Conference Speaker: Building Sustainable Organizations

Janet Bourque, Principal, Bright Star Grant Consultants, and Nina Eckberg, Founder, Great Gardens in North Idaho

(www.brightstargrants.com)

Janet is an innovative and experienced consultant with expertise in program development and administration, course development, outcome based curriculum development, logic models, budget development, and evaluation. She is a respected leader and administrator with extensive knowledge and skills to support client missions and guiding principles. Janet’s experience includes positions as a Director of Federal, State and Special Projects, Branch Campus Director and Evening School Director for Lake Washington Technical College, and National Director of Education and Self Sufficiency for The Casey Family Foundation. She has led a wide range of workshops in national venues, served on the Department of Education grant review team, and advised U.S. Senate members regarding issues of workforce training.

Nina received her Bachelor of Science in Horticultural Science from Colorado State University and used her education as a landscaper in Colorado, Missouri, and Georgia, and then became a County Extension Agent for the University of Georgia, teaching Master Gardener classes and horticulture workshops to the public. She moved to Idaho in 2002 and worked for the Noxious Weed Department in Kootenai County, teaching residents the advantages of good land stewardship and invasive weed species control. Nina was awarded funding to projects through grant writing that resulted in educational outreach and weed control research. From there, Nina established Great Gardens.

The first half of the class will include PowerPoint's, small group discussion, and structured activities. During the second half, Nina will identify Great Gardens’ plan for sustainability, including the inspiration, initial planning, selection of board members, and articles of incorporation and she will show how building a sustainable organization is similar to building a sustainable garden.

Registration closes February 11th. The first annual Inland Northwest Nonprofit Conference – Fund Development Series will be held Thursday, February 17th, 2011, at the Spokane Masonic Center. For more information visit the AE website.