Community engagement is a pillar of all non-profit organizations, but how does that authentic connection and partnership translate to online audiences in the age of social media? Maintaining an internet presence is one way to effectively establish your organization’s brand. Developing a social media strategy in addition to your organization’s existing communications and community engagement plans for your organization is a great way to stay connected with key partners, target audiences and potential donors.

Join us on April 23^rd from 10 am-12 pm at The Equity Center – Downtown as we learn how to create and execute a social media strategy without a budget with Sydney Shuler, Communications Specialist at The Equity Center.  

During this session, offered in partnership with The Equity Center, you will learn how to:

• Analyze social media insights to identify, engage with and expand your audience on the main social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X)
• Create and execute an original social media strategy.
• Create original content.
• Work with easy-to-use tools to create graphics.
• Repost content
• How to make internet trends work for your organization 

If you require any accessibility accommodations, such as American Sign Language interpreters, please contact staff@thecne.org.

Are you a marketing or communications professional looking to connect and learn from your peers in other organizations? 

CNE’s Marketing & Communications Discussion Group provides an opportunity for folks working in communications to share challenges, swap stories, and get industry updates. Each session will focus on a different topic and include guest speakers when possible. 

Discussion Topic: Social media work session

Join us on May 23^rd, at 9:00 am for a chance to present social media wins and lessons learned. We will analyze social media engagement and reach at your organization and talk through how to optimize the platforms you're on. For this session, attendees are encouraged to come prepared with metrics they'd like to share and/or workshop. This session will be in-person at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence- 1701-A Allied St, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

Special thanks to LaTasha Durrett, Senior Communications Manager at Southern Environmental Law Center, who generously coordinated these events.

We’re all communicators. No matter your role in your organization, you need to communicate with others – maybe external audiences or that coworker down the hall (or on the Zoom!) We rely on our ability to communicate effectively. The same holds true for organizations. Big or small, in order to effectively carry out your mission, you need to be able to tell your story– in the right way, at the right time, to the right audiences. It’s what we call strategic communications. Unfortunately, many organizations don’t have the resources they think they need to undertake an effective communications strategy. Not so fast.

This workshop will show you how to use the resources you already have to carry out an ongoing communications program without a big budget dedicated to it. During the session, you’ll learn how to:

• Create and execute your own communications plan

• Develop messaging and storylines that reflect who you are

• Devise a media relations strategy that works for you

• Respond in the event of a crisis

• Create your own content

• Effectively use social media platforms

• Put technology to work for you

If you require any accessibility accommodations, such as American Sign Language interpreters, please contact staff@thecne.org.

High-impact boards start with board members who understand their role and how best to bring their skills to the board table. Join CNE staff members Cindy Colson, Erica Holmes, and Brian Ullman on Wednesday, April 10 at 9:30 am for this session designed to give board members a jump start on effective board service. Drawing from CNE’s Board Academy curriculum and feedback from our members, this workshop will teach the key roles and responsibilities of board members, include interactive exercises for skills development, and provide a unique networking opportunity for community members engaging in board service.

Topics covered will include:

• The unique role of the nonprofit sector
• Characteristics of a high-impact board
• Fiduciary duties of nonprofit boards
• The board/CEO partnership
• and more!

Participants will leave the workshop with a new understanding of their role as board members and the path to a high-impact board, as well as a toolkit of resource materials to take with them to the boardroom. This session is designed to make practical board training more readily available and to complement your organization’s own board orientation session or board education goals.  New board members of area nonprofits are encouraged to attend, as are more experienced board members who seek a refresher course to sharpen their board knowledge. Nonprofit leaders are also welcome; this is a great opportunity to engage your new board leadership!

TEAM DISCOUNT!

We believe that nonprofit boards are strongest when they learn and strive for continuous improvement together. We are pleased to offer a 10% discount on the total registration cost for our Board Essentials workshop when 3 or more board members (or staff) from the same organization attend the training together. If you’d like to take advantage of this discount, please send the names and emails of all participants with your organization's information to Summer Conley.

Please note:

• This meeting will take place in-person.
• Refunds will be issued for cancellations made 24 hours or more before the start of the training.

American Sign Language interpreters or other communication access accommodations are available upon request. Please submit any accommodations requests to Denisha Phipps.

