Networking and partnerships — all nonprofits rely on these cooperative relationships to fulfill their mission.
Fostering those critical relationships will be the focus of the College of Southern Maryland’s Eighth Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at CSM’s La Plata Campus, Center for Business and Industry (BI Building).
“Our annual conference is an opportunity to step back from day-to-day operations and rethink how we approach our mission and pick up some new ideas,” said CSM Interim Vice President and Dean of CSM Prince Frederick and Director of Strategic Partnerships Barbara Ives. “And this year’s theme of fostering relationships is particularly compelling, being applicable to every level of a nonprofit organization.”
The upcoming conference is designed to benefit nonprofit board members, chief executives, staff, sponsors, volunteers, community and business leaders, young professionals and consultants committed to strengthening nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve.
Following check-in, a continental breakfast and time for networking, conference participants will have the opportunity to select relationship-related workshops throughout five topic areas: leadership, strategic planning, management, marketing and fundraising during three 50-minute breakout sessions. Examples include a workshop on “Relationships with Elected Officials” to be presented by President and CEO of Calvert County Chamber of Commerce Bob Carpenter; “It’s More than Just Posting: How to Create an Effective Social Media Plan” to be presented by Talisha Dunn-Square, a lecturer with Bowie State University’s Department of Communications and an award-winning public relations, journalism and marketing professional with more than 10 years of industry experience; and “Stepping Stones to Better Project Planning: Skills for the “Accidental” Project Manager” to be presented by Linda Howard, board of directors president for the National Capital Region Chapter of the Institute of Management Consultants and owner of Howard Consulting, LLC.
At noon, lunch will be served, followed by a panel discussion on “Fostering Relationships,” featuring Calvert Health Foundation Board of Directors Chair Lynette Entzian and Executive Director Theresa Johnson, Lifestyles of Maryland Board of Directors Chair Earle Knapp and Executive Director Sandy Washington; and The Patuxent Partnership Board of Directors Gene Townsend and Executive Director Bonnie Green.
In addition to hosting this annual conference, the Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland provides many programs year-round designed to meet an organization’s interests and needs. These programs include: monthly executive director learning circles and roundtables; affinity groups; Volunteer SOMD, an online program for posting volunteer opportunities; training courses; and more.
For information on the Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland, visit https://www.csmd.edu/community/institutes/nonprofit-institute/. For information on the Feb. 22 conference, including how to register, visit https://www.csmd.edu/community/institutes/nonprofit-institute/conference-information/. An early bird rate is available to those who register by Feb. 1.
Calendar
CSM Eighth Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference. 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 22. College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, Center for Business and Industry (BI Building), La Plata. The theme of the Eighth Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference will be “Fostering Relationships.” Nonprofit board members, chief executives, staff, sponsors, volunteers, community and business leaders, young professionals and consultants committed to strengthening nonprofit organizations are invited to participate. Early bird rate for St. Mary’s and Charles County nonprofits (on or before Feb. 1) is $45 per person, and regular rate (after Feb. 1) is $55 per person. Early bird rate for nonprofits in all other counties (on or before Feb. 1) is $65 per person, and the regular rate (after Feb. 1) is $75 per person. www.csmd.edu/calendar/community-events/laplata/8th-annual-npi-conference, nonprofit@csmd.edu.