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ACAM’s Training and Networking Program convenes Core Network partners to learn from each other, collaborate, and foster collective impact. Guided by carefully curated subject matter experts, partner staff engage in educational and networking sessions to expand knowledge, develop strong leadership, and increase resilience. By offering specialized training, group and one-on-one coaching, and opportunities for continuous feedback, ACAM’s Training and Networking Program ensures that partners have access to the tools, training, and resources they need to advance their mission and impact. These virtual and in-person convenings promote best practices, peer learning and information exchange through e-learning and training products offered to partners for free via webinars, conferences, and training materials. These quality offerings are provided to Core Network partners regardless of their ability to pay. Content stems from needs identified by ACAM’s partners, industry best practice standards, and the network’s commitment to the continuous improvement of client-centered programming. To further the program’s reach, out-of-network agencies can purchase an All-Access Pass (AAP) for $250, which provides a full year membership to ACAM’s virtual and in-person for up to three representatives to attend all trainings as well as access recordings
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The All-Access Pass (AAP) is $250 per agency and provides a full year of membership to ACAM’s Training and Networking Program. Participating agencies may send up to three representatives to attend any training and access recordings. Training sessions are typically $35 per person; at $250 per agency, AAP holders benefit from a deep discount $600 per person for a full years membership to ACAM’s trainings. Sign up for the 2025 All-Access Pass Here! If you have any questions, please contact Zoe Cagan, Training and Development Coordinator at zcagan@acamweb.org
Show Your Auditors Some Love! Stay Audit-Ready All Year Round
Whether you’re new or seasoned, join us for tips to keep your auditors happy by staying audit-ready all year-round. In this webinar, we’ll focus on ways to leverage the month-end close to confidently prepare for and navigate the financial statement audit process. Matthew Guilliam and Adam Weaver from Your Part Time Controller lead us in this discussion.
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Review the objectives, goals, and stages of a financial statement audit
Define the types of procedure performed and items requested by auditors during a financial statement audit
Summarize how to utilize the month-end close process to effectively prepare for an audit
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Finance Directors
Accounting Managers
Finance Staff
Operations Directors
CEOs, CFOs, COOs
Participation is free for ACAM Network Partner organizations and 2025 All-Access Pass holders. For all other attendees, the cost to participate is $35.
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Matthew Guilliams is a Manager in Your Part-Time Controller, LLC’s (YPTC) Houston Market. Before joining YPTC, Matthew began his career in tax specialty consulting providing cost segregation studies to the Auto Dealership and Medical Facility sectors. He also spent significant time in the credit union space managing finance and operations functions. Matthew continues contributing to the credit union movement as a volunteer supervisory committee member.
Adam Weaver is a Manager in Your Part-Time Controller, LLC’s (YPTC) Houston Market. Before joining YPTC, Adam worked primarily with non-profits in the Austin area in accounting management roles and was an auditor for a brief period before being called back to industry accounting work. YPTC has allowed Adam to continue working with non-profits where he enjoys having a mission behind his work.
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You can register by clicking this link: Show Your Auditors Some Love! Stay Audit Ready All-Year Round
Managing Overflow Stock Before It Manages You
Donations, donations, donations! In non-profit resale stores, it's so easy for a mole hill of donations to turn into a mountain. J.R. Slack, Founder and Owner of SMCo Thrift leads this session as we discuss best practices for transforming your mountain of inventory into revenue and tips to shorten the time it takes for inventory to reach the sales floor.
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Prioritizing timely product turnover and rotating inventory regularly
Streamlining a donation sorting process
Offering promotions and bundled products
Performing regular inventory audits
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Thrift Store Managers
Thrift Store Staff
Key Thrift Store Volunteers
CEOs/Executive Leadership
Participation is free for ACAM Network Partner organizations and 2025 All-Access Pass holders. For all other attendees, the cost to participate is $35.
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J.R. Slack is the Founder and Owner of SMCo Thrift LLC., a company that is focused on helping non-profit organizations create and grow profitable thrift stores. With over 47 stores currently under management, and over 200 stores in their network, SMCo Thrift has created solutions that are proven to increase profitability at any stage of the process from startup to multiple stores. It is SMCo Thrift's goal to see a community of successful thrift store operators feed into a network that will create industry standards for independent thrift stores.
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You can register for this session by clicking this link: Managing Overflow Stock Before It Manages You
Motivational Interviewing
This training will briefly review the foundational concepts and methods used in practicing Motivational Interviewing (MI): 4 component tasks, ambivalence and fixing reflex, reflective listening, change talk vs. sustain talk, ask-offer-ask. The majority of the training will focus on practicing the above methods through the use of exercises and real-plays with fellow trainees, while coaching is both elicited from the trainees for each other and offered by the facilitator. Jordan Press, LCSW, a Clinical Housing Case Manager at SEARCH Homeless Services will be leading this training.
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Review of foundational concepts and methods of MI
Hands-on coaching and exercises
Practice of 4 Component Tasks
Practice of Ambivalence and Fixing Reflex
Practice of Reflective Listening
Practice of Chang Talk vs. Sustain Talk
Practice of Ask-Offer-Ask
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Case Managers
Direct Care Staff
Program Managers
Program Directors
CEOS/Executive Leadership
Participation is free for ACAM Network Partner organizations and 2025 All-Access Pass holders. For all other attendees, the cost to participate is $35.