Unlock the full potential of your organization by unleashing the power of strategic volunteer engagement! Dive into the art of Volunteer Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition to elevate your nonprofit programs where volunteers play a vital role in delivering impactful services.

This session is recommended for all nonprofit board members, directors, and staff involved in guiding or managing volunteer programs.

If you require any accessibility accommodations, such as American Sign Language interpreters, please contact staff@thecne.org.

FREE lunch provided! Join us for an engaging lunch and learn event, where we delve into the insights uncovered by the Virginia Community Engagement Index (VCEI). In 2023, Serve Virginia and the Virginia Service Foundation launched a comprehensive, and groundbreaking study, which offers a comprehensive overview of service, volunteerism, and civic action in Virginia. The session will showcase key findings and recommendations derived from the study, shedding light on what motivates individuals to get involved and stay involved in civic activities. Gain valuable insights that can empower targeted messaging and recruitment strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to leverage data-driven approaches for effective community mobilization.

Free lunch provided by First Citizens Bank.

Are you currently serving or interested in serving as a treasurer on a nonprofit board? Would you like to connect with others in similar roles to share insights, learn best practices, and discuss the unique challenges of nonprofit financial leadership?

This discussion group is designed to support individuals serving as nonprofit board treasurers or those interested in taking on the role. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore practical solutions to the financial and governance challenges they face in their organizations.

Program Overview

This program provides a collaborative and supportive environment for peer learning and mutual support. Whether you’re seeking advice on tackling a specific financial issue, looking to strengthen your understanding of nonprofit financial management, or simply hoping to connect with peers who understand the responsibilities of a treasurer, this group is here to help.

How It Works

Each session will focus on a specific topic related to nonprofit financial leadership to spark meaningful conversation. The latter portion of the session will be dedicated to open discussions, allowing participants to address pressing concerns or challenges. This time is ideal for seeking feedback on financial practices, brainstorming solutions to complex problems, or simply networking with peers who share similar responsibilities.

Special thanks to Melody Bianchetto who generously facilitates these sessions. 

We are delighted to announce the next Leaders of Color Collective session! The Leaders of Color Collective is a program designed specifically for and by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) working in the social impact sector.

This session's topic: "Advancing Allyship"

This workshop picks up where we left off—talking about how we build inner strength (resilience)—and now takes it a step further. We’ll explore how we can use that strength to stand up for others, build trust, and create spaces where everyone feels safe, seen, and supported.

Join us on Tuesday, May 13, at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom, and discover what allyship is all about.

This session is free and virtual! Register today!

With a special thank you to program sponsors, Dan River Nonprofit Network, First Presbyterian Church Charlottesville, United Way of Greater Charlottesville, and Wells Fargo.

High-impact boards start with board members who understand their role and how best to bring their skills to the board table. Join CNE Senior Manager, Brian Ullman on Thursday, May 15 at 9:00 am for this session designed to give board members a jump start on effective board service. Drawing from CNE’s Board Academy curriculum and feedback from our members, this workshop will teach the key roles and responsibilities of board members, include interactive exercises for skills development, and provide a unique networking opportunity for community members engaging in board service.

Topics covered will include:

• The unique role of the nonprofit sector
• Characteristics of a high-impact board
• Fiduciary duties of nonprofit boards
• The board/CEO partnership
• and more!

Participants will leave the workshop with a new understanding of their role as board members and the path to a high-impact board, as well as a toolkit of resource materials to take with them to the boardroom. This session is designed to make practical board training more readily available and to complement your organization’s own board orientation session or board education goals.  New board members of area nonprofits are encouraged to attend, as are more experienced board members who seek a refresher course to sharpen their board knowledge. Nonprofit leaders are also welcome; this is a great opportunity to engage your new board leadership!

TEAM DISCOUNT!

We believe that nonprofit boards are strongest when they learn and strive for continuous improvement together. We are pleased to offer a 10% discount on the total registration cost for our Board Essentials workshop when 3 or more board members (or staff) from the same organization attend the training together. If you’d like to take advantage of this discount, please send the names and emails of all participants with your organization's information to staff@thecne.org.

Please note:

• This meeting will take place in-person.
• Refunds will be issued for cancellations made 24 hours or more before the start of the training.

Please contact Catherine Smith for any accommodation requests.