2007 Regional Conferences

Finance & Risk Management Essentials for Nonprofit Leaders

June 13-14, 2007 • The Colony Hotel • Kennebunkport, ME

The Center is grateful to the Public Entity Risk Institute for its generous sponsorship of this conference.

For the second year in a row, the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, Maine Association of Nonprofits and New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits will proudly present a conference designed to help nonprofit leaders effectively integrate sound finance and risk management principles into day-to-day operations. At an inspiring, oceanfront location, you’ll learn what steps are needed to achieve a greater measure of accountability and harness practical tools to strengthen your mission. The conference offers a time and place for the sharing of ideas, the opportunity to acquire information for informed decision-making and a welcoming environment for champions of effective financial management in the nonprofit sector. The conference is designed for nonprofit CFOs, finance professionals, CEOs, program managers, board members, department heads and professional advisors serving nonprofit organizations. Veteran nonprofit professionals, as well as new managers, will feel at home at this challenging, information-packed educational event.

I attended the regional conference in Denver last week. Thank you for putting together such an informative day! It was just what I needed to help get our agency going in the right direction in looking at these risk issues.

— Tamra Schmitt, Adoption Alliance, Denver, CO

This Training Is for You

  • executive directors
  • chief operating officers
  • chief financial officers and treasurers
  • fiscal managers
  • professional risk managers
  • program managers
  • board members
  • advisors to nonprofits

Conference Agenda

June 13

8:00–9:00 am

Registration, Breakfast and Ice-Breaker
9:00–9:15 am

WELCOME
9:15–10:15 am

Are You Under a Rock or Out on a Ledge? Managing Risk in a Changing World

The opening plenary session will explore the concepts of risk perception, risk communication and assigning responsibility for risk management in a nonprofit organization. Learn why reputation risk may be the most ignored but most critical topic on your board’s agenda and what your organization can do to harness fear about the future into a plan of action.

Speaker: Melanie Lockwood Herman, Executive Director, Nonprofit Risk Management Center

10:30–Noon

Effective and Legal Employment Practices: Hot Topics, Emerging Issues and Proven Strategies

This session will explore employment topics on the radar screen for 2007. What risks lurk in your current employment practices? What changes in law and regulation are most likely to result in errors on the part of even a dedicated nonprofit leader? Learn what your organization can and must do to “take the high road” with its employees while remaining safely within the lanes of legal conduct.

Speaker: Jennifer Chandler Hauge
Noon–12:45 pm

Buffet Lunch
1:00–2:30 pm

Insurance: What You Need to Know but Have Been Afraid (or Unwilling) to Ask

Few nonprofit leaders relish the opportunity to pour over their insurance contracts. Yet most leaders rely on the protection promised in these documents. This workshop will explore and debunk common myths about buying appropriate insurance coverage for a nonprofit, and present a framework for making certain that your nonprofit is an educated consumer of insurance. Let’s face it, you’re going to buy coverage at some point and at some level. Why not commit to being a good steward of financial assets and putting together an insurance program that protects and fortifies your mission

Speaker: Melanie Lockwood Herman
2:45–4:30 pm

Risk Management Case Studies

This problem-solving workshop brings cases drawn from real events at real nonprofits (Don’t worry we won’t mention you by name). Alcohol use, pluralism challenges, sexual harassment, improper use of the organization’s credit card and volunteer enthusiasm gone wrong, very wrong. Participants will be presented with interesting case studies and have to answer the burning question, “If this happened at our agency (Heaven Forbid!), how would we deal with it? Strengthen your analytical and problem-solving skills with these thought provoking aerobics for your mind.

Facilitators: Melanie Lockwood Herman and Jennifer Chandler Hauge

June 14

8:00–9:00 am

Registration, Breakfast and Ice-Breaker
9:00–10:15 am

Financial Risk Management: 10 Lessons to Live By

This presentation will begin with a fast-paced overview of key financial risks facing nonprofits. The speaker will discuss commonly overlooked and underestimated exposures as well as risks that are more familiar to veteran nonprofit managers. The session will continue with ten essential lessons (and two bonus lessons!) for nonprofit leaders. The practical advice that will be shared during this session is relevant for nonprofit CFOs, senior staff, CEOs and board members. Participants will learn what is required to avoid or mitigate financial risks that could lead to unfortunate and costly if not catastrophic outcomes for their organizations.

