Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Seminar Series to Help Nonprofits Endure Tough Times

March 17, 2010

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA—Nonprofit leaders throughout the region are encouraged to participate in Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s “2010 Seminars in Nonprofit Excellence,” an upcoming series of seminars designed to provide essential guidance on a broad range of management issues confronting nonprofits during this lingering economic downturn.

The Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Berkshire Taconic is offering the spring series which will be taught by leading professionals on a variety of timely subjects, from “A Fundraising Training Session for Board Members and Senior Staff: The Keys to Board Service Success” to “Optimizing Social Media for Your Organization.” The seminars (see schedule below) are structured for nonprofit leaders, both senior level staff and board members, and attendance by more than one member of each organization is encouraged to maximize the benefit of the information.

Berkshire Taconic recognizes that providing leaders with the tools to guide their organizations in this new economy is vital to their long term survival to maximize assistance for area nonprofits. “In the last year, area nonprofits have faced declining donations, reduced government aid and increasing demand for their services,” said Jennifer Dowley, president of Berkshire Taconic. “It’s a lingering, tough economy, testing even the most efficient and well-run organizations, so we’re offering these seminars to help our nonprofit community find new ways to endure hard times. Our hope is that by providing training in key areas the workshops can assist nonprofits to strategically deliver their greatly-needed resources to our community.”

Berkshire Taconic’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence serves as a resource for the hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the tri-state region. It provides training, administrative support and networking opportunities that help nonprofits achieve their goals and better serve their constituents.

Participants must pre-register; the fee is $40 per participant. Register here.

2010 Seminars Schedule

For Board Members Only: The Keys to Board Service Success
Instructor: David Styers, BoardSource
Wednesday, April 7, 1-2:30 p.m., Webinar

Asking without Fear! A Fundraising Training Session for Board Members and Senior Staff
Instructor: Hans Morris and Philip Deely, Principal, Philip Sedgwick Deely & Associates
Saturday, April 10 8:30 – 12:30 Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, MA

Making It Real – Business Planning to Bolster Revenue
Instructor: Russell Pomeranz, Fiscal Management Associates
Friday, April 23
9 a.m.-noon, Berkshire Community College Intermodal Center, Pittsfield, MA
2-5 p.m., Foundation for Community Health, Sharon, CT

Light Your Fire – Again! Recognizing and Managing Executive Burnout
Instructor: Carolyn Sanzone, Carolyn Sanzone Associates
Monday, May 10
9 a.m.-noon, Berkshire Community College Intermodal Center, Pittsfield, MA
Tuesday, May 11
2-5 p.m., Foundation for Community Health, Sharon, CT

Harnessing Modern Media: How to Optimize Social Networking for Your Organization
Instructor: Thomas Fox
Tuesday, May 18
9 a.m.-noon, Berkshire Community College Intermodal Center, Pittsfield, MA
2-5 p.m., Northwest CT Community College, Winsted, CT

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT. Thanks to its generous donors, in 2009 Berkshire Taconic distributed nearly $7 million in scholarships and grants for programs in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.

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