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Jordan Press, LCSW, is a Clinical Housing Case Manager at SEARCH Homeless Services. She has been practicing Motivational Interviewing (MI) for 15 years, starting in Los Angeles’ Skid Row and becoming a trainer in the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) in 2016. She provides MI trainings, coaching, and skill-building groups, and seeks to help new learners bring their own voice and intuition into their MI practice.
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You can register for this event by clicking this link: Motivational Interviewing
Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being
It is important to work for an organization that values employees' emotional and psychological well-being. As reported by Mental Health America, almost 80% of workers agree that workplace stress affects their relationships with other people and their mental health. In this training lead by Anthony Sartori, CEO of Evolving Minds, workplace leaders will practice resilience skills that build social support and connections and learn the former U.S. Surgeon General's, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being framework.
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The U.S. Surgeon General's Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being Framework
Actionable step towards workplace social connection and support
Integrating stress-reduction practices
Application of workplace mental health knowledge to improve work environment
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Executive Leadership
Department Directors
Program Managers
Client-Facing Staff
Program Coordinators
Anyone who finds this topic relevant to their work
Participation is free for ACAM Network Partner organizations and 2025 All-Access Pass holders. For all other attendees, the cost to participate is $35.
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After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in psychology, Anthony Sartori started working in a grocery store in March 2020, just as the pandemic created shopping panic. During every shift for over two years, he felt the impact of a stressful work environment that did little to support worker wellbeing or nourish co-worker relationships. Always on the verge of quitting, he started thinking about how things could be done differently.
What began as a fifteen-minute Culture-Building meeting in his grocery store has evolved into innovative programs that consistently demonstrate compelling outcomes: employees feeling valued as whole people, increased workplace empathy and trust, and reduced anxiety, stress, burnout, and absenteeism.
Since founding Evolving Minds in 2020, Anthony has been at the forefront of workplace mental health, training thousands of leaders across America. His work spans diverse sectors—from nonprofits and philanthropy to universities, public education, government, retail, and corporate environments.
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You can register for this session by clicking this link: Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being
The Art of the Newsletter: Crafting Stories that Connect
Compelling subject lines, quality content, effective call-to-actions, mobile compatibility, and a personal touch are just a few ways to create a newsletter that resonates with your audience. Newsletters are one of the most common kinds of marketing emails, yet their execution remains one of the hardest to get just right. In this session, we will discuss all the ways you can craft a successful newsletter that provides value for your readers and cultivates an audience of people who are excited to hear from you.
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Best practices in crafting newsletters
Encouraging higher interaction with your Call-to-Action
Building consistent engagement
Adding personalization to your content
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Development Directors and Coordinators
Community Events and Outreach Directors and Staff
Marketing and Communications Directors and Staff
Volunteer Managers and Coordinators
Executive Leadership
Participation is free for ACAM Network Partner organizations and 2025 All-Access Pass holders. For all other attendees, the cost to participate is $35.
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Josh Plumley has over 20 years of hands-on professional development and fundraising experience, and he relishes the opportunity to work with nonprofits. His experience working in nearly every seat in the development office has positioned him to counsel a variety of organizations and schools. As a managing consultant with Mission Advancement, he leads projects in several capacities.
As the former Sr Director of Development with Children At Heart Ministries (CAHM), Josh oversaw multimillion-dollar campaigns, led the mid-major gifts program, and focused on strategic affairs and board development with leaders from affiliates across Texas. Josh has worked with a variety of social service and humanitarian causes. He is a former executive board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Houston Chapter. In that role, he chaired the Strategic Change Committee.
The 2025 Resource Development trainings are brought to you by Mission Advancement
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You can register for this session by clicking this link: The Art of the Newsletter: Crafting Stories that Connect
Volunteer Appreciation and Why It Matters
Volunteers give so much of their time and talent to nonprofit organizations and giving them a positive experience increases the chance they return. Going the extra mile to show genuine appreciation to your volunteers deepens their commitment to your mission, and, in turn, strengthens the impact your organization makes in the community. Nikki Eliason, CVA, from Make-A-Wish Gulf Coast and Louisiana and their Volunteer of the Year, Kelly Pitts leads us in conversation.
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Setting expectations with volunteers to understand what motivates them
Impact on organization programs and return on investment
Hosting appreciation events
Budgeting for volunteer appreciation
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Volunteer Managers and Coordinators
Resale Store Managers
Food Pantry Managers
Program Directors
CEOS/Executive Leadership
Participation is free for ACAM Network Partner organizations and 2025 All-Access Pass holders. For all other attendees, the cost to participate is $35.
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Nikki Eliason, CVA - Volunteer Manager at Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana
As a transplant to Texas in 2008 from central Indiana, I found myself longing to join the Houston community. I naturally gravitated toward meaningful engagement that was familiar to me as a previous volunteer with Make-A-Wish in my hometown and attended wish granter volunteer training in 2009. Little did I know that I would soon have the opportunity to take on a full-time staff position, and 14 years later have the joy of continuing to serve and learn in new ways each day while sharing in the transformational power of a wish. I'm an active wish-granting volunteer, have served in staff roles within our mission delivery, fundraising and development teams, and now serve as Volunteer Manager. I truly believe that wishes are not just nice but necessary. For a wish child, the opportunity to step outside of their current limitations and experience the hope, strength, and joy that only a wish can provide is integral to their journey of battling a critical illness.
