Who: Nonprofit University

What: High Potential Diverse Leaders Program

Where: 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 845, Atlanta, GA 30303

When: Program starts mid-February and runs through September

Nonprofit University is pleased to announce its’ third High Potential Diverse Leaders Program, which is sponsored by American Express. The series consists of six different classes with varying topics spanning from February to September. This is a great way to gain professional development for you or your staff members. The leadership program is a development program designed to provide the rising stars of nonprofit organizations with the skills needed to assume executive level responsibilities within the sector.

The program is designed to be an experience, not just a series of meetings. Participants have access to nonprofit leaders and opportunities to develop their peer networks and support systems. Special events, lectures, and scholarship opportunities are made available to participants throughout the year. Articles of interest are periodically provided, as well as networking/social events. The sessions are highly interactive and include case studies, discussions, small group work, and access to practical tools and knowledge designed to be immediately deployable in your organization.

Sessions include:
HDPL-Welcome Aboard! February 18, 2010 – The First session is a full day for participants, beginning at 8:30 and ending at 4:00. This will include: “Welcome” to the program, including an introduction to Karen Beavor, CEO of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. An overview of the program, including expectations of what students will have to commit to as participants of the program, an overview of the nonprofit marketplace, an overview of leadership and what it means to be a leader, and activities on “Finding the Leader in You.”

Making Plans
March 26, 2010 – A review of the different kinds of plans, when each is used, and the strengths/weakness of each. This includes business plans, strategic plans, budgets, capital plans, and scenario planning.

Measuring Outcomes/Achieving Goals
May 7, 2010 – Today’s nonprofits are faced with increasing scrutiny from donors, the IRS, other regulatory agencies, and the public. This has lead to an emphasis on ensuring accountability. This session will discuss the unique challenges faced by nonprofits to satisfy funders and driving strategy with performance measures.

Control Your Numbers or They Will Control You
June 18, 2010 – Every leader must master the language of accounting and finance, know what questions to ask, and be able to evaluate the financial implications of their decisions and actions. This session will present an overview of nonprofit accounting and finance, with a focus on key reports that are used, key financial concepts, and key parts of IRS form 990.

Communications/Telling Your Story
July 23, 2010 – Just what is a communications strategy and does your organization need one? Is communications the same as marketing? How do you tell your story? This session will cover the art of communication, how to adapt your story for different audiences, cause communications, and different methods and channels of communication.

Leadership as a Personal Journey
September 10, 2010 – Leadership is not a destination, it is a journey, and it is not always an easy or popular one. There are times when you will be making tough ethical and moral decisions. You will have to be able to motivate a diverse workforce and champion your team of employees and volunteers. You will need to identify future high-potential leaders, mentor them, and set a path for them. Most importantly, you will need to identify the kind of leader you want to be, and then lay a path to become just that.

Those interested must apply by Friday, February 12^th, 2010 in order to be considered. Please direct questions or inquires to Ellen Johnson, Senior Director of Education, at ej@gcn.org. This is a great way to reward yourself or an employee in professional development and help retain your top staff. The series also provides for great networking and the chance to take in a lot about non-profit leadership.

Nonprofit University promotes solutions for learning and strategies for success. In doing so, it offers services including classes, an online competency tool called E-mentor, as well as certificate programs and workshops. For more information please visit our website at www.gcn.org/learn/NonprofitUniversity.aspx or email us at nu@gcn.org. You can also visit our facebook page, Nonprofit University Home, for additional information.