IMPACT GET READY!
2016 North East YMCA Leadership Conference October 12 – 14, 2016 Sea Crest Beach Hotel
350 Quaker Road · Falmouth MA 02556 ·508.540.9400
Thank you to our presenting sponsor
Welcome to the North East YMCA Leadership Conference! We are glad you could join us this year. This conference has been the core of my YMCA professional development, since I first started attending in 2012. It is at this conference that I have made so many connections with people whom I now consider family and I have no doubt that these connections will continue throughout my Y career. It is with this in mind, that I urge you to use this time to chat with others. We have many workshops to offer for you to learn from other professionals, in a wide variety of topics. Don’t forget though, it is often meal times and transition times that can have the biggest impact and lasting impressions. We, the Conference Planning Committee, believe that the schedule and beautiful beach surroundings of Seacrest Beach Hotel will allow you to get the most out of the three days we have together. This year we have also added some additional recreational activities lead by or amazing committee and have partnered with DKMS to offer a way for us to further impact the lives of others. In addition to the peer led sessions we also have some featured speakers from both within and outside the YMCA. We are excited to have three engaging Keynote Speakers—Rick Tamlyn, Lynda Gonzales-Chavez, and Kevin Washington—this year. This conference isn’t possible without the dedication and hard work of many people. Thanks to you for attending our conference, to the speakers for sharing their knowledge, to our sponsors for allowing us to keep costs affordable, and to the Sea Crest Beach Hotel who does a phenomenal job hosting us and taking care of all our needs. Of course, I cannot forget the Conference Planning Committee who takes up action from the moment the previous conference finishes until now. They have volunteered countless hours to make sure we continue to bring you the best and most meaningful conference possible. Our 2016 conference theme is IMPACT: Get Ready! as Y Leaders we can certainly relate to expanding our level of impact and effectiveness as a movement, however individually this year’s theme is about bringing our boldest self to our biggest challenges. Our speakers are tuned into our theme and you will find a great deal of meaningful material being presented. This year we are fortunate to have Daxko returning for the third year as our presenting sponsor. The partnership that Daxko has created with YMCAs is truly remarkable. Their service to our staff teams and our Ys as well as their knowledge of our operations make our Ys stronger and better respected by our members. While you are in Falmouth, take the time to thank them for their service. Make sure that you not only thank Daxko, but thank each of our resource partners. They have made the conference possible and make our Ys the best not for profit in the U.S. I have three wishes and challenges for you during this year’s conference. 1st Explore Get Fired Up. Get ready to learn from all of the dynamic speakers, presenters, and resource partners. 2nd Engage Recharge. Connect with 180+ YMCA Professionals & their leadership teams. 3rd Express Stand Taller. Feel Refreshed & Poised to make a greater impact at your YMCA. On behalf of the Conference Committee and the Sea Crest Beach Hotel, we hope you enjoy the conference! Sincerely,
Joseph Marciszyn Chair of the North East YMCA Leadership Conference
Thank You to our Sponsors
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION INFORMATION REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION Please accept this packet as confirmation that we have received and processed your conference registration. To help answer any questions, the Conference Planning Committee is providing you with this Information Packet. We are pleased that you are planning to attend the 2016 North East YMCA Fall Leadership Conference in beautiful Falmouth, Massachusetts. For over 25 years, this conference has been an important event for networking and learning for top YMCA leaders in the New England area. We hope that you take advantage of this conference to renew friendships, make new acquaintances, and maybe learn a thing or two from our friends in the movement. If you haven’t done so already, please make sure to reserve your room at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth, MA. Sea Crest Beach Hotel 350 Quaker Road · Falmouth MA 02556 · 508.540.9400 · seacrestbeachhotel.com
DIRECTIONS TO HOTEL
From Metropolitan Boston Area • • • •
Southeast Expressway to Route 3. Take Exit 1A to Route 6 West. Take first exit at Bourne Bridge rotary to Route 28 (Falmouth and the Islands), to Bourne Bridge over Cape Cod Canal*.
From Points North
• Take Interstate 495 to Route 25 East to Bourne Bridge over Cape Cod Canal*.
From Providence and New York
• Interstate 95 to Providence • Interstate 195 East from Providence to Route 25 East to Bourne Bridge over Cape Cod Canal*.
*From Bourne Bridge over Cape Cod Canal • • • •
Route 28 Falmouth and the Islands to Route 151 exit Left at bottom of exit ramp Left at first traffic signal (Route 28A South) one mile to rotary Take first exit onto Shore Road, then 1.5 miles to Sea Crest.
By Air
• Frequent connecting flights to Hyannis from Boston, Newark and New York City.
