Fourth-Year Core Courses

C470 Advocacy and Alliances
Once your advocacy program is in place, you are ready to take the next steps. Delve into the ins and outs of coalition building, grassroots management, political endorsements, and election activity.

Course topics:
• Developing political coalitions.
• Building an airtight endorsement strategy.
• Deciding if a political action committee (PAC) is right for your organization.

C440 Collaborative Leadership
Leadership begins with taking charge of personal goals and commitments. Maximize your organization's potential and create a synergistic environment by learning how to lead together.

Course topics:
• Developing a culture of leadership within your organization.
• Training staff and volunteers to enhance their leadership potential.
• Building dynamic teams for success.

C441 Industry Forecast
Is your organization ready for the future? Explore trends and issues affecting the nonprofit world and prepare for the future.

Course topics:
• Discovering essential industry trends.
• Understanding how the changing complexities of the global market affect your members.
• Exploring the technology horizon.

C490 IOM and Beyond
Review your Institute experience and discuss professional development through a roundtable discussion with your peers. Find out what exists beyond Institute, as well as ways to stay involved in the program.

Course topics:
• Your personal commitment to continued professional development.
• The Institute experience and the next steps for your professional development.
• Key discoveries made during Institute and their significance.

C450 Pitch It, Sell It, Close It
What do you do when you're close to making the sale but not quite there? Discover that extra something you need to clinch the deal. Learn the steps of the sales process, the most effective closing techniques, and how to overcome resistance.

Course topics:
• Methods to sell membership and make decisions.
• Innovative ways to pitch membership and build relationships.
• New and creative membership sales closing techniques.

C460 Technology Decoded
A Web site and a membership database are basics of doing business today. Take the necessary steps to develop a technology plan that works for your organization.

Course topics:
• Creating a technology plan and budget.
• Weighing the costs and benefits of technological solutions.
• Streamlining with new technology tools.