Nonprofit organizations do a tremendous amount of work to improve our communities. They feed the hungry, provide shelter for the unhoused, and give children access to safe spaces filled with enriching after-school activities. Nonprofits operate programs that generally decrease the cost of government spending and not only determine where the unmet needs are in our communities, but they also create programs to help meet those needs.
The day-to-day work our region’s nonprofits are responsible for is staggering. This, coupled with limited financial resources, can make it difficult to find the time and resources to participate in training and professional development opportunities. Training remains a critical component in helping to increase the knowledge base for nonprofit professionals and move the needle forward for the organizations they serve. Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation states that, “Professional development is not only meant to address a need for knowledge or to acquire a new skill, but to also anticipate the future needs of individuals in their current roles. Professional development in the nonprofit sector today is no longer considered a want, but a need.”
Investing in the professional development of Lea County’s nonprofit leaders is important to the JF Maddox Foundation. To help meet these needs for our nonprofit community, the Foundation is committed to offering training and resources that can help advance their work and further their mission. On Tuesday, October 3, the Foundation will welcome Carole Rylander of Rylander & Associates to Hobbs. Rylander, a consultant with more than 30 years of service in the non-profit sector, will lead two separate workshops dedicated to board governance and capital campaigns.
It may be surprising to learn that the Lea County organizations working tirelessly to fill gaps in community services are run by an all-volunteer board of directors. Community members who are business leaders, bankers, volunteers, nurses, teachers, accountants, attorneys, and more commit themselves to sharing their time, talent, and treasure to help these organizations thrive. During Rylander’s board governance workshop, she will dive heavily into the impact a board of directors can make for nonprofit organizations. Rylander will cover topics such as the legal obligations of boards, the elements of clear and concise bylaws, strategies for effective board meetings, and the importance of strategic planning. She will also detail board members’ roles and responsibilities and explain how board members add value to the organizations they serve.
Additionally, Rylander will offer a workshop focusing on capital campaigns titled “The Capital Campaign: What Is It? When Do We Need One?” During this session, she will explore not only the importance of a case for support and messaging required to embark on a feasibility study and capital campaign, but also the purpose, processes, stages, and structures of this type of campaign. Attendees will gain a full understanding of how capital campaigns differ from annual and major gift campaigns, as well as the preparation, leadership, and accountability required to embark on a capital campaign.
Many of our region’s nonprofit professionals have come to rely on the trainings provided through the JF Maddox Foundation to help them stay engaged with industry topics and participate in continued learning opportunities. Gretchen Koether, Executive Director of The Phoenix House, said, “Past trainings have provided me and our board of directors with tools to better serve our clients and community, and I always look forward to what I will be able to take back and apply to the work we do.”
For questions or to RSVP for the free October 3 workshops, contact Kawin Nunnery at knunnery@jfmaddox.org.
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Mayra Loves is Vice President – Grants at the JF Maddox Foundation, a family foundation in Lea County, New Mexico. Alongside its partners, the foundation invests in education, social services, and community development for a greater quality of life for Lea County residents.
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