S.C. Arts Network

The 2023 Lineup

SCAN meetings take place:

• from 5-6 p.m.
• on the second Thursday of each month
• on Zoom

The schedule is below. (Don’t forget to register!)

• NEXT! December 14 • Weathering the Storm

  Leadership is tested and forged during challenging times—storms.

  The adversity, uncertainty, and pressure of these storms can feel stressful and overwhelming. However, every storm presents a unique opportunity to apply and practice effective leadership principles and rally teams to overcome what might seem like insurmountable obstacles. The leader’s approach to managing uncertain times or change can mean the difference between destruction and survival for staff and/or organizations. During this conversation we will explore strategies for storm forecasting, preparation, navigation, and recovery.

  With Charles Weathers

  As founder of The Weathers Group, a management consulting firm specializing in  organizational performance and leadership development, Charles is a nationally recognized  speaker, writer and consultant. He is known for his ability to help groups navigate difficult  conversations while captivating audiences with his contagious energy, insight, and humor.  

  Charles is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow, a Riley Diversity Fellow (Furman University), a member of the Institute of Management Consultants and a member of the National Speakers Association.  

  In his mission to positively impact lives, Charles has made headlines by lending his voice  to disruptive companies in the nonprofit, government and private sectors. Since 2003, The Weathers Group, under Charles’ leadership, has developed customized solutions  for clients ranging from grassroots community organizations to billion-dollar business enterprises. His work has touched the lives of leading executives at TD Bank, BASF  Corporation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Society for Human Resource Management, and countless public/private entities across the globe.  

  Charles enjoys volunteering with numerous organizations and is a proud board member of Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands of SC. A trusted advisor and coach, he and his family reside in Columbia.

  Register in advance for this meeting:

  • https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvfumrqT4iHteV0-B5Osgx7BGYuoIYCBcr#/registration

  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

• March 9 • Fundraising in Uncertain Times

  The global pandemic has changed the “face” of fundraising and many organizations are seeking creative ways to engage potential and recurring donors. This session explores the foundations of a successful fundraising program, ways to stay relevant during times of uncertainty, and why it’s important to include the entire organization in cultivation practices.

  With Lakisha McNair, MPA, CNP;
  Chief Knowledge Officer of McNair Consulting, LLC

  Lakisha McNair is a nonprofit professional with over 15 years of experience. She has a Masters of Public Administration and bachelor of arts with focuses in Nonprofit Administration and Business Administration from the University of South Carolina-Upstate. She has been a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance in Washington since 2007 and in 2020 became certified in planned giving by the University of California-Davis. She has served on boards and consulted various nonprofit organizations across the U.S.

• April 13 • Inclusion & Access

  With Beth Ruffin,
  CEO of The Everyday Inclusionist

  Leader, educator, author, TEDx speaker, and cultural disruptor, Beth Ruffin is the CEO of The Everyday Inclusionist, a boutique consulting firm focused on teaching leaders how to include themselves and others.  She spent 20 years in corporate america before realizing her dream of entrepreneurship. Committed to making our world more inclusive, Beth is host of the “You Belong Here with Beth Ruffin” podcast, focused on helping women realize their true potential.

  Beth is also a published author. Her first book, Get Up, details her journey to self-acceptance. Her second book, You Belong Here, explores the topic of self inclusion. She is the chair of the Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network  board of directors and co-chair of the economic impact committee of the Richland County alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated. Beth lives in South Carolina with her daughter and cat.

• May 11 • Developing Collaborations

  Tools for developing program and community collaborations to advance your organization.

  With Dr. Tamara Holmes Brothers,
  Deputy Director of the North Carolina Arts Council

  Dr. Tamara Holmes Brothers is the deputy director of the North Carolina Arts Council. In her role, Dr. Brothers designs, develops, and implements agency programs, agency DEAI efforts, policies, and the strategic plan, as well as provides executive-level support to the agency’s director.

  In addition to her experience at as the director of development & major gifts at the Nasher Museum of Art, Dr. Brothers worked as director of corporate and foundation relations where she led development efforts and played a central role in achieving the university’s capital campaign goals. Dr. Brothers is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina and has a bachelor’s degree in art and a Ph.D. from Hampton University. Her dissertation at Hampton focused on the potential of arts integration to help students learn more effectively. She also has a master’s degree in sport management from West Virginia University, a certificate in historic preservation from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a certificate in art as an alternate investment from Sotheby’s Art Institute, and a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University.

• June 8 • Increasing Social Media Engagement

  This information-intensive session will dive into the theory and applicable methods of increasing social media engagement. We’ll focus on increasing engagement for arts and culture practitioners and organizations. Upon conclusion, attendees will better understand when and what to post to advance meaningful social media connections.

  With S. O. Jeffcoat

  S. O. Jeffcoat is an artist turned information scientist, passionate about making the complex plain. Experiences as a grassroots community-builder and an academic have enabled Jeffcoat to analyze organizational issues from a 30,000-foot perspective and anticipate the end user’s needs. Jeffcoat has more than a decade of experience as an art and culture professional, including working with SCAD, the SCAC, South Arts, Knight Foundation, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Currently, A.B.D. in an informatics doctoral program, Jeffcoat’s research centers around the question, “how do arts nonprofits engage online audiences?” Simultaneously, S. O. Jeffcoat provides consultation to arts and culture nonprofits throughout the U.S.

• July 20 • Operations vs. Service: Finding Balance

  Too tired and too busy… Sounds familiar, right?

