The best way to build community is to meet people, and for the first time since 2020 leaders in the nonprofit space will be doing so in person at the annual Princeton Community Works conference.
The annual gathering for those working as staff, board members, or volunteers in the nonprofit world takes place Monday, January 27, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Conference Center at Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Cost: $40. Register at princetoncommunityworks.org.
The theme for this year’s event is “Come Together, Build Community, Be Inspired.” The day starts at 8 a.m. with coffee and breakfast, networking, and welcoming remarks. From there, attendees can select two workshops to attend during workshop sessions from 9:45 to 11 a.m. and from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Each session features a choice of seven workshops.
Workshops during the first session include:
• “The Joy of Fundraising: Embrace creative strategies for cultivating donor relationships and sustaining funding streams,” led by Cassie Jaeger and Beth Guerriero. Jaeger is the president of Women in Development, a statewide association that supports women working in fundraising and other nonprofit roles. Guerriero is the founder of Beth G Consulting, where she works with small and medium-sized organizations to help identify and achieve their goals.
• “Broadening Audience Through Media: Learn how to effectively use media to increase visibility and engage with a wider community,” led by Allison Mueller. Mueller operates Mueller Communications, where she oversees content management, media analytics, crisis communications, and media training for clients including local government, emergency services, healthcare, education, and nonprofits.
• “Listening as a Superpower: Gain insights into the power of active listening to foster better communication and stronger connections,” with a leader to be announced.
• “Nonprofit Finance: What You Don’t Know Can Cost You: Understand essential financial principles that every nonprofit leader should know to ensure long-term stability,” led by Gregg Indictor. Indictor joined Your Non Profit Controller in 2011 and has been the director of its Central New Jersey office since 2019. He previously worked in public accounting for 15 years.
• “Stress Management Techniques: Practical methods to manage stress and maintain well-being,” led by Sue Kirkland and Erika Rotella. Rotella is a life coach, Breath Works facilitator, workshop facilitator, and spiritual mentor. Kirkland is a former public school teacher and counselor who now works with nonprofits through her Life Consulting business.
• “Volunteers: Valuable Assets: Explore tools and techniques for empowering, engaging and retaining volunteers,” led by Marge Smith. Smith, the founder and chair of Princeton Community Works, has led numerous nonprofit boards, including the Princeton YWCA and its more than 1,000 volunteers. She serves as a consultant to nonprofits on board retreats, strategic planning, and team-building workshops.
• “Board Not Bored: Creating Engaged Boards: Discover effective techniques for building strong, active boards that contribute to the success of the organization,” led by Adriana Abizadeh. Abizadeh is the executive director of the Philadelphia-based Kensington Corridor Trust (KCT), which aims to revitalize the neighborhood’s commercial core through real estate acquisition, fostering local entrepreneurship, and capital investment. She was previously the executive director of the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund in Trenton.
Workshops offered during the second session include:
• “Radical Collaboration: Strategic Partners: Learn how to build powerful partnerships that drive mission impact,” led by Steven Gomez. As vice president at Citizens Bank, Gomez focuses on community relationships and initiatives that promote affordable housing, economic development, and support for small businesses.
• “Creating a Climate of Positivity, Inclusivity, and Appreciation: Simple ways to create a culture of positivity, inclusivity, and appreciation,” led by Marge Smith.
• “Effective Governance for Today’s World: Insights on adapting governance practices to meet the needs of today’s rapidly changing nonprofit landscape,” led by Tonya Woodland. Woodland is vice president, administration, for the Commonwealth Fund, a New York City-based organization dedicated to making quality healthcare affordable for all. Her role there includes overseeing human resources, culture development, and DEI initiatives as well as overseeing budget, facilities, and information technology. She also serves on the board of the Princeton Area Community Foundation.
• “Building an Effective Team: Practical approaches for recruiting, developing, and empowering nonprofit teams for maximum impact,” led by Sandra Toussaint-Burgher. Toussaint-Burgher is the president and CEO of United Way of Greater Mercer County, where she was previously vice president of resource development & strategic partnerships. Before transitioning to nonprofit work, she worked in insurance.
• “Internal Communications: Building Strength Within: Enhance communication within your organization to foster transparency, trust, and collaboration,” led by Blanche Brann, a Philadelphia-based consultant on nonprofit strategy.
• “Grant Writing: Essential Techniques: Learn best practices for navigating the world of grants, from securing funding to managing awards,” led by Maritza Raimundi-Petroski. Raimundi-Petroski is one half of the two-woman team behind the MAPA Collaborative, which provides organizational and personal development, education and training, and community engagement services.
• “Working Through Conflict: Gain techniques for resolving conflicts and maintaining a healthy organizational culture,” led by Shannon Mason. Trained as a counseling psychologist, Mason now works as a strategy consultant, speaker, and coach on leadership and organizational development.
