BAE EMERGING LEADERS CONFERENCE 2009
THE AUDACITY TO LEAD
Turning Challenges Into Opportunities
Teachers College – Columbia University
525 West 120th Street, New York City.
Thursday April 23rd, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday April 24th, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
$35.00 per person
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Conference Description
BAE’s Emerging Leaders Conference 2009 seeks to address the leadership dilemma being experienced by many such leaders today: embedded in organizations that are under-funded, many have no clear path for their professional development, inadequate support and have little opportunity to build partnerships that are resourceful. Ultimately the questions for many emerging leaders are: Am I living up to my greatest potential or making the greatest impact in my life at this time? Do I stay with my organization (or in the nonprofit sector) or do I go? If I stay how do I ensure that I survive and thrive? If I go, how and where can I best use my skills and talents to make a meaningful difference.
The nonprofit leader and the organizations within which they operate, are at a major crossroads . On the one hand, at the local level, dire predictions are continuing to be made about the impact of the budget crisis on nonprofits and social service delivery in New York City. With the recently announced budget cuts of the Mayor and Governor, the financial crisis is already resulting in a steep drop in funding available for organizations, forcing them to reassess, restructure or more creatively implement existing programs, sometimes requiring a complete overhaul in operations. And, in worse case scenarios it has required organizations to downsize, cut their budgets, eliminate staffing or forced them to close their doors altogether. On the other hand, the recent historic election of President Barack Obama, has inspired the masses around the theme of hope and change. For emerging leaders of color, in particular, this charge has not only reinvigorated those in the pipeline, but also has encouraged a sense of urgency as they continue to position themselves personally and professionally to take the leadership reigns within communities. Additionally, current statistics report that nearly 50% of nonprofit CEOs will be retiring over the next several years. As the demographics of the city and the communities in greatest need for services, continue to diversify, the leadership of the organizations serving these populations will need to reflect this diversity. The emerging leaders of color will need to be both positioned and prepared to make the necessary leadership contributions that will be required to effectively provide culturally competent services in the period ahead.
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Conference Schedule - Proposed
DAY 1
Thursday, April 23, 4:30 – 7:30pm
4:30-5:30
Registration/Welcome Reception/Refreshments
5:30-5:45
Opening Remarks/Greetings
BAE will welcome participants and share generalinformation about the agency.
5:45-6:15
Keynote Speaker
The speaker will deliver The speaker will deliver uplifting, motivational remarks aimed at offering encouragement for emerging and current leaders of color. The keynote will set the tone for the weekend and address the overarching issues and themes of the conference, including: 1) trends in the leadership “gap/pipeline” & the impending retirement of 50% of non-profit leaders, 2) the impact and hope of Barack Obama’s election/presidency for emerging leaders and 3) the challenges and opportunities of leading in the current economic environment.
6:15 -6:30
Q&A - Discussion
6:30- 7:00
Conference Overview/Reflective Break-Out Groups
This session will also serve as an informal community building exercise. Conference participants will be divided into 6 to 7 groups to briefly reflect on the theme and objectives of the conference. Participants will discuss their individual learning goals and expectations for the weekend. The common themes which emerge will be culled during the icebreaker to follow and reported out on behalf of the groups. Feedback from this session will be shared with the presenters to provide additional context for their remarks throughout the conference. Copies of the Leadership Blueprint/Self-Assessment will be handed out and introduced.
7:00-7:15
Emerging Leaders Networking Icebreaker
Conference participants will be engaged in a creatively orchestrated, interactive “getting to know you” exercise, designed to facilitate greater opportunities for networking and making connections across organizations, sectors, leadership levels,areas of common interest, etc.
7:15-7:30
Report on Reflections/Common Themes - Attendee Learning Expectations
7:30
Closing/Resource Table
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DAY 2
Friday, April 24, 9:30 – 3:30pm
9:30 – 10:00
Registration/Breakfast
10:00 – 10:15
Welcome/Greetings/ Overview of Day 2
10:15-12:15 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops
Participants will have a choice of attending one of three workshops. The workshops will be repeated in the afternoon and participants will have the opportunity to rotate to another session of their choice.
Workshop I – Yes, We Can! New Survival Strategies for the Emerging Leader: An Interactive Intergenerational Conversation
In this session, panelists will share their strategies for creating and sustaining a nurturing work environment that supports and promotes one’s personal and professional goals. Panelists will be asked to specifically focus on real life examples of how they navigated the complexities of race, class and gender within their own work environments and the factors that contributed to both their successes. Panelists will focus on the most critical learning opportunities that propelled their career growth and development. Speakers will engage the audience in a dialogue focused on the importance of self-advocacy and self care, achieving balance, and ways to maintain a sense of resiliency and value during tough times.
Workshop II- Building a Personal Board of Directors: Strengthening Your Interpersonal, Networking and Relationship Capacity
As non-profit leaders we spend so much time responding to external demands whether they be funders, constituents or our board of directors. In this workshop we will discuss how to build and support a long lasting set of partnerships and relationships that will help you take your career to the next level while keeping grounded and whole. Participants will: uncover the essential skills and qualities leaders use to strengthen their professional relationships; Learn how to draw strength from your allied colleagues and mentors in challenging times; Utilize your strengths to build lasting professional partnerships & relationships; Build trust by building your personal brand; How do you build and stay connected to your own independent social network given your limited time/schedule
Workshop III - Making Significant Contributions That Keep You at the Leadership Table: Keeping Your Pulse on the Current Trends, Innovative Funding Ideas & Strategic Policy Decisions
Getting to the leadership table is one thing – staying there is another. In this session, panelists will share strategies for continuing to add significant value as a nonprofit leader, especially during uncertain times. Panelists will explore how emerging leaders can make creative contributions that help their organizations navigate the current economic crisis. The workshop will provide strategies for adapting organizational/program budgets for challenging times. Participants will learn obtain critical tips for developing best organizational and programmatic practices, regardless of the external environment.
12:15pm – 1:15pm
Luncheon Plenary Roundtable
A Conversation with the BAE Leadership: Developing Your Personal Blue Print for Leadership-Stephanie Palmer, President, Black Agency Executives (and/or other membersto be determined)
The Leadership of BAE will invite participants to engage in an informal dialogue, ask questions, solicit advice or share comments to support their own leadership development. Updates emerging from BAE’s retreat about the future direction of BAE and opportunities for connections with emerging leaders of will also be shared with conference participants. A more in-depth overview will be provided on the ELC Personal Blue Print for Leadership and opportunities for using it for self-assessment and ongoing career/leadership development.
1:15-1:30pm
Break
1:30-3:30pm
2nd Set of Concurrent Workshops
Workshop I: Yes, We Can! New Survival Strategies for the Emerging Leader
Workshop II: Building a Personal Board of Directors
Workshop III: Making Significant Contributions That Keep You at the Leadership Table
3:30 – 4:30
Wine and Cheese Reception
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