Speaker: Melanie Lockwood Herman, Executive Director, Nonprofit Risk Management Center
10:30–12:00 noon

Top Drawer Financial Reporting for Your Nonprofit

What type of financial information do they want from me? Do you struggle with monthly financial reporting and presenting financial data in a way that is meaningful to your board? You are not alone. This session will present practical financial reporting ideas and tips designed to help you develop high quality, easy to digest financial information to empower your board to govern effectively. In addition, this session will provide a seamless roadmap to help bridge the gap between the internal financial information reported to your board and the financial information reported by the independent audit or accounting firm used by your organization.

Presenters: Rusty J. Mosca, CPA and Kelli Boyle, CPA of Nathan Wechsler & Company
12:15–1:00 pm

Buffet Lunch
1:00–2:15 pm

Getting the Most Out of Budgeting

There are a lot of books and models on how to put together a budget. Exciting stuff—nah, but it should be. Many nonprofits fail to get the most out of budget-making because they tend to treat the end product as a static and perhaps painful set of numbers that should merely add correctly and be balanced. In truth, budgeting is the financial engine of your organization—a powerful and dynamic tool that should be the result of an inclusive process and incorporate imagination and calculated risk. This session, through presentation, materials and interaction, will provide participants will a wide range of concepts, ideas and tips for making the most out of budgeting.

Speakers: Doug Sauer and Kelly Mathews, Council of Community Services of New York State, Inc.
2:30–3:45 pm

WORKSHOP A

The Building Blocks of Nonprofit Accounting: Debits, Credits, and Beyond

Why are debits on the left and credits on the right? What does Cash vs. Accrual accounting mean for you and why does the auditor do those year-end adjustments? This session will offer campers a primer on accounting practices and give participants an overview of the nonprofit accounting vocabulary.

Speaker: Kelly Mathews

WORKSHOP B

Board/Staff Roles in Financial Oversight and Decision-Making

We can talk about accountability all we like, but how do we make it work? How do we structure leadership and operations to face the increasing demands of regulators, funders, and constituents to be financially accountable and transparent? In this session, learn to design, implement, and monitor a board led accountability structure that fits your nonprofit and clearly defines key roles and responsibilities. At what point do financial decisions rise to level of board action? What are staff roles and where are the boundaries? This session will offer participants tools and tips on identifying the parameters of board-staff roles in financial matters.

Speaker: Doug Sauer
4:00–5:00 pm

Lessons Learned: Taking it Home

Gather to share lessons learned from, and discuss ways to take home some new ideas, strategies, & tools.

Facilitators: Doug Sauer and Kelly Mathews

Conference Workshops

  • Effective and Legal Employment Practices: Hot Topics, Emerging Issues and Proven Strategies
  • Insurance: What You Need to Know but Have Been Afraid (or Unwilling) to Ask
  • Risk Management Case Studies
  • Top Drawer Financial Reporting for Your Nonprofit
  • Getting the Most Out of Budgeting
  • The Building Blocks of Nonprofit Accounting: Debits, Credits, and Beyond
  • Board/Staff Roles in Financial Oversight and Decision-Making
  • Lessons Learned: Taking it Home

Lead Sponsors


 


 


 

Co-Sponsors

  

Conference Sponsors

Maine Association of Nonprofits

The Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) is committed to advancing and strengthening Maine's nonprofit sector. MANP's membership consists of over 550 nonprofit members and 95 business and individual supporters. MANP offers members professional skill development programs, affordable healthcare and benefits plans, discounts on related programs and services and advocacy resources. For more information, visit www.nonprofitmaine.org.

Nonprofit Risk Management Center

The Center provides free technical assistance on risk management, liability, and insurance matters; offers interactive risk assessment programs online; publishes easy-to-use written resources; designs and delivers workshops and conferences; and offers competitively priced consulting services. The Center’s library of affordable publications includes more than 20 titles, and its software resources include Nonprofit CARES and Pillars of Accountability. For more information, call (202) 785-3891.