By Bus
• Service to Falmouth from Logan Airport and South Station, Boston, and from Port Authority Bus terminal on 41st and 8th Avenues in New York City, via Bonanza Bus.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dress Business Casual Meals Evening meals are included in the conference on both Wednesday and Thursday evening. Lunch will be provided Thursday for all attendees. Each morning you have the choice of enjoying a complimentary breakfast prior to the first session starting. Fitness Workouts The resort has a fitness center and two pools: one indoor and one outdoor. Walking/running routes will be available to you at registration. Wednesday Night Beach Party sponsored by Life Fitness Keep summer burning through the fall! Join us out on the beach for music, fun, and roasting marshmallows by a beach fire pit! Thursday Afternoon Recreation We have two group activities planned for Thursday afternoon that are included in your registration. Sign up during the first day of the conference so we can coordinate appropriately. In addition, the resort can provide information on local sightseeing, shopping destinations and walking/running routes. • Golf sponsored by Cybex Grab your friends and colleagues for a fun afternoon of golf on the beautiful Paul Harney Golf Course in Falmouth, MA. Team prizes and individual prizes will be awarded. • Trip to Martha’s Vineyard Come along and visit one of the beautiful islands off the coast of Cape Cod. Enjoy great food, shopping and fun time with friends! Pedometer Challenge sponsored by Les Mills Join your colleagues in a fun and friendly competition during the conference. Sponsors Please support our sponsors by meeting them at the social hour on Wednesday and Thursday. Visit their information tables throughout the event.
2016 North East Fall Leadership Conference Committee Conference Chair Joseph Marciszyn · YMCA SOUTHCOAST Conference Vice Chair/Program Chair Lindsey Lerit · YMCA of Merrimack Valley Program Vice Chair Lance Kennedy · YMCA of Greater Boston Past 2015 Chair / Sponsors Bobbi Williams · YMCA of Greater Boston Auction Natalie Norton · AYP Sponsors Beth Tilley · YMCA of MetroNorth Volunteers / Speakers Erin Friedman · Springfield College Recreation Speakers Karen Leslie · YMCA of the USA Recreation Laura Prisco · YMCA SOUTHCOAST Recreation Joyce Dwyer · Old Colony YMCA Recreation Kate-Marie Roycroft · Alliance of Massachusetts YMCA’s At Large Mike LaChance · YMCA of Greater Nashua At Large Richard McCarty · New Rochelle YMCA At Large Stephanie Feist · Concord Family YMCA
Program Committee CEO Karen Leslie; Irene Collins Operations Richard McCarty; Joyce Dwyer Finance John Pecora
Development Rosie Carey Human Resources Jane Dinsmore; Andrea Vignali Marketing Beth Covino
CONFERENCE AGENDA Wednesday
1:00 – 2:00 pm 2:00 – 2:15 pm 2:15 – 2:20 pm 2:20 – 3:15 pm 3:15 - 3:30 pm 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Registration/Networking Opening Remarks: Joseph Marciszyn, Chair Daxko Presenting Sponsor Remarks: Beth Tilley/Bobbi Williams Opening Keynote: Rick Tamlyn Break Session 1
Topic & Speaker
Location
Your Bigger Game Made Real Speaker: Rick Tamlyn Rick created The Bigger Game in 2001 as a way to inspire executives, leaders, and everyday people to get out of their CEO Ballroom 1 comfort zones and invent the life they want. At its core, The Bigger Game helps people find their compelling purpose in life. It was designed from the premise that life itself is one big game. And if life is a game, then why not play one that excites, fulfills, and challenges you.
Share The Goal: Identifying Talent to Support Your Y’s Annual Campaign Fundraising Development
Marketing
Humans Resources
Speaker: Martha Hanlon, Director of Development/Staff Development for Partners HealthCare Systems This interactive workshop is intended to give participants the opportunity to learn about what it takes to be successful in raising annual campaign fundraising goals. Specifically, how to identify staff members, volunteers and other stakeholders who can be your teams and your Y’s greatest fundraising champions. How to Use Cause Marketing to Raise Money from Businesses & Everyone Else Speaker: Joe Waters, writer of the cause-marketing blog, Selfish Giving; Co-host of Cause Talk Radio Are you sick of being passed over for business support? Break out of the rut with this session on cause marketing (aka fundraising with businesses). Joe Waters, a business fundraising expert and founder of a leading fundraising blog, will show you a better route to corporate support. In addition to sharing the most lucrative fundraising strategies with businesses that any nonprofit can execute, Joe will show you how your YMCA can become a magnet for corporate and individual support. Are you sick of making cold calls? Are you tired of losing out to other nonprofits and hearing businesses say no? You’ll leave this session with practical strategies that will have an immediate impact for your organization. How to Develop a Rock Star Youth Development Team Speaker: Andrea Vignali, Senior Manager, Talent Management Strong supervisors strive to create a positive, supportive environment where staff can thrive. Yet, challenges such as staff turnover and a lack of time to connect can make it difficult to set clear expectations for Leader and Team Leader level staff, which can prevent them from developing as cause-driven leaders and performing at their highest levels. Y-USA’s NEW Companion Resources to the Competency Model can assist supervisors in overcoming these challenges and support staff with area-specific responsibilities in Youth Development.
