Planning and Managing Executive Succession ~ A Case Study 
On January 11th, 2016, Dr. Michael Zent, CEO of JFCS in Phoenix, Arizona, passed away. His death occurred at a time when the organization was steeped in a transformational process of which he was the chief architect.

In circumstances such as this, the organization's obligation is to ensure continuity of operations and services and to provide assurances to all stakeholders to this effect.

The objective of this session is to present a case study of how and why JFCS in Phoenix has been managing the process of transition, lessons learned thus far, and the key elements of strategic succession planning and management.

The 2016 Election & Potential Impacts for Service Providers 
Election Day 2016 is less than six months away, and pundits are scrambling to predict what the D.C. landscape will look like in 2017. Join William Daroff, The Jewish Federations of North America's Senior Vice President for Public Policy & Director of the Washington Office, and a bipartisan panel of political experts who will share their best predictions for the outcome of the upcoming election, as well as the impacts this election will have on service providers. Ample time will be allotted for audience Q&A, so come prepared with your burning election questions!

Board Leadership

Learn from three communities how each engage their boards, and/or committees, to evaluate effectiveness, impact and financial sustainability of programs and services using different tools and matrices. Discover how they handle challenges, new opportunities, new program analysis, and the decision to sunset programs following the process that each engage in.  

How to Grow a Thriving Community with Social Media and Email
Do you want to learn how to engage more supporters and raise more money with social media and email? During this session, you'll get a step-by-step plan for increasing online engagement and fundraising ... this year! 

• Creating a 1-page marketing plan for your next campaign.
• Creative ways (and example) to get your fans talking to their friends about your campaign.
• Mixing social media with email marketing to amplify awareness for your campaign.
• Saving time with tools like Canva, PostPlanner and Buzzsumo.
• Smart ways to make sure your campaign works on mobile. 

Agency Services

Promoting Dignity, Wellness, and Visibility through your Community Food Pantry
Many agencies operate food pantries, often highly visible programs of their agency.  What makes a good food pantry great?  How can you operate your pantry to serve clients, volunteers and your community with the highest standards possible?  Professionals from member agencies in Boca, Boston, Mercer County, NJ, and Pittsburgh will share best practices in serving with dignity, promoting healthy food pantry donations, addressing chronic disease and managing a high profile, high volume pantry.  Come hear about these programs and have an opportunity for interactive discussion on the important topic of fighting hunger in your community.

Innovative Approaches with the Music & Memory Program
Music & Memory is a national program that brings personalized music into the lives of the elderly or infirm through digital music technology, vastly improving quality of life. Typically, Music & Memory is provided in long-term care and nursing facilities, but Jewish Family Service in Utah has adapted the program to serve elders and their caregivers at home or in the community. This session will explore the framework, theory, and impact of Music & Memory as well as JFS-SLC's community based approach to the program and ways other agencies can implement the program in their own communities.

Volunteer/Young Adult Engagement

Connect with Next Gen Leaders through Philanthropy, Service, and Leadership Development 
This workshop will feature a panel of staff and lay leaders who will present on JFS San Diego's innovative and successful model for engaging young professionals. Staff will share research findings about connecting with Millenials and engaging them as philanthropists, and will over an overview of the following initiatives:

1. San Diego Jewish Advocacy Fellowship (SDJAF): engages a diverse group of young professionals in a civic engagement and leadership development program that measurably deepens connection to the community and increases advocacy and leadership skills. SJAF offers an opportunity for socially-minded young professionals to learn about and engage in policy advocacy, while connecting to their Jewish values. Fellows participate in six sessions which include meetings with Jewish elected officials, the development of a policy agenda, and a mission to the state capitol to advocacy for their priorities.
2. Emerging Leaders at JFS: connects young professionals to philanthropy, leadership development, and service opportunities that support JFSSD through a Giving Circle. This nationally-recognized initiative is an effective donor cultivation tool, and a pipeline for committee and board leadership. This year, the Emerging Leaders have launched their first Giving Circle as part of the Amplifier Jewish Giving Circle Incubator, which provides members with an opportunity to pool resources to increase philanthropic impact.

Participants from both initiatives will describe their experiences and offer insight into how other organizations can effectively mobilize and engage Gen X'ers and Millenials.