Nonprofit Management
Working with Our Foundation Allies
Thursday, Jan. 28 from 9-11 a.m.
Generous gifts from foundations have often secured the future for regional nonprofits. In this time of financial turmoil, foundation leaders are challenged to use their more constrained resources for the greatest good. Come reflect with three of our region's most thoughtful foundation leaders about how they make those decisions.
Instructors: Peggy Morrison Outon, Bayer Center; Gregg Behr, Grable Foundation; Rebecca Lucore, Bayer Foundation; David K. Roger, Hillman Foundation
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by Jan. 21, $125 for the entire 5-part series)
Strategic Giving
Thursday, Feb. 4 from 9-11 a.m.
Over the last several years, charitable giving has steadily increased in the United States. However, as amplified during our latest economic downturn, the needs served by charitable giving seem to increase at the same or greater pace. As this gap between community needs and resources to address those needs grows, how do individuals and organizations make sure they get the greatest impact for their giving? In this session, we will discuss the concept of Strategic Giving. What is it? What are its advantages and how is it done? Can you trust someone else to manage your charitable gifts and put them to the best use? Join us and gain an understanding of how individuals and organizations partner in giving strategically.
Instructors: Mark Lewis, POISE Foundation; Heather Arnet, Women and Girls Foundation; Jeanne Pearlman, The Pittsburgh Foundation
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by Jan. 28, $125 for the entire 5-part series)
Giving Circles: A Recipe for Greater Philanthropy
Thursday, Feb. 11 from 9-11 a.m.
Mix an investment club with a book club, add in a pinch of camaraderie and a big piece of an appetite for social change and you get ...a giving circle. New research confirms that giving circle members give more, are more strategic in their giving and are more engaged in their communities when compared to other donors. In this class, you will learn about this new, flexible method of community philanthropy sweeping the country and hear about local takes on this exciting model. Attendees will be enthusiastically encouraged to try this recipe at home.
Instructors: Luci Dabney, Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise; Carrie Barmen, Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners; Justin Laing, The Heinz Endowments; Mark Lewis, POISE Foundation; Vivien Luk, The Forbes Funds
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by Feb. 4, $125 for the entire 5-part series)
Youth as Philanthropists
Thursday, Feb. 18 from 9-11 a.m.
Many studies show that giving is a behavior that often begins early in life. Fortunate are youth who are taught and then helped to give. Several programs in the Pittsburgh region take the philanthropic impulse and enable it! This session will highlight the good work being done by young philanthropists and their organizational partners.
Instructors: Peggy Morrison Outon, Bayer Center; Sharon Perelman, United Jewish Federation Foundation; Wayne Jones, The Heinz Endowments; Tara Simmons, Women and Girls Foundation
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by Feb. 11, $125 for the entire 5-part series)
A Generous Spirit
Thursday, Feb. 25 from 9-11 a.m.
A conversation with religious leaders about fundraising. What's a tithe and how is it calculated? How do people think about their giving? What principles have guided and currently guide individual philanthropy? What's going on out there?
Instructors: Peggy Morrison Outon, Bayer Center; Dave Brewton, East Liberty Family Health Care Center; Saleem Ghubril, Pittsburgh Promise; Leon Pamphille, Functional Literacy Ministry of Haiti; Frederick Thieman, Church of the Ascension
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by Feb. 18, $125 for the entire 5-part series)
Keeping it Together Without Coming Apart
Wednesday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m.-noon
Are your workload and your life load out of control? Do you procrastinate on tasks because you don't know where to start? Here's the good news: personal organization is a skill that can be learned, just like swimming or riding a bike. You'll leave this class with strategies that will help you get organized, reduce stress, increase your productivity and effectiveness, and start enjoying your work and life more!
Instructor: Cindy Leonard, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by Jan. 21)
So You Wanna Be a 501(c)(3)?
Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m.-noon OR Wednesday, April 28 from 4-7 p.m.
Setting up a 501(c)(3) involves a lot more than you may think. It's a tricky and costly process, and it might not even be the best choice right now. Learn about the incorporation process and alternatives that may be more appropriate, as well as nonprofit governance and management issues and requirements. You'll leave this class with homework, information and a template to guide you through the next steps.
Instructors: Yvonne VanHaitsma, Bayer Center; Bob Moll, ESC Volunteer; Jack Owen, Rhoades & Wodarczyk, LLC
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid one week prior to class)
Personal Effectiveness that Produces Results
Monday, March 8 from 1-4 p.m.
