The Ask

Laura Fredricks, Laura Fredricks, LLC

It has never been more important than now to know exactly how to make the “right” ask of our donors. Equally important is knowing how to ask our volunteers and board members for help with fundraising in a language they can understand so that they will be motivated to raise money, AND implementing the fundraising skills we fundraisers have to ASK for ourselves. Laura will discuss these insights from her new book: The ASK: How to ASK for Support for Your Nonprofit Cause, Creative Project or Business Venture.

Mapping Strategy and Governance Part 1                                                            

Marty Martin, Martin Law Firm 

A nonprofit’s board and executive director must manage if they are to fulfill their mission. Through a combination of lecture and discussion arising from a short case study, participants in this fast paced presentation will be introduced to the concepts of a strategy map and the Balanced Scorecard as a governance and management tool to translate a nonprofit’s mission into a focused strategy with measurable and operational actions. This workshop will be taught over two 90 minute sessions.  (Board Development/Governance Track) (101)

Mapping Strategy and Governance Part 1 Presentation

Mapping Strategy and Governance Handouts

Turning Annual Donors into Major Donors                                                           

Laura Fredricks, Laura Fredricks, LLC                       

Often the best prospects are the ones who just made gifts.  However, nonprofit organizations usually have a pool of annual donors, and a separate list of “top tier” major gift prospects.  This session presents a new approach of working with your best annual donors and turning them into big contributors. Through Laura’s best practices, participants will learn how to sort and rate your existing prospect base; gather essential prospect research to create donor profiles for each prospect; cultivate one prospect pool at a time to the point of asking for major gifts; manage your time and your staff’s time; and work with your next tier of prospects so that you are constantly adding new donors to your major gift prospect pool. (Resource Development Track)

Turning Annual Donors into Major Donors Presentation

Recruiting and Training Volunteers- Filling the Holes in Your Nonprofit Structure            

Judy Almand, Almand Consulting, LLC    

Attendees will evaluate the structure of their non-profits and examine practical ways to fill any holes with volunteers, enabling them to grow their programs and income, no matter what the economy is doing. Through an overview presentation and small-group work, attendees will leave with specific recruiting and training strategies. (Community Engagement Track)

Recruiting and Training Volunteers- Filling the Holes in Your Nonprofit Structure Presentation

Strategic Planning in the Reset Economy                                                            

Peter Lucash, Digital CPE, LLC     

As the US emerges from the 2007-2010 recession, the economic landscape will have changed radically: household wealth is down, jobs are fewer, more unstable and fluid, increased global interaction, the Baby Boomers retiring, consumers spending less and saving more. In this session, we will focus on strategies for nonprofits: more donors and lower per donor gifts, pressure on volunteer time, changing community needs (aging population, job skills constantly need to be renewed) and increased demands for accountability and transparency from donors, government and the public.  (Organizational Capacity Track) (CPE Eligible)

Strategic Planning in the Reset Economy Presentation

QuickBooks for Non-Profits--Keeping On Top of Your Organization’s Finances                    

Gerald Sweitzer, Non-Profit Success      

QuickBooks continues its reign as the most popular financial management software within the non-profit community. You will see the Non-Profit edition key templates for common board reports, tracking donations and pledges, grants, and income and expense by program. New for 2010 is an improved organization snapshot.  Most popular 3rd party donor management packages export into QuickBooks.   (Informational Management/Accountability Track) (CPE Eligible)

QuickBooks for Non-Profits--Keeping On Top of Your Organization's Finances Presentation Part One

QuickBooks for Non-Profits--Keeping On Top of Your Organization's Finances Presentation Part Two

Mapping Strategy and Governance Part 2                                                            

Marty Martin, Martin Law Firm 

A nonprofit’s board and executive director must manage if they are to fulfill their mission. Through a combination of lecture and discussion arising from a short case study, participants in this fast paced presentation will be introduced to the concepts of a strategy map and the Balanced Scorecard as a governance and management tool to translate a nonprofit’s mission into a focused strategy with measurable and operational actions. This workshop will be taught over two 90 minute sessions. (Board Development/Governance Track)