New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits

Founded in 1986, the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits is an association of over 400 member nonprofit organizations who have joined together to strengthen the state's nonprofit sector. The Center works to increase public awareness of how indispensable nonprofits are to NH's well being and is dedicated to strengthening the effectiveness of New Hampshire nonprofits by providing them with the knowledge, resources, and tools necessary to enhance their ability to serve the citizens and communities of New Hampshire. For more information, visit www.nhnonprofits.org.

The Public Entity Risk Institute

PERI is a tax-exempt nonprofit whose mission is to serve public, private and nonprofit organizations as a dynamic, forward thinking resource for the practical enhancement of risk management. PERI provided generous funding to support the delivery of this conference. For more information on PERI, visit the organization’s Web site.

Conference Location

The Colony Hotel
140 Ocean Ave
PO 511
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
phone: 800-552-2363

Lodging

The Colony Hotel is reserving a limited amount of rooms at the highly discounted rate of $119/night for gardenside & garden house rooms. Reservations must be made at least 30 days prior to the event (by 04/28/07) to ensure the special rate and availability. One night's deposit will be taken with a credit card when making the reservation. Full refund can be made on the credit card if reservations are cancelled at least 3 days prior to arrival. Guests should mention the Maine Association of Nonprofits when making the reservation. Call (800) 552-2363 for reservations.

About The Colony Hotel

The Colony Hotel is one of Maine's most outstanding resorts. Spectacularly situated on the rock promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the mouth of the Kennebunk River, we have a heated saltwater swimming pool, private safe surf beach and gorgeous organic gardens. We are within walking distance of the charming village of Kennebunkport. Area attractions include golf, tennis, sea kayaking, nature trails, bicycling, boating, shopping and art galleries.

The Boughton Family has maintained a reputation for excellence throughout 57 years of owning and managing the Boughton Hotel Corporation. Our courteous atmosphere is conducive to work or play. As the first environmentally responsible hotel and U.S. Backyard Wildlife Habitat in the state of Maine, we are committed to providing our guests with a quality experience while maintaining our policy of respect for Nature and our surroundings.

Spectacular ocean views, unequaled natural beauty, cool sea breezes, the sound of the sea, and a sense of history distinguish The Colony Hotel.

  • Open mid-May through late October
  • Hotel Environmental Action Plan
  • Heated Saltwater Outdoor Pool
  • Private Sandy Beach and Safe Bathing
  • Acclaimed New England Dining featuring Maine Lobster and Local Seafoods
  • Poolside Lunches in summer season
  • Afternoon Tea 4-5 pm daily
  • Room Service — Limited Hours
  • Poolside Marine Room Lounge
  • Wedding, Banquet and Conference Facilities Available
  • Intimate Ballroom
  • Hotel Gift Shop featuring Maine-made gifts
  • Beautiful Rose, Herb and Flower Gardens
  • Verandas Overlooking Gardens and Ocean
  • Fresh Flower Bouquets from the Gardens

Directions

  • Once you have paid the toll on the Maine Turnpike (I-95) North or South take exit #25, formerly exit #3 for the "Kennebunk's."
  • Turn left heading south onto Route 35 - following the signs for "Kennebunkport". Travel 1 1/2 miles to Route 1. At the traffic light, turn left (go approximately 200 feet). Turn right onto Route 35.
  • Travel 4 miles toward Kennebunkport. At the light turn left onto Route 9.
  • Travel over the bridge and after the Dock Square Monument (White Sign) in the town center, turn right onto Ocean Avenue.
  • Travel 1 mile until you see the sign on the left for King's Highway. Take a left up the hill to the main entrance.

Conference Registration Fee

  • $175 for the first registration and $150 for each additional registration if your organization is a member of:
    • Maine Association of Nonprofits
    • New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits
  • $275 for the first registration and $250 for each additional registration if your organization is not a member of one of the above organizations

The Conference Registration Fee includes breakfast and lunch on both days. Registrants will also receive a resource guide containing handout materials.

Questions?

  • Melanie Herman via e-mail or by phone at (202) 785-3891