Building Better: MC’s Reshaped Courses
The Big Scoop
Long-term partners of Mission Capital will know that we’ve offered courses, workshops, and consultations for nonprofit organizations since the beginning.
These past few years have been full of change as we restructure, improve, and expand our offerings to match the ever-evolving needs of the sector. It hasn’t always been easy, but we believe it’s worth it.
We have another update about these MC services, known as general audience trainings. Don’t worry, we are not getting rid of your favorite courses. Instead, we’re announcing some revamped and new courses and best of all, you can look (and budget) ahead of time with our year-long program calendar.
This calendar, unlike the store-bought ones, comes with a few bonuses we hope will be helpful and inspiring to the Central Texas community.
What’s Coming Up?
In the past, our general audience training calendar only stretched six months. So, if someone were searching for a workshop in June after some major grant funding came through, but looked at our calendar in October, they’d be fresh out of luck.
Inconvenient, right? Especially for those long-term planners.
This time, our calendar is much more thorough. The year, in this case, begins August 1st and ends July 31st. This is because it coincides with our membership term and we are offering more workshops than ever before!
Along with these latest workshops, we have also revised your favorites so that they center and consider equity in every step.
Here are a few examples of familiar workshops that have been newly revamped with a modern equity lens or are new offerings altogether!
What have past participants said about these trainings?
Power, Privilege, and Shared Leadership is a three-hour workshop that delves into the relationships between power, socialization, privilege, and equity. This is a hands-on, team-based* workshop where you will choose a program or initiative in your organization and collectively map how relationships of power are reinforcing inequities there.
“I enjoyed the whole experience, and I liked being able to focus my own agency needs, and it felt empowering to have next steps to implement for change.”
-Participant in “Power Privilege and Shared Leadership”
DISC Behaviors Assessment Training measures four behavioral styles: dominance, influence, steadiness, and compliance. This workshop will help you to recognize the four behavior styles and how each individual’s communication style impacts a group’s dynamic.
“We had a lovely facilitator, and her technology person was great too. Everything was seamless; it’s clear they know what they’re doing. I’m grateful to have learned from them. I also appreciate how much emphasis was put on different identities being affected by these things in different ways. We had a diverse group in terms of race and sexuality, and I loved that those important identities were taken into account.”
-Participant in “DISC Behaviors Assessment Training”
In Data You Can Use, participants receive tools to help you develop an evaluation strategy for a specific program within your organization. This workshop is designed to support folks at all levels of knowledge about data and evaluation, however, much of the content is introductory.
“I appreciate the knowledge, skills, resources, and thoughtfulness the facilitators brought to this presentation.”
-Participant in “Data You Can Use.”
Leading with Emotional Intelligence uses the TTI Emotional Quotient™ Assessment. This training is designed to offer a supportive, judgment-free environment where the group will grow together with a cohort of peers working to learn more about themselves.
“I appreciate the changes that have been made to address inclusivity … and particularly those that were founded by and for communities of color.”
-Participant in “Leading with Emotional Intelligence.”
Who can attend these events?
Most of our training courses are open to the public. However, we encourage your team to consider joining MC Membership for discounted rates, member-only events, collaborations, and other benefits.
What’s new about MC events?
We have already covered that some MC events are new, and most are improved, but what does that mean? Well, none of our revamped courses are lecture-based. As part of their transformation, we have designed them to be highly engaging and practical.
Instead of a crowded lecture hall, picture one of those game shows where no one is dumped into a giant bucket of goo or required to tip-toe over a lake of alligators if they get something wrong. Alternatively, we encourage open dialogue and tools that are best for the specific needs of your organization.
(Unfortunately, we cannot offer anyone a million-dollar reward at this time, but we do promise to provide you with that megawatt knowledge).
These courses are designed to build confidence, build relationships between team members, and give each participant the tools and resources that are best for their specific situation and nonprofit.
What are packages?
While scrolling through the MC events calendar, you might discover new categories under the collections tab. Here’s an example of one such newbie: Design for Thriving Organizations.
What’s that all about? You’d ask.
These are packages. They’re the new kid in town. Packages are deeply discounted bundles that support your nonprofit organization's professional development to target a specific topic.
Some packages include workshops that are fan favorites, such as our package Fundamentals for Changemakers, which includes DISC Behaviors Assessment Training and Leading with Emotional Intelligence.
Packages come in handy for individuals and nonprofits reflecting on their goals for the upcoming years. For instance, say you’re a supervisor searching for ways to develop your team’s talent, and create a sense of workplace contentment, then Developing Teams and Culture was made for you!
If you’re looking for ways to incorporate more equity into your work and update your policies and practices to reflect that, then you’d pick Centering Equity in Organizations.
Fundamentally, the difference between purchasing a package and purchasing individual events is the same as buying one tomato versus a bundle of tomatoes. It all depends on what you want to bring into the world, a stuffed tomato, or a pizza?
Do the packages save me money?
Packages are an additional 10-20% cheaper than buying each course individually, and registration for package events can include up to 15 people from your team. All members receive discounts, and we also have scholarships available for individual trainings and packages.
If you are a Central Texas nonprofit, you are eligible to attend up to three free MC training courses through the City of Austin Community Navigator. Learn more about this opportunity by contacting our team.