GGTS Workshops

As part of our services to our clients, GGTS provides workshops semiannually in Chicago. Top management staff, advancement staff members, Board members, and volunteers from our client institutions attend without charge. Limited registrations are accepted from nonclients for each workshop.

SAVE THE DATE!

AUGUST 7-8, 2008
The Drake Hotel, Chicago

“Building High Performance Boards”

Governing Boards of today’s not-for-profit organizations face a wide range of challenges and opportunities that can either enhance or diminish the strength of the organizations they serve. Doing the most good possible is clearly the underlining desire of the volunteers who serve on governing Boards. But, what are the critical issues that governing Boards must address to ensure that the “highest destiny” of the institutions they serve is achieved?

Building High Performance Boards is the Summer Workshop being offered by Gonser Gerber Tinker Stuhr, and its consultants. GGTS has more than 40 years of experience in providing non-profit leaders such educational opportunities.

Held over the course of two days at the historic and beautiful Drake Hotel in Chicago, this workshop will focus on issues of strategic importance for Board members, presidents, CEO’s, and chief advancement and development officers such as:

Clarifying mission and setting institutional vision and direction
Attracting and retaining superb talent on your Board
Building Boards with optimal philanthropic potential and influence
Fiscal stability and strength - essential underpinnings
The Executive Committee: A conduit between administration and the full Board
The Advancement Committee: Setting direction and getting results
Image and Branding: Building broader public awareness and appreciation
Board impact on the advancement process
Shaping public policies that provide revenues

GGTS will provide participants with valuable ideas and strategies that can be taken back to their institutions for immediate integration and improvements. Leading practitioners in the area of Board leadership, GGTS consultants, and high performing current and past clients of GGTS will lead the various sessions that will comprise the dynamic content of this workshop.

Please hold the dates of August 7-8 and plan to attend the GGTS Summer Workshop on Building High Performance Boards. Bring your Board members with you so they too can benefit from the sessions and interactions with other Board members.

Previous Workshop Programs
A sampling of past workshop programs is provided below.

“Building a Culture of Philanthropy: Proven Strategies for Success”
The most successful non-profit organizations benefit from a culture of philanthropy that positively impacts all constituencies and is integrated throughout the organization. The GGTS Winter Workshop helped participants learn how to maximize the power and potential of a culture of philanthropy. Topics included: mission, vision and direction that builds synergy and drives philanthropy; annual giving as the foundation for cultural change; the President/CEO as “chief advancement officer;” engaging the Board for maximum impact; marketing communications that create a positive environment, building trust and commitment; cultivating and securing ultimate gifts.

“Integrated Marketing – Central to Advancement Success”
Implementing an effective integrated marketing program for your organization can transform its image in the marketplace and its reputation among key constituencies. Integrated marketing is a concept that must be understood and embraced by all members at all levels of an organization. Participants left the workshop with a clear understanding of the key concepts involved with integrated marketing including market research, product development, brand and image enhancement, promotional techniques, creation of high impact written materials, utilization of digital media and the internet, and constructing the marketing plan.

“Effective Board Leadership: A Vision for the Future”
Developed to help maximize the contributions of nonprofit Board leaders. Over the course of two days participants will be challenged by speakers and colleagues to examine and rethink their organizations and to develop a strategic outlook for their organizations. The workshop will focus on issues of critical concern to Board leaders including; creating value-added Board leadership, clarifying organizational priorities, building common vision and values, planning strategically, achieving financial sustainability, and clarifying Board/ staff roles in planning, participating in and monitoring the advancement process.

“Successful Campaigns – Achieving Your Philanthropic Goals”
With so many bold ideas in need of funding and so many opportunities to change lives, what’s an institution to do? Have a campaign, of course! Campaigns are among the most exciting, invigorating and challenging activities in which an organization can engage. Participants joined GGTS consultants and colleagues from across the country to learn how to plan and execute a campaign or how to sustain, enhance or even invigorate their current campaign efforts. Topics included; Philanthropic Trends, Creating a Compelling Case, Campaign Preparation and Planning, Strategic and Effective use of Volunteers and Committees, and Broadening the Base of Campaign Support.

“Maximizing the Impact of Your Advancement Program”
In an age of accountability and increasing demands for results, it is imperative that advancement operations function at optimal efficiency. In large groups and roundtable discussions, participants obtained and shared information on creating vision and goals for their advancement programs; defining their advancement team; identifying their best donor prospects; utilizing integrated marketing to build awareness, acceptance and understanding of their institution; strengthening their donor base; building relationships with major and planned gifts donors; stewardship and more.

"Raising Major Gifts in Today's Environment"
Advancement programs that consistently deliver major gifts are the most effective in propelling the institution to achieve its mission and vision through philanthropic partnerships. Institutions that devote appropriate emphasis and utilize all key components of a major gifts program are rewarded with the transformational impact that only major gifts can provide. This workshop identified the ingredients of thriving programs and suggested strategies designed to help an institution maximize its potential in this vitally important area of advancement. Particular attention was paid to the use of planned giving techniques in the major gift process, coordination of the major and planned gifts program with annual giving, and the vital role Presidents and Board members play in raising major gifts.