When effective managers get overwhelmed, they focus on better time management, scheduling and communication. They coordinate their work efforts and maintain good productivity. Managers with under 5 years experience will develop a specific plan of action to improve their own work performance, manage their commitments and communicate with others about getting work done and producing results. You will leave with tips and techniques for increasing personal effectiveness, time management, managing interruptions and recurring events, and what to stop doing.
Instructor: Alan James, ESC Volunteer
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by March 1)
A Makeover for Your Nonprofit's Brand
Wednesday, March 10 from 1-4 p.m.
A strong and healthy brand impacts client outreach, volunteer recruitment and funding. What's the shape or your organization's brand? This half-day workshop will help you assess the effectiveness of your brand and provide quick and easy strategies to get it in shape. It includes hands-on activities, an assessment checklist and real-life examples from organizations who have benefited from a brand makeover.
Instructor: Karen Bryant, KJ Bryant Marketing Matters
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by March 3)
Developing Logic Models for Program Planning and Evaluation
Wednesday, March 17 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Logic models are the gold standard of program development and service evaluation among nonprofits and their funders. How do you know that you're meeting your goals? Are you sure you're reaching the right constituents? In the morning, you'll learn to create a logic model for your program that helps you plan and evaluate, and provides your funders with the information they want, too. In the afternoon, learn how to work with indicators and develop a data collection plan to get the best information about how well your model is working and where it may need improvement.
Instructors: Maria Zeglen Townsend, Ph.D., Townsend Associates LLC; Sheila Bell, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
Fee: $125 ($115 if paid by March 10)
Proposals the Get the Grant
Wednesday, April 14 from 9 a.m.-noon
Take that great idea and get it funded! But how? This class explores the indispensable principles of writing winning proposals:
. Develop a strategic approach to funders
. Identify what you need to know before you start writing
. Learn the basic elements of successful proposals
. Understand what you need to communicate
Instructor: Teresa Gregory, Robert Morris University
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by April 7)
Nonprofit Marketing Power: How to Gain Essential Response, Resources and Support
Friday, April 16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
New social media techniques and proven marketing disciplines are a power combination for nonprofit leaders seeking to sustain programs and services, meet growing needs and seize new opportunities. This advanced session offers a mix of discussion and audio-visual presentations. You will develop a deeper understanding of marketing and new tools for success including:
. Three key steps for marketing in a social media world
. A cut-to-the-chase approach to positioning and branding
. Setting realistic and measurable marketing goals that guide planning and action
. Measure Once, Cut Twice: Key concepts for conducting a marketing audit
. Integrating cost-effective marketing research
. The new communications mix
Session materials include complimentary excerpts from the forthcoming 3rd Edition of Marketing Workbook for Nonprofit Organizations, a Fieldstone Alliance publication by Gary Stern and Elana Centor.
Instructor: Gary Stern, Stern Consulting International
Fee: $125 ($115 if paid by April 9)
Putting Legs on Your Logic Model
Wednesday, April 21 from 9 a.m.-noon
The logic model is a versatile tool, but often it sits on the shelf collecting dust. If this sounds familiar, it's time to dust off that logic model and bring it to class. We will explore how to use your existing logic model for strategic and specific program planning. Lecture will be used to provide direction, but be prepared to work individually and in small groups as you learn how to make the logic model work for you and your agency. Please bring four copies of your completed logic model, knowledge of your program/agency's resources and the desire to put your logic model to work.
Instructors: Maria Zeglen Townsend, Ph.D., Townsend Associates LLC; Sheila Bell, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by April 14)
Pinpoint Planning Clinic
60-minute sessions available by appointment
Tired of spending too much time and precious resources trying to figure out how to best improve your nonprofit? Consider using PinPoint Planning(tm), a tailored and time-limited approach that provides quick analysis of critical operations in the following areas: finances & financial management, fundraising, human resources, legal issues, governance, and technology. Each PinPoint Planning(tm) tool is a type of audit that will take organizations about an hour to complete. It provides executives and boards with concrete information about practice gaps so that their organization can focus its resources on specific areas needing improvement instead of a complete overhaul. Organizations receive an internal assessment to complete and return. Then the Bayer Center will assign an ESC volunteer professional from the relevant field to review your materials and meet with you for a working session. After your face-to-face meeting, you'll receive a report containing a number of concrete, actionable suggestions to enhance your current operations. This program was developed by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management in partnership with the United Way of Allegheny County.
