HU’s breakfast bootcamp© & long lunch learning ©
book sense, common sense, professional practice
designed to improve skills in 1 or 2 parts - over a meal !!!
ABC’s OF EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION
Funders demand collaboration so good people from different groups become partners. They try, fail, and often damage relationships. Understand these ABC’s, identify deal-breakers, and protect your interests to mitigate and/or avoid the proven pitfalls and landmines.
BAKE SALES OR BENEFACTORS ?
A mature organization doesn't do things the same way ... hoping for different outcomes. It works from a sound, strategic business plan supported by a diverse financial portfolio, and carried out by board members and staff who understand the boundaries that separate their roles. Bake sales have their place but do not bring financial stability and sustainability. Freebies like volunteers, donated furniture, etc., cannot replace capacity building. Develop a (mostly) do-it-yourself plan with objectives to achieve financial sustainability.
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
An obstacle becomes an opportunity when "Ahh Hell!"becomes an "Ahh HAA!!" Experience elements of SYNECTICS (Arthur D. Little Inventors' group process), imagery, deconstruction analysis, and risk-free pursuit of solutions that you can adapt and do without us!!!!
DEATH BY POWERPOINT ( ..is a crime!!)
Powerpoint is a great tool for making your "points"...not projecting the full narrative. Too many flips, fades, and swirling fonts... too small to read ..can annoy, distract, or trigger "Just give me the hard copy and I'll leave". Only a training or wedding (may) deserve 20+ slides!!
EFFECTIVE MEETINGS (...not always an oxymoron)
Mindful planning and execution of Board/staff/Town Hall/Focus Group/Networking/other meetings supports tangible outcomes. Clarity of purpose, format, content, ground rules, and preparation of participants are essential components of a “good” meeting. Save lo-o-o-ng sessions for doing an action plan, training, orientation, CEO interview, or damage control. Learn formats that guide efficient completion of various types of meetings.
EVENT EXCELLENCE
Develop effective blueprint , formula, and your template for events that educate, inform, convert, generate revenues, launch products, guarantee a really good time.. some or all of the above ...without losing sleep or money!!! Planning Guide and sample forms included.
HANDBOOK FOR HANDOUTS (H4H)
It IS possible to have a smart, minimally painful response to a $2 or $2500 donation. If you've EVER been asked to give to a cause - worthy or not... H4H aids your desire to be a good corporate citizen, protects your sanity, and make small/large donations work for you. Tax exempt..tax deductible..what’s the difference? Does time spent dealing with requests warrant outsourcing, using a re-granting entity ,a fiduciary, or a "Bah humbug" sign? Do you set/keep a cap on annual giving? Your charitable giving initiative (CGI) should suit your purpose. The H4H manual and follow up support are available to fine -tune your CGI.
NEEDY AND WORTHY
Your Service/Arts/Advocacy organization does good work. Clients, members, and the angels know you do good work. So, why don't you own your building and rack in donor dollars yet? Standards of Excellence, financial audits, and a Case Statement, ( or the lack thereof) are elements that signal donors that you are worthy of support. The do-it-yourself modules help define what it is you do, the needs that compel you to do it, the vision, track record, and organizational elements, that demonstrate that you are worthy of a donor's investment.
NETWORKING - An Art...A Science
Schmoozology and a business card are necessary, but not sufficient components, of effective networking. In planned or impromptu networking give, get, and be plesantly surprised!!!
PRIMER FOR CONSULTANTS
So..you have/think you have expertise/skills that a) can be marketable professional service, b) can help you morph from employee to full/part-time independent contractor, or, c) get you through a Recession and beyond? Define what you really do - or want to do, chart a course from employee to consultant, and get at least a corner of the market. RFP vs RFQ, Cost Proposals, Common Pitfalls, Licenses, Short Lists, Fees, and how to actually get Paid!!
RE-VISITING ACTIVISM 101
Elements of succesful activism are time- tested and proven in movements for Civil, Union, Women's, Gay Rights and, yes, even THE Tea Party. Effective Change Agents possess skills in Personal management, Institutional Analysis, Creative Problem-solving, Collaboration, and can plan and execute projects, programs, OR revolutions! Thi i an overview of the constellation of skills and guides: from Rules for Radicals to Lao Tzu. Let's you know what Change Agents know, how they learned it, and guidance on how you join the ranks.
SELF-CARE FOR WORKPLACE SURVIVAL
You spend the majority of waking hours on the job. A hectic, stressful, or toxic environment takes a toll on health. What to do? Be radically honest about a) your job-related skills and personal management skills, b)how the workplace supports (or NOT) your health and career goals, c) need for an escape Plan. Begin the process of making the workplace work for you .
SELF-CARE AND SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR VOLUNTEERS
Who : New or seasoned Board members or volunteers. What: Expectations, Appropriate Tasks, Ethics, Burn-out, Recognition, Schedule, Liability.Why: Develop understanding and tools for more rewarding, less stressed experience. Protect volunteers AND organization.
STRATEGIC GRANTSMANSHIP ( definitely NOT grant writing 101)
If you've suffered through an escapade of grant writing/management, HU offers a Strategic approach that increases the probability of success: From systematic identification of likely funders, to focused processes, and "pre-sets" that can virtually eliminate all-nighters as standard operating procedure for grant applications or reporting. Simple oversight and evaluation seamlessly integrated into existing workplans make it all manageable. Includes
Logic Models, institutional analysis, self-help checklist and more.
STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR SMART FOLKS
Not all cola is Coke, not all copies are Xerox, and not all plans are Strategic. A bona fide Strategic Plan is an outcome of a process that anticipates and clearly defines opportunity , challenge, and trade-offs of deliberated response options vs brainstormed ideas. Action plans, multi-year plans, workplans may or may not be strategic. A Vision, Mission, Goals, and SWOT, don't make a SP. And a high- priced weekend retreat with your crew as the sole stakeholders rarely connects the dots between organization's mandate, the PEST elements, Board work plan, management operations plans, and individual staff work plans. Do the weekend exercise only if you'd be inclined to build a house without a blueprint, a General Contractor's Master Plan, and subcontractor workplans.
WHO SPEAKS FIRST ...when you approach a group of local folk on St. Croix ??
Practical nuggets to help navigate Cultural differences in a USVI workplace …or at K-Mart! What faux pas have you already committed? Find out about Social norms and nuanced behavior from a 3 decade Yankee transplant and a Crucian of a respectable age. This session is a wise, humorous alternative to living with; a) Frustration, b) Condescension, c) Bemused acceptance. REALLY good for those who only hang out with other Yankees… doing just what they did up North... content to think of gundy as the former Coach of the Knicks!!! "I’ve lived here more than 10 years and didn’t know half of what I learned today”. D.L, Good Hope School