Pre-Conference Seminars

On Wednesday, July 9, the day before the conference starts, we will present two half-day seminars for those who want a more thorough grounding in key aspects of partnership-buidling. These seminars will both be held from 2-5pm, and will both carry a cost of $99.

Pre-Conference Seminars include:

Seminar 1: Developing and Improving K-12 Fundraising

The National School Foundations Association (here) will host a seminar on successful fundraising, which will include identifying prospective sources of funding and making your case with prospective donors.

Attendees will learn to:

  • Identify new and varied sources of external financial support for school districts.
  • Investigate and select the best practices for obtaining financial and gift support.
  • Select and incorporate effective marketing strategies for a K-12 foundation.

Results of a national survey of school and foundation leaders conducted by the National School Foundation Association (NSFA) will be presented, including: How much funding and from what sources are education foundations raising money today to assist in the education of children?. What are the most effective marketing and fundraising tools being used by K-12 foundations in the US today? Which district based educational initiatives are being supported by these philanthropic efforts and what impact is K-12 fundraising having on education in the US today?

A discussion of the three most common ways a school foundation benefits school staff, parents and community will be presented as well as an overview of leadership’s role in foundation development and fundraising; including role discussion for the board of directors, executive director, school board and school administration.  


Seminar 2: Preparing Your Principals for Community Engagement

Representing the Partnership Directors Network, Nina Randall and Colleen Gulla, both with the Broward County (FL) Partners in Education program, will teach you how to prepare your principals and other administrative leaders to engage their communities, build active community/stakeholder partnerships, and create a school culture open to school, parent, business, and community involvement. Leave with the tools you need to bring training back to your district.

Part One addresses the skills your principals need. It includes the Florida Principal Standards for Community and Stakeholder Partnerships and information you can provide them on the five skill sets necessary for community involvement programs to flourish in their schools. Topics include:

  • “New” Qualities of a Principal
  • What the research says
  • Florida Principal Leadership Standards
  • High Performing Leaders and Community and Stakeholder Partnerships
  • Five Skill Sets

Part Two is nuts and bolts training that you can deliver to your school-based partnership liaisons. It includes Broward County’s policies and guidelines on advertising and security screening; partnership activities and how we are aligning partnerships to curriculum standards; Recruitment; and Retention and Recognition. Topics include:

  • Getting Started
  • Activities
  • Recruitment
  • Retention and Recognition

All participants will leave with a CD that includes PowerPoint presentations to adapt to your district and School and Business Liaison Manuals.