The 16th Annual Washington State Nonprofit Conference is April 29th, 2010. Are you ready? If you’ve ever walked away from a conference thinking it was nice, but the investment didn’t really pay off, use these tips for a whole different experience. If you’re willing to do your share, this conference will transform your nonprofit organization into the success you’ve always dreamed of.
Before the conference:
Get clear on your intentions. What is the main issue your nonprofit is facing? What is a personal challenge you could use a little help with? Take a look at the workshops and keynotes listed on the website at www.npconference.org. Decide which sessions you’d like to attend and get specific with what you want from it. I’m currently reading keynote speaker Dan Pallotta’s book ‘Uncharitable.’ His insights are thought provoking and are sure to make a positive impact on the entire nonprofit sector. Getting to know his background and intentions for helping nonprofits succeed will be time well spent before the conference.
Along with getting to know the keynoters, choose the workshops you have the most interest in. Go in with a plan. Pick something specific you want to learn from the presenter while being open to unexpected information. Visit the presenter’s web site to learn more and get a feel if it’s the right match for you. Set a time limit of 15-30 minutes so you don’t get bogged down in analysis paralysis.
There’s a science to collaboration. It’s not just a pretty word. While competition keeps you on your edge, it’s foolish to think that if someone else isn’t achieving his or her mission, you’re somehow better off. Collaboration helps everyone, including you. Arrive at the conference with clearly defined intentions of how you’d like to improve your individual nonprofit as well as the sector as a whole.
During the conference:
In addition to hearing the presenters, mingling with 1000 attendees is part of what you pay for. Be open to meeting new people without being tempted to cling to people you already know. Notice if you feel unbalanced with giving and receiving ideas. Some people feel comfortable sharing all their ideas with others. If you’re one of them, start listening more. If the main way you interact at conferences is taking in new ideas, balance it with finding opportunities to share what’s working for you with others.
It’s just one day. Make the most of it and take in as much as possible. With that said, you also want to take a break when you need one. A five-minute break with slow, deep breathing will help clear your mind so you can be fully present with the next person you interact with.
Benjamin Cordy of Executive Alliance encourages each attendee to visit the Idea Table. The Idea Table is set up to give you a 5-10 minute mini peer coaching session with an expert. With attention on your goal, they’ll help you look at the problem as an obstacle to go over, around, under, whatever! You may hear something new that will help you resolve it faster than you could have on your own. Helping others is what nonprofit professionals do best. Take a few minutes and let someone else help you!
Talk with exhibitors. As you approach the booths you want to visit, get crystal clear on specific questions to ask that will help you achieve your goals. Set a date to meet with them after the conference if you need more time. And remember, while it’s good to have a goal in mind, it’s just as important to be flexible and aware of synchronicities that may lead you to useful encounters.
After the conference:
Take some time to integrate what you’ve experienced at the conference. Relax. Don’t just rush into the next thing. The members of the Executive Alliance staff plan to take it easy on Friday by celebrating at a restaurant, talking about the event and also having some deliberate time alone. Give that to yourself too. After you’ve had some time to unwind, go through the information you’ve collected and decide what’s most important. Then, ditch the rest. Make a to-do list with specific action steps. As Benn says, “There’s a big difference between what needs to be done and the actions you’ll take.” Commit to certain dates and put your words into verbs. Do it! Notice the difference between what you ‘should’ do and what you want to do. There’s a reason your energy is higher on certain topics. Trust it and follow it.
Where people used to joke that the real conference takes place in the hallways, this conference IS the hallway. The presenters and keynoters are there to help you succeed. Bring your questions and ideas for a better future. Communicate clearly and enjoy the benefits the 16th Annual Washington State Nonprofit Conference offers you as an individual as well as the entire nonprofit sector.
For more communication and presentation tips I invite you to visit www.PamelaZiemann.com or call me at 425.223.0123.