BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Social Current - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.social-current.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Social Current REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20240310T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20241103T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251019T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251019T160000 DTSTAMP:20260411T021024 CREATED:20250509T182634Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250603T005319Z UID:10000482-1760864400-1760889600@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT) and Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) at SPARK 2025 DESCRIPTION:Register Now \n \n These in-person trainings are pre-conference sessions at our SPARK 2025 conference in Chicago\, but registration is separate from the conference. \nIntensive Accreditation Training (IAT) (9 a.m.-Noon CT)\nPrice: $400  \nThe Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT) is designed to prepare organizations to get the most out of their COA Accreditation experience. Topics discussed in this training include: \n\nAn in-depth overview of the COA Accreditation process\, including key milestones\nAn overview of accreditation standards and the relationship between standards\, evidence\, and the rating indicators\nHow ratings are assigned by the volunteer review team and insight on the accreditation decision-making process\nTips on how to get organized and manage the work\nHow to prepare for the site visit\n\n\n  \n \n\n \n Register Now \n \n These in-person trainings are pre-conference sessions at our SPARK 2025 conference in Chicago\, but registration is separate from the conference. \nPerformance and Quality Improvement (PQI) (1-4 p.m. CT)\nPrice: $400 \nThis performance and quality improvement (PQI) training is designed to help organizations pursuing COA Accreditation develop a comprehensive approach to a quality improvement process that will advance an efficient and effective service delivery system and enhance organizational capacity to deliver quality services. This training will demonstrate how quality improvement is a catalyst for successful achievement of strategic goals and program outcomes. \nWho Should Participate\n\nOrganization primary contacts\nSenior leaders at organizations seeking COA Accreditation\nOther staff involved in an organization’s accreditation process\n\nSpecial thanks to our PQI training sponsor QI Folio. \nLearn more about COA Accreditation\, a service of Social Current\, and how to get started online. \n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n Presenter\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Darrell Woodliff\n \n Director of Volunteer Engagement\nSocial Current \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n Additional 2023 COA Accreditation Trainings \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n Oct \n \n 5 \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT \n \n \n \n Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT) \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n Oct \n \n 5 \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT \n \n \n \n Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n Dec \n \n 1 \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n 10:00 am – 1:00 pm EST \n \n \n \n Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT) \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n Dec \n \n 1 \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm EST \n \n \n \n Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n View Calendar URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/intensive-accreditation-training-iat-and-performance-quality-improvement-pqi-at-spark-2025/ LOCATION:Hilton Chicago\, 720 S Michigan Ave.\, Chicago\, 60605\, United States CATEGORIES:COA Accreditation Trainings ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SPARK2025-PreCon-IAT_PQI.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251019T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251019T160000 DTSTAMP:20260411T021024 CREATED:20250509T181314Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250821T183954Z UID:10000481-1760878800-1760889600@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Advocacy Amplified: Rapid Response & Readiness in a Shifting Policy Landscape DESCRIPTION:Register for this pre-conference session by registering for SPARK 2025. \nAs federal priorities shift\, nonprofit leaders must be prepared to respond swiftly and strategically. This condensed version of Social Current’s Advocacy Amplified training equips participants with the essential tools to navigate today’s policy environment\, which includes increasing threats to equity; equity\, diversity\, and inclusion programs; and core social services funding. \nParticipants will gain practical skills in policy analysis\, narrative framing\, and grassroots mobilization. With a focus on low-cost\, high-impact strategies\, this session is designed for organizations operating with limited capacity but high stakes. Whether you’re preparing for the annual Advocacy Amplified full summer training and Hill Day or need an urgent tune-up on federal advocacy\, this pre-conference experience offers the insight and readiness you need now. \nTakeaways\n\nHow to transform expertise\, lived experience\, and passions into impactful advocacy\nFundamental advocacy skills and advanced advocacy strategies needed for successful campaigns\nRelationships with engaged and informed advocates from around the country\n\nWho Should Participate\nAny staff from community-based organizations. No prior experience or skills are required. \n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n Presenter\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the nonprofit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as director of government relations & advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring her time in public service\, she served as a professional staff member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. She led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, she worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)\, where she served as a health policy fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, she led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and health care. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, she worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Her work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. She earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/advocacy-amplified-rapid-response-readiness-in-a-shifting-policy-landscape/ LOCATION:Hilton Chicago\, 720 S Michigan Ave.\, Chicago\, 60605\, United States CATEGORIES:Event,Training,Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SPARK2025-PreCon-Advocacy.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251019T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251019T170000 DTSTAMP:20260411T021024 CREATED:20250602T212614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251008T134251Z UID:10000507-1760878800-1760893200@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Executive Leadership Institute: Unlocking Potential Because You Matter DESCRIPTION:Register Now \n \n This discounted rate is made possible through our sponsor Marsh McLennan Agency. \nThis convening is a pre-conference event of our SPARK 2025 conference in Chicago\, but registration is separate from the conference. \nFor over 20 years\, the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) has established an incredible reputation for providing a quality peer learning experience that positively impacts the development of social sector leaders. We count on input and feedback from our current and past peer cohorts to advise and guide the program’s success. This pre-conference convening is the first of its kind! \nWe invite past\, present\, and future ELI participants to join us to catch up with fellow alumni\, network with those who are interested in learning more about ELI\, and discuss its transformative impact on both the individual and the organization. Come prepared to learn about the game-changing impact of ELI and engage in motivational storytelling about what’s shaped you as a leader. \nELI alumni Shannon Fisch and Kiera McGillivray\, co-directors of the Brain Science Training Institute at Children & Families First Delaware\, will share their leadership journeys and how ELI benefitted them and their organization. Developing the Brain Science Training Institute was the focus of their ELI projects and\, in 2024\, it was recognized as Social Current’s Innovative Impact Award winner. \nOne of ELI’s popular presenters\, Brandon Pendleton\, adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago\, will engage participants in a session about activating the power of the sector through leadership development and ELI. \nIn addition\, Eric Beck\, senior vice president and National Non-Profit Practice leader at Marsh McLennan Agency\, will lead an interactive session on the power of connection and networking. Networking and building centers of influence are vital to building your personal brand and your organization\, but many people don’t know where or how to start. Participants will learn tricks and tips for becoming a successful networker and brand builder.\n \nWho Should Participate\n\nELI alumni\nCurrent ELI participants\nProspective participants interested in learning more about ELI\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n Presenters\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Robena Spangler\n \n Senior Director of Leadership and Organizational Development\nSocial Current \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Brandon Pendleton\n \n Adjunct Professor at Loyola University Chicago\nOwner/Managing Director of 4 Jewels HR \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Eric Beck\n \n SVP\, National Non-Profit Practice Leader\nMarsh McLennan Agency URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/eli-alumni-unlocking-potential-because-you-matter/ LOCATION:Hilton Chicago\, 720 S Michigan Ave.\, Chicago\, 60605\, United States CATEGORIES:Leadership Development and Organizational Excellence ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/eli-2025-convening.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251019T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251019T190000 DTSTAMP:20260411T021024 CREATED:20250509T183828Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T184935Z UID:10000483-1760895000-1760900400@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Volunteer Appreciation Celebration at SPARK 2025 DESCRIPTION:We could not do what we do without our COA Accreditation volunteers. All active COA Accreditation volunteers are invited to join us as we gather and celebrate all that you do. Catch up with colleagues\, share site visit stories from the road\, and get ready for the start of SPARK 2024. There will be food\, drinks\, prizes\, and a host of swag – so you will not want to miss this event. \nRegistration for the Volunteer Appreciation Celebration is separate from the SPARK 2025 registration. To register\, email Darrell Woodliff\, director of volunteer engagement at Social Current. \nThis reception is a pre-conference event of the SPARK 2025 conference. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/volunteer-appreciation-celebration-at-spark-2025/ LOCATION:Hilton Chicago\, 720 S Michigan Ave.\, Chicago\, 60605\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SPARK2025-PreCon-Volunteer.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR