Free training: July 2024

Training opportunities for this month were compiled and shared by the Maine State Library. View and subscribe to the Maine State Library Continuing Education (CE) Calendar at: https://maine-msl.libguides.com/CECAL where events are now posted using the CE Category Color Key.

Do you have a free program that you would like us to consider for next month? Submit it by the 20^th here: https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/ce/ce_program_submission_form.shtml

Questions or comments? Email us: [email protected]

For upcoming WebJunction webinars check the WebJunction webinar calendar and visit the WebJunction Course Catalog for additional learning opportunities.

Event categories

ACCESSABILITY

• Jul 2: Accessibility: How to Make Your Website Usable for Everyone (Firespring)

ADVOCACY

• Jul 16: Trauma-Informed Storytelling in Action (NonprofitLearningLab)
• Jul 23: Four Ways to Advocate for Libraries in 2024 (NCLA)

ASSESMENT/PLANNING

• Jul 2: Help! We're in the Middle of a Strategic Plan but We Were Thrown Off-Track: Tips & Tricks to Plan Your Strategic Plan (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
• Jul 8: Read Between the Lines: How to Read a Request for Proposals (GrantStation)
• Jul 10: Nonprofit Budget Management (NonprofitLearningLab)
• Jul 10: Stakeholder Engagement in an Election Year (Nonprofit Hub)
• Jul 17: Build a Needs Assessment Strategy (Niche Academy)
• Jul 25: Building Bridges: Collecting Culturally Relevant Data (RIPL)
• Jul 30: Introduction to Proposal Writing (Candid Learning)

BOARDS

• Jul 9: Build the Board You Need (Candid Learning)

CAREERS (Staff)

• Jul 10: Dual Journeys: Exploring the Lived Experience of Tenure-Track Mothers in Academic Libraries (NCLA)
• Jul 17: Know Your Worth: Mastering the Art of Salary Negotiation (NNLM)

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT

• Jul 16: Fall Series Nonfiction (Booklist)
• Jul 23: A Recipe for Special Collections: Using Cookbooks to Create More Inclusive Collections (ASERL)
• Jul 24: Surprise! You're a Cataloger (Niche Academy)

COMMUNICATION

• Jul 10: BookTube, Bookstagram, and BookTok, Oh My: Understanding the Online “Bookaverse” as Tools for Professional Development (Georgia Library Association)
• Jul 23: Growth-Driven Website Design for Nonprofits (TechSoup)

DEVELOPMENT & MANAGING CHANGE

• Jul 29: The Do’s and Don’ts of Delegation (GovLoop)

DIGITAL RESOURCES

• Jul 10: Digital Safety and Privacy for Librarians (Niche Academy)

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION

• Jul 11: Cultivating an Inclusive Environment: Engagement and Outreach in Academic and Public Libraries (ASERL)
• Jul 17: Cultural humility in library work (WebJunction)

FUNDRAISING

• Jul 8: Breaking down Peer-To-Peer Fundraising with Britt Nelson (Bloomerang)
• Jul 16: How Candid Helps Nonprofits (Candid Learning)
• Jul 30: Sponsors: How to Find Them & Create a Win-Win (ProductiveFundraising)

READERS’ ADVISORY

• Jul 9: Graphic Jam: Graphic Novels Book Buzz Part 1 (Booklist)

REFERENCE

• Jul 5: How to Talk about TikTok (libraries4de)

SCHOOL LIBRARIES

• Jul 3: Helping Students Be Google Aware (NLC)
• Jul 8: Amazing STEM Experiences Made Easy (edWeb)
• Jul 10: Phonemic Awareness in Older Learners: Bridging the Gap (edWeb)
• Jul 10: Boosting Math Confidence: Strategies to Combat Math Anxiety in Elementary Schools (edWeb)
• Jul 15 (2-3 pm) Supporting PreK-8 Multilingual Students and Their Families (edWeb)
• Jul 18: Empowering Students and Educators for Cybersecurity Awareness in Schools (Follett)
• Jul 18: NASA Engages, NASA’s New Online Platform for Sharing Our Mission with Communities (FDLP)
• Jul 29: Supporting Staff and Student Mental Health (edWeb)
• Jul 30: Positive School Culture Through Wellness: A Conversation with Ed Leaders (edWeb)
• Jul 31: Effective Solutions for Student and Staff Wellness (edWeb)