The CVA is the only internationally recognized credential in the profession of volunteer administration and is valid for a 5-year period before renewal. To earn this designation, applicants demonstrate the achievement of 80 points in the areas of education, professional experience and the application of core competencies. Successful applicants become candidates for the CVA who then complete a two-hour examination testing knowledge, application and analysis of skills in six competencies related to the mobilization and leadership of volunteer engagement. Successful CVAs also pledge to work within the professional code of ethics. They join a select group of over 1100 professionals worldwide who currently hold this credential as of November 2024.
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You can register for this training with the following link: Volunteer Appreciation and Why It Matters
Doing More Together in Client Services
Nonprofit and grassroots collaboration across our region becomes more vital each day. As uncertainty about the economy, federal funding, and the availability of basic goods and services rise, so does the community need for nonprofits- nonprofits that are often the difference between clients satisfying their needs or going without. Please join us for this guided networking session where attendees have the opportunity to share needs, share resources, and coordinate services together.
Refreshments and light bites will be provided.
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Current regional challenges
Federal funding updates
Status of client services in our organizations
Networking and information exchange
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Case Managers
Direct Care Staff
Program Managers
Program Directors
CEOS/Executive Leadership
Participation is free for ACAM Network Partner organizations and 2025 All-Access Pass holders. For all other attendees, the cost to participate is $35.
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You can register for this event by following this link: Doing More Together in Client Services
Thrift Store Field Trip: Staging Your Merchandise
Staging your merchandise is all about creating an engaging customer experience in your store, and effective merchandising entices customers to make purchases and keep coming back for more. Please join us for an in-person event where we share the best strategies and see the real-time implementation. This session discussion will be guided by Cindy Husband who is VP of Operations and Resale at Memorial Assistance Ministries and has over two decades of experience in retail management.
Refreshments and light bites will be provided.
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Standardizing inventory and merchandising policies for volunteers
Best use of your high-value locations within the store
Appealing to your customers' senses
Staying ahead of the curve for special events and holidaysxt goes here
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Thrift Store Managers
Thrift Store Staff
CEOS/Executive Leadership
Participation is free for ACAM Network Partner organizations and 2025 All-Access Pass holders. For all other attendees, the cost to participate is $35.
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Cindy Husband serves as the VP of Operations at Memorial Assistance Ministries. With over two decades of retail management in nonprofit resale stores, Cindy's expertise as a consultant and as a coach is highly sought after by nonprofits in our region. As an active member of NARTS: The Association of Resale Professionals, Cindy fosters connections with resale professionals across the country and incorporates innovative methods to improve the success of her stores. Under her leadership, MAM's Resale Store has grown into an operation that brought in over $2 Million dollars last year.
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You can register for this event following this link: Thrift Store Field Trip: Staging Your Merchandise
Spaces are limited for this event, so please register so we may have an accurate headcount.
Make Them Want to Stay: Best Practices to Retain Your Best Employees
Employee retention is a very real challenge non-profit organizations face. In this session we will dive into the life cycle of an employee, how to create effective dialogue, enacting restorative problem solving, acknowledging your rockstar employees, building a fulfilling culture, and investing in your organization's talent.
Come prepared to share your challenges and/or scenarios and for real conversations lead by leadership trainer, coach, and professor Dr. Christine Gravelle.
About the Speaker
Dr. Christine Gravelle
I have over 15 years of experience leading different types of teams and am a certified coach and trainer. From interns, new professionals, people leaders, individual contributors, and executive leaders; I have made it my job to help people unleash their potential so they can be a highly performing team member and thrive. Currently, I coach leaders to maximize their potential, I train teams to be more emotionally intelligent, and I work in executive leadership development.
My passion for learning about new cultures and global leadership development led me to work with international and domestic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Africa and South America. I served as a representative to the United Nations on behalf of an NGO, and provided global leadership training to NGO representatives. I also served as a board member for a leadership organization that trained leadership trainers. My love for life-long learning led me to earn a Ph.D. in Comparative and International Education, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and a B.S. in Social Sciences. My research interests include leadership education and facilitation, global leadership, emotional intelligence, and organizational development. The combination of my life-long learning and growth mindset creates an opportunity for me to train, design, consult, and/or coach for and with hundreds of people on their own leadership development journey. I love to facilitate team sessions, and pinpoint each person’s unique strengths.
I also enjoy traveling, singing, reading, putting together puzzles, and spending time with family and friends.
A Guide to Loss and Theft Prevention (OPEN TRAINING)
Retail is a complex, busy and ever-changing environment that is brought to life through merchandising of inventory, fixtures and displays, customer interaction, employee engagement and even theft. As crime increases in our expansive retail landscape across the United States, attendees of this webinar can look forward to actionable insight to help prepare their stores and their teams to realistically combat theft. Among the details to be revealed will include tips on what to look for in customers who may be prepping to shop lift, habits of employees who may also contribute to this problem, ways stores can set up their spaces to avoid theft occurrences and affordable or no-cost solutions to help aid in this unfortunate yet realistic reality of modern retail.
Nicole Leinbach Hoffman
Nicole Leinbach Hoffman is the Founder of RetailMinded.com, a well-respected industry resource for merchants and vendors alike founded in 2007.
With a core concentration on independent retailers, small businesses, community, and how the various touchpoints of commerce influence modern merchants, Leinbach is a frequent guest and contributor to various media outlets that have included The Today Show, Forbes, Entreprenuer.com and countless B2B publications. Additionally, Leinbach has supported American Express’s Small Business Saturday as a Spokesperson and is the Author of the book “Retail 101: The Guide to Managing and Marketing Your Retail Business” from McGraw-Hill.