Instructors: ESC Volunteers
Fee: $50
Governance
Human Resources Roundtables
Wednesdays, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7 and May 5 from 8-9:30 a.m.
A nonprofit's greatest asset is often its staff - committed, knowledgeable people who are dedicated to making a difference. Managing, inspiring, and ensuring a healthy work environment is key to achieving results. The HR Roundtable gives managers of the human resources function and Executive Directors a peer-learning forum for discussing difficult issues they face. Each roundtable will lead off with a short presentation by an ESC volunteer on one or two HR-related topics and be followed by open discussions on any other HR topics of current interest. Among the topics included will be:
. Employee rules of conduct
. Dealing with "difficult" employees
. Employee performance appraisals
. Communicating difficult news to your staff
. Building a strong team environment
. Updating Employee handbooks
. Employee compensation issues and benefits package designs
. Overtime pay requirements
Join us for breakfast at the Waterworks Panera, 942 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh.
Instructors: Ray Frankoski and Alan James, ESC Volunteers
Fee: $10
Working Across Generations
Friday, Feb. 5 from 9-11 a.m.
Join us for an active and vibrant conversation with three exemplary leaders in the nonprofit sector representing three different generations: the Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the Millenials. Guided by the recently published book, "Working Across Generations: Defining the Future of Nonprofit Leadership," this is one session that you won't want to miss. Come ready to talk!
Instructors: Peggy Morrison Outon, Bayer Center; Shirl Regan, Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh; Janera Solomon, Kelly-Strayhorn Theater; Joanna Deming, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by Jan. 22)
Executive Breakfast - The Strategic "No"
Friday, Feb. 26 from 8-10 a.m.
You work for a nonprofit - the word "No" isn't part of your vocabulary. Well, it should be. The inability to say "No" can threaten your organization's survival. Let's have some breakfast together and talk about times that we need to say "No" - to programs, to staff, to donors... and how we can get ourselves to do it. Come share your thoughts and stories over breakfast at the Rivers Club with colleagues and peers. I won't take "No" for an answer.
Instructor: Scott Leff, Bayer Center
Fee: $35
Dealing with Difficult People
Tuesday, March 9 from 1-4 p.m.
Conflict is all around us, especially when resources are tight and tempers are shorter-but most people lack basic conflict management skills. The potential for conflict exists in every interaction. But when one doesn't know how to deal with these disagreements constructively, they can escalate into unproductive and even destructive situations. The key is not to avoid conflict, but to recognize and manage it skillfully to produce the best possible outcome. Rather than react to conflict on a purely emotional level, learn to manage disputes and disagreements positively and proactively. This training will teach you to recognize the causes of interpersonal conflict, and become aware of your own emotional triggers so you can prevent explosive situations. Learn new strategies to deal with difficult people that will improve your communication performance and ultimately increase the success of your initiatives.
Instructor: Dr. Lisa Palmieri, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by March 2)
Crisis Communication: What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say
Thursday, March 4 from 9 a.m.-noon
Led by the principals of one of the region's top media consulting firms, this interactive workshop prepares nonprofit spokespersons to react appropriately to the media in good times and in bad.
You'll learn:
. Time-proven techniques to guide media interviews
. The five commandments of media relations
. How to develop your message
Mock radio interviews reinforce what you learn.
Instructors: Sheila Hyland and Debbie Foster, FosterHyland and Associates
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by Feb. 25 or $150 for 3-part "Effective Communication" series)
Writing for the Web
Thursday, March 11 from 9 a.m.-noon
Writing content for your website is very different from other types of written communications, in large part due to the way people read it. Most of your written materials must be altered for use on a web page in order to make them readable and usable. In this class, learn how to improve your written website content, increase your site's usability, and leverage your website as a communication tool.
Instructor: Cindy Leonard, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by March 4 or $150 for 3-part "Effective Communication" series)
Effective Presentations
Thursday, March 18 from 9 a.m.-noon
There are few things worse than losing your audience. A narrative that lacks a human touch or a lack of audience interaction can contribute to wandering attention. In this workshop, we'll focus on planning and executing a presentation to maximize your audience's level of knowledge and interest in your topic. We'll discuss that optimal blend of facts and stories that make the experience memorable. Whether public speaking tops your list of fears or you want to take your presentation skills to the next level, this workshop will enhance your ability to present information in a way that engages your audience and moves them to action.