Mapping Strategy and Governance Part 2 Presentation

Planned Giving: The New Major Gift                                                                      

Cindy van den Beemt, The Winkler Group           

Latest philanthropic trends confirm that Planned Gifts are the new Major Gifts. If you are not actively pursuing planned giving opportunities, your organization is missing out on untapped fundraising potential. Go beyond technical information to learn best practices and strategy to build and strengthen a planned giving program.  (Resource Development Track) (101)

Planned Giving: The New Major Gift Presentation

Lessons from the Field: Effective Ways to Partner with Faith-Based Organizations           

Charles Weathers, The Weathers Group              

The renewed interest in partnering with Faith-Based Organizations has created a need for successful models that increase access to services and build sustainability. Join a panel of experts representing faith-based initiatives and learn how to build meaningful relationships with the Faith community to enhance your service delivery. (Community Engagement Track)

Lessons from the Field: Effective Ways to Partner with Faith-Based Organizations Presentation

Organizational RX:  Band Aid or Major Surgery?                                 

Bunnie Lempesis-Ward, Jennifer Moore and Karen Oliver, United Way of the Midlands

If your nonprofit underwent an annual check-up, what would the doctor find?  Is your nonprofit healthy and growing or stressed out and struggling to keep pace?  This workshop will provide you the tools to assess your organization and prioritize challenges that can undermine an otherwise vibrant organization.  (Organizational Capacity Track)

Organizational RX: Band Aid or Major Surgery? Presentation Part One

Organizational RX: Band Aid or Major Surgery? Presentation Part Two

Organizational RX: Band Aid or Major Surgery? Presentation Part Three

What Every Financial Manager Should Know                                                   

Thomas Cox and Monica Rockwell, Cox & Company, PA

Financial managers typically spend far more time processing payroll, bookkeeping and performing other perfunctory tasks which don’t “advance the ball.”  This session will dispel common misconceptions and miscarriages of the financial management function.   (Informational Management/Accountability Track) (CPE Eligible)

What Every Financial Manager Should Know Presentation

Keeping the Boat Afloat

Paula Harper Bethea, Executive Director, SC Education Lottery                  

With the economic events of late, the challenges facing nonprofits are even larger and more complicated than any time frame in our memory.  Multi-tasking has taken a new meaning and requires a new definition.  And the warriors in charge of the day to day survival of organizations need to be "appreciated" and rewarded in special ways...by themselves and others.  This will be encouragement (and appreciation) for the boat's crew.  Sponsored by the Heritage Classic Foundation.

Navigating Transition: Executive Director Succession Planning                    

Colleen Bozard, ccbozard Consulting      

Change is coming –one in ten nonprofits goes through a leadership change each year, and this number is growing!  Boards must begin succession planning long before they are faced with a change in leadership.  Participants will learn how to create a climate that sets the stage for leadership transition as well as the specific steps to take when faced with an executive search. (Board Development/Governance Track)

Navigating Transition: Executive Director Succession Planning Presentation

Top 10 Best Practices in Federal Funds Acquisition and Management     

Karen Jenkins, JRJ Consulting, LLC  and Tammy Wilson, Wilson Consulting Associates

Participants will leave the session with the following: Online tools that assist in identifying federal grants, top 10 List of Federal Funds Strategy tips, a framework and methodology for assessing federal fund reporting requirements and assessing the systems and processes required to succeed in tracking outputs and outcomes and a takeaway resource disk that reinforces workshop components. (Resource Development Track)

Top 10 Best Practices in Federal Funds Acquisition and Management Presentation Part One

Top 10 Best Practices in Federal Funds Acquisition and Management Presentation Part Two

Top 10 Best Practices in Federal Funds Acquisition and Management Presentation Part Three

Marketing on a Shoestring Budget                                                                          

Carolyn Torgersen, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

How do you divvy up your almost non-existent marketing budget to produce the highest impact? A panel of marketing savvy gurus with small budgets will give their thoughts on how to beg, borrow and steal to make your nonprofit’s marketing efforts successful. (Organizational Capacity Track) (CPE Eligible)

Marketing on a Shoestring Budget Presentation

Using National Service Programs to Meet Your Mission                                 

Timothy Ervolina and Cathy Sharp, United Way Association of SC

What if your organization could afford to add full-time, executive level staff to help you serve your community? Find out how in this in-depth look at how National Service Programs can help your organization! (Organizational Capacity Track)

