2020 Virtual Nonprofit Leadership Conference

In anticipation of restrictions on large group gatherings due to COVID-19, this year's conference will be a half-day, highly interactive virtual event.

2020 has been a lesson in navigating change. The impact of COVID-19 on our communities, particularly nonprofit organizations, has been staggering.We are also experiencing a powerful call for individuals and organizations to demonstrate a commitment to racial equity.

The 2020 conference is designed for three audiences:

TRACK 1: Executive Directors seeking inspiring examples of crisis response and innovative approaches to racial equity
TRACK 2: Board members and leaders seeking a deeper understanding of their roles in advancing a nonprofit’s mission
TRACK 3: Development leaders and teams seeking proven tools and strategies for sustainable fundraising.

Conference Schedule and Speakers

Save your spot and enjoy the following conference benefits:

Access to downloadable tools and resources that can help your organization chart a new course
Interactive sessions (polls and Q/A) with session speakers from across the U.S.
Access to video recordings of all conference sessions following the event.
A post-conference action plan to propel your organization forward.

Early Bird Registration through Sept. 25.	$50
Regular Registration through Oct. 29.	$60

Save Your Spot - Register Now

2020 PRESENTING Sponsor

2020 KEYNOTE Sponsor

2020 SESSION Sponsors

2020 Conference PARTNERS

Keynote Speaker

Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement for the City of Springfield, Mo.

Presentation: “Staying Connected While Standing Apart”

As Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement for the City of Springfield, Missouri, Cora Scott is responsible for communications for Missouri’s third largest city, acting as chief spokesperson and overseeing communication strategy and media relations for the local government, its various service lines and its outreach initiatives and events.

Since joining the City of Springfield in 2012, Cora has been instrumental in transforming the Department of Public Information & Civic Engagement to adapt to emerging opportunities, changing technology and best practices. In addition to serving as a trusted counselor to appointed and elected leadership on strategic communications and issues management, she also leads proactive communications an operational strategy for high-profile community events and initiatives, such as the 50^th Anniversary “I Have a Dream Speech” March and Rally; the Impacting Poverty Commission and its Call to Action Report; the City’s Zone Blitz Initiative; the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival; Give 5, a “Civic Matchmaking Program”; Prosper Springfield, an initiative to increase decrease poverty and increase educational attainment; and most recently is co-leading a multi-departmental joint communications center during the 2020 pandemic.

This presentation aims to help nonprofits effectively communicate during crises, while adapting policies and operations, keeping donors close despite social distancing, and ultimately courageously serving the community during difficult times.

Conference platform -- Crowdcast. Fisher Studios, Crowdcast Specialist, will provide professional support to speakers and attendees throughout the event.

Why I'm Excited Series: Episode 1

The Drury Nonprofit Leadership Conference is hosted by the Drury University Leadership Collaborative, formerly the Center for Nonprofit Leadership.

2019 Nonprofit Leadership Conference
Keynote Presentation

Passion is Not Compensation: Why we must professionalize the nonprofit sector and how your organization can lead the charge

Professionalizing the nonprofit sector starts with examining the reasons why the sector doesn’t adhere to higher standards of practice with talent recruitment and development, organizational culture, and strategy. This presentation will discuss the three key mindset shifts organizations must take in order to achieve this, giving applicable strategies for nonprofit leaders, board members, and funders.

Keynote presenter: Meg Myers Morgan, Ph.D., MPA

Dr. Meg Myers Morgan is an expert nonprofit professional development and management. She is an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma and leads the graduate programs in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management on the OU-Tulsa campus. She is also a certified Executive and Leadership coach who works exclusively with nonprofit leaders. Dr. Morgan holds a Ph.D. and an MPA from the University of Oklahoma, certification in Executive and Leadership Coaching from Columbia University, and a degree in English and Creative Writing with honors from Drury University. Her latest book, Everything is Negotiable (Seal Press, 2018), offer tactics to help women negotiate for more in work and life. In its first week, the book is a best-seller and has now been translated in multiple languages. Meg gave a TED Talk, "Negotiating for Your Life", for TEDxOU in 2016. She was honored as a 2018 Distinguished Alumni from Drury University. She lives in Tulsa with her husband and their two young daughters.

Dr. Morgan's keynote will be discussed by a panel featuring Amy Amason, Brian Fogle, Ryan Hale and Erin K. Risner.

Breakout Sessions

Governance and Leadership, Funding Track
- There's Gold In Them There Hills - Wealth in the Ozarks (Brian Fogle)
- Making Sense of Financial Reports (Laura Knese and Krystal Creach)
- What Funders Want You to Know (Crystal Mapp, Winter Kinne, Sarah Morrow, Heather Zoromski)
- Lessons Learned from the Capital Campaign Trenches (Lisa Farmer, Bruce Nasby)
Strategic Planning and Vision Track
- Theory of Change - for impacting investment and measuring outcomes (Ryan Hale)
- Using Data/Info for Decision Making (Erin K. Risner)
- Collecting What Counts (Cassidy Miller)
- Scaling Up with Intention (Leadership Springfield: Mike Brothers, Katie Davis, Don Harkey, Caitlin Kissee, Carrie Richardson)
Internal and External Communication Track
- Building Transparent Partnerships to Drive Impact (Erin Gollhofer)
- Harnessing Volunteer Engagement (Ellen Herbig)
- Using Emotional Data as a Differentiator (Grant Gooding and Katie Lord)
- Leveraging Communication Audit Results (Cindy Beecher, Cassie Binkley, Jerrod Ellis, Kathryn Flores)
Win a Free Professional Video from Clear Point Video

Nonprofit Leadership Conference attendees will have the opportunity to win a free professional video shoot produced and edited by Clear Point Video! This prize is valued at $1,500.