In 2022, Leinbach was recognized as one of Women Wear Daily’s “25 Most Inspiring Women in Retail” and has been on the list of the world’s most influential retail leaders from Rethink Retail since 2015. In 2023, Leinbach was recognized by American Eagle on a billboard in retail for being a Global Change Maker with her work in retail.
She’s a mom of 4, 3 dogs and also a Professor at Columbia College where she teaches Retail Marketing. Leinbach proudly describes herself as a “retail geek”.
Best Practices in Utilizing ChatGPT and AI for Development Optimization (OPEN TRAINING)
Join us for a dynamic virtual session where you'll gain a deeper understanding of how artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize your organization's operations. We’ll explore the practical applications of AI in the nonprofit sector, from time-saving tools to innovative strategies for fundraising and grant writing. Learn both the potential and limitations of AI, and leave equipped with practical ways you can use AI right now.
This session is free to the ACAM Network and All-Access Pass Holders.
This session is $35 for all other attendees.
Participants will discover how to use AI tools to:
1) Understand the Practical Applications of AI in the Nonprofit Sector: Participants will gain insights into how AI can be leveraged to enhance operational efficiency, streamline communication, and support fundraising and grant writing efforts.
2) Identify the Limitations of AI: Attendees will learn about the potential challenges and limitations of AI to make informed decisions when implementing AI solutions.
3) Implement AI Tools to Achieve Immediate Results: Participants will leave the session with practical knowledge and actionable strategies on how to use AI tools to save time, find funders, and automate tasks, resulting in immediate benefits for their organizations.
All registrants will receive an exclusive AI Prompts and Resources guide.
About the Speaker
Margit Brazda Poirier
Margit Brazda Poirier, GPC, M.S., Owner and Founder of Grants4Good LLC® (grants4good.com), created the company in 2009 to help nonprofit organizations and businesses find and get grant funding. She is one of 400 or so nationally certified Grant Professionals and 1 of only 30 Approved Trainers in the U.S. on this topic.
Margit and her team have written and received millions in grants for nonprofits and businesses – and she has the unique perspective of understanding both grant seeking and grant making, given her experience leading a prominent New York foundation.
Her passion is teaching others to secure grant funding through public speaking and her online course, All About Grant Writing.
She’s spoken at national and international conferences of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Grant Professionals Association, and others.
ACAM Training Focus Group
Thank you all for participating in ACAM's Training and Networking Program so far! We would be grateful to have your attendance for a quick focus group. Our goal each year is to serve you, and your input is the most important part of it all. All responses are anonymous, and we encourage you to freely share your thoughts about your experience and about what you hope to see next.
**There will be a raffle at the end where two lucky people will walk away with a prize!**
Asking the Right Questions: Finding the Right Services
This interactive session gives attendees the opportunity to use the knowledge gained from the previous training sessions, Understanding Immigration Status and Benefit Eligibility and Resources and Services Available to Greater Houston Immigrant Community. Using hypothetical case studies, attendees practice understanding their clients’ situations and correctly assessing their needs, avoiding incomplete service.
Lunch will be provided.
In Collaboration with
Houston Immigration and Legal Services Collaborative
Learning Objective(s)
Hands-on application of immigration processes using hypothetical case studies
Target Audience
Interns, new staff, and community organizations will benefit the most from this training.
Attendance required for Connect for Healthcare Network and Pathways to Citizenship Cohort.
The ACAM Network thanks HILSC for their commitment and their passion for Immigration and Citizenship and for sharing their extensive knowledge and expertise. Together, we do more to strengthen the network of service providers working to naturalize the 300,000 people eligible for citizenship in Greater Houston.
Offering and Leveraging Wrap Around Services: Panel and Networking
Please join us for a panel discussion and networking session on wraparound services! We will speak about best practices, implementation, successes and challenges, legal compliance requirements, how to reach and educate those in need about your services, and any other relevant discussion points regarding the topic. The networking goal is that everyone in attendance leaves with new perspectives and tools they can implement into their own programs and increase wraparound services in Greater Houston.
Lunch will be provided.
ACAM Training Focus Group
Thank you all for participating in ACAM's Training and Networking Program so far! We would be grateful to have your attendance for a quick focus group. Our goal each year is to serve you, and your input is the most important part of it all. All responses are anonymous, and we encourage you to freely share your thoughts about your experience and about what you hope to see next.
**There will be a raffle at the end where two lucky people will walk away with a prize!**
Benefits Application Assistance and Navigation for Special Populations
Enrolling in benefits can be complicated and may cause unintended consequences. This becomes more apparent with those who lack permanent immigration status. This training provides a better understanding of how to identify what programs they are eligible for and assist these special populations to ensure they receive the services they need in a timely and appropriate manner.
Lunch will be provided.
Learning Objectives
Learn the eligibility requirement and process to apply for insurance coverage under Affordable Care Act.
Learn the eligibility requirement for federal means-tested programs
Learn the eligibility requirement for Medicaid and Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP),
Learn about Harris Health, eligibility and application process
Target Audience
Interns, new staff, and community organizations will benefit the most from this training. Attendance required for Pathways to Citizenship Collaborative.