Using National Service Programs to Meet Your Mission Presentation

Google Tools for Non-Profits                                                                                    

Gerald Sweitzer, Non-Profit Success      

Learn how you can use Google tools to promote your cause, raise money, and operate more efficiently.  In just 10 years, Google has changed how we search for information. They have introduced applications such as Google Docs, You Tube, and Google Map & Earth.  We will look at many of their free tools which can help you navigate in the rough sea of change. (Informational Management/Accountability Track) (101)

Google Tools for Non-Profits Presentation Part One

Google Tools for Non-Profits Presentation Part Two

Are You on an Even Keel, or Walking the Gangplank? The Board/CEO Partnership                              

Denise Spencer, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry; Edwina Hoyle and John Weymouth, Memory Matters

Session Participants will leave with a better understanding of board roles, responsibilities, and pitfalls to avoid in the shared leadership of board and staff. Common understandings of the roles of each will make your organization run more like a cruise ship and less like a pirate ship! (Board Development/Governance Track)

Are You on an Even Keel, or Walking the Gangplank? The Board/CEO Partnership Presentation

Creating a Successful Inbound Marketing Campaign                                                  

Deborah Edmondson, Mission Resources Group              

An inbound marketing campaign is an effective tool for generating revenue, increasing membership, and generating inquiries.  This automated process saves time and money and can significantly boost response rates. Attendees will receive pointers on applying best-practices for creating and implementing a successful campaign. (Resource Development Track) (CPE Eligible)

Creating a Successful Inbound Marketing Campaign Presentation

Advocacy: Is it Time to Move Your Mission Forward?                                      

Rebecca Ramos and Coretta Bedsole, Palmetto Public Affairs     

The presentation will focus on increasing nonprofit capacity to promote an organization’s mission at the policy level.  Topics will include focus of and clarity of the organization’s mission; definition of advocacy; impediments to advocating; steps to creating an advocacy program; and advocating for change. (Community Engagement Track)

Advocacy: Is it Time to Move Your Mission Forward? Presentation Part One

Advocacy: Is it Time to Move Your Mission Forward? Presentation Part Two

Building a Bridge for Emerging Leaders (or How to Become an Executive Director)         

Colleen Bozard, ccbozard Consulting and Anne Sinclair, Resources Associates, Inc. 

Research indicates that there will not be enough people prepared to fill the extensive number of projected vacancies in nonprofit leadership as the Baby Boomers retire.  This session builds a bridge for these emerging leaders to obtain the skills and knowledge they need to learn to become effective executive directors.  (Organizational Capacity Track) (101)

Building a Bridge for Emerging Leaders (or How to Become an Executive Director) Presentation

I’m Being Audited By Who?  Nonprofit Does Not Equal Not at Risk         

Jill M. Vales, HR Experts on Demand

Many non-profits assume that they will not be audited for employment law compliance simply because they are not for profit.  This could not be farther from the truth.  As a non-profit, you are still required to comply with employment related laws.  Find out what HR essentials every non-profit should know. (Informational Management/Accountability Track) (CPE Eligible)

I'm Being Audited By Who? Nonprofit Does Not Equal Not at Risk Presentation

12:30 pm – 1:45 pm         LUNCH AND CLOSING KEYNOTE                                               

Riding the Wave: Strategies for Tomorrow's Nonprofit Community         

Diana Aviv, President and CEO, Independent Sector       

What lies on the horizon for the nonprofit community: calm waters, choppy seas, or a little of both?  In what promises to be a lively session, Diana Aviv, president and CEO of the Indipendent Sector, will explore ways that our sector and your organization can chart a clear course toward a vibrant, sustainable future in 2010.  Join Diana and catch the wave!  Sponsored by the Fluor Corporation

SOAR – To Develop a Strong Board                                                                      

Marty Martin, Martin Law Firm 

Like a ship’s captain, a nonprofit board of directors is responsible ultimately for what occurs on their watch. Are board members chosen or merely “shanghaied” into board service? How do you identify and recruit board members who then create a high performing board? Taught through lecture and discussion, workshop participants will be encouraged to improve their board through “SOAR” – a four step board development process to strengthen their board’s accountability and performance. (Board Development/Governance Track)

