Training and Networking

NETWORKING: BUILDING STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS FOR BETTER RESULTS

ACAM’s Training and Networking Program promotes best practices, peer learning and information exchange. Peer mentoring relationships are developed at all levels of non-profit staff among ACAM’s 16 Core Partners and its 80+ community partners. Peer learning and networking are vital to successful organizational development, and ACAM empowers Training and Networking participants to learn from each other and combine their strengths to coordinate services across our region. Participants also have ownership over their networking groups and trainings to ensure offerings are diverse and meet their needs as they evolve. To strengthen this network ACAM convenes the following six groups, each with a different focus, for the purpose of networking, training and collaboration:

• Executive Leadership
• Volunteer Management
• Program Development & Care Coordination
• Resource Development
• Thrift Store Institute
• Other Opportunities

ACAM also hosts events for funders and ministries to develop connections outside of the framework of the “ask/ give” relationship. These networking opportunities provide a venue for community assistance ministry leadership and funders to learn about topics of mutual interest, to exchange information about best practices and to gain perspective about each other’s work in the community.

ACAM helps members utilize their collective strength to accomplish joint projects.  In addition, ACAM members have received exposure in regional and national media, including articles in the Conference of Southwest Foundations newsletter, the Association of Small Foundations newsletter and the Texas Nonprofits Website.

TRAINING: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

ACAM recognizes that knowledge is power, and it offers nonprofit training and networking opportunities to its 16 Core Partners free of charge. Training and Networking events provide a venue for community assistance ministry leadership and staff to exchange information about best practices and to gain perspective about each other’s work in the community. Through these connections, ACAM helps its partners utilize their collective strength to accomplish joint projects across our 6 county region and also grow their impact in local communities.

99% of participants agree that ACAM’s Training and Networking Program is relevant to their work and that they learned something new. Notable training events include:

• Motivational Interviewing
• Offering and Leveraging Wraparound Services
• Best Practices in Utilizing ChatGPT and AI for Development Optimization
• Using the Self Sufficiency Matrix
• Make Them Want to Stay: Best Practices to Retain Your Best Employees
• Communicating Your Philanthropy to Attract and Recruit Volunteers
• Succession Planning: Passing on Leadership Roles Successfully
• Helping Clients Navigate a Successful Citizenship Application Process