Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Berkshire Taconic Offers Spring Seminar Series Beginning May 4

April 26, 2011

SHEFFIELD, MA—Nonprofit organizations throughout the region are encouraged to participate in Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s “Center for Nonprofit Excellence Spring Seminar Series,” an upcoming series of seminars beginning on May 4, designed to provide essential guidance and professional development for nonprofits in the region.

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 “Social Media for the Real World” and “Making the Most of Social Networking Sites” to “Selling Your Nonprofit’s Story: How to Improve Your Donor Communications and Raise More Money.” The seminars (see schedule below) are structured for members of nonprofits, at any level; attendance by more than one member of each organization is encouraged to maximize the benefit of the information. This spring, the social media seminars will be offered as webinars, allowing participants the option to attend either in person at Berkshire Taconic’s offices or online. The donor communications seminar will be offered in both Pittsfield, MA and Sharon, CT.

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. “Managing a nonprofit is challenging these days. More is being asked of our nonprofits with fewer resources available to support their work,” said Jennifer Dowley, president of Berkshire Taconic. “The Foundation is offering a series of workshops to help managers sharpen their skills and expand their capacity to do their jobs.”

Through the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation offers services and resources to help the staff, board and volunteers of nonprofits think strategically, govern effectively and operate efficiently. It serves hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the tri-state region and 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. For more information and to register please visit Berkshire Taconic’s website.

2011 Spring Seminars Schedule

Social Media for the Real World
This course will review how nonprofits nationwide are using social media to accomplish specific goals, how to avoid the mistakes of other organizations and what to expect in terms of results and benefits. These real-world experiences will help inform a social media strategy for your nonprofit.
Wednesday, May 4, 8:30am-10:30am
Webinar and on location at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Sheffield, MA
Instructor: Andrea Berry, Director of Partnerships and Learning, Idealware
Facilitator: Eugenie Sills, Social Media Consultant & Founder, The Women’s Times

Making the Most of Social Networking Sites
Learn how to best use social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Linked in for your nonprofit.
Wednesday, May 11, 8:30am-10:30am
Webinar and on location at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Sheffield, MA
Instructor: Andrea Berry, Director of Partnerships and Learning, Idealware
Facilitator: Megan Whilden, Director of Cultural Development, City of Pittsfield

Selling Your Nonprofit's Story: How to Improve Your Donor Communications and Raise More Money
An immersion into the science and secrets used by the most successful nonprofit communicators to raise more money, retain more donors and build an organization’s image and reputation.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 8:30am-11:30am
Berkshire Community College Intermodal Center, Pittsfield, MA

Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Foundation for Community Health, Sharon CT
Instructor: Tom Ahern, Ahern Communications, Ink.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, acting as an agent for positive change in the region. Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic has managed a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships for programs in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

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