources geared toward individuals, and four branches will serve as Questionnaire Assistance Centers and Be Counted Sites.

Nonprofits and the Census: Nonprofits, especially those working with populations at risk of not being counted, have a critical role in reaching out, building confidence in the process, and encouraging their constituents to participate. Many excellent resources are available to help nonprofits engage their constituents in the process through the Nonprofits Count website.

ONEplace is offering a Census Resources Roundtable March 10 from noon to 1:30 pm—to show nonprofit executives, program/service directors, and communications staff how to navigate the Census 2010 Nonprofits Count site to find resources and ideas for using them. Participants will also have the opportunity to share plans and ideas already underway. Register online.

ONEplace ONEyear Survey: ONEplace reached its first anniversary last week and we want to know how we’re doing. To learn how you have interacted with ONEplace, the value it has had for you and your organization, and how we can become a more valuable resource, we will be sending a very brief survey later this week. Please take the 5 to 8 minutes needed to complete it and submit it by the deadline of March 23. We value your feedback.

The Workshop Schedule for March is filled with a wide variety of topics and target audiences. Please review the listing below and online to keep up-to-the-minute on current opportunities. And, encourage others in your nonprofit (staff, board, volunteers) to subscribe to the eNews/eBlasts to receive the latest information at ONEplace and throughout the region.

Unless otherwise noted, these free, public programs take place at Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 S Rose St., Kalamazoo. Registration is required; register online . Workshops (but not Networks) are qualified trainings for participants of Michigan NOW! and Recover Michigan. Feel free to bring your lunch to noontime programs.

March 9, Choosing the Right Database
Board Room - 10:00 am to Noon
Determining your organization's database needs and finding a program/service that meets them--and is affordable and user-friendly--is challenging. There are many products and web-based services available today. This webinar will help you evaluate your needs and strategically select the database right for you. Presented by the staff of Highway T (formerly NPower Michigan).
Target audience: Leadership and operations staff of small to mid-sized nonprofits.  Register online.

March 10, Roundtable: NP Programs and Census 2010
Van Deusen Room – Noon to 1:30 pm
Nonprofits play a critical role in assuring the 2010 census count accurately reflects at-risk populations. Human service and faith-based programs are often the only trusted outreach sites for education on the importance of being counted. Learn about resources available to help. Presenters: Karen Santamaria and Bobbe A. Luce of ONEplace.
Target audience: EDs program/service directors, and communication staff working with populations at risk of not being counted. Register online.

March 11, Grant Proposal Writing Basics
Van Deusen Room – Noon to 1:30 pm
Learn step-by-step procedures for writing powerful grant proposals that meet the requirements of potential funders/grantors. Review key items to include and discuss ways to develop strong relationships with granting organizations. Presented by Bobbe A. Luce, ONEplace director. 
Target audience: Individuals new to writing grant proposals.  Register online

March 15, Survey Data Collection for Evaluation: Getting the Digits
Van Deusen Room – 1:00  to 4:00 pm
How is your program making out? Surveying your program participants is one relatively quick and easy way to measure the outcomes of your nonprofit’s efforts. Interactive survey strategies will also be reviewed, so that you can become a magnet for high response rates. Attendees will leave with a draft survey instrument and a data collection plan. Presenter: Stephanie Evergreen from The Evaluation Center at WMU.
Target audience: EDs and program directors of 501c3s (Third of a four-part series) Register online.
 
March 16, Media Mania II: A Closer Look at the Internet and Social Media
Van Deusen Room – 9:30 am to Noon
The importance of connecting with your many constituents through your website and other media continues to grow. Learn how to: build a better website, attract new visitors, and convert visitors to followers; run 24/7 fundraising campaigns; leverage Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and more. Presented by Dominick Gladstone, owner of Gladstone and Associates and Act Naturally Studios.
Target audience: EDs, communication staff, and volunteers of small to mid-sized nonprofits. Register online.

March 17 Nonprofit Consultants & Trainers (NC&T) Network
KPL Oshtemo Branch– 10:15 to 11:45 am
Consultants and trainers working with nonprofit organizations in Kalamazoo County meet to: network; build their skills; and support the efforts of ONEplace and local nonprofit organizations.
Target audience: Independent consultants and trainers with significant expertise in their chosen fields who work full- or part-time in the nonprofit sector. Register online.

March 18, Roundtable: Administrators & Operations Directors Network
KPL Second Floor Conference Room - Noon to 1:30 pm
Nonprofits have many of the same legal, HR, operational, and risk management issues and requirements as businesses. 
Focusing energies and resources on the infrastructure of your organization will prevent potential risks and increase your ability to carry out your mission-driven work. Learn what others are doing and ways to improve your systems, procedures, and liability-protection. Facilitated by Bobbe A. Luce, ONEplace director. (Feel free to bring your lunch.) Register online.

March 24, Collaborations, Mergers, & Dissolutions
Van Deusen Room - 10:00 to 11:30 am
Multiple-organization efforts can increase synergies to address community challenges. They can also lead to cost savings and efficiency gains that ultimately increase benefits to constituents. Learn the legal, practical, and relational issues to consider when entering a collaboration or merger, or when facing a dissolution. Presented by William C. Bower, JD, and law students from the Legal Clinic at Michigan State University.
Target audience: EDs and boards members of nonprofit organizations. Register online.

March 24, The Innovation Impulse
Board Room – 1:00 to 2:30 pm 
Gain a competitive fundraising advantage by learning your organization's current 'stage of innovation,' and ways to increase creativity and innovative actions across your organization. Webinar presented by AFP and Bernard Ross, author and fundraising consultant.
Target audience: Entry to mid-level development professionals. Register online.

March 25, Roundtable: Board Leadership Network
Second Floor Conference Room - Noon to 1:30 pm
Nonprofit boards are the governing body of their organizations. A simple statement, but what does that mean? What specific responsibilities do board leaders have? What common challenges do they face? This new, informal Roundtable will help answer these questions--and others you bring to the table--to increase your ability to advance your organization's mission, increase capacities, and assure sustainability. Bobbe A. Luce, director of ONEplace, facilitates.
Target audience: Board presidents, incoming presidents, and executive committee members.  Register online.