NorthSky is once again offering a broad range of professional development sessions designed for nonprofit leaders, volunteers and staff. The Fundraising School from Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy will be back as well as experts on nonprofit financial management from the Detroit Executive Service Corp. We're continuing our popular technology webinars and governance series. Don't miss a special session co-sponsored by Senator Carl Levin's office on communicating with policy makers. And we are offering AFP webinars in Manistee for the first time. Our schedule also includes Break for Lunch sessions on partnerships, marketing, and fraud prevention and filing your 990 form.

 

Check out our full schedule [LINK] 

 

Download the schedule: [LINK] 

This webinar may be accessed from your own computer or from our classroom at Northwestern Michigan College University Center. Instructions will be emailed to registrants 48 hours prior to the webinar.

 

Update your technology plans for the age of cloud computing. We'll cover how to choose "cloud-ready" equipment: laptops with long battery life, mobile hotspots, and Internet-enabled printers. You'll learn how to manage a "BYOD" ("bring your own device") environment, and how cloud computing changes existing policies and practices. Designed for decision makers and IT staff at nonprofits with 50 or fewer staff.

 

[Register Now] 

Executive coaching is defined as a one-on-one confidential relationship that supports, encourages and challenges leaders to move forward and take action. For-profit leaders have been utilizing coaching as an effective method of growing their top performers and now the nonprofit sector is beginning to do the same

 

Starting in January, 2012, NorthSky Nonprofit Network is offering leaders the opportunity to be part of a pilot program to determine the impact of coaching on nonprofit leaders and their organizations. This is a chance to work with an executive coach in reaching your personal and professional goals.

 

The program will be led by Lucille Chrisman, a professionally trained executive coach from the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and a member of the International Coach Federation.

 

For full information on the program: [LINK]  

 

Free information sessions will be held on September 20 and November 22 from noon to 1 pm. Registration is required [LINK] 

Leelanau, Antrim, Benzie, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Manistee and Wexford counties will have the opportunity to apply for project mini-grants up to $4,000 offered through the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs re-grant program and administered through NorthSky Nonprofit Network. Funding is available for projects underway January 1 - September 30. The application deadline is October 3, 2011.  

 

Guidelines and application forms are available here:

2012 MCACA Minigrant Guidelines (pdf format)

2012 MCACA Minigrant Application (MS Word format)

2012 MCACA Minigrant Application (pdf format)  

 

Please note that participating arts organizations applying for mini-grants must be registered with the Cultural Data Project. A CDP workshop will be offered in Traverse City on Tuesday, September 13, from 10 to 11:30 am, followed by an open work session from 11:30am to 1:30pm to enter data on your own laptop and/or obtain minigrant application assistance. Registration is required: [LINK]. 

 

Contact: Mary Bevans Gillett, minigrant coordinator, 231-883-8388 or mgillett@chartermi.net for further information.

In support of the Michigan Cultural Data Project (Michigan CDP), an online tool designed to help arts and cultural organizations make their voices heard about the value they bring to Michigan communities, an Associate from the Cultural Data Project at the Pew Charitable Trusts and ArtServe Michigan staff will lead a training sessions in August and September throughout Michigan.

 

The free, 90 minute training session provides all the necessary information for arts and cultural organizations to participate in the program. The New User Training is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 10-11:30am, at the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce, 202 E. Grandview Parkway. Time will be available following the training to enter data into your own laptops. MCACA mini-grant application assistance will be available immediately following the CDP training.

 

Registration is required [LINK]   

 

In Royal Oak and Jackson only, a second session, Reports Orientation, will be offered in the afternoon to learn more about the 77 trend and comparison reports that are available to your organization once you submit a Data Profile. This training offers tips for integrating use of these reports into your financial management, planning, and evaluation.

 

For additional workshop locations or information on free online training go to www.miculturaldata.org. For more information, contact the Michigan CDP Help Desk at 1-877-MICDP-01 (1-877-642-3701) or help@miculturaldata.org.