SOAR - To Develop a Strong Board Presentation

30 is the New 50: Engaging Major Donors Across Generations                 

Tucker Bradham, Corporate DevelopMint and Rachel Hutchisson, Blackbaud

Philanthropy stands at the precipice of a Golden Age, and with new generations of donors coming into play, only one thing will ensure that our most dependable sources of giving don’t waver: customization.  In this session, attendees will meet these new donors, and learn what they hope to achieve through giving and how best to approach would them for a gift.  (Resource Development Track)

30 is the New 50: Engaging Major Donors Across Generations Presentation

Work the Circle:  A 360-degree Model of Community Engagement and Fundraising         

Scott Dishman, The Wings of Hope Foundation

When the community is fully engaged in your mission, fundraising dollars come more easily and steadily over time.  In this workshop, you’ll learn the simple components of a 360-degree model of community engagement that will entice your donors to put their money where their hearts and minds are. (Community Engagement Track) (101)

Work the Circle: A 360-degree Model of Community Engagement and Fundraising Part One

Work the Circle: A 360-degree Model of Community Engagement and Fundraising Part Two

Embracing Technology as a Nonprofit: 5 Easy Steps                                         

Donald Hutson, eTapestry

This session explores the latest technology available for increasing awareness and fundraising as a Nonprofit organization.  As competition for fundraising dollars increases, there is a constant need for Nonprofit Organizations to evaluate technology and identify potential areas for improvement.  This session highlights how those tools have evolved and how, as a Nonprofit Organization, YOU can leverage them to your advantage.  For some, this topic can be a bit intimidating.  Come join us as we break down how simple and effective these methods can be for YOU.  You will leave the session with a notebook full of ideas and a plan for implementation.   (Organizational Capacity Track)

Embracing Technology as a Nonprofit: 5 Easy Steps Presentation

Volunteer Liability: What You Don’t Know About “Free” Workers Could Cost You                              

Linda Allen, First Nonprofit Insurance Company

Experienced volunteer coordinators and nonprofit CEOs know full well that volunteer service is anything but “free of charge.” Astute leaders must proceed with care when recruiting, training and deploying volunteers. Experts are predicting that volunteer numbers will climb as poor economic conditions continue. This workshop will explore some obvious, and some less-than-obvious risks presented by volunteers and offer practical strategies for getting the most out of volunteer service.  (Informational Management/Accountability Track) (CPE Eligible)

Volunteer Liability: What You Don't Know About "Free" Workers Could Cost You Presentation

Laura Fredricks, JD, is an expert fundraising consultant, international inspirational and motivational speaker, and best- selling author. She is the owner of her own boutique consulting company that provides training, coaching and proven best practices to a select number of non-profits and businesses, to raise significant money, efficiently and effectively, from a variety of existing and new sources.

Her best sellers include “The Ask: How to Ask Anyone for Any Amount for Any Purpose“ (Jossey Bass 2006), and “Developing Major Gifts: Turning Small Donors into Big Contributors (Jones and Bartlett 2001). Laura’s new book is due out January 2010: How to ASK for your Non Profit; your Creative Project; and your Business Venture.

Since 1994, Laura has been teaching nonprofit business management; leadership; fundraising trends; annual, major gift, planned giving, special events; and capital campaign courses on a certification and master’s degree level for University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, New York University, Duke University, and the Smithsonian Institution. Her speaking engagements include yearly presentations at the Association of Fundraising Professional’s (AFP) International Conference; eight International AFP Web Conferences; and keynote speaking presentations for numerous AFP Chapters nationwide as well as the Council for Support for Advancement and Education; Planned Giving Councils; Women in Development ; and a Master’s Class on “The Ask” at the International Fundraising Congress in the Netherlands. In 2009, Laura was invited by the Universities Australia to make several presentations to the communications, marketing, and development staffs on lessening the cultural barriers that prevent asking for money, while providing solid strategies on how everyone within the organization can have an important role in raising money.

She has trained numerous boards and CEO’s from national and international organizations to utilize their business and leadership skills to raise unrestricted and restricted money as well as worked with small and comprehensive development staffs and volunteers so that each organization is functioning as a cohesive fundraising team.

