NC Conservation Network 11th Annual Conference Agenda

Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April 8, 2011. Marbles Kids Museum, 201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, 919-834-4040. Directions available here.


Thursday, April 7

10:30am: Registration Open

11:30am-1:00pm: Welcome Lunch and Kick-Off Session
Join us as we kick-off the 2011 Annual Conference.
Brian Buzby, NC Conservation Network Executive Director
Don Moffitt, NC Conservation Network Board Chair

1:00pm-2:15pm: Breakout Sessions

  • Grant Writing
    The environmental community is heavily funded by foundations, which means our staff and boards are writing a lot of grants. So, how do we improve our grant-writing skills? What are the key questions funders ask when they review our grants? How can we assure continued support? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this advanced grant writing session.
    Skill level: Advanced
    Sabrina Jones Niggel, Better Grants Group

  • Why Are All the Faces Around the Table White?
    At our Annual Conference two years ago, we learned why diversifying our organizations is important. Last year we heard stories and tips from groups who had successfully organized in people of color communities. This year we’ll continue to deepen our conversation about diversity. This interactive workshop, based on the Institute for Conservation Leadership’s experience, will: deepen your understanding of “diversity” using a multi-cultural lens; give you three critical organizational questions related to diversity; and help you identify next steps so you don’t leave saying “all we ever do is talk about it.” 
    Skill level: All
    Peter Lane, Institute for Conservation Leadership

  • Overview of Common Agenda Issues
    The NC Common Agenda represents a collaborative effort by a number of environmental groups in North Carolina who have chosen to pool their collective energies behind strategically selected legislative priorities. Come learn about the 2011 issues and how your organization can support the Common Agenda.
    Skill level: All
    Dan Crawford, NC League of Conservation Voters
    Rob Lamme, NC Coastal Federation
    Pete MacDowell, NC WARN
    Peter Raabe, American Rivers

2:15pm-2:45pm: Networking break with coffee

2:45pm-4:00pm: Breakout Sessions

  • Getting What You Want with Words
    What makes your issues click? The environmental community is pretty good at motivating our base, but what about motivating those outside our support network? In this session you will gain some helpful tips for crafting your messages in a way that resonates with the media and elected officials.
    Skill level: Advanced
    Damon Circosta, NC Voters for Clean Elections
    Laura Leslie, WRAL

  • Organizers and Lobbyists: They Really Can Work Together
    Grassroots organizing is a long-term strategy that often takes months and/or years to develop. Lobbying is similar, but faster. Relationships are just as important, but everything happens in a very condensed time frame. This juxtaposition often frustrates organizers and lobbyists alike. In this workshop, you’ll get to hear some helpful tips on how to bridge the divide from two lobbyists (who are also skilled organizers).
    Skill level: All
    Margaret Hartzell, Environment NC
    Fawn Pattison, Toxic Free NC

  • Recruiting, Not Seducing, Board Members
    Board building is not rocket science. It is a very intentional process that must include vetting your present Board, determining what attributes you need, and then conducting a focused and timely search for those persons. In this session explore how you can switch from building your Board through seduction to effective recruitment. 
    Skill level: All
    Don Wells, Don Wells Consulting, Inc.

4:00pm-4:30pm: Networking break with snacks

4:30pm-5:30pm: Working in a Republican-Led Legislature
We have officially entered a new political climate in North Carolina. With Republicans in power of both chambers of the Legislature, we likely need to adjust our strategies and messages. To help us, we’ve invited Representative McGrady to share his thoughts on how to work with a Republican controlled legislature. Get ready to take notes.
Rep Chuck McGrady, NC House of Representatives
Moderator: Julie Mayfield, Western NC Alliance

5:30pm-7:00pm: Reception
Join us for good company, a cold drink, and some light snacks while we celebrate the opportunity to be together.

Friday, April 8

8:30am-9:30am: Breakfast & Funders' Panel
Start your morning off right with a little coffee and a light breakfast while you hear about lessons and trends from two top North Carolina environmental funders. 
Bobbi Hapgood, NC Network of Grantmakers and Board Member of the Educational Foundation of America
Hawley Truax, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
Moderator: Brian Buzby, NC Conservation Network

9:30am-12:00pm: Training Sessions

  • Intro to NC Environmental Law for Non-Lawyers
    Many of us, as advocates, invoke environmental statutes and rules every day. Come to this session for an introduction to environmental law. We’ll discuss: what is law; what is the relationship between our major federal environmental laws and the programs our state implements on a daily basis; what is ‘agency discretion’, and why do our agencies so often get away with actions that seem to violate the law. We’ll also talk about how you can get the most out of the attorneys that work with you.
    Skills level: All
    Michelle Nowlin, Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic
    Gudrun Thompson, Southern Environmental Law Center

  • Being Strategic in Turbulent Times
    We live in fast-paced, politically challenging, resource constrained times. Turbulent times like these call for bold strategy, yet we don't have time for thoughtful strategic planning processes. In this session, we'll explore tools and practices that you can use to ensure that you are making strategic decisions about challenges and opportunities at the mission, organizational, programmatic, and operational levels. 
    Skill level: Advanced
    Meredith Emmett, Third Space Studio
    Heather Yandow, Third Space Studio

  • New Media: How to Assess Which Tools are Right for You
    Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, text messages…the new media menu is overwhelming. Thankfully, your organization doesn’t have to use all of them. In this session, you will learn about the pros and cons of the different types of new media so that you can decide which are right for you. In addition, you’ll have a chance to create your own new media plan with the help of the experts, so come ready to work.
    Skill level: All
    Scot Quaranda, Dogwood Alliance
    Peter Walz, NC Conservation Network

12:00pm-2:00pm: Lunch & Making the Business Connection on Our Issues
Do the math – right now an environmental message alone does not get enough votes at the NC Legislature to continue to make progress. More voices are needed to carry our message. One influential voice is that of business leaders who understand and are willing to communicate that protecting the environment is good for the economy. Join us for our final session as we hear from Governor Perdue’s office on the need for business leaders to advocate for environmental protection as part of a jobs agenda. We’ll hear from one nonprofit that has successfully worked with businesses to achieve success. And, we’ll hear more on why businesses should support green policy. Finally, we want your feedback on the key industries and business leaders that the environmental community should be working with to ensure policy victories in the future.
Veronica Butcher, Office of the Governor
Tom Cors, The Nature Conservancy
Laura Klauke, Triangle US Green Building Council
Moderator: Kris Coracini, Environmental Defense Fund

2:00pm-2:30pm: Wrap-Up & Adjournment/Farewell