Shutters
Ballroom 2
Race Point
This interactive workshop from Y-USA will introduce you to resources to support hiring, onboarding and ongoing development of your staff. Y-USA has a suite of new “easy to use” resources and trainings to specifically help Youth Development Directors hire, onboard and develop their staff in those critical competencies needed for their roles.
Finance
Are You Saving Enough For Retirement? Speaker: Edward R. Toole, Senior Education & Training Specialist, YMCA Retirement Fund Learn exactly how the Fund works, How to save to meet your retirement goals, How to take advantage of the power of saving in the 403(b) Smart Account, and How to stay on track to reach your retirement goals. Those who pre-register will receive personalized annuity estimates at the workshop.
Chatham
Operations
Sell it! Speaker: Nick Thorton & Delphine Carter at Daxko Ys need to sell every day in order to raise money, convey the value of their programs, and gain members. But why does “sell” sound like such a dirty word? And how can effective selling and promotion make an impact? We’ll show you how to implement the right philosophy, roll out the right systems, and how to hold your team accountable for success.
Highland
5:00 – 6:00 pm 6:00 – 7:00 pm 7:00 – 8:00 pm 8:00 – 10:00 pm
Social Hour with Resource Partners Invocation/Dinner sponsored by Les Mills Dinner Keynote: Lynda Gonzales-Chavez, VP YMCA of the USA Beach Party sponsored by CYBEX
CONFERENCE AGENDA Thursday
7:00 – 8:15 am 8:15 – 8:30 am 8:30 – 10:00 am
CEO
Development
Breakfast sponsored by Matrix Invocation/Morning Announcements Session 2
Topic & Speaker
Location
The 17 Gaps in Your Y Emergency Plans & How to Fill Them Speaker: Bo Mitchell Sandy Hook, Aurora, CO; and Hurricane Sandy emphasizes that emergency planning for your organization is subject to many federal, state and local laws, regulations and standards. Most who are tasked with creating and maintaining emergency plans are confused or overwhelmed regarding those standards. Learn what laws, regulations and standards apply to your emergency planning, training and exercises. Learn what a lawsuit will do to you if you don’t create a plan to standard.
Nauset III, IV, V
Revolutionizing Planned Giving Program: 20 tips that can bring millions to your Y Speaker: Paula Vogel At its most basic, planned giving is the process of asking donors to include your Y as part of their will / estate, or as part of their overall financial and tax planning. For many nonprofit professionals, planned giving sounds complicated, with its various acronyms like CRATs and CRUTs. During this workshop, you will learn 20 tips that will revolutionize your planned giving program including: Why right now is the perfect time to start or enhance a planned giving effort, how to spot your best planned giving prospects, and so much more.
Ballroom 2
Marketing
A Day in the Life of a Modern Day Spokesperson Speaker: Matt Cookson, Cookson Strategic Communications Assuming the role of an organizational spokesperson should not be taken lightly in a time when any communication can be spread instantly. There are rules of the road today that need to be followed in order to be an effective spokesperson and potential pitfalls if they are not followed, especially in crisis situations. This session will focus on this role in today’s social media driven world, with an emphasis on how nonprofit organizations can best address the spokesperson role.
Chatham
Humans Resources
Understanding Your People - Communication Speaker: Eric Warner, Praxis Growth Advisors, Inc. Participants will learn the elements of and process for effective communication to help facilitate impactful communication with your team, staff, members and donors. This will be an interactive workshop aimed at helping people who are struggling with one of the following: • Getting others to take action as a result of their communications. • Wondering why their messages connect with some but completely miss with others. • Annoyed that it takes multiple messages for others to understand what you are trying to communicate. At the end of the session participants will be able to describe the process and components of communication, define and demonstrate active listing and it’s role in the communication process and describe the influence of primary sensory dominance on the communication process.
Highland
Philanthropy and Nonprofits – From Struggles to Solutions Speaker: Ann Tikkanen, CFO, YMCA of Greater Boston How can nonprofits survive in an economy that’s geared primarily toward profit? Do you see donors with unrealistic expectations about the costs of running your nonprofit? Is your Y experiencing scarcer public service dollars? How can our money be most effective in helping others? A discussion about today’s inequalities, nonprofits shouldering the social service and change responsibilities, and effective philanthropy.