  This session focuses on helping nonprofit leaders to surrender and set boundaries around the parts of running a nonprofit that just have to happen while holding space for transformational impact. Ruthless practicality and working on the power of saying NO are vital for nonprofits always in need of more staff, more time, and more money.

  With Mary Dell Hayes

  Mary Dell Hayes is a dot connector and energizer. With more than 15 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations, Mary Dell excels at volunteer and community engagement and fundraising. She has been recognized as the Outstanding Fundraising Executive by Association of Fundraising Professionals Central South Carolina Chapter, Woman of Influence by Columbia Regional Business Report, and the S.C. Governor’s Robin Burns Award for Volunteer Management. Mary Dell completed both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Business Administration at the University of South Carolina. Mary Dell also completed the Interim Executive Academy with Third Sector, a Nonprofit Management Certificate with Winthrop University, and the National Advocacy Learning Center with Praxis International.

  Mary Dell specializes in project management and interim leadership for nonprofit organizations in transition. Mary Dell frequently supports executive directors, development directors, and boards of directors in adopting sustainable fundraising strategies and plans focused on reducing turnover in fundraising and increasing donor retention. From conception to evaluation, Mary Dell believes that nonprofits will never thrive without the support and investment of the communities they serve. Her projects reflect that by creating pathways to engagement and investment for diverse populations.

  Recording coming soon!

• August 10 • Fundraising Through Brand Awareness and Storytelling

  Great nonprofit support starts with great nonprofit messaging used strategically in your communications, advocacy, and fundraising to build your organization’s capacity and brand awareness.

  In this session, we’ll discuss the key roles of communication, advocacy, and fundraising relative to arts organizations and how to implement best practices to move you forward. Whether you’re a board member or a staff member, we all have a part to play in garnering support for the causes that we care about. Join us for a discussion on nonprofit fundraising through brand awareness and storytelling. 

  With Heather Singleton

  Born and raised in Charleston, Heather graduated with a political science degree from USC in 2010. Since graduating, Heather has worked in public service and corporate sectors, with focuses on training, brand strategy, project management, and fundraising. She is now the principal consultant of Strategic Public Relations Consulting, a consultancy that supports businesses, nonprofits, and political organizations with internal and external communications needs. She is a board member of the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council, mentors with Perfect Pearlz, Inc., and volunteers with her church. Heather finds purpose in helping others improve their professional skills to become the success stories that they were born to be.

  Recording coming soon!

• September 14 • Opportunities at CCCF

  Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midlands’ leader in collaborative philanthropy, is a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the Midlands of SC by distributing grants and scholarships and linking the resources of donors, nonprofits and area leaders to communities in need. During this session, participants will learn about funding opportunities at CCCF that could be a good fit for their organizations.

  With Trimease Carter

  In 2022, Trimease Carter became a Program Officer at Central Carolina Community Foundation, where she manages grantmaking with a portfolio of over $1 million in grants for nonprofits. Prior to working at CCCF, Trimease was the youth relations and organizational equity manager at Wholespire for 10 years. She oversaw the development and implementation of the Healthy Young People Empowerment (HYPE) Project, as well as led the organization’s race equity and inclusion efforts. Trimease has always had a desire to work towards improving communities, and other roles include community education assistant at Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands and project coordinator for the Building Dreams Mentoring program. Trimease holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Claflin University. In Trimease’s free time she enjoys road trips, reading, community events, and spending time with her two children, Lyric and Jeffrey.

  Recording coming soon!

• October 12 • Training & Supervision Across Generations

  Our stage of life often determines how we learn and communicate.

  Most working adults identify as a member of one of four generational groups: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, or Generation Z. Organizational leaders must learn how to adapt their training and supervision styles to meet the learning needs of staff and volunteers.

  During this workshop, Dr. Hopkins will share individuals belonging to these generations best learn and communicate. Participants will learn training and supervision strategies that could strengthen the accomplishment of professional and organizational goals.

  With Dr. Lauren Hopkins

  Dr. Lauren Hopkins is a social worker who is very passionate about helping individuals and organizations strengthen knowledge, gain skills, and reach goals. Over the years, she has worked in the non-profit, for-profit, and government sectors evaluating programs, writing grants, developing training curriculum, and teaching adult learners.
  
  Dr. Hopkins works full-time as the grants and data manager at Oliver Gospel Mission. She is also the owner and principal consultant of Prepared to Impact, LLC, a social impact consulting firm that provides organizations with training design, needs assessment, grant writing, program evaluation, and professional development services. She holds a bachelor’s in nonprofit leadership and management, a master’s degree in social work, and a doctorate in education in curriculum and instruction. Dr. Hopkins lives in Columbia with her family.

  Recording coming soon!

• November 9 • Expanding Revenue Streams

  Grant money is green too, so let’s start to view it like we do other revenue.

  This month, participants will learn the value of expanding revenue streams to include grants. We will outline the basics of beginning relationships with foundations and other granting agencies, preparing and submitting applications and solicitations, and stewarding relationships for future giving.

  With Shiv Desai

  Shivkumar (Shiv) Desai is the grants officer at the Columbia Museum of Art, located in the heart of downtown Columbia. As grants officer, he manages grant applications from start to submission, conducts grants prospecting, stewards’ foundations and grantors, and supports museum-wide initiatives that serve the CMA’s mission. His experience in the museum field outside of grants includes managing members and individual donors, soliciting funds for a capital campaign, hosting and planning special events and member programs, and supporting other fundraising initiatives and events.

  Register in advance for this meeting:

  • https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvfumrqT4iHteV0-B5Osgx7BGYuoIYCBcr#/registration

  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.