From 2002-2008, Laura was Vice President for Philanthropy, at Pace University in New York, NY, where she raised over $92 million in six years for Pace’s Centennial Capital Campaign. She oversaw all aspects of fundraising, alumni relations, and special events for a staff of 35 on five campuses.

Previously she served as Associate Vice President for Development at Temple University, Philadelphia, where she managed and coordinated the major and planned giving programs, corporate and foundation funding, and alumni relations for 15 schools and colleges, two hospitals, and the athletic program. Prior positions include Major Gifts Manager for Deborah Hospital Foundation; Assistant Director of Development for Temple University’s School of Medicine; and Director of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.

Laura is a communications graduate of Rutgers College, New Brunswick, NJ, and holds a law degree from Western New England College School of Law. Prior to her fundraising career, she clerked for an appellate court judge in Pennsylvania, and practiced law for over six years as a Deputy Attorney General IV for the Attorney General’s Office, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, specializing in civil litigation.

Her community involvement includes serving as a board member for Cherry Lane Theater, NY; a board member for the AFP Greater New York Chapter; an advisory board member for New York University and Columbia University’s Masters in Fundraising Programs; and a volunteer for the Bedford, Barrow, Commerce Block Association, NY, and the Caring Community, NY.

Laura can be reached at www.laura-fredricks.com.

Paula Harper Bethea is Executive Director of the South Carolina Education Lottery. Mrs. Bethea was one of nine South Carolinians chosen to establish the Lottery in 2001 and is active in numerous local, state and national organizations.

Mrs. Bethea is Chairman of the Centers for Economic Excellence Board and is a member of the Board of New Carolina. Mrs. Bethea chairs The Caring Coins Foundation on Hilton Head Island and is immediate past Chair of the Board of the Hilton Head Regional Medical Center. She is Vice-Chairman of the Board of First Financial Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary, First Federal of Charleston, and she is a Founding Board Member of the Palmetto Institute where she serves as Secretary. She is a life member of Independent Colleges and Universities of South Carolina; a member of the Board of the MCI Heritage Classic Foundation; a Member Emeritus of the Board of the MUSC Foundation at the Medical University of South Carolina. Mrs. Bethea is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Presbyterian College and Vice-Chairman of the Board of the South Carolina Research Foundation. She is a past Chair of the Board of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Columbia College (1998-2000) and of the Heart and Vascular Center at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Mrs. Bethea serves as Chair Emeritus of the United Way of America's Board of Governors, having been Chair in 1996-1997. As a member of the Board of Governors, she served as Chair of the National Initiatives Committee, the United Ways’ Leadership Conference, and the Community Impact Committee. She was also the United Way Liaison to the NFL and a member of the Board of United Way International. In addition to her national leadership, Mrs. Bethea serves as a former Chair of the United Way of South Carolina, and former Chair of the United Way of Beaufort County.

In addition, Mrs. Bethea is a former Board Chair of the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce; former member of the South Carolina State Ethics Commission, the Cultural Council of Hilton Head Island, and the Hilton Head Health Foundation, where in 1985 she co-chaired the successful 3.5 Million Dollar Partners for Life Campaign for the Hilton Head Hospital. In 1991, Mrs. Bethea served as a member of the South Carolina State Chamber's Task Force for Restructuring State Government, and was a member and subcommittee Chair of the Governor's Commission on Restructuring.

Mrs. Bethea was named Zonta Club's Woman of the Year in 1984, Hilton Head Island's Citizen of the Year in 1985 and was presented the South Carolina Jaycee's Outstanding Young American for Community Service Award as well as the South Carolina Women of Achievement Award in 1995. In 1992, Governor Carroll Campbell honored her with the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest award for volunteer service to the State. She was awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 1998 by the University of South Carolina and in 2003, she was awarded the Columbia College Medallion – the most distinguished commendation bestowed by the College. In 2006, Paula and her husband Bill were South Carolina’s Business Leaders of the Year.

Mrs. Bethea was born in Hampton County, South Carolina, and graduated from Estill High School. In 1975, she graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina and moved to Hilton Head Island in 1977. Paula is married to William L. Bethea, Jr., and they reside in Bluffton, South Carolina.