TECHNOLOGY

• Jul 9: Video Production on a Shoestring Budget (TrainingMag)
• Jul 15: How Will AI Transform CX (GovLoop)
• Jul 16: An Inside Look at Firespring’s Nonprofit Websites (Firespring)
• Jul 18: Prompts for Purpose: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Making the Most of an AI-Assistant (CharityHowTo)
• Jul 24: AI Essentials for Nonprofits: Understanding Bias (NonprofitLearningLab)
• Jul 31: Harness the Power of Generative AI for Good (TechSoup)
• Jul 31: Navigating AI Ethics (Niche Academy)

TRAINING & INSTRUCTIONS

• Jul 10: Why do we fall for misinformation? (WebJunction)

VOLUNTEERS

• Jul 30: Service Enterprise: Transform Your Organization with Strategic Volunteer Engagement (VolunteerMatch)

At your leisure

Pre-recorded webinars to view at your convenience

ALA's Sara Jaffarian Award Presents - Growing Readers, Growing Leaders: Fostering Bi-literate, Bi-Cultural, and Bi-Lingual Students (Programming Librarian)
Learn about the serendipitous adventures of two educators at Hawthorne Elementary School who used Guided Inquiry Design to foster bi-literate, bi-cultural and bi-lingual learners, as they discuss their winning program and share tips for school library professionals interested in developing a similar program. Our goal with this presentation is to share our adventure and inspire you to find fellow innovators and create learning opportunities that change both you, your fellow teachers and students too!

Laying Out the Welcome Mat: Asset Mapping to Better Serve the Immigrant Community (WebJunction)
In this webinar, presented in collaboration with TechSoup for Libraries, learn how Halifax Public Libraries use asset mapping to identify immigrant community needs and develop responsive programs and services.

The Last 6 Decades of AI — and what comes next (TedTalk)
How will AI improve our lives in the years to come? From its inception six decades ago to its recent exponential growth, futurist Ray Kurzweil highlights AI’s transformative impact on various fields and explains his prediction for the singularity: the point at which human intelligence merges with machine intelligence.

Online conferences

July 25: SLJ Picture Book Palooza (School Library Journal)
Join us July 25th for our fourth annual SLJ Picture Book Palooza, an all-day, free virtual celebration of authors and artists from around the world, who bring picture books to life with their extraordinary art. Register for a day dedicated to their craft and hard work, with a schedule that includes keynotes, author panels, and illustrator spotlights with visionary creators.

Webinars

July 2

Help! We're in the Middle of a Strategic Plan but We Were Thrown Off-Track: Tips & Tricks to Plan Your Strategic Plan (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
It’s funny how strategic planning isn’t really part of your team/organization's everyday work. Strategic planning can feel like “just another high-priority task.” It’s crazy to think… strategic planning requires a plan! But who has time to plan?! In this 30-minute webinar, your team will be equipped to pick up where your strategic plan left off or get started on a new planning adventure.

Accessibility: How to Make Your Website Usable for Everyone (Firespring)
You can have the most beautiful website, but if it’s not accessible for all visitors it’s not doing its job! Join us for a concise yet comprehensive presentation followed by an engaging open Q&A session. Join Jennie Martin, Firespring’s Front-End Development Manager and Accessibility Specialist, as we delve into the core principles of accessibility, exploring real-world examples of disabilities and situational challenges users face. From understanding WCAG standards to addressing specific populations, we’ll equip you with actionable insights to create truly accessible websites.

July 3

Helping Students Be Google Aware (NLC)
Google has become the most common and dominant search engine in our culture. Students use it to find information about everything, including scholarly research. As teaching librarians, we have to ask: What do students use when not at school? More likely than not, they will turn to Google to search. Because of this, we must teach them to become careful consumers of the information the Google algorithm produces. Relevance is a complex combination of advertising influence, proprietary interests, programmers’ language, and predictions (based off of prior search patterns). Schembri discusses how to recognize and report inaccuracies of marginalized groups, and how Google has worked to maintain a better, more neutral output for potentially inflammatory searches.

