SPRINGFIELD, Mo., May 15, 2024 — Presentation proposals are now being accepted for the 13th annual Drury University Nonprofit Leadership Conference. The NPL Conference will take place 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, Mo. All sessions will feature in-person presentations. Individuals with relevant presentation proposals are encouraged to submit them for consideration.

“Connect For” is the 2024 conference theme, and it invites attendees to consider what they are “connecting for” as they fulfill their respective roles as nonprofit leaders, team members, board members, and volunteers. We are accepting presentation proposals that build on the “Connect For” theme to address one of the three program tracks described below. We are eager to review proposals emphasizing the wide range of connections that help nonprofits, their teams, and communities thrive.

“Drury is excited to organize and host this one-day professional development event for the nonprofit community,” says Dr. Regina Waters, Director of Drury’s Leadership Collaborative. “Our goal for 13 years has been to provide a robust, engaging, and meaningful day of learning at an affordable price. The conference is a time to connect with friends, gain new insights, and feel invigorated by the incredible work of nonprofit organizations.”

Conference planners invite proposals that fit with one of the following tracks:

Track 1: Leadership and Governance

This track serves executive directors and other leaders who make the daily decisions that shape organizational success. We are interested in proposals that address the leadership skills and competencies needed in today’s nonprofit sector, best practices that connect mission and program outcomes, emerging trends that affect nonprofits, including employee recruitment and retention, leadership and board development, and case studies that illustrate successful adaptation and innovation in the nonprofit sector.

Track 2: Fundraising and Development

This track serves individuals whose activities support the financial health and sustainability of the organization, including development and fundraising staff, executive directors, CEOs, volunteers, and board members. We are interested in proposals that provide fresh insights on planned and monthly giving programs, major donor outreach, business models that may strengthen the resiliency of not-for-profits, innovative fundraising tools that spark connections with new donors, refocusing campaigns to create engagement and giving, strategies for diversifying funding sources, and blueprints for retaining first-time donors.

Track 3: Communication and Marketing

This track serves individuals responsible for the organization’s outreach to its audiences: donors, volunteers, staff, board members, corporate sponsors, government officials, and the public. We are interested in proposals demonstrating how to create enduring connections with audiences supporting the organization’s vision and mission. Relevant topics may include messaging that communicates organizational change to internal and external stakeholders, reshaping a marketing/PR plan and budget to fit with new strategic imperatives, emerging technologies that enhance communication capacity and effectiveness, and strategies to strengthen an organization’s visibility.

The sessions will be 60 minutes each, approximately 50 minutes for the presentation followed by 10 minutes of Q & A. Presenters should provide concrete takeaways and tools for participants through engaging and interactive sessions. Presentation materials will be shared with attendees after the event.

Proposals will be accepted through Saturday, June 1, and can be submitted online. For further information about the conference, contact Dr. Regina Waters at rwaters@drury.edu or call 417-873-7251.

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Media Contact: Kevin Kropf, Ed.D., Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communication, Office: (417) 873-7390, Email: kkropf@drury.edu

CALL FOR PRESENTATION PROPOSALS – 2024 Drury Nonprofit Leadership Conference