Nonprofit organizations make up 10 percent of the American economy. As globalization continues to disrupt local economies, it is even more important that local nonprofits develop strategies which move at the speed of business.
To assist nonprofits in the area, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Blaisdell Foundation are bringing noted national nonprofit expert Michael Brand to town April 3 to lead a seminar on developing effective strategies in turbulent times.
From 8:30 a.m. to noon, Brand will share his methodology of “F.A.S.T. STRATEGY — Forward Action Strategic Thinking.” The highly interactive session will give participants the basic tools to effectively think about the future.
“We are pleased to have this opportunity to share Michael’s expertise with non-profits in the local area,” said Ron Orris, executive director of the Blaisdell Foundation. “Michael is a dynamic speaker who can help these organizations address the challenges of strategic planning — something that many of us find to be a difficult process.”
Kara Kennedy, executive director of the Chamber, said, “Both the Chamber and the Foundation work with a wide variety of non-profit organizations, and partnering together to provide resources that are not available to them individually is a win-win for everyone.”
Brand said he developed F.A.S.T. STRATEGY to fill a critical need for small and medium sized nonprofits.
“Traditional strategic planning processes don’t work for many nonprofit organizations,” he said. “They don’t have the staff, the time or the money to engage in long drawn out sessions with expensive consultants.”
However, Brand asserted, this is no excuse to avoid developing strategy. He employs his method to help nonprofits refine what they do best.
“Good strategy is about choosing a set of programs and services that provide unique value,” Brand said, “and it requires that you make tradeoffs — to decide what to do and what not to do.”
Representatives of local nonprofits interested in attending the seminar, which will be held at Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems, should contact the Chamber at 368-7115 or kara.kennedy@bradfordchamber.com to register. Registration is free, and a continental breakfast will be provided to attendees. Seating is limited, and pre-registration is required.
