Free Webinars in November

So many programs, so little time! November offers a cornucopia of online events–for free. Please remember to check times and registration requirements of events you’re interested in–just click on the program title links. Some of these events are geared towards non-profit organizations and may not be library specific. Your Board and Fundraising: An Introductory Class [Foundation Center] November 3, 2009 2:00-3:00pm CT The purpose of this webinar is to think systematically through the process of getting your board involved with fundraising. This process involves some key elements: • Understanding the role of your board • How to overcome board member concerns regarding fundraising • Ways the board can participate in the fundraising process • Tips for strengthening your fundraising board Green Tech Tips from Microsoft [TechSoup] November 4, 2009 Small Organizations: Noon-1:00pm CT Large Organizations: 1:00-2:00pm CT This webinar, with environmental experts from Microsoft, will be broken into two 45-minute parts; one for small organizations and one for large organizations. These will help you learn how to reduce the environmental impact of your information technology and how to effectively use IT to improve your organizations’ efficiency. We’ll discuss ways that greening IT can help you reduce energy usage, resource consumption, and costs. Select the webinar that best meets your organization’s size so you can get suggested improvements appropriate for your office environment. Building Accountability into Your Team November 4, 2009 11:00 – Noon CT There are many factors that can impact the accountability and responsibility within a team. This live, interactive virtual class is geared towards managers and directors who would like to learn strategies for increasing accountability amongst their team members. We’ll explore team development and management models through the lenses of the Drexler/Sibbet’s Team Performance Model, Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Model, and Samuel’s Personal Accountability Model. This is a free Webinar offered by a consulting firm. I’d be very interested in your feedback.–LJ Best Practices in Helping Job Seekers in the Library [Infopeople.org ] November 10, 2009 2:00-3:00 pm CT Your library has been helping the unemployed and underemployed (aka job seekers) in your community for a long time. However, the declining economy over the past year has dramatically increased the demands on library staff, services, and resources. Would you like to learn about some successful programs in other libraries? Do you wonder if there are some new ideas you could try for getting patrons started? Would you like to know the resources other libraries recommend to job seekers? Are you interested in partnerships but feel unsure who to talk to? This webinar will help you by introducing three successful programs, giving you a fresh look at getting started in helping job seekers, providing information about some “best resources”, and exploring agencies and organizations you may consider partnering with. At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: • Assess where job seekers are in the job search process • Identify at least three new job search resources • List local agencies or organizations to pursue as possible partners Pre-registration is not required. Skill-Based Volunteerism and Non Profit Readiness [Corporation for National and Community Service & HandsOn Network] November 10, 2009 2:00-3:00 p.m. CT Free, but registration is required. Having difficulty meeting community needs with current level of resources? Maybe its time to get a little creative and try something new – skill-based volunteering. Individual and group volunteer leadership and talent can help you increase organizational capacity. The need is there the time is right; the question is: Are you ready? Don’t miss out on this precious resource any longer. Come and hear a live dialogue between experienced skill-based volunteer program managers: Chris Smith, Assistant Executive Director for The Volunteer Center of NW Suburban Chicago, and Veronica Parages, Director of Skills-based Volunteering at HandsOn Network. Chris has implemented skill-based volunteers in her volunteer center and is now staffing skill-based volunteers directly to community organizations. Veronica Parages manages the skill-based volunteer program implemented in the HandsOn Network national office and the national HandsOn Network skills-based volunteer initiative. Creating Balance – Professional Management Skills [Talisman Associates] November 10, 2009 1:00-2:30 p.m. CT Do you want to work and communicate more effectively? Use time well? Empower your staff and volunteers to be their best? This webcast will share real life, how to’s that help you be the best you can be. We will discuss communication, meeting management, managing up and down as well as how to handle challenging situations and find ways to get balance between work and life. Bring your questions and challenges – get answers!. This is a free Webinar offered by a consulting firm. I’d be very interested in your feedback.–LJ George and Joan on Revitalizing the Library Experience [Infopeople] November 17, 2009 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. CT Information has become an off-shored commodity. Google handles more questions in a second than a reference librarian will answer in a career. Social gatherings have moved to online networks. Why come to a library? For the experience! If your members still experience your library the way they did in the 1990s (1950s?), perhaps it’s time to rethink and revitalize. In this webinar, library consultants Joan Frye Williams and George Needham will reprise their popular presentation from this year’s ASCLA President’s Program. They’ll describe new ways to present your services to the world. Registration not required Moving Forward: Engaging the 21st Century Learner [School Library Journal and Follett] November 17 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. CT Are schools engaging today’s digital learner and empowering them with the skills and knowledge demanded by universities and employers in a global economy? As a library professional and educator, your interaction with the 21st century learner may hold the key to each student’s success in an increasingly competitive world. Join moderator Michelle Begora, Program Director at Follett Software Company and a panel of library experts to find out: • What new skill sets are important to move the librarian role forward. • How new library technology is re-engaging digital learners. • Why librarians are ‘information managers’ who help students become competitive and competent in today’s world. • How librarians can improve student achievement by increasing the library-classroom connection. • How to integrate social networking to bring students back to the library. Who Will Benefit: Librarians, library media specialists, administrators, technology professionals and other district stakeholders and school-based administrators who help set the foundation for achievement. Christian Fiction Book Buzz November 19, 2009 11 a.m. – Noon CT It may seem simple, at first, to categorize Christian fiction. Most readers would agree that there is a core of biblically-based attitudes, values, and actions, and likely there would be very little, if any, profanity, sex or violence. Generally, Christian fiction has religious themes infused into a regular genre story. But there are as many subgenres in Christian fiction as there are in popular fiction – from cozy mysteries to legal suspense to fantasy. And readers aren’t all looking for the same message – Christian historical fiction can inform and entertain, while women’s fiction may be sought for comfort or advice. Christian fiction gives readers characters and situations that demonstrate the growth of faith, depth and breadth of moral responsibility, the possibility of conversion and redemption, and examples of Christian living for men and women of all ages, races and cultures. Many libraries are seeing an increased demand for Christian fiction with more readers looking for inspirational and uplifting stories and finding good writing in newly discovered places, contributing to the cross-over appeal of this growing genre. Join four leading publishers for this one hour webcast which will feature over 60 new and forthcoming titles in all Christian fiction categories for adults and young adults. Using Social Media to Make the Case for Supporting Library Services November 19, 2009 Noon-1:00 p.m. CT Join us and learn how non-profits such as libraries can use social websites to put access to information and libraries on the agenda of community leaders, elected officials, and local and national agencies. The content of this WebJunction and REFORMA co-sponsored webinar includes a background on social websites, how to use social websites for advocacy, national and international advocacy efforts by representatives from American Library Association (ALA) and the International Federation of Libraries and Institutions (IFLA), and suggestions on how to advocate for services for Latinos and Spanish speakers presented by a panel of guest speakers including Meredith Farkas, Head of Instructional Initiatives at Norwich University; Fiona Bradley, IFLA Programme Coordinator ALP; Max Macias, Serials Technician at Portland Community College; and Loida Garcia-Febo, Assistant Coordinator New Americans Program and Special Services at Queens Library. Grantseeking Basics {Foundation Center] November 20, 2009 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT Are you a representative of a nonprofit organization? New to fundraising? This introductory course provides an overview of the funding research process for those seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and grantmaking public charities. The webinar will cover: • What you need to have in place before you seek a grant • What you need to know about grantmakers and how nonprofits are supported • How you identify funding partners • Resources for your grantseeking efforts A big thanks to Dawn Vogler, for compiling a big part of this list.