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by March 11 or $150 for 3-part "Effective Communication" series)
She-roes Brown Bag Lunch
Mondays, March 22 and May 24 from noon-1 p.m.
During SHE-roes brown bag lunches, we will continue our conversation on the lives of the women who represent 75 percent of the workforce in nonprofit organizations. Come and bring your lunch as we address issues of equity and how we can fully develop the potential of women seeking to meet the needs of our community. This facilitated conversation's agenda will be set by those who participate.
Fee: Free, but please R.S.V.P.
Boardroom Dancing
Monday, April 19 from noon-2 p.m.
Do you know how to get the best out of your board? It can be an executive director's most daunting task. Here's an opportunity to talk about the issue over lunch at the Rivers Club with your peers, find out how the most effective boards operate and learn basic processes to ensure sound board governance.
Instructors: Peggy Morrison Outon, Bayer Center; Doreen Boyce, Buhl Foundation (retired)
Fee: $45
Executive Breakfast - Retirement
Friday, April 23 from 8-10 a.m.
Most of us want to retire someday; few of us can figure out how we'll be able to. Come for breakfast at the Rivers Club and hear from an experienced attorney about retirement issues ranging from social security to medicare to tax rules for accessing your retirement accounts. Then we'll all join in a roundtable discussion and share stories, concerns and suggestions for keeping our golden years from turning into fool's gold.
Instructor: Scott Leff, Bayer Center
Fee: $35
Location: Rivers Club, 301 Grant Street, downtown
Emergency Succession Planning
Wednesday, May 19 from 9-11 a.m.
One out of three people between the ages of 35 and 65 will become disabled for more than 90 days; one in seven for more than 5 years. So, even if no one in your organization is planning to retire soon, you still need a succession plan. Who's going to take over key responsibilities if someone gets sick, injured, or suddenly moves because a spouse is relocated? Come to this session and learn how to plan ahead so you don't fall behind.
Instructors: Scott Leff and Garrett Cooper, Bayer Center
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by May 12)
Ask an Attorney Clinic
60-minute sessions available by appointment
Remember the good old days? Things were easier, with fewer surprises. Now you have reason to be nervous about signing that lease. What does that insurance policy really cover? Are your personnel practices a lawsuit waiting to happen? Take advantage of affordable, one-hour consultations at LawLinks' Ask an Attorney clinics. Meet one-on-one with an attorney after work and discuss legal issues that concern you, like:
. Confusing "legalese" and contract terms
. Employment law and whether your organization's policies and procedures are compliant
. Protecting your organization against lawsuits
. Trademark and copyright protection
Instructor: Varies
Fee: $50
HR Clinic
60-minute sessions available by appointment
Do your HR policies need updating? Is expansion requiring more staff, more new job descriptions and more care in treating everyone fairly? Maybe you're facing layoffs or have a pregnant staffer and no maternity policy. We help you with these and other issues, including:
* Creating better performance appraisals
* Improving employee relations
* Restructuring benefits and compensation
The session is for any staff person with HR oversight. Bring your HR materials - including employee handbook, performance appraisal form and anything else HR-related - to your appointment.
Instructor: Ray Frankoski, ESC Volunteer
Fee: $50
Finance
Demystifying Financial Statements
Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m.-noon
In this overview class for people with little knowledge of financial statements, we'll examine the key reports that reveal the economic health of your organization. By the end, you'll begin to know how to use all those "meaningless" numbers to really help with critical management decisions and fundraising requests. A useful follow-up for this class would be Every Number Tells a Story on February 24.
Instructor: Scott Leff and Garrett Cooper, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by Feb. 3) OR $115 ($100 if paid by Feb. 3) for both classes
Every Number Tells a Story
Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m.-noon
There is a message in the maze of mystery. The numbers in your financial statements talk to each other, and if you know how to listen, they'll tell you some very valuable stories. How do you figure out if one organization is thriving and another is struggling to survive? The numbers are whispering the answers. Bring your latest audit or internal financial statements and a calculator to this highly interactive session. You'll work with your own numbers and leave with easy-to-use techniques for turning financial reports into decision-making tools. For people who have taken Finance as a Second Language, it's time to learn to speak Ratio!
