How will this summit help me with my work? As with past summits, we’ll start with the big picture of change at the community and systems level and then work on change within our organizations. Finally, we’ll look at our own leadership qualities as the hosts of change. Together we will actively explore: How your organization can be structured for engagement and success What transformation really means in your everyday work and how you can be part of it How you can bring about change within the structure of your own organization and community How you can work with other organizations to improve your overall results How you can ask the right questions to determine what success truly looks like in your organization and community What next step you will… Read more »

As a nonprofit leader, do you see opportunities to make small and big changes in your organization, in your community, and beyond? Do you wonder if your organization is ready to tackle the big issues in your community? Do you often think-if only the larger system would operate differently? These are just a few of the questions that Alaska nonprofit board and staff leaders are asking as we all experience a time of change. Change can take many shapes – maybe it’s the way we show up as leaders, maybe it’s how our organization is structured, or maybe it’s a major shift in our community. This summit will explore what change looks like at all levels and how we can participate in it. The 2015 Foraker Leadership Summit: “Transform. Create…. Read more »

Registration is now open for the 2015 Leadership Summit. On April 20-21, nonprofit professionals from around Alaska will convene at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage to explore the conference theme: “Transform. Create. Lead: As a sector — As organizations — As individual leaders.” We are gathering a group of national leaders and Alaska experts who will engage us in looking more creatively at our work. We are especially pleased that Meg Wheatley, an internationally acclaimed writer and speaker, will return to Anchorage. Meg was extremely popular at our 2010 summit when she worked with us to better understand how to create healthy communities. This year she will bring her latest research and insights on leadership for the organizations of the future. During the two-day event we will explore: Creating… Read more »

We are pleased to offer travel assistance for Foraker Partners attending the 2015 Leadership Summit who live outside the Anchorage area. Click here for details and an application form. Because funds are limited, please review the criteria carefully to determine if you or a member of your organization is eligible. Deadline for applying is Friday, February 27. You will be notified no later than Tuesday, March 10, if we are able to assist you. Assistance will include one free night at the Hotel Captain Cook and a stipend toward airfare. You may apply for lodging or a stipend toward airfare – or for both. If you have questions, please call us at 907-743-1200…. Read more »

We are pleased that Meg Wheatley, an internationally acclaimed writer and speaker, will return to Anchorage for our 2015 Leadership Summit. Meg was extremely popular at our 2010 summit when she worked with us to better understand how to create healthy communities. Since then, she has released her newest book, So Far From Home: Lost and Found in Our Brave New World, which is described as “a startlingly honest, profoundly reflective, and yet paradoxically down-to-earth book rooted in the day-to-day experiences we all share but seen with fresh eyes. It is both affirming and provoking, calling us to reexamine our expectations and redefine our role for the work ahead.“ Also confirmed is Richard Evans, CEO of EMCArts, who will explore ways to restructure organizations for innovation. Meg and Richard are… Read more »

Planning has begun for the 4th Foraker Leadership Summit. The summit will be held Monday-Tuesday, April 20-21, 2015, at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. Past summits have addressed generational changes in leadership, managing crisis, wellness of the sector, communities and leaders, and story sharing. We are fortunate that sponsor support allows us to bring in the top people in their fields to present cutting-edge concepts and guide us in a variety of learning activities. Our events are also noted for the time we set aside for networking, which participants tell us is extremely important to them. All this will be part of the 2015 summit. Set aside the date today and watch for more information in this newsletter and on our blog…. Read more »

As part of this year’s Summit, we encouraged you to develop your own “calls to action.” What do you plan to do with what you learned? Develop your story — decide who you will tell your story to — be clear about what you want your audience to do — share what you learned with staff and board? Click here for a few resources that may help. You’ll find a guide for developing a marketing or communication plan, along with a comprehensive reading list of the best material available on nonprofit communications. Check it out…. Read more »

In case you couldn’t attend the two excellent sessions by Travis Gilmour at the Leadership Summit, he’s sharing his presentations. Click below to view them. Session 1 — So You Want to Make a Video Session 2 — So You Want to Shoot a Video… Read more »

One of our great speakers at the Leadership Summit, Thaler Pekar, has generously provided more resources for storysharing. Link to the Sharing page of her web site for 9 articles. And check out the links below. Connecting Your Organization’s Past, Present and Future How to Gather Stories Finally, Thaler passed along Fine Examples of Storysharing in this document…. Read more »

2013 handouts are available here. We have learned from past conferences that it’s very difficult to determine just how many copies of presentations to print. This leads to one of two things – either we don’t have enough copies, or we have too many, which wastes paper and other resources. This year, as much as possible, we will place presentations and handouts online. We encourage you to download these documents to your computer or tablet, or to print them yourself if you want paper copies. Everyone who has registered for the Summit will receive an email Friday, April 19, with last minute details on the conference and a password to download handouts. Be sure to follow the link to the handout page, enter the password you will receive, and download… Read more »