Webinar Series & Intensive Learning Cohort  - (updated July 2024) 

Phase 2 - Tuesdays, September 17, October 1, October 15 & October 29

As nonprofit leaders, we get pulled into an endless series of projects, concerns, and opportunities. We also have many ongoing responsibilities – including funding, staff management and recruitment, financial management, communications, community engagement, and governance. Guiding the organization with clear priorities can be incredibly challenging. Wouldn’t it be helpful to have a clear framework for setting priorities and focusing attention on those activities most likely to lead to success?  

If this sounds helpful to you and your organization, then please join us for a virtual series led by Scott Schaffer, an experienced nonprofit leader and consultant with a background in economics, finance, and behavioral science. Scott is a four-time past CEO of regional, statewide, and national nonprofits and the lead researcher of “Best Practices – Myth or Fiction?”, an in-depth analysis of 35 success factors and their correlation with organizational success. This series will be an exploration of these success factors; some will reinforce your instincts, while others may surprise you! 

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This series is divided into two phases – some participants joined for Phase 1, a live, 4-part webinar series focused on the basic concepts and key learnings from Scott’s research. In Phase 2, Scott dives deeper into the material and discusses how to apply the information to your organization.  You can join the series this Fall by watching the four webinars in Phase 1 and reading the supporting materials. 

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Description: Phase 2 will convene executive directors into a peer group (intensive learning cohort) interested in using the information in “Best Practices – Myth or Fiction?” as a tool to assess and refocus operations and strategy in their organization. Participants in Phase 2 will deepen their understanding of the success factors, build a network of peers across the state, receive individualized support through one-on-one coaching with NAO staff, and learn how to prioritize their work to efficiently move their organization forward. 

1. Webinars: All participants must attend live or watch recordings of the Phase 1 webinar series. 
2. Coaching: From June – October 2024, participants will engage in up to two hours of individual coaching with NAO staff to support their preparation for the fall sessions.  
3. Workshops: Starting in September 2024, Scott will lead 4 90-minute virtual workshop sessions that are interactive, focused on practical application, and informed by his newest research on the post-COVID reality in nonprofits.

Intended Audience: The intended audience for Phase 2 is executive directors in rural nonprofits who are interested in a peer group to use and adapt the information from” Best Practices – Myth or Fiction?” into changes and improvements to their organization’s strategies, culture, internal operations, external orientation, and revenue structure. Phase 2 may also be appropriate for staff intending to move into an executive director role.

Schedule:

Coaching sessions: 2 hours per organization (July – October) with Tim Rusk, Nonprofit Education Specialist, Nonprofit Association of Oregon

Each workshop session is 90 minutes and conducted virtually on Zoom:

• Tues, Sept. 17: Workshop: Financial Strategy
• Tues, Oct 1: Workshop: Value proposition to funders
• Tues, Oct 15: Workshop: Staff development and retention
• Tues, Oct 29: Workshop: Leading Culture Change 

Cohort Guidelines

• This series is intended to support rural, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits statewide and is a best fit for those with an annual operating budget between $500k – $5M. 
• Enrollment is limited to 20 individuals with no more than two representatives from one organization. 
• Participants must watch recorded Phase 1 webinars and read supporting materials. 
• Participants make a commitment to attend all sessions so we can collectively work together and build a network of support.  
• Conversations will be held as confidential to allow for depth and breadth of exploration. 
• Participants will help guide the sessions and materials to meet their priorities. 

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Phase 1 – Recorded Webinars: Each session was 75 minutes and conducted virtually on Zoom: 

• Session 1: Organizational Strategy: Planning for Success 
• Session 2: Organizational Culture and External Footprint 
• Session 3: Management and Governance: Focusing on What Matters 
• Session 4: Facilitated Discussion – Deep Dive/Exploration of High-Impact Success Factors 

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Series Guidelines:

• This series is intended to support Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits headquartered in or predominantly serving rural areas and is a best fit for those with an annual operating budget between $500k - $5M.
• The intended audience is new or renewing executive directors, or leadership staff who are considering moving into an executive director role in the future
• Participants make a commitment to attend all sessions so we can collectively work together and build a network of support. 
• Conversations will be held as confidential to allow for depth and breadth of exploration.

Cost

Phases 2, including 1:1 coaching (Full Program): $650 for NAO Members, $1200.00 for Nonmembers.

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