Thursday, September 5, 2024 Austin, TX

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A BETTER CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024. Austin, TX

An exclusive one-day retreat & conference. A Better Conference is for nonprofit executives looking to rejuvenate their leadership approach in an ever-changing world.

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What is A Better Conference?

LEARN.

A Better Conference is an exclusive one-day retreat created by BetterUnite and designed in collaboration with Big Mission Consulting, specifically for nonprofit executives looking to rejuvenate their leadership approach in an ever-changing world.

RETREAT.

Located just outside of Austin, Texas, attendees will engage in a curated mix of self-care practices, intention-setting workshops, pampering sessions and educational opportunities, all while enjoying treats and expanding their professional networks.

RENEW.

This retreat offers a unique space to recharge, gain new insights and connect with fellow leaders committed to the work of the nonprofit sector.

Austin, TX

Located between Austin and the Texas Hill Country, A Better Conference takes place at the scenic Arlo events venue.
10700 Signal Hill. Austin, TX 78737.

Conference Schedule

7:30 AMRegistration Opens
Gentle Yoga & Soundbath sponsored by Yoga Vida Austin
8:30 AMCoffee, Juice, Breakfast & Networking
9:00 AM Welcome & Morning Keynote: Better Engagement Show Details
Involving volunteers, program staff, and board members in fundraising with Julie Shannan, CEO, Big Mission Consulting. This keynote will explore powerful strategies to engage volunteers, program staff, and leadership, turning them into passionate advocates for your cause. Uncover practical techniques to foster collaboration, boost motivation, and drive successful fundraising initiatives. Gain the tools and inspiration needed to elevate your organization's engagement, and leave with fresh ideas to amplify excitement around your mission.
9:45-10 AMWellness Break: Lighten your Load and Ignite your Spark! with Christine Kutnick, CFRE
10:00 AM Breakout Sessions
  • ✓ A Better Tech Stack Show Details Upgrade your tech game with valuable insights and practical advice. Join industry experts to discuss optimizing your tech stack for maximum efficiency and impact. Discover the latest tools, best practices, and innovative solutions to streamline operations and enhance your digital presence.
    Shane Beckley, SEl & Tunç Samiloglu, BetterUnite
  • ✓ Engaging Volunteers Show Details Engage volunteers in meaningful ways while also supporting your program and organizational needs! Panelists will share their tips to successfully recruit and work with volunteer groups.
    Carrie Watkins, Meals On Wheels Montgomery County; Emlyn Lee, BRAVE Communities & Sharlym Aquino Gil, Girlstart
  • ✓ Ask the Funder Show Details This fireside chat delves into the motivations behind why funders give and how they measure the impact of their contributions. Gain valuable insights directly from funders on what drives their decisions and learn strategies to align your organization's goals with their expectations. *there will be no fire - it's Texas and still summer*
    Monique Parker-Murchison, Little Bit of Good & Shortchanged podcast & Austin Dickson, Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country
10:45-11 AMWellness Break: The Science of Self-Care with Brooke Stubbs, MD
11:00 AM Breakout Sessions
  • ✓ The Event Success Blueprint Show Details Personality Dynamics, Essential Elements, and the Perfect Chair. Join Rob Giardinelli, founder of Event Mindset, as he shares his experience attending over 2,000 galas, business, social, and networking events chronicling the guest experience. You will learn the three components to any successful event, how to interact with various personality types, and the steps you need to take to find chairs/co-chairs that take your event to the next level.
    Rob Giardinelli, Event Mindset
  • ✓ Ai for Nonprofits Show Details Discover how Al tools can transform your organization. Learn about software options and strategies to boost efficiency, enhance decision-making, and drive success. Perfect for beginners, this session will demystify Al and help you unlock its full potential.
    Llyas Salahud-Din, Grant Appli & Zen Van Loan, Austin Al Alliance & Texas State University
  • ✓ Maximizing your Board: How Board Members can Drive Impact Show Details Unlock your board’s full potential in this session focused on actionable strategies for driving meaningful impact. Learn how board members can support programs, boost fundraising, and strengthen community ties. This session is perfect for board members and nonprofit leaders looking to elevate their organization’s success.
    Seth Winick, Revolution Recovery & HMWK & Annette Booker, Girl Scouts of Central Texas
12:00 PMLunch & Experience Stations
1:00 PM Afternoon Keynote: Better Fundraising Show Details Rachel Muir, CFRE, the League of Extraordinary Fundraisers: Hit the jackpot with eye-candy fundraising campaigns you'll want to steal! See best-of examples from budgets large and small and get secrets from for-profit brands to delight donors and keep them loyal for life. This session will inspire and delight you with real-world examples and concrete tactics you can implement in your next fundraising campaign. Be inspired and delighted with great content, unique thinking, risk-taking and delightful design across donor thank you's, emails, websites, online advertising, donation pages, videos-and anything else that increases donations! You're guaranteed to walk away with proven tactics and a truckload of inspiration.
1:45-2 PM Wellness Break: The Power of Positive Denial with Josh Wechsler
2:00 PM Better Events Show Details Explore how fundraising events are evolving with new trends and technologies. Learn innovative approaches to planning and executing events that engage supporters in meaningful ways. Stay ahead of the curve and adapt your events to the changing landscape of fundraising!
TiWanna Kenney, BAS, Astounding Auctions; Christian Scott, LIFE Event Staffing; Rob Giardinelli, Event Mindset; & Emma Shinnick, BetterUnite
2:45-3 PMAsk the Experts
3-4:00 PMNetworking Happy Hour





Keynote Speakers

Julie Shannan

Founder/CEO, Big Mission Consulting

Julie Shannan is the founder and CEO of Big Mission Consulting. She helps organizations align their brand and mission throughout their marketing, communications, programs, and development. Julie has dedicated her career to building strong nonprofits that make a measurable impact. She has over 25 years of leadership and fundraising experience and has served as an executive director, deputy director, program director, and board member throughout her professional career. Julie knows how to bring development, programs, and marketing together to make a bigger impact and engage community members in the process. She is a certified professional coach with over 20 years of experience leading strategy sessions, board and staff retreats, strategic planning, and team-building workshops.

Rachel Muir

NPO Speaker/Thought Leader

When she was just 26 years old, Rachel Muir founded Girlstart, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls in math, science, engineering & technology. Several years later she had raised over $10 million and was featured on Oprah, CNN, and the Today show. A winner of Oprah Winfrey's Use Your Life award, Rachel was named "Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year" by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and one of Fast Company Magazines "Fast 50" Champions of Innovation. Rachel has been featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Fundraising Success, Fast Company, Glamour, and Texas Monthly. Her career includes leading an online fundraising consulting practice for a major software company and managing major gift portfolios for some of the country's largest and most successful nonprofits.

Better Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for powering A Better Conference.
Your support makes all the difference!