Instructor: Scott Leff and Garrett Cooper, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by Feb. 17) OR $115 ($100 if paid by Feb. 3) for both classes
Planned Giving: The Basics
Friday, Feb. 12 from 9 a.m.-noon
Fundraisers are often paralyzed by fear of the technical and legal details of planned gifts and leery of talking to donors about a gift that involves their death. This session offers simple ways to incorporate planned giving into your fundraising program immediately. Learn why planned giving is important for every development program and how planned giving can improve donor relationships and increase dollars raised - even during tough economic times. Participants will leave this session armed with the information and inspiration to convince themselves, as well as their boss and board, that they are ready to start. A useful follow up to this class is Planned Giving: Beyond the Basics.
Instructor: Maureen Mahoney Hill, CFRE
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by Feb. 5) OR $115 ($100 if paid by Feb. 5) for both classes
Planned Giving: Beyond the Basics
Friday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m.-noon
Are you and your Board ready to move beyond bequests? In this session we'll explore more complex types of planned gifts including gcharitable gift annuities and charitable trusts, and we'll learn how partnering with allied professionals in the community can expand your planned giving program. We'll dig into your donor base to identify potential planned giving donors and learn to match particular gift options with the needs of your donors. This course is designed as a companion course to the session, Planned Giving: The Basics.
Instructor: Maureen Mahoney Hill, CFRE
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by Feb. 12) OR $115 ($100 if paid by Feb. 5) for both classes
Technology
Bagels and Bytes
Join your nonprofit techie colleagues for a new season of this popular gathering. We continue our discussion of managing and maintaining your IT. If you're responsible for your nonprofit's technology challenges, you're someone we want to know! Visit http://tinyurl.com/bagelsandbytes for more information.
Westmoreland - Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 8-9:30 a.m. at Eat n' Park, Greensburg
Allegheny - Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 8:30-10 a.m. at Cafe Amani ($10)
Westmoreland - Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 8-9:30 a.m. at Eat n' Park, Greensburg
West - Thursday, Feb. 11 from 8:30-10 a.m. at Eat n' Park, Moon Township
Allegheny - Wednesday, March 3 from 8:30-10 a.m. at Cafe Amani ($10)
Westmoreland - Tuesday, March 9 from 8-9:30 a.m. at Eat n' Park, Greensburg
West - Thursday, March 11 from 8:30-10 a.m. at Eat n' Park, Moon Township
Allegheny - Wednesday, April 7 from 8:30-10 a.m. at United Cerebral Palsy ($10)
West - Thursday, April 8 from 8:30-10 a.m. at Eat n' Park, Moon Township
Westmoreland - Tuesday, April 13 from 8-9:30 a.m. at Eat n' Park, Greensburg
Allegheny - Wednesday, May 5 from 8:30-10 a.m. at United Cerebral Palsy ($10)
Westmoreland - Tuesday, May 11 from 8-9:30 a.m. at Eat n' Park, Greensburg
West - Thursday, May 13 from 8:30-10 a.m. at Eat n' Park, Moon Township
The Constituent Pyramid: Converting Followers into Supporters (Webinar)
Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 1-3 p.m.
Often we spend so much time and effort spreading the word to get followers that we forget what to do with them once we get them! It is time to think about quality rather than quantity. While the initial goal is to get as many people as you can in the front door, you have to stand back and create a plan on what to do with them once they are in your living room. This webinar will look at the Constituent Pyramid and focus on how to convert followers into supporters, and how to manage that relationship and keep them interested in remaining supporters for years to come.
Instructor: Michael Weiss, imagistic
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by Feb. 2)
Settling in with Microsoft Office 2007
Tuesday Feb. 16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Growing accustomed to a new version of software that we use daily can be both exciting and frustrating. We'll walk you through the promise and the peril of the core applications in the new version of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. Topics will include the new menu ribbons, enhanced features, and refreshers on how to do familiar tasks.
Instructors: Cindy Leonard and Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $125 ($115 if paid by Feb. 9)
Beginning Web Design with Adobe Dreamweaver
Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Are you a website novice who needs to know how to design a basic website that works? Adobe Dreamweaver is the answer. This session is for beginners. Nonprofit staff with no previous web design experience and web design staff who want to learn Dreamweaver are welcome.
