FACING CHANGE is a four-day peer-to-peer learning and strategy-sharing retreat that will attempt to answer these questions.  Executive directors of nonprofit organizations will come together to learn and to discuss how to anticipate and to plan effectively for the challenges a nonprofit and its partners will face in the immediate or long-term future.

The retreat will focus specifically on an organization's board governance, fund development, use of human resources and the structural changes (from networks to mergers) needed to meet these challenges.

An outcome session will be held Friday, November 6 which will provide an opportunity for participants to regroup and assess their organization's individual progress, discuss speed-bumps and obtain advice on moving forward.

August 5,  Day One (Afternoon Session)

• Welcome Luncheon
  The retreat will be open with a luncheon and a setting up of retreat expectations and goals by UConn Nonprofit Leadership Program director, Dr. David Garvey.
  
  
• Leading in a Changing Environment: Understanding the Process of Change for You and the Organization
  With Brian Langdon, former CEO of FSW, Inc and David Garvey, Director of the UConn Nonprofit Leadership Program
  
  Brian Langdon brings his three decades of experience building FSW with his staff, board, funders, customer partners, organizational collaborative partners and community stakeholders to the table. FSW is one of the oldest, comprehensive private, Nonprofit human service agencies in Connecticut.
  
  Brian will share his lessons learned from change: how it has impacted him as a person, managed it as an executive director; and how he has led his organization through change. As we move forward with our three days of being together let this be a starting point for sharing your experience with your peers and grounding our work.
  
  
• Dinner: Barbecue
  • "Mentoring," a presentation by the 2009 Quest Program Cohort of Leadership Greater Hartford

August 6, Day two:

• Leading for High Impact in Tumultuous Times
  with Meghan Lowney, Principle, Ripple Effect
  
  During challenging times, how can you lead so your organization remains mission-focused, yet flexible? How do you ensure your organization is not only surviving, but is THRIVING?
  
  This day will provide you with strategies for action to accelerate the change you want in your organization’s financial and human (board, staff, volunteers) resources.   Facilitated by Meghan Lowney, principal of Ripple Effect Consulting and a former Executive Director, this day-long session will prepare you with at least three action steps for implementation at your organization.  You will have the opportunity for peer coaching, small group work and individual reflection to devise a plan for increased organizational impact, accountability and learning.
  
  
• Human Resource Luncheon Panel Discussion (12-1:30): Emerging Leaders: What Are Their Assets, Needs and Desires
  Moderator: Dr. David Garvey, University of Connecticut Nonprofit Leadership Program
  Panelists
  • Matthew Bennett and Michelle Cote, Co-Directors of the Purpose Project
  • Meg Busse, Director of the Nonprofit Career Transitions Program at idealist.org and author of The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for First-time Job Seekers
  • Fahd Vahidy, Executive Director, Public Allies Connecticut
    
    
• Continuation of Day: 2pm – 5:00 pm
• Dinner: TBD

August 7, Day Three

• Strategic Alliances:  Managing Decision Making Around An Increasingly Likely Strategic Option for Nonprofits
  with Jane Arsenault, Principal, FIO Partners
  
  As your organization’s leadership moves through the steps of framing a strategic approach to a rapidly changing environment, alliances and partnerships will most likely quickly come to play as viable options. This day-long session, lead by Jane Arsenault, author of Forging Nonprofit Alliances, will encourage Nonprofit leaders to learn to use alliances as a strategic tool to enhance mission. Participants in this day will discover how to identify opportunities to work with other organizations.
  
  Jane will help participants to examine and understand the dynamics of a variety of alliance models—from collaborative joint ventures to mergers. Through this process, participants will have the opportunity to identify the alliance options which are right for their organizations and to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of their nonprofit board and staff in planning and implementing an alliance. The session will include the negotiation, structuring, and management of joint ventures, management service organizations, parent corporations, and mergers—and will place particular emphasis on networks.
  
  
• Human Resource Luncheon Panel Discussion (12-1:30):  Bridging and Encore Leaders: What Are Their Assets, Needs and Desires?
  Moderator: Dr. David Garvey, University of Connecticut Nonprofit Leadership Program
  Panelists
  • David Simms, Managing Partner, Bridgestar
  • Judy Goggin, Vice President, Civic Ventures
  • Steve-Pascal Joiner, Director of the Mid-Career Transitions Resource Center of idealist.org and author of The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for Sector Switchers



• Continuation of Day: 2pm – 5:00 pm

November 6, Summary (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

• Three months later:
  Come back for morning outcome session. This is an opportunity for you to regroup and assess your organization’s individual progress, discuss speed bumps with your peers, and obtain advice on moving forward.


With:
• Jane Arsenault, Principle of FIO Partners
• Dr. David Garvey, Director of the University of Connecticut Nonprofit Leadership Program
• Brian Langdon, retired President and CEO of FSW,Inc, and
• Priya Morgenstern, Director of Pro Bono Partnership: Hartford