Ballroom 1
Revitalizing Membership Speaker: Lolita Haverlock, Senior Manager of Membership Experience for the YMCA of the USA
Race Point
Finance
Operations
CONFERENCE AGENDA Thursday
10:00 – 10:15 am 10:15 – 11:45 am
Break (Coffee in Resource Partner Area) Session 3
Topic & Speaker
Location
CEO
Operationalizing Diversity and Inclusion to Advance your Strategic Priorities Speaker: Lynda Gonzales-Chavez, Vice President of YMCA of the USA Communities across the US are changing rapidly and evolving communities represent new opportunities for our Ys. This workshop will focus on intentional strategies for you to utilize that will allow you to reach diverse, isolated and underserved populations and establish the Y as a vital part of the community, responsive to change and innovative solutions.
Nauset III, IV, V
Development
Shifting the Conversation from What to Why Speaker: Sara Luke, Donor By Design Most non-profit leaders can talk about WHAT their organizations do all day long, but WHY they do the work is what will compel donors to support the mission. In this workshop, Sara provides a few key shifts in the conversation that will help you highlight WHY you do the work you do and the impact it has on the people you serve – moving donors closer to your cause.
Ballroom 2
Marketing
Why a website isn’t done after its launch Speaker: Fred and Stacey Schall, Schall Creative
Chatham
Humans Resources
Creating a Cause-Centered Culture at your Y Speaker: Sara Ryan, Senior Manager, Staff & Volunteer Engagement for YMCA of the USA In the Y we strive to build a cause-centered culture where staff, volunteers and members are deeply committed and connected to strengthening community. The work of connecting individuals to our cause is foundational to success in all other aspects of Y work – board development, annual campaigns, program growth, member retention and more. This workshop will highlight for you the broad range of resources available to your Y that will assist you in your culture building work. Specifically, we’ll share what is happening with Living Our Cause and the Y Experience Learning Cohort.
Highland
Finance
Life Support for your Risk Management Program Speaker: Mike Gurtler During up-tempo session you’ll be introduced or re-introduced to core risk management principles and practical management strategies and techniques. After a quick initial refresher training we will turn to real-life risk management challenges with the opportunity for active participation. No emergency drills or manikins here but we will work in small groups to tackle some of the toughest risk management challenges facing YMCAs today and tap the “wisdom of crowds” to identify practical solutions. The format for session will be one that you can use to breathe new life into your organization.
Ballroom 1
An update on the new programming opportunities that Y-USA is offering to all Y’s Speaker: Beth Taylor Mack, Ph. D./Director of Health Behavior and Wellness Membership and Programs, Y-USA Attendees will learn about key health and wellness upgrades that will support a quality member experience. New information about the future direction of health and wellness will be shared. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Race Point
Operations
CONFERENCE AGENDA Thursday
11:45 am – 12:00 pm 12:00 – 1:00 pm 1:00 – 5:30 pm
Break Lunch/Networking (Boxed Lunches-to-Go) Activities/Networking
Golf at the Paul Harney Golf Course sponsored by Cybex Grab your friends and colleagues for a fun afternoon of golf on the beautiful Paul Harney Golf Course in Falmouth, MA. Team prizes and individual prizes will be awarded. Trip to Martha’s Vineyard Come along and visit one of the beautiful islands off the coast of Cape Cod. Enjoy great food, shopping and fun time with friends! YOGA on the Beach There is nothing like doing Yoga on the Beach. With fresh salty air, the beauty of nature, the melody of the ocean serenading you, and sunlight dancing on your mat with you, all make for a delightful practice. Come join us! Ride on the Shining Sea Bikeway Bring your own bike or borrow one form the hotel and take a ride on the Shining Sea Bikeway. The Shining Sea Bikeway is a rail trail on Cape Cod in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The path runs for over ten miles, from the Woods Hole Ferry terminal in Woods Hole to North Falmouth.
5:30 – 6:30 pm 6:30 – 7:30 pm 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Social Time Invocation/Dinner sponsored by Secure Energy EAF Auction sponsored by Life Fitness
Friday
7:00 – 8:30 am 8:30 – 8:45 am 8:45 – 10:00 am
Breakfast Invocation/Morning Announcements Session 4 “Hot Topics”
Hot Topic & Speaker
Location
The Fatal Flaws in Your YMCA Active Shooter Response & How to Fix Them Speaker: Bo Mitchell
Nauset III, IV, V
New Member on-boarding and retention Speaker: Aaron Mueller, Sales Manager for Seer Analytics, LLC Seer will share four years of data findings from the Base Metrics New Member Survey relating to on-boarding and retention of new Y members.
