Leadership Institute

Community Memorial Foundation believes that leadership requires the capacity to turn vision into reality. That’s why we provide grantee board members and staff leadership with training in key areas of organizational development.

RACE EQUITY

Community Memorial Foundation continues its journey toward advancing racial equity with intentionality and purpose. In 2024, the Foundation will sponsor educational workshops, Race/Equity Coaching, and Race Equity Learning Circles. All offerings will be facilitated by Soar Strategies.

Workshops

RECRUITING AND RETAINING LEADERS OF COLOR
Friday, February 9, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (via Zoom)

Thursday, June 20, 2024 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM (in-person at the Marriott Burr Ridge—for Board members of CMF grantee partners)

Explore the value and importance of recruiting and retaining a diverse group of leaders (including staff and board members).
The workshop will be offered twice. It is intended for CMF Grantees that have taken earlier trainings (Racial Equity Part 1 or 2; Racial Equity Assessment; or Racial Equity Refresh). Please note, this is a repeat of the session held in 2023.

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MANAGING CROSS-CULTURAL CONFLICT
Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (via Zoom)

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

Attendees will discuss what accountability can look like; review how to utilize
conflict resolution frameworks to have challenging conversations; and review our own identities in order to understand the lenses by which we view colleague interactions.
REGISTER

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ALLYSHIP, PRIVILEGE AND POWER
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (via Zoom)

Thursday, September 12, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

Attendees will grapple with the functions of social power and privilege, and how they may influence workplace interactions.
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Race/Equity Coaching

The Soar Strategies team will provide Race Equity Coaching to a select group of eight grantee organizations. Each organization will have the opportunity to work closely with a Soar Strategies team member as they move their race/equity work forward.

Timeline: Applications are due March 15, 2024. A kickoff session for selected organizations will be held on April 17th, with coaching continuing throughout 2024.

Prerequisite(s): Must be a CMF grantee organization that has participated in any of the trainings/peer learning circles in 2021-2024.

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Race Equity Peer Learning Circles

The following Tuesdays from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: March 12, June 11, September 17, November 12 (via Zoom)

These lightly structured discussion groups employ the constructivist listening framework to help grantees brainstorm next steps alongside peer organizations that are also on their racial equity journeys, and discuss barriers to application of racial equity principles.
REGISTER
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Race Equity Consulting

The Soar Strategies team will provide Race Equity Consulting to a select group of six grantee organizations. Each organization will have the opportunity to work closely with a Soar Strategies team member as they develop and implement racial equity assessments, action plans, and more inclusive environments for their staff and partners.

Timeline: Applications will be available September 16, 2024, and are due on October 15th. Organizations will be selected by October 31st, with consulting projects beginning in early 2025.

Prerequisite(s): Must be a CMF grantee organization that has participated in any of the trainings/peer learning circles or coaching opportunities in 2021-2024.

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BOARD DEVELOPMENT

In response to feedback from its grantee partners, CMF will sponsor two workshops on Board Development in 2024, specifically for board members of grantee organizations. These workshops will be facilitated by Susan Meier, formerly of BoardSource. All sessions will be held in-person at the Marriott Burr Ridge. Due to space constraints, two people per organization may attend each workshop; at least one of these must be a board member.

Workshops

VITAL COMPONENTS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE or OPTIMIZING THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR BOARD
Thursday, April 25, 2024 | 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM 
This session will cover the roles and responsibilities associated with serving on a nonprofit board.
Specific topics will include:
• governance v. management
• Board roles & responsibilities
• Strategic board building, among others
REGISTER
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HARNESSING THE POWER OF YOUR BOARD: GENERATIVE THINKING
Thursday, September 19, 2024 | 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM 
This session will cover the role that generative thinking has in guiding a nonprofit organization.
Specific topics will include:
• an overview of fiduciary, strategic, and generative work
• how to bring all 3 types of work into the boardroom
• opportunities to explore generative opportunities for your organization
REGISTER

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LEADERSHIP  DEVELOPMENT

Leadership Development continues to be critical in these times of change.

In 2024,the Foundation will sponsor two cohorts of a coaching program aimed at emerging leaders within grantee partner organizations. Click here to learn more.

In addition, CMF will sponsor a workshop on Change Leadership. All programs will be facilitated by the Center for Creative Leadership and will be conducted via Zoom.

Workshop

LEADING CHANGE
This workshop is four hours and will be presented in two parts. There will be a morning cohort and an afternoon cohort. Please only register for one.
Morning Cohort
June 4 & 6, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
Afternoon Cohort
June 4 & 6, 2024 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Change Capable Leadership focuses on how to successfully lead change by applying three essential skills: Communication, Collaboration, and Commitment. Participants will learn about the human response to change and different preferences for change.

REGISTER for MORNING COHORT

REGISTER for AFTERNOON COHORT

 

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