Join Amy Carmack of LeaderVersity Resources as we delve into Warm Ups, Ice Breakers, and Re-focusing Activities...with a POINT! No more over-used BINGO mixers! Come prepared to have fun and learn ways to bring groups/work teams/Boards to a higher level of effectiveness as the "walls of resistance" come tumbling down!

Relationship Building

February 17, 2011

Join Brian Marshall of ASA, the Alliance for Strategic Advantage, as he takes us through five stages of development from understanding how to re-think our business and messages through the eyes of a "connector", to, ultimately, becoming a "connector" that others want to be associated with, regardless of our profession.

Case Study: Value of Strategy for NPOs (Note:This is a Lunch Program)

March 17, 2011

TimeLine Theatre is the 2009 winner of the Association for Strategic Planning’s (ASP) prestigious Richard Goodman Award for Excellence in Strategic Planning (not-for-profit category).  John Sterling will present a case study exploring how this small, non-profit theatre used experienced based strategic planning to guide its development throughout the 2000's and achieve dramatic growth.

Finding Advocates in New Places:

Cultivating Organization Leadership (Staff and Board)

April 21, 2011(Tentative)

As nonprofit organizations we are always working to build our donor base, but have you thought about your "advocate-base" recently? Your advocates are individuals who know the value that your organization brings to the community and can speak about your mission - they help open doors to new donors, new board members, and other advocates. We can find advocates in the people and families we serve, in our volunteers, and even online through social media. But have you looked to your local businesses lately in search of new advocates?? SWSPN is proud to welcome the Will Grundy Human Resources Association to speak with us about the value of creating advocates for your organization in the HR departments of your local businesses. Who better to talk with others about your organization’s important mission than individuals who have experienced first-hand the impact that has been made in the lives of their employees

Cultivating Organizational Leadership

May 19, 2011

The leadership of your organization and/or Board can be significantly stifled if it is not functioning healthily. Without everyone on a collaborative platform, moving forward becomes a difficult task. Learn the skills to cultivate your staff and Board to strengthen your organizational leadership team from Sally Rutledge-Ott, ACE; President & CEO of Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce, and Principal at Women With Power! And American Backroad Riders. Ms. Rutledge has over 20 years experience as a nonprofit specialist in change management, fundraising and promotion, development and strategic planning and is a change management expert, leading teams in customer-driven environments.

Integrated Social Media Workshop

June16, 2011

In two half-day workshops, accommodating all experience levels, our workshop leader Christina Johns will help you create an integrated social media plan for your organization. Covering the topics such as Facebook pages 101, how to start with Twitter and begin tweeting, strategic elements of social media, and how to set and measure manageable goals for social media; Ms. Johns will help you begin actually creating an actionable and sustainable plan for your organization’s social media outreach. Ms. Johns is currently the Online Media Manager at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and a regular contributor to FundraisingSuccess.

Building Your Annual Fund (Tentative)

August 19, 2011

(Please note the different date for this program.)
SWSPN is excited to possibly host a renowned national consultant and author to speak with our group on how to build your organization's annual fund. Stay tuned for details!

Joint Meeting with the Joliet Chamber of Commerce

September 22, 2011

Join SWSPN and the Joliet Chambers of Commerce for our joint luncheon. This annual event is a great opportunity to connect with local business leaders and share the importance of giving back in the community. Speaking this year on the power of philanthropy will be the 2010 SWSPN Philanthropists of the Year award recipients: Ed and Gloria Dollinger.

Book Review

October 5, 2011

The inaugural book discussion program was held last year and we learned a lot. This year promises to be even more engaging! Plan now to join session leader, Katie Wiedman and a panel of SWSPN members as they review books that are important to people in philanthropy. Bring one book from your shelf to recommend to others - a book that has made a difference in your own professional development.

Awards Breakfast

November 2, 2011

Join SWSPN members and friends for our fifth Annual SWSPN Awards Breakfast, honoring local philanthropists and community leaders in the public and private sectors.

Holiday Idea Exchange

December 7, 2011

To close out our 2011 program series we will enjoy another session of idea sharing. Bring your toughest questions, share ideas and solutions, offer samples of your creative work, and gather feedback from your colleagues during this session.