The Angelina College Nonprofit Leadership Center will host the second annual Nonprofit Leadership Conference Thursday and Friday, Feb. 7-8 on the AC campus. The cost is $50 per person and includes breakfast and lunch both days. Register at Eventbrite.com. Space is limited. Contact Donna Busler, Nonprofit Leadership director, at (936) 633-4532 or email dbusler@angelina.edu. The conference agenda is available at angelina.edu on the Community Services Division page.
Dr. William Brown will speak on the topic of board roles and responsibilities Thursday. This session will provide nonprofit leaders with an intensive look at improving governance and leadership of their organization. Dr. Brown is a professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, and holds the Mary Julia and George Jordan Professorship. He serves as the director of the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy. Dr. Brown’s research focuses on nonprofit governance, strategy, and organizational effectiveness. He holds a Ph.D. in organizational psychology from Claremont Graduate University.
Dr. Kenny Taylor will speak on the topic of authentic leadership in public service Thursday. This session will introduce participants to the Authentic Leadership theory, its constructs of self-awareness-transparency-ethical/moral-balanced processing, and how
public sector and nonprofit leaders who employ these behaviors have the opportunity to excel in their roles. Dr. Taylor is an assistant professor of the practice at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and holds the Younger-Carter Endowed Practitioner-in-Residence. He serves as the director of Outreach and Professional Development for the Center of Nonprofits & Philanthropy. His research focuses on the link between leader behavior within nonprofit organizations and its impact on employee job satisfaction. Dr. Taylor holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Our Lady of the Lake University.
Dr. Steve Wilke will present a session instructing participants about how to improve internal and intentional leadership Thursday. Participants will learn strategic and intentional development strategies and practices which transform good leaders into great leaders. Dr. Wilke and his wife, Dr. Rebecca Wilke, are co-founders of LEADon, Inc., a company dedicated to equipping organizations to improve their performance through internal and intentional leadership. They will present another session Friday, “Essentials to Develop High Emotional Quotient Leadership.”
Dr. Wayne Lawrence will present “Essentials of Board of Director Development” Friday. Dr. Lawrence is the executive director of Neighborhood STRONG and has an extensive background in policies, procedures, communication, and development of boards of directors. He worked with Ward Burke to launch what is now the Burke Center, and many of his systems are still used today.
Aimee C. Slusher will present “Essentials of Nonprofit Bylaws” Friday. Mrs. Slusher is a partner in the law firm, Skelton, Slusher, Barnhill, Watkins, Wells, PLLC.
She has served Angelina County in multiple ways, including as a United Way board member, and has a deep understanding of the challenges of nonprofits in East Texas.
Maria Belschner and Brad Busler will present “Essentials of Human Resources” Friday. Mrs. Belschner is the Human Resources manager at Georgia Pacific, Camden. She has 23 years of employee relations generalist experience. Mr. Busler has more than 30 years of employment and labor relations experience, earning the Senior Professional in Human Resources certification from the HR Certification Institute in 2004. Currently, Mr. Busler is the Human Resources director at Drewery Construction, Inc. He serves as the district chairman for the Five Rivers District of the Boy Scouts of America and is the committee chairman for Troop 136 in Lufkin. He is also an advisory board member for the Blood Center – East Texas. Formerly, he was the Human Resources director with Temple-Inland Building Products, and served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Karen Gray will present “Essentials of Policies and Procedures” Friday, explaining the importance of accurate alignment of bylaws, policies and procedures and their application. Mrs. Gray is a nonprofits specialist with a professional background in law. She is a former Lufkinite, who has served nonprofits in Lufkin and other communities. Mrs. Gray was instrumental at The Mosaic Center, Inc. in many ways which have led to the success and sustainability of that organization.
Jessica Grenier and Renee Robertson will present “Essentials of Fundraising Philosophy and Execution” Friday. Mrs. Grenier is the Communications coordinator for The Mosaic Center Inc., and has led a successful fundraising team for three years for both the annual gala and the letter solicitation fundraiser. Mrs. Robertson is a former professional fundraiser specialist and board member of The Mosaic Center, Inc.
For more information about this event, contact Donna Busler, Angelina College Nonprofit Leadership Center director at (936) 633-4532 or dbusler@angelina.edu. The conference agenda is available at angelina.edu on the Community Services Division page.
