ECFA Spring Forum Offers Nonprofits Training to Enhance Governance, Fiscal Oversight, Resource-raising
Workshops Set for March 13-15 at Hope Center, Plano, Texas
WINCHESTER, Va., Jan. 30, 2012 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Registration is open at
www.ecfa.org/Forums.aspx for the Spring Nonprofit Forum, a three-day series of workshops presented by ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) March 13-15 in the greater Dallas area. Forum topics will address governance, financial oversight and resource-raising for faith-based organizations -- vital topics to enhance the operations of any parachurch group.
Forum sessions "Nine Governance Essentials for Nonprofits," "Six Financial Oversight Strategies for Nonprofits" and "Four Key Resource-raising Principles" will be held 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at The Hope Center, 2001 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas.
"The interrelated topics presented in each workshop will greatly help faith-based nonprofits face challenges that call for discernment, wise oversight strategy, sound governance and financial practices, and Christ-honoring resource-raising principles," said Dan Busby, president of ECFA. "These informative sessions will equip charities with essentials they need to conduct their work with integrity and effectiveness. We encourage participants to attend all three workshops."
The March 13 "Nine Governance Essentials for Nonprofits" topics include discussion of board practices to enrich steward leadership, focusing versus micro-managing, discerning direction and implementing effective practices.
Speaking at this forum will be Michael Batts, chairman of the Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations, formed following a staff report issued in January 2011 by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) that focused on the financial practices of six high-profile media-based Christian ministries.
Speakers at the "Nine Governance Essentials" forum also include Richard Hammar, general counsel for the Assemblies of God, who is recognized among top church attorneys in the U.S, author of more than 100 books, and senior editor of "Church Law & Tax Report" and "Church Finance Today" newsletters; author Steve Macchia, founder and president of Lexington, Mass.-based Leadership Transformations, Inc., which cultivates vibrant spirituality and attentive discernment among Christian leaders and teams, and management and board governance consultant John Pearson, president of John Pearson Associates, Inc., San Clemente, Calif., who has served 30 years as a nonprofit CEO, including 25 years as the president/CEO of three associations. Pearson is editor and publisher of "Your Weekly Staff Meeting" eNews.
The March 14 "Six Financial Oversight Strategies for Nonprofits" topics include an organization-wide approach to risk management, effective internal control strategies and budgeting as a strategy to improve financial position. Speakers include Batts; John Van Drunen, vice president and legal counsel of ECFA, where he manages the compliance program and writes and speaks on technical nonprofit issues; and Busby, a prolific author of books and booklets used by church and other nonprofit leaders. Busby was honored in 2010 and 2011 by The Nonprofit Times, which named him to the "Nonprofit Times Power & Influence Top 50."
The March 15 "Four Key Resource-raising Principles" forum will include a discussion of four foundational ways to measure success in a Christian development program and stewardship practices to enrich an organization's resource-raising. Speaking at this forum will be Scott Rodin, co-founder of Artios Partners, who has been in nonprofit leadership and consulting for 25 years. Rodin has served as counsel to more than 100 colleges, seminaries, churches, parachurch organizations and other nonprofits. He is co-author of ECFA Press's first book, "The Sower: Redefining the Ministry of Raising Kingdom Resources."
Speakers for the "Four Key Resource-raising Principles" forum also include Shelley Cochrane, partner in program design at Artios Partners and an experienced executive in nonprofit leadership who spearheaded a comprehensive fund development program grounded in biblical stewardship and based on the philosophy of relating to givers as partners in ministry. In addition, the forum will include Mark Vincent, CEO and a senior design partner of Design Group International, a firm established to help organizations and their leaders discover clarity and implement solutions. Vincent's expertise in associational and denominational systems helps religious and nonprofit organizations discover new ways to sustain and expand their efforts across their many chapters, congregations and institutions. Busby and Van Drunen will also participate in this forum.
Forum registration fees are $149 for ECFA members and $249 for nonmembers. Each additional person registered from the same organization receives a $50 discount. Those purchasing a three-day package will receive a $100 discount. A $50 discount is available for the two-day package. Attendees may receive a special $99 nightly hotel rate at the nearby Staybridge Suites in Plano.
Continuing education credits are available through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and the National Association of Church Business Administration.
ECFA, founded in 1979, provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with the ECFA standards pertaining to financial accountability, fundraising and board governance. For more information about ECFA, including information about accreditation and a listing of ECFA-accredited members, visit www.ecfa.org or call 1-800-323-9473.