To Enter
- Post on Facebook in 100 words or less why your nonprofit needs the video and how you will use it
- You must include a photo of yourself somewhere at the conference
- You must also use the hashtag #NLC2019
- Only one entry per nonprofit organization
- Must be posted by 1 p.m. on Friday, October 11
2018 Nonprofit Leadership Conference
Friday, October 5
Oasis Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield, Missouri

The 2018 Nonprofit Leadership Conference brings together industry leaders for one of the largest gatherings of nonprofit professionals in the state.

This year we will be focusing on Building a Strong Foundation, ensuring that every aspect of our work is supported by a healthy organization and inspired by our mission.

You'll hear from industry experts on meaningful topics and issues facing all types of organizations. Engage with a diverse group of your peers from a variety of nonprofits including foundations, charities, faith-based, health care, education, museums, associations, and government agencies.

Conference Agenda

7:45 - 8:30 a.m.
Registration, coffee and Krispy Kreme treats

8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
Opening Keynote
Scott Crabtree, Happy Brain Science

Breakout Sessions

10 - 11:15 a.m.

Scott Crabtree
Gamifying Engagement: What We Can Learn from Video Games

Master of Nonprofit and Civic Leadership Panel
Millennials and Nonprofits: Do they Mix?

John Zietlow
The Board's Role in Proficient Financial Management

Jackie Hancock
When the Leopard Needs to Change its Spots

12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

Bernie Dana
Stop Wasting Time: Develop Effective Team Meeting Skills

Patrick Walker
Awakening the SOUL: Practices for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Steve Burnich
Producing Videos on a Shoestring Budget

Kimberly Aaron
Building the Road to the Emerald City: Vision Setting

2:15 - 3:30 p.m.

Jessica Macy
No More Gold Watches: CEO Succession Planning

Kerry Miller
Impacting Your Community

Carolyn Sullivan
Coaching Your Team from Good to Awesome

Emilia Brown
The Secret Formula for Risk Management

3:45 p.m.

Innovative Ideas That Will Inspire You (PechaKucha style)

Presenting Sponsor

Keynote Sponsors

Champion Sponsor



Advocate Sponsors
2017 Nonprofit Communication Conference

October 6, 2017

Oasis Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield, MO

The 2017 Nonprofit Communication Conference brought together industry leaders for one of the largest gatherings of nonprofit professionals in the state.

This year focused on going 'Back to Basics,' drawing on aspects that initially inspired our work and helped launch our organizations.

Industry experts spoke on meaningful topics and issues facing all types of organizations. A diverse group of peers engaged from a variety of nonprofits including foundations, charities, faith-based, health care, education, museums, associations, and government agencies.

Conference Agenda

7:45 - 8:30	Registration \| Coffee \| Networking
8:30 - 8:40	Welcome Dan Prater (Drury University) Greeting from Presenting Sponsor Thrivent Financial
8:45 - 9:20	Keynote Ian Adair
9:30 - 10:30	Breakout Session #1 The Power of Social Media Tara Rawlins (RAW Marketing) Strategic Planning for Your Brand Angela Winschel and Nate Sprehe (Almanac, Inc.) Achieving Fundraising Freedom Mary Valloni (Mary Valloni Consulting) Project Management in the Nonprofit World Cristy Gies (417 Project Management)
10:45 - 11:45	Breakout Session #2 Everyone Communicates but Few Connect James Bonds (Well Driven Life LLC) Telling Your Story Through Financial Statements Barb Houser & Associates (KPM CPAs) Leading From Your Strengths Alia Stowers (Stowers Consulting)
11:50 - 12:45	Lunch
12:45 - 2:00	Breakout Session #3 Engagement in Fundraising Ryan Owen (Children International) Get Your Story in the Media Cheryl Whitsitt (Springfield News-Leader), Ethan Forhetz (KY3/KSPR) Enhancing Accountability and Engagement with the Great Game Katie Davis (Dream Big Consulting Learn How Attention-Focused Fundraising Can Work for You! Ian Adair (Gracepoint Foundation & Strategy 27)
2:00 - 2:30	Refreshments
2:30 - 3:30	Breakout Session #4 Frameworks & Tools for Defining Desired Impact Sarah Buek (Insight Partners Consulting, LLC) Connecting Board and Staff Meetings to Strategic Outcomes Russ White (The South Cabin Group) Improving Engagement Through Internal Communication Don Harkey (People Centric Consulting Group)
3:45 - 4:20	Ending Session
4:20 - 4:30	Closing Remarks and Giveaways

Speaker Breakout Session Presentations

Ian Adair: “Winning Donor Attention is Now the Variable of Success in Fundraising”

James Bonds: “Everyone Communicates But Few Connect”

Sarah Buek: “Reconnecting with Your Purpose”

Greg Burris: “Give 5: Preparing for the Great Convergence”

Katie Davis: “Enhancing Accountability & Engagement With the Great Game”

Ethan Forhetz and Cheryl Whitsitt: “Get Your Story in the Media”

Cristy Gies: “Project Management in the Nonprofit World”

Don Harkey: “Improving Engagement Through Internal Communication”

Barb Houser and Associates: “Telling Your Story Through Financial Statements”

Ryan Owen: “Engagement in Fundraising”

Alia Stowers: “Leading From Your Strengths”

Mary Valloni: “Achieving Fundraising Freedom”

Russ White: “Connecting Board & Staff Meetings to Strategic Outcomes”

2020 Virtual Nonprofit Leadership Conference