Workshops

Day of Learning: Operational Excellence in Action

Join us for our Spring 2026 Day of Learning: Operational Excellence in Action on Wednesday, April 29th, for an immersive learning experience designed for nonprofit staff, leaders and board members. Through interactive workshops and facilitated conversations, participants gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to strengthen leadership, improve collaboration, and deepen organizational impact — all while connecting with peers across the nonprofit sector.

The day will feature 3 engaging sessions led by CNE trainers and guest facilitators.

Sessions

Leading People Effectively | Essential Skills for Supervisors, Managers, and Team Leaders

Presented by Dr. Shantell Chambliss

Leading people is one of the most important—and challenging—responsibilities in nonprofit work. Whether you supervise staff, manage a team, coordinate volunteers, or lead projects, your ability to guide, support, and hold others accountable directly impacts organizational success. Yet many leaders step into these roles without formal training in people management. This session provides practical tools for leading with confidence and clarity, regardless of your title or level of formal authority. You’ll learn how to set expectations, give feedback, navigate difficult conversations, and build trust—skills that create stronger teams, higher performance, and more equitable workplaces.

 

Collaborative Decision-Making | Building Consensus & Navigating Conflict

Presented by Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle

Nonprofit leaders are constantly called upon to facilitate decisions that require buy-in from diverse stakeholders—staff, board members, volunteers, community partners, and funders. Collaborative decision-making builds trust, ensures diverse perspectives are heard, and creates stronger, more sustainable outcomes. Yet inclusive processes inevitably surface disagreement, competing priorities, and sometimes conflict. Leaders who can navigate these tensions with skill and confidence create organizational cultures where difficult conversations lead to better decisions rather than division. This session equips participants with practical frameworks for building consensus and the conflict navigation skills to make collaboration work in real-world, high-stakes situations.

Lunch Break | Dine Around Lunch On Your Own

We are glad to bring back the convivial and popular Dine Around Lunch, where participants will be able to connect while enjoying dining on the Charlottesville Historic Downtown Mall.

Please note that lunch is not provided, but time and conversation starters will be given so you can continue the conversation and get to know your fellow attendees!

 

AI Tools for Nonprofit Effectiveness

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations work, offering powerful tools to increase efficiency, enhance decision making, and amplify impact. Yet many nonprofit leaders feel overwhelmed by the pace of change or uncertain about how to adopt AI responsibly and effectively. This session demystifies AI, introduces practical tools that can streamline operations and addresses critical questions around ethics, equity, and data privacy. Participants will leave with concrete strategies to leverage AI in ways that align with their mission and values.

 

Interested in sponsoring the Day of Learning? Please contact Sandra Fries for more information, sfries@thecne.org

  

Topic	Operations & Administration
When	April 29, 2026 9:00 am - April 29, 2026 3:00 pm
Where	CitySpace- 100 5th Street N.E, Charlottesville VA
Trainer	Shantell Chambliss, Mariane Doyle
Member Fee	$125.00
Non-Member Fee	$210.00