Chatham
Community Collaborations to enhance your brand and advance your Y Speaker: Francis J. Kenneally III, COO, Merrimack Valley YMCA
Highland
Enabling the Digital Era to Enhance Membership, Marketing, and Health/Wellness Speaker: Eric Vahey, Matrix Fitness, Strategic Account Manager for YMCA’s Technology in the health and wellness industry is changing faster than ever. Mobile apps, wearables, and fitness trackers are continuing to increase in usage and popularity. Members have come to expect the accessibility and the data that comes from these devices. We will discuss how technology is changing the industry and how Y’s can leverage it to drive member retention, improve marketing, and re-shape programming.
Race Point
10:00 – 10:15 am Break 10:15 – 11:15 am Closing Keynote sponsored by Kronos Nauset III, IV, V Kevin Washington, CEO YMCA of the USA 11:15 – 11:30 am 11:30 am
Closing Remarks: Joseph Marciszyn, Chair Safe Travels!
KEY NOTE SPEAKER Rick Tamlyn
"Life is all made up! I want people to create the life they want without feeling 'stuck' or discouraged. When people find their compelling purpose, it becomes a magnet for action. I work with people to become their best selves at work, at home, and in their relationships." - Rick Tamlyn
Rick Tamlyn inspires people to be their best. His compelling purpose is to encourage and assist others so that when they reach the end of their lives they can say, “That was a great life!” rather than, “I wish I had done more.” In 2001, Rick co-created The Bigger Game: a tool that inspires people from all walks of life to get out of their comfort zones and invent the lives they want. Rick is the author of Play Your Bigger Game: 9 Minutes to Learn, a Lifetime to Live (Hay House, Oct. 2013) As a trusted advisor for Fortune 100 companies, small businesses, non-profits, and churches, he has built a global audience, speaking and conducting workshops in more than 17 countries. His current bigger game is “to activate millions of people around the world to play their own compelling bigger games.” Rick is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and a Master Certified Coach (MCC) as designated by the International Coach Federation (ICF), and is a senior trainer for The Coaches Training Institute, a world-renowned coach training and leadership development organization. He has a B.A. in Communications from Hope College in Michigan and an MFA from the University of Connecticut.
KEY NOTE SPEAKER Lynda Gonzales-Chavez
Vice President Diversity & Inclusion YMCA of the USA Lynda is responsible for leading the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) strategic priority to ensure that all segments of society have access to and feel welcome at the Y. A key priority of this work is promoting an inclusive organizational culture that values diversity, strengthens inclusion and fosters community bridge-building. Lynda and her team are focused on organizationally embedding and operationalizing diversity and inclusion practices, building staff and volunteer cultural competencies to engage the most under-served communities and promoting collaborative strategies to ensure that Y leadership mirrors the communities Ys serve. Lynda has more than 28 years of national and international experience with the Y Movement as a staff member and volunteer, and has held positions on the YMCA of the USA National Board and the World Alliance of YMCAs Executive Committee. Lynda joined the Y-USA International Group in 1999 and served as Senior Associate Director specializing in global and localbased strategies to engage immigrant, diverse and marginalized communities at all levels of the YMCA. In this role she provided capacity-building support to YMCAs and communities focusing on cultural competence, inclusion practices, immigration, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention, outreach to high-risk and incarcerated populations, gang intervention, conflict resolution and life skills. She led cultural immersion trips to Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America and has represented Y-USA in more than 30 countries. After launching her career as a youth worker at the YMCA of Central New Mexico, Lynda spent three years with the YMCA of Mexico where she founded the International Relations Department and focused on street and community outreach. She was instrumental in the development of U.S./Mexico YMCA border initiatives and the successful establishment of YMCA Shelters for Migrant Youth along the border. Lynda later served as Program Manager and Senior Gang Interventionist for Youth Development, Inc., in Albuquerque, NM, where she worked with more than 50 gangs. She developed and implemented innovative programs for gang members that focused on cultural identity, non-violence, faith-based experience, informal education, peer mentoring and participatory learning. These programs included reproductive health initiatives, HIV/AIDS outreach to intravenous drug users, programs for pregnant gang members and parenting skills for gang members with children. She specialized in work with Latino, Native American and immigrant gang members. Lynda has a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and proficient in Portuguese
KEY NOTE SPEAKER Kevin Washington
President and CEO YMCA of the USA Kevin is President and CEO of YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the Y—a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Collectively, the nation’s YMCAs engage 22 million members (9 million of whom are under the age of 18) annually, employ 250,000 staff and benefit from the service of 600,000 volunteers. Washington assumed his post on Feb. 1, 2015, and is the 14th person and first African-American to lead the Y Movement in the U.S. He came to Y-USA from the YMCA of Greater Boston, where as President and CEO from 2010 to 2014 he expanded membership and access by reducing rates, increased diversity and engagement among the Board of Directors to better reflect the community and implemented a childhood-education quality initiative that benefits thousands of children and families throughout eastern Massachusetts. Prior to Boston, Washington served as President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford from 2000 to 2010. Under his leadership the Hartford YMCA invested more than $60 million to develop or expand eight facilities and camps. He was Chief Operating Officer for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago from 1995 to 2000, and previously held other executive roles with the Chicago YMCA and the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA. He got his start in the Y as a Youth Program Director at the Philadelphia YMCA’s Christian Street branch in 1978. Even before joining Y-USA, Washington played a central role in determining the national direction of the Y. He served as Chairman of the CEO Advisory Committee that guided the development Y-USA’s strategic plan for 2014 to 2017. He also was a member of the Y-USA Board of Directors from 2004 to 2009 and previously provided leadership to Y-USA’s National Diversity Initiative, Aquatic Safety Task Force and National Mentorship Program for young Y leaders. He is Immediate Past Chair of the Association of YMCA Professionals Board of Directors. A native of Philadelphia, Washington earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Temple University.