July 5

How to Talk about TikTok (libraries4de)
It’s in the news, it’s in the courts, and it’s most likely in your patrons’ phones. The omni-popular TikTok app is making waves across the world, and its legal challenge of the looming US “ban” will likely have major implications for big tech. We also have a rare opportunity, since this is one of few issues not divided along party lines. That gives us the chance to educate without bias (and without accusation of bias). So what can we do to help our patrons understand why TikTok has become the flashpoint for questions of data privacy, national security, misinformation, and free speech? In this half hour event, we’ll explore and experiment together. Idea Labs are fun, low-pressure virtual lunches. Libraries for Digital Equity provides a 10 minute “micro-training” with a crash course on the topic. The remaining 20 minutes are for attendees to jump in with an open brainstorming session. Come with questions or problems, and leave with answers and ideas!

July 8

Breaking down Peer-To-Peer Fundraising with Britt Nelson (Bloomerang)
Join us for our webinar on Peer-to-Peer Fundraising. We’ll help you unlock the secrets of leveraging personal networks for maximum impact! Learn how to set clear goals, use storytelling to connect emotionally, provide essential fundraising tools, and encourage healthy competition. Discover how personalized gratitude can transform your supporters into passionate fundraisers. Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your campaigns and drive your cause forward with proven strategies.

Amazing STEM Experiences Made Easy (edWeb)
Make your teaching life easier and more fun with creative ideas from Emmy award-winning television host and STEM educator Steve Spangler and his friends at Kesler Science. This edWebinar is packed with easy-to-do, hands-on experiments and STEM challenges guaranteed to get your creative ideas flowing. Plus… you’ll get access to FREE digital lessons and teaching resources that accompany Steve’s experiments from Kesler Science. Learn why over 100,000 teachers from all 50 states use Kesler Science resources in their classrooms every day to help reinforce fundamental science concepts and engage students at the highest level.

Read Between the Lines: How to Read a Request for Proposals (GrantStation)
While each funder’s application guidelines will look different from those of other funders, usually they are not that different. Most funders ask for essentially the same things in their guidelines, also commonly called a request for proposals (RFP), a funding opportunity announcement (FOA), or a request for applications (RFA). The key to success is understanding exactly what funders are looking for and knowing how to tailor information to each specific funder’s format so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel for each application. During this TargetED, Alice Ruhnke will outline how to read an RFP and set up your responses to meet each grantmaker’s instructions.

July 9

Video Production on a Shoestring Budget (TrainingMag)
In this session you will learn how to improve your audio and video quality by optimizing your recording workflow and making smart equipment purchases that won’t break your budget, whatever it may be. See exactly which pieces of equipment are critical for professional quality results and what settings you should focus on to get the most out of your equipment.

Graphic Jam: Graphic Novels Book Buzz Part 1 (Booklist)
July is Graphic Novels month at Booklist, and we’re celebrating with a special two-part series. Join us Tuesday, July 9 as we kick off our series with “Graphic Jam!” a free, one-hour webinar showcasing upcoming #ReadGraphic titles from Andrews McMeel, Oni Press, Tundra Books and DC Comics! Hosted by Sarah Hunter, Booklist’s Graphic Novels and Books for Youth Editor.

Build the Board You Need (Candid Learning)
Join us to learn practical strategies for creating a board that will move your organization forward. In this course, we’ll cover the board’s role, and what your organization needs from its board members. We will explore ways to find the right board members to serve your nonprofit at its current stage. We will also discuss how to create positive relationships with and within the board, and how to navigate the common challenges that arise with boards. Whether you’re an executive director, board member, or development professional, this course will help you plan for a healthy sustainable organization.

July 10

Dual Journeys: Exploring the Lived Experience of Tenure-Track Mothers in Academic Libraries (NCLA)
Dual Journeys: Exploring the Lived Experience of Tenure-Track Mothers in Academic Libraries with Mollie Peuler. This session will provide an overview of a completed research project entitled "Mother librarians on the tenure track: A phenomenological study of their experiences". The study included in-depth conversations with academic librarians on the tenure track or continuous appointment who identified as a mother of at least one child under the age of 4. Attendees will learn about the methods of the study and explore the six themes identified. The session will also provide an opportunity to discuss the implications of these findings for the library profession.

