What I Learned at Community Works

Each year attendees are asked to complete an evaluation form for each of their workshops as well as a general one for the overall conference. One of the questions is “What was most valuable to you?” and another is “What did you like the best?” Below are some of the responses we have received:

• Count to ten after asking a donor for a donation – it can be seen as respectful and provides you with an opportunity to think clearly before you speak.
• Create checklists and deadlines for EVERY part of an event.
• Networking is easy when you are not afraid to walk up to a stranger and say “hi.”
• Role playing really helps when learning a new skill.
• No matter how small a nonprofit, you need a strategic plan.
• Accounting is not scary – start writing it down somewhere.
• Don’t forget to make sure everyone has fun!
• Budgeting – Just start somewhere!! – It doesn’t have to be intimidating!! Once you pick a starting point – elaborate and build up the budget needs of the organization.
• Procedures – All organizations need procedure documents in place to ensure that there are financial checks and balances.
• Strategic Planning is as applicable to Events as it is to the organization as a whole.
• Conflict – Even conflict in an organization can be helpful if analyzed in the right spirit.
• Build a relationship with a donor – BEFORE making an “ask.”
• Workshop Leaders – Inspiring how many of them stressed sharing information, doing good/ helping others, generosity of ideas and knowledge.
• Networking is amazing!
• It’s important to identify alliances and centers of influence for constituents and clients.
• Distribution of work makes the tasks & end results much more positive.
• Role playing – provided great context with the workshops.
• Workshops showed me how ready I already am to accomplish my goals.
• The importance of having all your board and staff members understand financial reports, what they represent, how to read them & what they mean for the well-being of your organization’s financial health.
• People really care about improving the lives of others.
• Understanding the needs in a non-profit to be current with trends and to change with the times.
• There are many resources out there that can really be an asset to you and your organization.
• Include program goals into the program director’s job description to ensure understanding of the intended targets.

Rave Reviews – Buzz from the previous years’ Community Works conferences:

1. Most valuable 3 hours I spent this year!
2. My workshop leader was so knowledgeable and gave me practical information.
3. I look forward to implementing my new skills.
4. The professionalism of the workshop leaders was impressive.
5. I can put what I learned to use immediately.
6. Seeing all these people doing such great things was exhilarating.
7. It was great to see so many people with similar issues. I don’t feel so alone.
8. The contacts I made were worth the price of admission.