About the Presenters
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
In 2013, local organizations working with immigrant communities came together to address the lack of legal service capacity in the Houston region. These early meetings eventually became the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC or the Collaborative). Collaborative allies include non-profit legal services providers, outreach and advocacy organizations, the business community, law school legal clinics, public agencies, and private foundations.
The Collaborative plays a critical role convening, coordinating, and communicating in the legal services community. Through our work, more immigrants are receiving low-cost, high-quality legal services for immigration issues in Houston. Our work has become even more urgent in the last few years, as the policy environment in which we work becomes increasingly hostile to immigrants. We have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for immigration legal services and education & outreach efforts in Houston’s diverse immigrant communities.
Ephipany Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS)
In 2001, in response to the dramatic change in southwest Houston’s demographics the parishioners of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany established Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS). To this day, ECHOS remains a ministry of the church and the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. ECHOS became a non-profit corporation in 2001. The doors opened to provide health and social services to the growing population of immigrants and refugees living in the area surrounding the Church. ECHOS Benefits Application Assistance Program provides on-site help to families who are unable to access affordable health care and who do not have medical insurance coverage. Staff assists them with completing and submitting applications for healthcare and social services.
Clients are not simply “handed” applications for services but are assisted in completing their application with staff checking the accuracy of their supporting documentation. New applicants receive a follow-up phone call to confirm program acceptance or to provide additional guidance when needed.
Boat People SOS (BPSOS)
Boat People SOS (BPSOS) - Houston is a non-profit social and legal services provider whose purpose is to empower, organize, and equip immigrant communities in their pursuit of liberty and dignity. Our branch provides education, information, and direct assistance to immigrant and refugee families on potential health and legal issues prevalent in the immigrant communities. BPSOS services range from health awareness prevention programs, legal services for low-income families and victims of violence and crime, ESL, citizenship, and digital literacy classes, senior services programs to encourage community engagement, advocacy, and volunteerism.
Helping Clients Navigate a Successful Citizenship Application Process
The process of acquiring U.S. citizenship for immigrants can be daunting and complex. In this session, we will explore the civics examination and conduct a mock citizenship interview, share information about the spectrum of services available to support clients through the citizenship application process, and the importance for case managers to follow up with clients after the citizenship interview to identify issues that help improve service for future clients.
Lunch will be provided.
Learning Objective
Learn what happens after the citizenship application has been submitted and how to best support the client.
Target Audience
Interns, new staff, and community organizations will benefit the most from this training. Attendance required for Pathways to Citizenship Collaborative.
The Pathways to Citizenship Collaborative is made possible due to the generosity provided by The Houston Endowment. The ACAM Network is so grateful for the opportunity to carry out this vital work!
About the Presenters
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
In 2013, local organizations working with immigrant communities came together to address the lack of legal service capacity in the Houston region. These early meetings eventually became the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC or the Collaborative). Collaborative allies include non-profit legal services providers, outreach and advocacy organizations, the business community, law school legal clinics, public agencies, and private foundations.
The Collaborative plays a critical role convening, coordinating, and communicating in the legal services community. Through our work, more immigrants are receiving low-cost, high-quality legal services for immigration issues in Houston. Our work has become even more urgent in the last few years, as the policy environment in which we work becomes increasingly hostile to immigrants. We have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for immigration legal services and education & outreach efforts in Houston’s diverse immigrant communities.
NALEO Educational Fund
NALEO Educational Fund is the nation’s leading 501(c) (3) non-profit, non-partisan organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service. Founded in 1981, NALEO Educational Fund achieves its mission through integrated strategies that include increasing the effectiveness of Latino policymakers, mobilizing the Latino community to engage in civic life and promoting policies that advance Latino political engagement. NALEO Educational Fund provides national leadership on key issues that affect Latino participation in our political process, including immigration and naturalization, voting rights, election reform, the Census and the appointment of qualified Latinos to top executive and judicial positions.
National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA)
NPNA's mission is to advance an immigrant equity and inclusion agenda at the state, local and federal level through policy, advocacy and service programs that create vast opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities to achieve full civic, social and economic justice. We achieve our mission through these 5 pillars of impact. The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) is a multi-ethnic, multiracial coalition of 70 of the nation's largest immigrant and refugee rights organizations with reach across 40 states. Together with our members, we advance immigrant equity and inclusion policies, build and expand immigration legal services and integration programming capacity, and drive campaigns that strengthen democracy through increased civic participation.
Creating a Rewarding Experience that Engages and Retains Volunteers (OPEN TRAINING)
Volunteers are one of the most valuable assets to non-profit organizations, and it is crucial to have a strategy that motivates people to give their time and talent. From building strong relationships to making them feel important and valued through public recognition, there are a variety of ways to establish a committed volunteer base. We will discuss best practices in creating an experience that grows the enthusiasm and dedication of your volunteers.
*Free event for ACAM network partners and 2024 ACAM All-Access Pass holders.
This event is $35 for all other attendees*
About the Speaker
Erica Bryant
Erica Bryant is celebrating her third anniversary at Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM), where she plays a pivotal role as the Program and Community Resource Coordinator. Her responsibilities include overseeing program volunteers and serving as the point of contact for NAM across various committees. Erica’s commitment to the Houston community is evident through her efforts in community relations, particularly in coordinating volunteers and leveraging her comprehensive understanding of local non-profit organizations.
