C06 Session: The Sum and the Whole

The Sum and the Whole: Your Role in the Capacity Building Equation

Thursday, August 3, 9:00am - 10:30am

Track: Collaboration

Presenters

Sharyn Konick and Margarita McCullough, CONNECT Partnership For Nonprofit Solutions

Description

Fragmented technical assistance networks can reduce the quality and effectiveness of services provided to nonprofits. This session will present a model of integrated and holistic capacity building services created to address complex issues faced by nonprofits. Additionally, participants will learn about an approach to reducing competitiveness and exclusivity, confronting politics and building trust within a capacity building community. Models and lessons learned from CONNECT's organizational assessment tool will also be shared.

About the Presenters

Sharyn Konick, CONNECT Partnership For Nonprofit Solutions

Sharyn Konick has worked professionally in both the public and private nonprofit sector within California and throughout the country. Her career has combined direct clinical work within various social service organizations and extensive experience in program design, development, training and administration for non-profit agencies. It is the integration of these two areas that have allowed Sharyn to make special contributions to the field. Currently, Sharyn is the Director of CONNECT: Partnership for Nonprofit Solutions an innovative technical assistance program that is housed under the Orangewood Children's Foundation in Orange County California. Under her direction, CONNECT has increased it's funding over 300% in one year and has become the choice intermediary between funders and nonprofits. CONNECT's holistic approach to capacity building offers agencies a variety of unique tools such as the CONNECT Organizational Assessment Tool (COAT©), and the Nonprofit Business Plan Workbook©. Sharyn has a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and a Bachelors degree in sociology and writing from Ithaca College.

Margarita McCullough, CONNECT Partnership For Nonprofit Solutions

Margarita McCullough has a diverse professional background ranging from direct services to administrative roles in both the private and non-profit sector. She has been involved in the design, development and facilitation of a variety of direct service programs, contract management of both government and private grants, coordination of collaborative services, strategic planning, community and partner relations and grant writing. Margarita's skills and varied experiences give her unique insight and knowledge into the world of non-profit organizations which has assisted as Technical Assistance Program Manager with CONNECT: Partnership for Nonprofit Solutions. In this capacity her primary roles include grantee case management, coordinating the training calendar which offers more than 2500 hours of training annually. Additionally she develops and presents a variety of the workshops offered through CONNECT including the topics of collaboration, management, emerging leaders, persuasive writing skills, presentation skills, customer service and developing business and service plans. Margarita received her B.A. in Family Studies and a Certificate in Child Development from California State University at Long Beach. Currently, she is pursuing her Masters degree in Organizational Leadership at Chapman University.