Instructor: Cindy Leonard, Bayer Center
Fee: $125 ($115 if paid by Feb. 10)
Mail Merge Magic
Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 9-11 a.m.
Learn the easiest way imaginable to communicate with all your donors and constituents and still keep it personal. Find out how to maximize mail merge across the Microsoft Office suite at this hands-on session.
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by Feb. 16)
Managing Your Books Using QuickBooks
Tuesdays, March 2, 16 and 23 from 9 a.m.-noon
If you're the financial manager or bookkeeper of a smaller nonprofit (30 employees or fewer), QuickBooks is your solution for keeping track of all things fiscal. We teach you how to:
. Track expenses and manage restricted and unrestricted income
. Reconcile bank statements
. Create basic financial statements and board reports
. Complete IRS 990s
This class is intentionally small, so bring lots of questions. Basic accounting knowledge is recommended for this course.
Instructor: Kathy Mahoney
Fee: $180 ($165 if paid by Feb. 23)
PowerPoint Visuals that Work (Webinar)
Monday, March 29 and Tuesday, March 30 from 10-11 a.m.
Bullets are not only dangerous in guns. Although your presence and preparation make a huge impact on the success of a presentation's ability to inform and persuade, bad visuals can undermine your message. In fact, PowerPoint itself may have taught us bad habits. This class will help you create visuals that will make your facts, stories and ideas stick with your audience.
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by March 22)
Get Good Geeks
Tuesday, April 13 from 9 a.m.-noon
Your organization brings extensive expertise to meeting your mission, but sometimes you need outside information technology (IT) experts. When it's time to buy new technology or hire someone for an IT project, the process can be intimidating. It can feel like you need to learn an entirely new language. And maybe break the bank.
This workshop will lay out step-by-step what you can do to build a successful relationship with an IT vendor. You will leave the workshop with more confidence in your ability to make good IT decisions and get your organization's needs met for a fair price.
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by April 6)
Choosing or Changing Your Fundraising Software
Thursday, April 15 from 9-11 a.m.
Don't make a mistake - choose fundraising software that's right for your organization. We help you figure out what you really need and what you can do without. Then we point you in a direction that won't break the bank or your database.
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $40 ($30 if paid by April 8)
Advanced QuickBooks
Tuesdays, April 20 and 27 from 9 a.m.-noon
Want to learn how to create custom reports, track income and expenses and use other QuickBooks functions that go beyond the basics? This two-session course is designed around your specific needs. We'll contact participants before the first class and design a course based on what you tell us you want to learn.
Instructor: Kathy Mahoney
Fee: $125 ($115 if paid by April 13)
Website Accessibility for Web Developers
Thursday, April 29 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Website accessibility is important for nonprofit organizations serving an increasing population that includes people with disabilities. Since accessibility goes hand-in-hand with overall website usability, it is to every organization's benefit to implement website accessibility standards when designing a site. In this class, we will teach you the basic principles of accessibility you'll want to consider when building or revising your website. We will also show you how to write accessible code using specific examples and hands-on instruction. This class is for web development staff and professionals working at nonprofit agencies or web design firms. A working knowledge of
HTML and CSS is required. This is an advanced level class that involves programming and coding.
Instructor: Tiffany Kuchta, Allegheny Graphics Web Development, LLC
Fee: $125 ($115 if paid by April 22)
Introduction to Excel 2007
Tuesday, May 4 from 9 a.m.-noon
Learn Excel basics in the morning session including:
. Worksheet creation
. Formula creation
. Cell formatting using "mouse pointers"
. Absolute cell references
. Printing your worksheet
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by April 27) per session OR $115 ($100 if paid by April 27) with "Intermediate Excel"
Intermediate Excel 2007
Tuesday, May 4 from 1-4 p.m.
Learn more about Excel in the afternoon including:
. Worksheet template creation and use
. Using functions
. Creating links between worksheets
. Database features
. Chart creation and formatting
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by April 27) per session OR $115 ($100 if paid by April 27) with "Introduction to Excel"
Technology Planning for Leaders
Thursday, May 6 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Technology planning can be tricky for managers and leaders without a background in technology, but it's part of the job of running an organization, dealing with technology staff, and talking to vendors. This class will provide an introduction to strategic technology planning concepts for nonprofit leaders who want to be "in the know" when it comes to managing the technology function at their organizations. This introductory class is designed especially for non-technical nonprofit managers and leaders.
