When we are involved in our community, we make it a better place in which to live, work and raise our families. However, the service we provide to our community also has the added benefit of providing a service to us.

Community service connects us to those around us. It gives us pride in our neighborhoods, our cultures, our heritage; it gives us an opportunity to be part of the future. Community involvement allows us to be visionaries to what is possible for our community, to shape the world for the generations to come. Service helps the community - and us - become what we are capable of being.

I believe in the power of giving back; I believe in the impact that being a strong, meaningful voice on an organization's board can provide to the community. It's not just a "resume builder," serving the community in a volunteer leadership role is personal and rewarding.

I am proud to continue my service to the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County as a board member. Recently, the Junior League of San Antonio spotlighted my service to the community through JLSA, in which I have been involved for the past 17 years. Serving the community as a Sustaining Advisor for the organization's Fund Development Council and working with the JLSA on a number of its programs has been a great source of pride and personal development. I am also thrilled to be one of the newest members to the Advisory Council for USO San Antonio, which provides such a vast array of services to our military service members and their families.

So, service to the community matters, but even the best of intentions need a little help. Those who give of themselves need to know they aren't alone. That's what board training offers - an opportunity to enhance the gift board members are giving you through their service, by offering meaningful guidance, resources and encouragement in return.

To that end, we are announcing our 2013 series of workshops, many of which are designed to help empower your board members and volunteer leaders with the tools they need to make the most of their work with your organization.

Productive Relationships + "WALLOP!" = Sustained Funding

January 16, 2013

People who share your vision or have a vested interest in your mission outcomes want to help acquire the sustainable funding to make sure it will thrive. When you build productive relationships, wonderful things will happen! Instead of focusing just on dollars, learn to foster "WALLOP!" so you can take your development plan to the next level.

Serving on a Nonprofit Board...Keys to Improving Personal Performance

February 13, 2013

What are the expectations? What is your role? How will you help propel your nonprofit organization to the next level? Are all the members clear - and on the same page - regarding the organization's challenges, needs and direction? This workshop will give you strategies to bring out your best for your organization.

Building a Winning Team of Volunteer Leadership

March 20, 2013

Instead of desperately trying to recruit NEW talented players, first look internally. Who on the current team roster can be coached, developed and trained to help create a pipeline of major gift donors and volunteer leadership? Identify those hidden but invaluable "athletes" already in your program that have the greatest affinity for your organization and the capacity to make significant contributions.

Building Blocks: Actively Engaging Your Board in Resource Development

April 10, 2013

How do you create opportunities for your board of diverse individuals to come together in a way that will excite, invigorate and sustain your organization's mission? A Board that is unified will be better poised to focus on the organization - as it is now, and as it looks ahead toward its future.

So What? Who Cares? Identifying Your Target Audience & Prospective Supporters

May 8, 2013

Who are your current supporters? Why do they support you? Because they get it! Teach them to "tune your message" to the donor's needs so they can share their story with other like-minded people who care about your mission & vision.

Especially for 501 (c)(3) organizations: Register for the series of five for the price of four individual workshops. Send different people to individual workshops or use up to five vouchers for a single workshop, giving you more flexibility in making the most of the educational experience. You can find out more about the workshops, and register by following this link.

If you like the workshop topics we have chosen, you can thank one of your colleagues for her input. Congratulations to Vickie Adams of SACADA (San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse), the winner of our contest which helped determine this year's workshop topics. Vickie's name was chosen from all the entries, and she wins a free KMAC 2013 workshop of her choice!

And finally...THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING....

In the coming days, you'll have a chance to help your colleagues in the nonprofit community make the most of their time and energy. Look for a survey we'll be sending out, asking for your favorite online resources that you routinely turn to when searching for everything from ideas for board development and marketing, to volunteer management and special event coordination. It's a chance to share your resources, and learn about a few you haven't considered in return, so we thank you in advance for your participation. The results will be posted on the Resource Page of our website for your easy access.

Every year, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) San Antonio offers their services to non-profits in South Texas that may have little to no access to public relations counseling.

• The organization must be a 501 ( c ) 3
• The organization does not have a public relations person on staff or access to public relations support