Association of Partners for Public Lands
Engaging the public in caring for our nation's natural and cultural resources

Partnering with Friends Groups September 24-25, 2008     Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts in the historic Hartwell Tavern. Hosted by APPL and the National Park Service.   Please note: We have reached our capacity level for this course. If you are interested in the course being offered again, please submit your contact information as well as an estimated number of persons from your organization who would be interested in attending to npatterson@appl.org

The purpose of this class is to increase the capacity of nonprofit friends organizations in the Northeast Region by

1. broadening the role of Friends Groups while continuing to focus on Park priorities
2. building synergy among Friends Groups and NPS
3. developing mutual understanding of agency and nonprofit cultures and
4. gaining information and resources.

Participants attending this class will enhance their partnering skills by exploring non-profit governance and the components of a fundraising campaign. Trainers will be subject-matter experts from our non-profit partners, the National Partnership Office, and Parks.

Audience - NPS Program Managers, Supervisors, Superintendents and individuals with responsibilities for working with park fundraising partners and National Park Service Partners. Friends organization staff, board members and volunteers.

Learning Objectives:
• Inspire participants to consider some of the many things effectively undertaken by Friends Groups around the country beyond what they are already doing.
• Understand the benefits, challenges, roles and functions of friends organizations within the context of the National Park Service
• Define the requirements for maintaining a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the governance roles and responsibilities of the board of directors
• Reference NPS policies and agreements appropriate to nonprofit partnership functions such as donations and fundraising, sales, and special use permits (restraints, not restrictions)
• Understand basic nonprofit financial structure, recognize potential problem areas in financial management, and develop sustainable funding strategies
• Build philanthropic support by implementing and managing fundraising programs and donor relationships

NPS Partnership competencies addressed in this training include:
• External Awareness
• Vision
• Accountability
• Planning and Evaluating
• Partner Culture Awareness
• Partnership Management
• Developing and Managing Agency Agreements for Partnerships
• Donations and Fundraising Partnerships
• Establishing and Working With Friends Groups

Registration - limited to 40 people on a first come, first served basis. Registration Form

Course fee - $225.

For a registration form please e-mail Natalie Patterson at npatterson@appl.org or call her at 301-946-9475, extension 25. Registration ends on August 31, 2008.