As long as I have worked at the intersection of adult learning and nonprofits, I have felt humbled by the responsibility entrusted to me. I have stood in many rooms, real and virtual, where the people facing me work tirelessly to feed the hungry, end domestic violence, protect our natural world, advocate for our rights, and advance all of the other causes that matter so much in our communities. These people have taken time out of their busy day to learn. I owe them an experience that leaves them ready to do things differently.I imagine you feel the same urgency to deliver.
There isn’t an obvious place for us nonprofit educators to hone our teaching practice. Sure, there are learning & development conferences and associations—and we can adapt lessons to our social sector reality. But there are some unique aspects to teaching both nonprofit people and the people our nonprofits serve.
How do we make sure we integrate the latest adult learning research into our workshops or learning programs?
How do we make sure we aren’t wasting their time?
“What doesn’t exist you have to create yourself. Even a dream can be plucked out of your head and shaped for a purpose.”
– Henning Mankell
The Design for Deeper Learning series, now five years running, is a small attempt to give us a place to learn. It is a community of practice for nonprofit/social sector educators. Fifty or so nonprofit trainers, consultants, association learning leaders, and others come together to learn from experts in the field. Will you be among them?
I am grateful to be working in partnership with AZ Impact for Good, Maine Association of Nonprofits, Montana Nonprofit Association, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, Wyoming Nonprofit Network, and Nonprofit Learning Center on this series. These associations are total rockstars when it comes to lifting up adult learning to strengthen our community organizations.
Will you join us on September 26?