Nonprofit Budget Management (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
Review the 5 steps for effective budget management including: connection to the strategic plan, assigning roles & responsibilities, preparation, the budget timeline, and budget implementation. Effective and efficient planning for the annual budget contributes to strong financial management foundation as well as long term financial sustainability.

Stakeholder Engagement in an Election Year (Nonprofit Hub)
Navigating the extra challenges of an election year requires a strategic and thoughtful approach to stakeholder engagement. With a plan in place, you can capitalize on the momentum of the election to achieve your goals before November—and be ready with a robust post-election strategy, no matter the outcome. Pre-election preparedness: Strategies to build and prioritize relationships before the election rush. Planning for election outcomes: How to make a plan for every electoral outcome, plus how to leave a positive first impression with new lawmakers. Setting effective goals & measuring your impact: Effective ways to use meeting tracking tools to gauge (and boost) your influence.

Phonemic Awareness in Older Learners: Bridging the Gap (edWeb)
Join us for an insightful edWebinar where we dig into the often-overlooked yet essential component of literacy development—phonemic awareness. Designed for educators, reading specialists, and literacy advocates, this session will explore how phonemic awareness instruction can be a game-changer for older students who need support with word reading. Despite its critical importance in early reading stages, phonemic awareness remains vital for remediation in older readers, providing a foundation for improved decoding, spelling, and comprehension skills.

BookTube, Bookstagram, and BookTok, Oh My: Understanding the Online “Bookaverse” as Tools for Professional Development (Georgia Library Association)
In this session, participants will learn how to engage with bookish social media spaces as sources for professional development. Attendees will leave this session with ideas for how to find content on social media to ignite ideas and address needs in their libraries, as well as inspiration for how to join in by sharing content of their own! This presentation will start by covering the different social media platforms and their respective bookish subspaces: Bookstagram, BookTube, and BookTok. Participants will be guided through setting a purpose for their participation in social media spaces in the Bookaverse, developing a framework and strategy for that participation, and developing goals for building their personal networks in one or more social media sites.

Boosting Math Confidence: Strategies to Combat Math Anxiety in Elementary Schools (edWeb)
Math anxiety is a common challenge that affects many elementary school students, impacting their confidence and performance. This edWebinar will explore practical strategies to help educators build a supportive and confidence-boosting math environment in the classroom. Join us as we discuss practical techniques and approaches to reduce math anxiety and enhance student engagement in K-5 math.

Digital Safety and Privacy for Librarians (Niche Academy)
Join Melody Karle for this webinar on digital safety and privacy from a librarian's perspective. How do we help patrons in this area and what guidance should and can we offer them in protecting themselves online? What are the best tools and resources? What privacy and digital safety issues might we be overlooking in our own library? Melody will also discuss how AI and social media complicate these already challenging issues.

Why do we fall for misinformation? (WebJunction)
From falling for cheap fakes to trusting the credibility of AI-generated references, we can all be vulnerable to online misinformation. In this webinar, learn about several research-based strategies that can supplement and expand on your existing information literacy approaches with patrons. Researchers from the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public (CIP) will unpack how online information environments influence what we see and believe online. Come explore opportunities to increase capacity for public library staff and community members to address and navigate problematic information.

July 11

Cultivating an Inclusive Environment: Engagement and Outreach in Academic and Public Libraries (ASERL)
Engagement is the key to student success and patron support, and diversity and inclusion lead the way to reaching new patrons and meeting current patrons where they are. Revisiting new and old methods of engagement with patrons can build an environment where they feel supported, involved, and seen. In this presentation, learn how a large academic library is using traditional orientation tables, innovative transfer programs, and book displays with a diversity focus to reach minoritized groups and solidify the library as a welcoming environment. Public library programming will be compared to the academic setting, and suggestions on how to scale and translate these programs into school and special libraries will be presented.

July 15

Supporting PreK-8 Multilingual Students and Their Families (edWeb)
Multilingual students are the fastest-growing student population in the United States. Are your school and district creating a supportive environment where these students and their families have the best opportunity to succeed? Join this edWebinar to hear from expert David Nungaray, Bilingual Consulting Partner from TNTP. In this practical session, you’ll learn strategies to better engage and support your multilingual student and family community.

How Will AI Transform CX (GovLoop)
Artificial intelligence has the potential to impact almost every aspect of government, and some agencies are already actively using it in practice. From chatbots to automated inquiry processing, to personalized interactions and improved accessibility, AI is becoming a trusted CX tool for government agencies. Join us to hear from Michael Boyce, Director, DHS AI Corps, Dept. of Homeland Security, about how AI is poised to specifically transform the government customer experience.

July 16

Trauma-Informed Storytelling in Action (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
Storytelling has the power to move hearts and minds. Marketing tradition tells us that “if it bleeds, it leads,” which is easy in nonprofit marketing since we’re solving the world’s biggest problems. Those we serve are experiencing tremendous pain and overcoming insurmountable challenges. Can we gather and share nonprofit stories in a way that protects, dignifies, and respects those we serve? This session will explore trauma-informed storytelling, a safe and healthy process for your beneficiaries, audiences, and even storytellers. You’ll be equipped with actionable insights and tools to tell trauma-informed and ethical stories that have a huge impact. Participants can expect to gain an understanding of why trauma-informed storytelling matters, learn about the three kinds of people impacted by a story, and leave with resources, tools and actionable steps to integrate trauma-informed practices into your role.

Fall Series Nonfiction (Booklist)
This heatwave has us looking towards fall for relief, and with the cooler weather we’ll also find out what new series nonfiction titles publishers have in store! Catch up with us and representatives from Rourke Educational Media, The Child's World, Scholastic and The Creative Company as they tell us all about their latest upcoming series nonfiction titles!

How Candid Helps Nonprofits (Candid Learning)
Join us for an orientation to Candid’s resources for nonprofit professionals. This overview will help you discover tools to effectively fundraise, learn from peers, and tell your organization’s story.

An Inside Look at Firespring’s Nonprofit Websites (Firespring)
Finding the best nonprofit website and online tools can be daunting. We often end up juggling multiple platforms, working harder to achieve less. Wouldn’t it be better if you had just one effective nonprofit fundraising website with a content management system that does it all? Learn how to master your online presence and leverage the power of your nonprofit website. Join us for insight into technology trends and best practices, plus see firsthand why Firespring offers the best nonprofit websites.

July 17

Know Your Worth: Mastering the Art of Salary Negotiation (NNLM)
This ECLI webinar will explore strategies for negotiating salary and other employee benefits during the hiring process. Offering the perspectives of a library director as well as a library science professor, Melissa De Santis and Emily Vardell will discuss the value of negotiating salary, as well as explore salary benchmark resources which can support effective negotiating. They will also discuss how identifying and quantifying personal skills can provide evidence for proving your worth. Finally, they will conclude with how to evaluate and negotiate benefits beyond salary including student-focused negotiation tips. The discussion of negotiating strategies and communicating techniques will provide a foundation for navigating these sometimes difficult conversations. The format for the webinar will be a presentation followed by a Q&A period.

Build a Needs Assessment Strategy (Niche Academy)
A needs assessment is a critical first step in creating a focused, relevant, and strategic approach to learning and development. It ensures that effort and resources are directed where they can have the most impact. Conducting a needs assessment ensures that the efforts and resources your organization invests in training and development are both effective and efficient. Join Jody as she provides what you need to build your own needs assessment strategy.

Cultural humility in library work (WebJunction)
Cultural humility offers a renewing and transformative framework for navigating interpersonal interactions in libraries, whether between patrons and staff or staff members with one another. But what is cultural humility, and what does it look like in practice? Join the editors of Hopeful visions, practical actions: Cultural humility in library work, (ALA Editions 2023) as they define and explore the concept of cultural humility, its strengths and limitations, and strategies for applying more inclusive practices to library customer service, policies, and collection development.

July 18

Empowering Students and Educators for Cybersecurity Awareness in Schools (Follett)
Join Glenn Robbins, Superintendent of the Brigantine Public School District in Brigantine, New Jersey, for an engaging and informative webinar dedicated to equip you and your school community with the knowledge and tools necessary to foster a safe and secure digital learning space. Attendees will leave the webinar with a deepened understanding of how to proactively manage and mitigate cyber risks within their schools, creating a safer digital experience for everyone involved. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your school's approach to cybersecurity.

NASA Engages, NASA’s New Online Platform for Sharing Our Mission with Communities (FDLP)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is pleased to introduce a new, agency-wide initiative to help us connect with others through NASA Engages. The tool allows users 18 years of age or older to submit requests for a NASA ‘Expert’ to support classroom activities, demonstrations, challenge judges, panels, speakers, and more. Learn more about the new platform and how to submit a request! Our NASA workforce is passionate about sharing our story with the public and inspiring others to follow in our pursuits of exploration and discovery.

Prompts for Purpose: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Making the Most of an AI-Assistant (CharityHowTo)
In an era where AI seems to be everywhere, its potential to revolutionize the nonprofit sector is immense. Yet, harnessing AI effectively remains a challenge for many. Enter: the prompt. In this session, see how asking the right questions of your AI assistant can make all the difference. Join members of Microsoft Philanthropies to learn about the basics of prompt engineering and the process of building effective prompts. Discover common use cases that resonate with nonprofit staff, and learn how to apply these strategies to amplify your organization’s voice and mission.

July 23

Four Ways to Advocate for Libraries in 2024 (NCLA)
Do you love your library and want to know how you can turn that love into advocacy and raising community support? If so, please join the Library Advocacy and Legislation Section on Tuesday, July 23 at 1pm for a live webinar with Martha McGehee on four accessible ways to advocate for libraries this year! Martha was a children’s librarian at High Point Public Library before starting her current role with EveryLibrary, a national organization dedicated to building voter support for libraries.

Growth-Driven Website Design for Nonprofits (TechSoup)
In today's digital age, your website is more than just a virtual brochure — it's a powerful tool for connecting with your audience, driving engagement, and achieving your mission. Join us as we explore the principles, strategies, and best practices of growth-driven website design tailored specifically for nonprofit organizations. Whether you're looking to launch a new website or revamp your existing one, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to create a dynamic and impactful online presence that drives growth and advances your cause.

A Recipe for Special Collections: Using Cookbooks to Create More Inclusive Collections (ASERL)
Cookbooks are more than just collections of recipes. They are profound documents for cultural memory and identity. As part of the library’s Special Collections student engagement program at The Johns Hopkins University, cookbooks have proved to be the perfect seed to grow interest in using primary sources and to refresh collection development. Learn how a focus on cookery leads to more inclusive acquisitions and opportunities for student learning both in and of the classroom.

July 24

AI Essentials for Nonprofits: Understanding Bias (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), it's crucial for nonprofit organizations to stay informed and prepared. This foundational session is designed for nonprofit professionals to demystify AI, with a particular focus on understanding biases in AI and a framework for assessing your organization's readiness to embrace AI technologies. Learning outcomes include understanding what the collective challenge with AI is and understanding what can be done when we intend to center the community at the core of the design. Promise of the session: You will work through an exercise to explore how you can design your AI values.

Surprise! You're a Cataloger (Niche Academy)
Have you found yourself responsible for cataloging with little or no previous experience? Is "cataloger" only one of many hats you wear at your library? This session will help you get started. Teressa Keenan will cover the basics of cataloging (focusing on books), what information you need to include, where to get that information, and how to format it in MARC21. Teressa will also include some tips & free tools to make your life easier and get your library’s materials out to your users!

July 25

Building Bridges: Collecting Culturally Relevant Data (RIPL)
In this session, we will explore methods and tools for collecting culturally relevant data, including culturally adapted surveys, interviews and group conversations, as well participatory techniques. Participants will be able to identify their own data needs in regards to culturally informed data, have new tools for gathering data in a way that amplifies cultural strengths, and determine which techniques serve their data needs.

July 29

Supporting Staff and Student Mental Health (edWeb)
This edWebinar is the kickoff to edWeb’s four-part Mental Health & Wellness Week, a series to help drive awareness and support for educator and student wellness. Attend this edWebinar for a discussion with Dr. Christopher Jenson and a panel of education leaders with deep experience in the field of mental health and wellness. This session will focus on where we are now in supporting staff and student mental health.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Delegation (GovLoop)
Do you struggle with delegating tasks to your team? As a supervisor, it can be hard to give up some control, especially when you’re responsible for meeting deadlines and overall quality of work. But once you’re comfortable with delegation, only then will your team truly thrive. A team that shares tasks and responsibilities is typically more productive, collaborative and efficient than teams that work in silos.

July 30

Positive School Culture Through Wellness: A Conversation with Ed Leaders (edWeb)
A school culture where wellness is a priority yields a positive environment for educators and students. How can we create an environment where teachers feel more effective, and students are more engaged in their learning? In this edWebinar, school and district administrators will share their feedback and advice on how to help.

Sponsors: How to Find Them & Create a Win-Win (ProductiveFundraising)
Join fundraising master trainer, Chad Barger, ACFRE, ACNP, for a workshop focused on maximizing sponsorship revenue for your programs and events (both in person and virtual). The session starts by focusing on identifying potential sponsors and beginning the partnership conversation. It closes with a focus on structuring win-win, long-term sponsorship relationships.

Service Enterprise: Transform Your Organization with Strategic Volunteer Engagement (VolunteerMatch)
Join AL!VE for a high-energy session of collaborative learning and driving change to more strategically engage the community and volunteers to deliver an organization’s mission. Attendees will quickly hang the mirror and assess how their organization stacks up against a researched-backed framework of proven organizational characteristics for strategic volunteer engagement. Once attendees have identified where they are strong and where improvement is needed, they will dive into facilitated small-group networking to make connections and barter. Attendees will highlight & share tangible assets and resources inspiring each other, while also gaining support and resources to supplement areas of opportunity. Together, we will wrap up our session with introducing strategies and tools to gain organizational buy-in and implement change to help organizations operate as a Service Enterprise and achieve accreditation in strategic volunteer engagement.

Introduction to Proposal Writing (Candid Learning)
Are you new to proposal writing or want a quick refresher? If so, you don't want to miss one of our most popular classes! This class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation.

July 31

Effective Solutions for Student and Staff Wellness (edWeb)
Educators want more resources to support mental health and wellness for their faculty, students, and families. In this edWebinar, organizations answer questions educators have about mental health and wellness. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about these solutions and the work they are doing to help serve and support school districts.

Harness the Power of Generative AI for Good (TechSoup)
This session will delve into practical use cases of generative AI that demonstrate how nonprofits can leverage these tools to more effectively achieve impact, enhance their operations, and drive engagement. In addition, you'll receive an overview of key generative AI technologies that have emerged, including agents, retrieval-augmented generation, and fine tuning. You'll learn the types of problems each of these technologies allows you to solve and when to consider using them in your own practice. Discover how generative AI can revolutionize your nonprofit's approach to problem-solving and resource optimization, making it possible to achieve your mission more efficiently and effectively. Whether you're new to AI or looking to deepen your understanding, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to harness the power of generative AI for good.

Navigating AI Ethics (Niche Academy)
Join David Hatami for this presentation for academic librarians and instructors on the critical importance of ethics in the development and deployment of AI systems. We will discuss the fundamental principles of AI ethics, including transparency, fairness, and non-maleficence, and examine real-world ethical issues such as privacy concerns, surveillance, and the tension between AI decision-making and human autonomy. Through a case study, we will illustrate the complex ethical dilemmas that arise in specific domains such as healthcare, criminal justice, or human resources. We will then discuss the process of establishing ethical guidelines for AI, emphasizing the need for diverse stakeholder engagement and global cooperation. By the end of this presentation, participants will have a deeper understanding of the ethical landscape surrounding AI and the importance of proactively addressing these challenges to ensure the responsible and beneficial development of AI technologies.