Advisory Forum
Mid-level leaders play a crucial role in community-based nonprofits.
Thriving nonprofits invest in cultivating ambitious, visionary mid-level leaders. These individuals are encouraged to develop their capacity for calculated risk-taking, thinking beyond daily tasks, and a broader strategic perspective.
Without support, challenges arise:
Isolation The weight of decision-making can lead to isolation, with limited time for peer support and open dialogue.
Knowledge Exchange Learning from the experiences of other organizations and leaders in the field can be difficult to prioritize.
Limited Development A lack of internal leadership development funding often restricts access, especially for non-executive leadership.
A capacity-building program designed for nonprofit leaders in community organizations, empowered with tools and a robust network to thrive:
- Build a strong network of peers and resources.
- Enhance professional development through targeted training and knowledge exchange.
- Learn by sharing real-world challenges and solutions.
- Achieve professional and agency goals with the support of a collaborative community.
This program leverages a peer learning and coaching model and provides a supportive environment where partners can confidentiality gain support, share insights, and develop leadership skills.
Eight Half-Day Group Forums
- Topics: Provide relevant professional development themes tailored to address current network and agency needs and professional priorities, sparking discussions and knowledge sharing.
- Consultations: Each partner shares a challenge or focus area, receiving valuable peer input and diverse perspectives. Highlight each agency to expand knowledge of the network.
- Facilitated Discussions: Promote collaboration by encouraging collective problem-solving and discovering innovative solutions.
- Goal Setting: Create ongoing actionable goals that maintain focus and convert learning into specific steps.
- Site Visits: Rotating hosting duties allows partners to experience each other’s agencies and broaden their network knowledge.
Individual Coaching
- Four built-in sessions provide targeted support to ensure participants effectively implement their action plans and progress toward their objectives.
By providing a platform for collaboration, targeted professional development, and a focus on individual and team well-being, the forum has empowered mid-level leaders to be more effective, confident, and resilient.
“One of the mandates of the Illinois Community Mental Health Act is to build a comprehensive network of services within our community. I really see this forum as a building block of that comprehensive network.”
– Amanda Teachout, Hanover Township Mental Health Board Manager