FEATURED SPEAKERS Delphine Carter Product Strategist at Daxko
Matt Cookson For more than 25 years, Matt has been very fortunate to work with and learn from leaders in the private sector, higher education and government. With a constant focus on strategic communications, this experience helped him build his current business, Cookson Strategic Communications (CSC). The firm crafts and implements strategies to raise the visibility of organizations. CSC also runs the New Hampshire High Technology Council, a nonprofit organization that serves the state’s technology sector. Matt serves as executive director and regularly speaks and blogs on the status of the industry sector. He has held numerous senior level positions in higher education, handled communications for a Fortune 1000 company, and was a liaison to a governor, a congressional press secretary and legislative director. Matt received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UConn and in 2009 was named as one of the “25 Leaders of the Future” by Business NH Magazine.
Mike Gurtler Mike has been working with youth-serving organizations for over 30 years. He began his career in resident camping, served as a YMCA CEO and worked as the Director of Risk Management at YMCA of the USA before founding Safe-Wise Consulting in 2007. Mike has been instrumental in developing aquatic safety, camp, training and youth protection resources as well as many nonprofit risk management publications. His timely and effective development of resources and online training programs are examples of his understanding of the ever-changing needs of organizations. Mike brings his non-profit work to his risk management efforts providing the experience and understanding that allows Safe-Wise to be both practical and insightful as it strengthens the safety practices of organizations. Mike resides in Bar Harbor, ME with his wife and son. He actively participates in the Rotary Club, YMCA, Congregational Church, Town Government, Boy Scouts and other local efforts.
Martha Hanlon Martha Hanlon is the Director of Development, Staff Development for Partners HealthCare System Development Office. She has worked in close collaboration with the system’s affiliate development offices for many years. Martha partners with human resources and fundraising staff members and leadership supporting recruitment and retention initiatives as a development professional. She works with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and 10 community and specialty hospitals throughout eastern Massachusetts which raise upwards of $300 million annually. Previously, she built and directed programs to support Development operations and research at Boston Ballet and Suffolk University, and specialized in prospect research at Brown University and Babson College during the early years of her career. Of special note, Martha remembers fondly taking swimming lessons at the local YMCA!
FEATURED SPEAKERS Lolita Haverlock Lolita Haverlock is the Senior Manager of Member Experience for the YMCA of the USA. She was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University. After college, she moved to North Carolina where she began her YMCA career. She started working for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina in 1996 as a Health and Wellness Director. She moved back to Columbus, Ohio in 1999 to open her own wellness facility. She returned to the Y in 2004 as a Health and Wellness Director for the YMCA of Central Ohio. Over her 11 years in Central Ohio she served in a variety of roles with her final role as a branch Executive Director. Lolita transitioned to the YMCA of the USA in May of 2015 to continue her work and belief that everyone should have a Y experience that is as unique as the individual receiving it.
Francis J Kenneally III Frank Kenneally started his YMCA Career in 1992 as the Youth and Aquatics Director at the Lawrence Branch of the Merrimack Valley Y. Frank worked his way up the ranks at the Lawrence Branch for 10 years and was named Branch Executive Director in 2002. For the past several years Frank has held multiple leadership roles at The Merrimack Valley YMCA where he has been a leader in innovative programming, fundraising, and program and membership growth. In 2015, Frank was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of The Merrimack Valley YMCA. Frank is a graduate of Salem State University, earning a B.S. in Sport, Fitness, and Leisure Studies. In 2008, he earned a M.S. from Springfield College in Human Services Organization Leadership. Frank also has a certificate in Non Profit Business Leadership from the Mendoza College of Business at The University of Notre Dame. Frank lives in North Andover, MA with his wife Amy and three sons, Sean, Jason, and Aaron.
