The 10th Snowy Range Nonprofit Institute is scheduled for July 31-Aug. 2 at the University of Wyoming Conference Center at Laramie's Hilton Garden Inn.
"Nonprofits are businesses, with the same need to plan as their for-profit counterparts, but many lack the understanding or tools to engage in this sustaining work," says Debra Beck, conference coordinator. "This conference is designed to get them started on that process, with special focus on the unique nature and needs of rural community benefit organizations."
This year's institute theme is "The Business of Nonprofits: The Bottom Line and Beyond." Tracks are "Business Planning: Core Concepts" (key steps in developing a nonprofit business plan) and "Business Planning: Practice" (focus on application in the nonprofit setting).
Wyoming Small Business Development Center staff members will lead the "Core Concepts" track sessions. While institute participants may participate in any session, Beck says those who choose to follow that specific track will emerge from the event with the basic outline of a business plan.
"Practice" track sessions feature workshops on such topics as "Mission-Driven Programming," "Telling Your Story," and "Boundary-Spanning Boards."
Jenny Craft of Sheridan's Scott Foundation opens the institute with a keynote address on "Why Nonprofits Exist." Cheyenne attorney and veteran community leader Greg Dyekman closes SRNI with a talk titled "The Joy of Working in the Nonprofit Sector."
For more information on this year's institute, including the full curriculum and online registration, visit the SRNI website: http://srni.posterous.com.
SRNI is a project of the UW Cooperative Extension Service Community Development Education Initiative Team. ServeWyoming is SRNI's presenting partner.
The Parkman Family Foundation has provided a limited number of full-registration sponsorships for first-time attendees. Visit the institute home page, or e-mail srni@uwyo.edu , to access a sponsorship application.
