Month: October 2020

NLIGC EXCEL Program Enhanced: OneSource Center Consultants Guide Future Leaders

One year ago, who could have anticipated the rapidly evolving business climate that today’s nonprofit leaders would be asked to navigate? The training of adaptable, agile, confident nonprofit leaders has never been more important than it is today. OneSource Center’s consultants in partnership with Tabert House continue to be key players in program direction and training of the NLIGC (Nonprofit Leadership Institute of Greater Cincinnati) EXCEL Senior Leader Development Program, and recently welcomed the 15th class into its ranks.

Due to pandemic gathering restrictions, this is the first year the entire program is being held virtually, moving from a once-a-month/all-day/in-person format to a bi-weekly/half-day/virtual format. The program continues to evolve, incorporating input from EXCEL graduates and tailoring the program to fit changing needs in team development and management skills, even more of an issue with remote workforces. The new virtual format is a combination of whole-class teaching, breakout room topical discussions and polls — giving participants opportunities to interact and stay engaged. Participants are able to absorb curriculum materials, do their assignments, and apply what was learned in their own nonprofit reality. The bi-weekly curriculum keeps topics “top of mind” and easy to put to use in “real time.” The class runs for 17 half-day sessions over 9 months, with a May graduation.

Each student in the program is assigned a coach, and the pair meet monthly to discuss class topics and issues the nonprofit leader is handling. OneSource Center consultants staff this component of the program as well.  This one-on-one coaching portion of the EXCEL program is often described as the “icing on the cake” for participants in the program. Having access to this coach for the 9-month period gives time to develop ideas, get input, implement and get individualized guidance along the journey.

The program is a significant undertaking and commitment for OneSource Center consultants who are either designing or leading programming or are meeting monthly with the student they are coaching. The program is led by Michael Katz and Joe Kane, with the coaching component led by Jeff Gushin and Sheri Vogel. In early summer (prior to enrollment) all candidates for the EXCEL program are interviewed by this 4-person team to assure they are a good match for the program. Then, utilizing StrengthsFinder tools and an understanding of participant needs, Jeff and Sheri, working with Connie Hinitz, OneSource Center Manager of Volunteers, make coaching matches that will benefit the candidate’s development and make a “fit” personality-wise.

Special thanks to all OneSource Center consultants for giving of their time and talent to developing this next group of nonprofit senior leaders:

  • Joy Albi
  • Peter Bloch
  • Tai Elemide
  • Dick Fencl
  • Nancy Friend-Schnurpel
  • Jeff Gushin
  • Randy Harris
  • Fred Heyse
  • Ruth Joffe
  • Tom Johnson
  • Kathy Kaspar
  • MK Kaushik
  • Michael Kennedy
  • Darlyne Koretos
  • Craig Kowalski
  • Carol Leigh
  • Jerry Lewis
  • Brian Robson
  • Chris Solomon
  • Carol Sparks
  • Dennis Stark
  • Rod Trombley
  • Sheri Vogel

October 2020 Newsletter