Sara Luke With 20 years of experience in marketing/communication, Sara is fueled by an enthusiasm for helping organizations craft and present the right message to help further their mission. Coupled with her passion for non-profits and the life-changing work they do each day, Sara is eager to find creative and effective solutions to marketing/communication challenges. In her role at Donor By Design group, Sara helps non-profits tell their stories and create their case with the goal of motivating volunteers, donors, advocates, participants and community leaders to action. Before joining Donor By Design, Sara directed the marketing and communication efforts of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. Prior to her work at the Y, Sara held various marketing and communication roles at the Hunger Task Force – a Milwaukee-based anti-hunger and advocacy organization, Milwaukee Area Technical College and the Milwaukee Boys & Girls Clubs.
Beth Taylor Mack, Ph.D. Beth Taylor Mack has more than 20 years of experience in the health and wellness fields. She began her career as an athletic trainer, before transitioning to the for-profit fitness space, then eventually moving to back to health care. Most recently, Beth was the director for population health and wellness for Pocono Health System. At Y-USA, she is primarily responsible for creating, driving and developing strategy around health behavior change and wellness support systems so that the Y becomes and sustains a national leadership role in advancing the science of health behavior change. Beth received her bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine / Athletic Training from the University of Connecticut. She obtained her master’s degree in Applied Psychology from Fairfield University. Beth obtained a doctorate in Human Development, with a concentration in Health Promotion from Marywood University. Recently, Beth completed advanced training in corporate wellness and is a Certified Workplace Wellness Program Manager through the National Wellness Institute. She is also a member of the Council on Wellness Accreditation and Education. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Pocono Family YMCA.
FEATURED SPEAKERS Bo Mitchell Bo Mitchell was Police Commissioner of Wilton, CT for 16 years. He retired in February 2001 to found 911 Consulting which creates emergency, disaster recovery, business continuity, crisis communications and pandemic plans, plus training and exercises for organizations like GE HQ, Hyatt HQ, MasterCard HQ, four colleges and universities plus 25 secondary schools. He serves clients headquartered from Boston to LA working in their facilities from London to San Francisco. Bo has earned 21 certifications in homeland security, emergency management, disaster recovery, business continuity, safety and security. He also serves as an expert in landmark court cases nationally.
Aaron Mueller Aaron Mueller is the Sales Manager for Seer Analytics, LLC (Seer). Seer is a data analytics company, based in Tampa, FL, with close to 20 years, experience working with YMCAs across the country. In his role at Seer, Aaron works with Ys to help them understand their most pressing business, employee and member challenges, and offers solutions that best meet their needs. He works with Ys to interpret the information Seer collected for their organization through Seer’s surveys, data collection, and analytical process, providing Ys with the facts and knowledge to intelligently address their unique challenges. Prior to Aaron’s six-year service with Seer, he spent15 years in marketing and running operations for the consumer package goods and retail industry.
Sara Ryan Sara brings over a decade of YMCA experience to her role as Senior Manager, Staff & Volunteer Engagement for YMCA of the USA (Y-USA). As a Y professional she has served the Movement in three associations, Chicago, Houston and Schaumburg, in a wide variety of positions ranging from job employment specialist to associate executive director. In recent years, Sara has served the Movement at Y-USA through the development and execution of the Y’s revitalized brand, building and implementing processes for compliance with national brand standards and providing consultation to local Ys on positioning and promoting the Y as a cause. In her current role, Sara guides Ys on fostering a cause-driven culture with staff and volunteers using the key tactics – Nuggets and Storytelling - of Living Our Cause. Sara has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and a certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Fred & Stacy Schall Fred and Stacey Schall are co-owners of Schall Creative, a digital marketing agency in Manchester, NH. Fred started his love affair with web design and development in the 90’s. He has dual degrees in Computer Science and Web Development. He currently teaches Advanced Web Design at Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to starting his own agency, Fred worked for agencies in California, developing campaigns for brands such as DirecTV, Petco, and Powerade. He went off on his own in 2009, and moved the company to Manchester in 2010. Upon graduating from Emerson College in 2007 with a degree in Visual and Media Arts, Stacey ventured to Los Angeles to start her career. Since moving back east and joining the Schall Creative team, she has cultivated the Inbound Marketing department. Stacey has several HubSpot certifications and also sits on the board of a non-profit called Girls at Work.
FEATURED SPEAKERS Nick Thorton Sales Director at Daxko
Ann Tikkanen Ann Tikkanen has served as CFO at the YMCA of Greater Boston since October 1996. Today, as EVP/CFO she is responsible for overseeing full service finance and risk and contract management; she has employed a number of first ever financing techniques to support growth, automation, and facility renovation, raising over $49 million in capital to date. Her additional leadership responsibilities include senior management of the Y’s Education and Training branch (a signature workforce development program assisting the unemployed and underemployed in training and job placement). She has served as a board member of the Massachusetts Bay Self Insured Group, as chair of the Y’s CFO Group and executive sponsor of the Y’s Women’s Leadership Network Group, and currently is the Treasurer of YMCA Shared Services, Inc. (a corporation she helped to found in 2001). Ann’s financial management experience began in technology at Prime Computer, Wang Labs, and Symbolics. Ann was born in Boston, and earned her BS in Finance from Northeastern University and her MBA from Babson College.
Edward R Toole Ed joined the YMCA Retirement Fund as Senior Education & Training Specialist in June 2015. Prior to joining the Fund, Ed served over a decade in the YMCA movement, beginning his Y career as a branch executive director for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina, then CEO of the Greater Holyoke YMCA in Massachusetts, and then as Y-USA Resource Director for Connecticut and Rhode Island YMCAs. Prior to the YMCA, Ed served in non-profit management positions in Western Massachusetts. These roles included working with adolescents in state custody through foster care and residential programming as well as overseeing programming for adolescents and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Ed has served on numerous community committees and boards. He currently is the Immediate Past President of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and a Trustee at his children’s school, the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School. Ed earned his B.A. from Fairfield University in Connecticut and his MBA from the Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Eric Vahey Eric currently work for Matrix Fitness as Strategic Account Manager for YMCA’s in the East. His role is to connect YMCA’s around the country and ensure the products we sell help improve membership, marketing, health and wellness, and are a tool to drive the Y’s mission. Eric spent 8 years at the YMCA of Greater St. Louis where he served as the VP of Membership and Health and Wellness. During that time he helped lead the opening of 2 branches and created a multi-year strategic plan that expanded our Y’s ability to generate membership sales and retention. Eric implemented systems to improve fitness operations, programs, and the member onboarding process. Launched YUSA programs including LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, and Enhance Fitness. He is married with two kids, calls St. Louis home, and enjoy playing sports and music.
FEATURED SPEAKERS Andrea Vignali As Senior Manager of Talent Management, for the YMCA of the USA, Andrea provides leadership for the development of the tools and processes for Leadership Competency and Certification. Prior to this position, Andrea was the Northeast Regional Training Manager for Y USA. In her 7 years in this role, she provided continuous supported to the 5 Training Partner Ys in her region and contributed to the development and implementation of our current Training System. Andrea has held multiple roles in local Ys in operational leadership positions during her 32 years as a YMCA professional. Before moving to Y USA, she was the Chief Operating Officer at the Wilton Family YMCA in CT. Andrea’s first passion has always been teaching and staff development, as is exemplified by her consistent work as a Y USA Faculty Trainer, her involvement as the Director of the Tri-State Principles and Practices and her participation on many regional conference committees. Andrea also served as AYP President for, Chapter 2 and Chaired the 2014 NE AYP Conference. She is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University in New York. Andrea lives in Trumbull, CT with her husband John and has two children, John 28 and Kristin 26.
Paula Vogel Paula has been with the YMCA of the North Shore since 2013. Initially her primary focus was Planned Giving and Major Gifts where she developed a new Major Gifts program for the association, raising $4.9 million dollars in new gifts. Additionally her impact on the planned giving program has resulted in increasing members of the Y’s legacy donor and Triangle Society members, by 68%. In current role as Chief Development Officer, Paula is leading all Financial Development activities, including the annual giving campaign, capital campaigns, foundation and corporate giving, as well as her continued focus on major gifts and planned giving development.
Eric Warner Eric is the President of Praxis Growth Advisors, Inc., a management consulting and leadership development firm and an authorized provider of Sandler Sales Training. He partners with executives who are serious about growing their businesses. He will implement processes that empower sales teams to achieve consistent performance open up new markets and drive profitable new revenue streams. Eric has over 20 years of team building and executive management experience. He has held senior leadership positions with businesses focused on financial services, enterprise software, web services, telecommunication, database technology and professional services. Eric has a deep background in sales management, sales training, learning enablement programs, commercial strategy, recruiting and hiring. Eric has an undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a MBA with a concentration in International Business from Northeastern University.
Joe Waters Joe Waters shows nonprofits and businesses how to build win-win partnerships that raise money and save the world. He writes the web’s leading cause marketing blog, Selfish Giving and is co-host of Cause Talk Radio. Joe’s most recent book is “Fundraising with Businesses: 40 New & Improved Strategies for Nonprofits.”