Her involvement extends to board service at several organizations, including the YMCA Ella branch. Erica’s leadership skills were further honed by completing the CenterPoint Energy Emerging Leaders Institute ~ Cohort III, hosted by the Texas A&M University Center for Executive Development at Mays Business School, in June 2024.
An East Texas native, Erica’s career began with the State of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, where she worked as a Fish Technician for five years. She then transitioned to Domino’s Pizza Inc. in Ann Arbor, Michigan, taking on the role of Corporate Coordinator for the Texas Region, which marked the start of her community engagement. For the next twenty years, Erica has been associated with the United Way of Greater Houston as a Community Relations Coordinator. She continues actively participating in community outreach programs. Erica’s personal life is marked by her 34-year love & marriage to her high school sweetheart, John, who passed away from brain cancer in 2017. Together, they raised two children, Ejalyn and Ceajae, who are now adults.
Preparing for the Citizenship Application Process
Applying for citizenship is a complex process. This session details how to apply, what documentation is needed, understanding the N-400, how to cover costs, and how to answer client questions. Clients should walk away with clear expectations of their responsibilities before starting the Naturalization process.
Lunch will be provided.
The Pathways to Citizenship Collaborative is made possible due to the generosity provided by The Houston Endowment. The ACAM Network is so grateful for the opportunity to carry out this vital work!
Learning Objective
Outlining the citizenship application process in an understandable yet detailed way for clients.
Target Audience
Interns, new staff, and community organizations will benefit the most from this training. Attendance required for Pathways to Citizenship Collaborative.
About the Presenters
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
In 2013, local organizations working with immigrant communities came together to address the lack of legal service capacity in the Houston region. These early meetings eventually became the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC or the Collaborative). Collaborative allies include non-profit legal services providers, outreach and advocacy organizations, the business community, law school legal clinics, public agencies, and private foundations.
The Collaborative plays a critical role convening, coordinating, and communicating in the legal services community. Through our work, more immigrants are receiving low-cost, high-quality legal services for immigration issues in Houston. Our work has become even more urgent in the last few years, as the policy environment in which we work becomes increasingly hostile to immigrants. We have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for immigration legal services and education & outreach efforts in Houston’s diverse immigrant communities.
The ACAM Network thanks HILSC for their commitment and their passion for Immigration and Citizenship and for sharing their extensive knowledge and expertise. Together, we do more to strengthen the network of service providers working to naturalize the 300,000 people eligible for citizenship in Greater Houston.
A Grant Writer's Guide to Telling Your Organization's Story (OPEN TRAINING)
Telling your organization’s story to funders is an art and science. This interactive session will cover best practices in persuasive writing and strategies to more clearly communicate your fundraising needs to institutional and even individual donors.
About the Speaker
Mary Claire Waltham
Mary Claire’s positivity, warmth and heart for mission is only matched by her relentless commitment to help her clients achieve their goals. Since joining Dini Spheris in 2014, Mary Claire has served nearly 100 nonprofits throughout Texas and across the country. She is a seasoned consultant, successfully helping clients grow their annual, capital and major gift fundraising, executing strategic planning processes that have transformed institutions, and managing campaigns with goals ranging from $1 million to $250 million.
As a coach and counselor, Mary Claire focuses first on building a strong, confident team of volunteers and staff. Her goal is always to maximize her client’s strengths, to build the right, tailored strategy for every setting, and to create an enduring partnership based in trust. Nothing brings her more joy than walking hand in hand with organizations in the midst of transformation, boldly facing challenges and celebrations.
Mary Claire holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago and a Nonprofit Finance Certificate from Rice University. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Greater Houston Chapter and regularly presents at conferences throughout the United States. Mary Claire also deeply enjoys mentoring the next generation of sector leaders as a lead instructor with the University of Houston Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. She serves on the Board of the Endowment Fund of St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Houston and previously served on the Board of Trustees of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. Mary Claire is most proud to be the mother of Baby Malcolm and spends every moment she can chasing after her son and his best friend, Hercules the Cat.
Best Practices in Generating Revenue From Online Sales (OPEN TRAINING)
Today as we rely more and more on the internet, people can buy a products and services with the tap of a finger or the click of a button. With the huge popularity of online shopping, online retail stores have high chance of success. In this is discussion led by Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, one of the top worldwide retail influencers, we will learn how to optimize online sales, drive traffic to your website, and generate more revenue than before!
*Free event for ACAM network partners and 2024 ACAM All-Access Pass holders.
This event is $35 for all other attendees*
About the Speaker
Nicole Leinbach
Nicole Leinbach is the Founder of RetailMinded.com, the Independent Retailer & Sellers Conference and the STIMULATE: A Wellness Trade Show.
With a core concentration on independent retailers, small businesses, community, and how the various touchpoints of commerce influence modern merchants, Leinbach is a frequent guest and contributor to various media outlets that have included The Today Show, Forbes, Entreprenuer.com and countless B2B publications. Additionally, Leinbach has supported American Express’s Small Business Saturday as a Spokesperson and is the Author of the book “Retail 101: The Guide to Managing and Marketing Your Retail Business” from McGraw-Hill.
In 2022, Leinbach was recognized as one of Women Wear Daily’s “25 Most Inspiring Women in Retail” and has been on the list of the world’s most influential retail leaders from Rethink Retail since 2015. In 2023, Leinbach was recognized by American Eagle on a billboard in retail for being a Global Change Maker with her work in retail.
She’s a mom of 4, 3 dogs and also a Professor at Columbia College where she teaches Retail Marketing. Leinbach proudly describes herself as a “retail geek”.