Instructor: Cindy Leonard, Bayer Center
Fee: $125 ($115 if paid by April 29)
Social Media Planning and Strategy for Nonprofits
Tuesday, May 18 from 9 a.m.-noon
Like any other project, using social media for your organization requires planning, strategy and management. Learn what you should consider before getting your nonprofit started in the social media realm, what to expect afterwards and how to keep the ball rolling. You will leave this class with a draft strategic plan for your organization's social media that you can take back to your office and refine. Basic social media concepts and terminology are recommended but not necessary for attending this class. We will focus on planning and strategy rather than on "how to" use the social media tools.
Instructor: Cindy Leonard, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by May 11)
Great Graphics with Photoshop Elements
Wednesday, May 26 from 9 a.m.-noon
You've got Photoshop Elements and maybe you've even figured out how to crop or re-size your photos. You know there's more "stuff" you can do with the application - if only you knew what it was! We'll show you around the Elements interface so you know its capabilities. Learn how to add text, work with layers, remove red-eye, optimize for the web and much more. This is a class for beginners -no prior Photoshop Elements or graphics editing experience is needed.
Instructor: Cindy Leonard, Bayer Center
Fee: $65 ($55 if paid by May 19)
Does Your Website Work?
60-minute sessions available by appointment
Your website may seem just fine to you, but maybe it's time you had an outsider's take on it. Sit down with our website expert as she provides an honest (and kind) assessment of your site and recommends changes that may improve it.
Instructor: Cindy Leonard, Bayer Center
Fee: $50
Dreamweaver Clinic
60-minute sessions available by appointment
Have a great idea for a website, but no idea how to do it? Bring us those Dreamweaver challenges and questions, and we'll help you create the site of your dreams! This problem-specific clinic is for all levels of current Dreamweaver users.
Instructor: Cindy Leonard, Bayer Center
Fee: $50
Now What? A Clinic on Access Databases
60-minute sessions available by appointment
Struggling with an Access database that came with the job and doesn't make sense to you? Have you built a database that's grown completely out of control? Bring a copy of that problematic database, and we'll help you get the most out of it. Our database guru will:
. Examine and assess its structure and functionality
. Recommend whether to scrap it and start over, buy something off-the-shelf, or clean it up and continue to use it
. Build in some specific tracking and search features if you decide to keep using it
For intermediate to advanced Access users.
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $50
PowerPoint Clinic
60-minute sessions available by appointment
There is always room to improve the visuals that we use to aid our presentations. Get one-on-one help to make that presentation sing. Clinic can be used for step-by-step instruction on particular techniques (e.g. formatting, animation, incorporating media) or to workshop an existing presentation for ways to punch up its informative and persuasive power.
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $50
Excel/Spreadsheet Clinic
60-minute sessions available by appointment
Other people work magic with spreadsheets; so can you! For complete beginners to advanced users with specific questions, this clinic is your opportunity to become the Excel magician you've always wanted to be! We'll teach you handy tricks of the trade that save time and effort.
. Write time-saving formulas so that you never have to hand-tally again
. Read formulas in existing spreadsheets and follow those crazy links
. Format your spreadsheets for readability
. Use spreadsheets to dynamically analyze scenarios
Bring your questions - or even better - a spreadsheet you want to improve.
Instructor: Jeff Forster, Bayer Center
Fee: $50
Web 2.0 and Social Media Clinic
60-minute sessions available by appointment
Have you just been handed responsibility for your organization's activities in the realm of social media? Are you baffled and unsure how to begin? Let our social media gurus mentor you one-on-one, and you'll be an active social media user in no time! Whether you are attempting to use popular social media tools (such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Flickr), need help setting up a blog or a wiki, or need assistance with social media strategy, our experts can help.
Instructor: Cindy Leonard, Bayer Center
Fee: $50
Website Accessibility Clinic
60-minute sessions available by appointment
Do you serve a population that includes people with disabilities? Are you concerned that your website is not sufficiently accessible to your target audience members? Do you receive federal funding that requires you to be compliant with Section 508 guidelines for website accessibility? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," our website accessibility guru can help. These clinics are one-on-one sessions in which our expert will analyze your website for accessibility, answer your specific questions, and give you recommendations for improvement.
Instructor: Tiffany Kuchta, Allegheny Graphics Web Development, LLC
Fee: $50