CLEAR: Communicating for Leadership, Effectiveness And Results (formerly the Executive Training Program) is a year-long skills-building initiative designed to help nonprofit leaders build a communications culture that supports their organization’s goals and drives its mission.
CLEAR combines classroom teaching and online learning with direct one-on-one support and strategic communications counsel. Participants come together three times throughout the year to work with top communications professionals and study the elements of communications strategy, planning, tactics, evaluation and fundraising. The program also includes a series of webinars – online learning sessions – to support the classroom instruction and allow participants to share key training concepts with their staffs and colleagues. Additionally, each participant receives one-on-one assistance from CLI trainers, who provide individual counsel to participants as they work to put lessons learned into practice. After identifying specific needs, CLI works with each participant to craft an individualized communications assistance plan that may include additional training, a site visit, assistance in creating presentations to key audiences, help developing a long-term communications plan or other counsel and capacity building services.
CLEAR participants learn how to:
- Design, execute and evaluate a comprehensive communications strategy tailored to the specific needs of their organization and their budget;
- Integrate their communications and program goals and build the communications capacity of their organization;
- Refine their organizational branding and outreach to funders, members, donors and other target audience segments;
- Evaluate their outreach efforts;
- Strengthen internal communication among board, staff, volunteers and other key stakeholders within their organization; and
- Make informed choices about communications resources.
CLEAR is intended for – and limited to – leaders of nonprofit organizations. In most cases, this is the executive director. However, in some cases – especially for larger organizations – a program director may qualify. It is critical that the participant is in a position to make decisions for the organization and is empowered to use lessons learned to create real change internally and externally.
Click here for a list of past program participants. CLI is currently accepting nominations for the 2008 program and has spots available for up to 30 nonprofit leaders. All participants will meet for three 3-day training sessions in Washington, DC:
CLEAR 2008 Dates
March 12-14, 2008 Session I
April 16 -18, 2008 Session II
June 4-6, 2008 Session III
CLI gathers top experts from the field of communications to share their knowledge and experience with participants. Featured speakers include Kristen Grimm, president of Spitfire Strategies, Chip Heath, coauthor of Made to Stick, Andy Goodman, author of When Bad Presentations Happen to Good Causes and
many others. These experts are then made available to program participants for one-on-one strategic counsel, to help integrate and implement training concepts in the day-to-day work of participants’ organizations. Training sessions are supported by a training workbook and other materials. Expert trainers are also on hand to lead a series of webinars, which participants are also invited to share with others in their organizations to help drive home key concepts from the training.
Click here to view the 2008 sample agenda. Participants in CLEAR are generally sponsored by one of their current funders. Funding the program through foundation support ensures nonprofits aren’t forced to earmark funds for professional development that could be spent on programming. This approach also enables foundations to tap leaders likely to remain and flourish in the field. As a result, the program is not only a way for foundations to support their current grantees, it is ultimately an opportunity to strengthen the entire sector. CLI then works with each sponsoring foundation to select the best candidates for the program.
The fee per participant for the program in 2008 is $22,000. As in the past, this amount covers tuition, materials and webinars as well as a tailored consulting package valued at $7,800. Participants also receive breakfast and lunch during the training. However, participants are responsible for the cost of their travel, hotel, dinners and other expenses incurred in conjunction with the program. The deadline to register is November 1, 2007. Seats will be filled on a first come, first served basis and traditionally sell out early. You are encouraged to contact CLI with your nominations now.
This promises to be an exciting opportunity for nonprofit leaders from a variety of disciplines to work with leading communications experts, while developing a host of professional connections. To learn how to sponsor one or more of your grantees, contact Holly Minch at 415/227-4200 ext. 210 or Thea Carlson at 415/227-4200 ext. 211.