The Benefits of Citizenship and the Eligibility Requirements
U.S. citizenship is often the destination of the immigration journey for many. In Greater Houston, an estimated 360,000 Lawful Permanent Residents are eligible to apply for citizenship. This session will discuss the pathways to U.S. citizenship, eligibility requirements, available waivers for a Lawful Permanent Resident to acquire citizenship and the benefits such status provides.
Learning Objective(s)
Assess client’s eligibility for citizenship and communicate with them about the process of seeking citizenship and the benefits such status provides.
Target Audience
Interns, new staff, and community organizations will benefit the most from this training. Attendance required for Pathways to Citizenship Collaborative.
Lunch will be provided upon arrival.
Resources and Services Available to Greater Houston Immigrant Community
This training answers the question, “what do I do if I have an issue, but I’m not eligible for anything because of my status?” Attendees will learn the latest “public charge” rule and how it impacts immigrants’ eligibility for means-tested programs, and what services immigrants can receive regardless of status, publicly funded alternatives, and how to direct clients to those services. Through working on a hypothetical case, participants will identify the service available to mixed-immigrant-status family and how to advocate to help them secure these services.
Understanding the Pathways to Permanent Immigration Status
The U.S. immigration system is complex and can be difficult to understand. At this session, experienced immigration attorneys will provide a high-level explanation of the limited pathways that allow someone to obtain permanent immigration status. The speakers will also discuss the demographic make-up of the immigrant population in Greater Houston. Through an interactive exercise, participants will apply the knowledge to find possible pathway to permanent immigration status for the hypothetical family.
Lunch will be provided.
Learning Objective(s)
Understanding the basic framework of the U.S. immigration system.
Get an overview of the make-up of the immigrant population in Greater Houston.
Using a hypothetical to explore pathways to permanent immigration system.
Target Audience
Interns, new staff, case managers, and community organizations will get a deeper knowledge about the intersection of immigration status and access to benefits and services from this training.
Attendance required for Connect for Healthcare Network and Pathways to Citizenship Cohort.
This training is curated in partnership with the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative.
ZENOBIA LAI
As the Executive Director of HILSC, Zenobia leads the strategic vision of the Collaborative through facilitating meaningful collaboration among members, amplifying funding available to member organizations and leading grant-making processes, implementing creative solutions to issues affecting Houston’s immigration legal services providers, and building strategic partnerships.
Zenobia is a seasoned civil legal services lawyer who has worked with low-income immigrant communities throughout the country. She has centered her career on making legal services available to those who lack financial resources, political power, English proficiency, or knowledge of the American legal system. Zenobia helped coin the term “community lawyering,” leveraging resources from private law firms and other professionals to help low-income communities make systemic changes. She is both a practitioner and an educator, helping design training curricula, train trainers, conduct numerous lawyering skill trainings to the legal services community, as well as preparing aspiring law students and human services professionals for career growth. Prior to her legal career, Zenobia was a broadcast journalist in Hong Kong. She also helped run a Cantonese cable television show for more than two decades in Malden, Massachusetts.
VICKIE GIAMBRA
Vickie Giambra is the Legal and Advocacy Director of HILSC. She has been practicing immigration law since 2009. Previously in private practice working on a variety of matters, Vickie began her nonprofit immigration law career when she joined Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in January 2017. As a Managing Attorney, she led the General Immigration Program at Catholic Charities, which encompassed family immigration matters and provided a full range of immigration services for refugees and asylees. With a B.A., cum laude, in Latin American Studies from Barnard College, Columbia University, and an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge, Vickie began her career working in HR and recruitment for a large international law firm in New York and London. This sparked an interest in employment and immigration law, which led Vickie to enroll in the University of Houston Law Center, graduating in May 2009. She is a member of the Texas Bar and is also a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach.
Leveraging the Power of Social Media
From news about major events to the most mundane posts, every day we rely on Social Media to stay connected with each other. As brands use social media more and more, it's important to stay ahead of the game and capitalize on what works. Back again are April Lykos and Karina Patman of The Guild Shop discussing how they earned thousands of followers, collaborated with local influencers, increased their sales over the course of the year and how you can too!
APRIL LYKOS
April Lykos is the Executive Director of The Guild Shop, Houston’s iconic resale shop and a ministry of The Church of St. John the Divine. Previously, she founded ShoptheSymphony.com, a service that developed and managed e-commerce retail platforms for performing arts organizations. During that time, she also created and managed the Houston Symphony Store for the Houston Symphony and was charged with developing and maximizing a revenue generating business. She is a product of the Merchant Development Program at Neiman Marcus and spent ten years in the Buying, Strategic Planning and Store Divisions. She was also a buyer at Tootsies, a luxury retailer with store in Texas and Georgia. She is a former Wall Street-trained bankruptcy and turnaround attorney and enjoys combining her passion for retail with solid business practices. April has a BBA – Finance from The University of Texas and a law degree from St. Mary’s University.
