CSM to Host Seventh Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference
Nonprofit employees, board members, volunteers and supporters are invited to participate in this year’s annual Nonprofit Institute Conference “Jumpstart Your Leadership!” at the College of Southern Maryland. The seventh annual conference, which features a wealth of local experts on nonprofits and leadership issues, will be held 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 28 at CSM’s La Plata Campus.
The conference is a chance to rethink, recharge and prepare for the future, all while networking with others in the nonprofit world. The event will feature workshops led by leaders in the field in a variety of topics that affect every nonprofit — marketing, fundraising, management, strategic planning and leadership.
“The Nonprofit Institute Annual Conference is one of the many services the institute provides to the Southern Maryland region. It is designed to provide current and relevant information to nonprofit organizations to assist in achieving their missions,” said Barbara Ives, CSM director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships. “The conference is also a wonderful opportunity to connect or reconnect with friends from other organizations to build collaboration in project work and partnerships.”
Conference participants can choose from a variety of workshops. They can learn about social media analytics from Kristen Titsworth, the award-winning web services director at CSM, or content marketing from Chris Ripley, owner of the Strategic Marketing Group, a Waldorf-based marketing and development firm. Branding expert Maggy Sterner will present a workshop on mission-driven branding.
Topics in fundraising will include fundraising development, presented by Denise Foster, who has worked with nonprofits across several states to provide best impact to the community, and a board’s role in advancement and development, presented by Linda Gottfried, who has led many nonprofits in their philanthropy efforts and, most recently, served as director of philanthropy for MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center.
Workshops about management will include Nick Lewis of Raley, Watts and O’Neill Insurance presenting about unemployment insurance and John Felicitas, with 37 years in the education field, including work as a senior policy analyst for the National Education Association, leading a segment about building diversity. Certified Public Accountant John Wiland, a partner with Mullen, Sondberg, Winbush and Stone, will lead a workshop on nonprofit financial literacy.
CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried will lead a workshop on “Strategic Planning 101” and Dr. Jim Wilson of SLOFLT Group LLC, a retired Navy captain who has led various defense acquisition programs and business development organizations within Raytheon, will present on board recruitment. George Connelly, legislative and governmental affairs director for the Chesapeake Regional Association of Realtor Brokers, will discuss strategic retention programs.
Leadership workshops will include one led by Kim Rosenfield, a certified financial planner practitioner and chartered retirement plan specialist with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in La Plata, who serves on the advisory boards for the Nonprofit Institute of Charles County, The Community Foundation of Southern Maryland and the CSM Foundation, who will talk about how to be an effective board member. Steve Morgan, executive director of The Arc Baltimore since 1985, will review leadership during a crisis. Matt Scassero, director of the University of Maryland Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Site and former chief contracts officer for Melwood, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting people with differing abilities, will talk about cultivating staff and volunteers for leadership roles.
Following lunch, the conference will culminate with a panel discussion on leadership in the nonprofit community featuring Director of Hospice of St. Mary’s Kathy Franzen, CEO of Walden/Sierra Dr. Kathy O’Brien, U.S. Navy veteran and veteran advocate Bill Buffington, Southern Maryland Regional Director for the Small Business Development Center Ellen Flowers-Fields and founder of Farming 4 Hunger Bernie Fowler Jr.
For information, visit www.csmd.edu/NPIconference.