KARINA PATMAN
Karina Patman has travelled to over fifty countries both for pleasure as well as work. Starting at an early age, Karina travelled to see her grandmothers in Europe; as a high school, studied in the USSR; and then her first pay-job was in Bujumbura, Burundi consulting on rule-of-law projects and the coffee industry. Following those adventures, she went graduate school at Northwestern University with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. She set out to use her skills in direct marketing, audience segmentation & creative briefs for Targetbase Marketing (clients included Nestle, & Southwest Airlines), Dell Computer (alliances with Microsoft & SAP) & Continental Airlines (marketing new routes to Asian destinations). She moved with her husband and became an expatriate in Singapore and Bangkok for 12 years, focused on being a docent at the Asian Civilization Museum and President of the American Women’s Association, as well as a Board member at New Independent School of Thailand (NIST). When the family moved back to Houston, Karina started her own company of her clothing designs, called B. Mori Boutique, inspired by global fashion. Now at the Guild Shop, Karina takes the lead on social media, is a member of The Guild Shop Board, and Chairs the philanthropic giving, creating partnerships with local organizations that share The Guild Shop mission of helping the elderly in need.
Keys to Developing a Volunteer Placement Assessment Process (OPEN TRAINING)
Your volunteers reflect the diversity of your community as everyone has different strengths, talents, and interests. Having an effective assessment process increases the chance for potential volunteers to excel in their roles and earn a genuine sense of fulfillment. We will discuss best practices of evaluating and understanding your volunteers and how to focus the enthusiasm they have for your cause to suit your organization's needs.
*Free event for ACAM network partners and 2024 ACAM All-Access Pass holders.
This event is $35 for all other attendees*
Cinnamon Baldwin
As a lover of education and the development of young people, Cinnamon created her career within educational institutions. She received her Master's Degree in Natural Resource Management and also served for many years as a Grade School Administrator. Now she is able to combine her passions as the Community Engagement & Volunteer Manager for the Hermann Park Conservancy. From the 21,000 volunteers hours it takes to maintain the park to Job Shadowing Program, Cinnamon continues to grow and develop way for nature-conscious Houstonians to give back.
Budget Building for Grant Writers (OPEN TRAINING)
An A+ proposal budget provides an honest, complete, and clear picture of the total value of everything it takes to do your work successfully. It also stands as an invaluable management and evaluation tool when it comes to running your grant-funded program. How can you craft this type of budget? That’s the question we’ll explore! Join ACAM for this two-part event with longtime grant professional and grant maker Maryn Boess, founder and chief magic-maker at GrantsMagic U!
*Free event for ACAM network partners and 2024 ACAM All-Access Pass holders. This event is $35 for all other attendees*
Part 1: Ahead of the training meeting, registrants will receive a link to in the GrantsMagic U video course, “Budget-Building for Grantwriters: The ‘Total-Value’ Framework for Crafting an A+ Project Budget – Every Time!” (You and your team can watch the video course any time you like, on your own schedule.)
Part 2: At our live Zoom meeting on May 30, Maryn will put on her Grantmaker’s Hat to tackle the questions that came up for you during the video course – and host a robust discussion about your own right-now challenges and concerns in navigating GrantsWorld successfully.
Be prepared for plenty of aha’s, hmm’s, surprises, and inspirations!
In this five-star video-based training, you will:
learn and practice how to take a "total value” approach to budget-building, so you can clearly and compellingly show the value of everything it takes to do your work successfully;
work with a real-life scenario to go through each of the six major budget categories, looking at the key issues and challenges you can expect to run into in each one;
have the chance to whip out your calculator and try your own hand at thinking through some of the situations in a real-life scenario;
get a behind-the-scenes view of how grant makers evaluate your proposal budget and what your budget tells them about your organization; and
clear away the confusion around the value of volunteer time, accounting for “match,” handling administrative/indirect costs, and other perennially perplexing budget issues.
BONUS: You’ll be introduced to GrantsMagic U’s exclusive powerful planning tool to help you craft a budget that is comprehensive, realistic, and bullet-proof—and that will work for you, your organization, and your grantmaking partners.
Most importantly, you’ll walk away understanding how to break the “starvation cycle” that plagues many nonprofit organizations so you no longer understate the cost and value of your mission-critical work.
MARYN BOESS
Over her 35+-year nonprofit career, Maryn Boess has been an on-staff grantwriter; a grants consultant (winning $42 million for her clients over 10 years); a grants trainer; a grants reviewer, author, speaker, mentor and coach; and – starting in 2006 - even a grantmaker. This 3-D background brings a unique insider's perspective to the practical, inspiring trainings on healthy, successful grantsmanship she shares with thousands of people each year through GrantsMagic U (Go.GrantsMagic.org). A true dual-citizen of the grants world, Maryn may be the only person holding membership in both Grant Professionals Association (for grantseekers) - and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (for grantmakers). In 2020, in recognition of her lifetime of contribution to the field, Maryn became just the second inductee into the international Grant Professionals Class of Distinguished Fellows.
Motivational Interviewing
This training session will provide a brief intro into how Motivational Interviewing (MI) was developed and how it conceptualizes the role of a helper. We will discuss how tuning into client language can help guide your conversations, cover some common pitfalls when practicing MI, and focus primarily on the client-centered skill of reflective listening, offering exercises for practice and skill-building. Jordan Press, LCSW, a Clinical Housing Case Manager at SEARCH Homeless Services will be leading this training.
Jordan Press, LCSW, is a Clinical Housing Case Manager at SEARCH Homeless Services. She has been practicing Motivational Interviewing (MI) for 15 years, starting in Los Angeles’ Skid Row and becoming a trainer in the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) in 2016. She provides MI trainings, coaching, and skill-building groups, and seeks to help new learners bring their own voice and intuition into their MI practice.