Caminos Nacional Pre-Conference

Monday, May 5, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

In this pre-conference event, hosted and developed by Everstand, participants will expand their expertise on the continuum of care available to support youth and families across the Caminos programs. Pre-conference content will include discussions about best practices and emerging trends. Sessions will focus on skills development for core members of teams across the Caminos family of programs. 

Join national peers to strengthen best practices, share lessons learned, enhance your knowledge about different service lines, and build lasting relationships for future collaboration and support. 

NOTE: If you are ONLY registering for the Caminos Pre-Con session and NO OTHER Annual Meeting events, please email Emily Claure, eclaure@everstand.org at Everstand to register for that event only.

Faculty:

• Kelly Berger, Executive Director, Caminos Program, Everstand
• Emily Claure, Program Director, Caminos Nacional, Everstand

Audience:

The session is designed for program leaders and management personnel serving youth and families through Caminos Nacional, as well as those considering becoming a Caminos affiliated partner. 

About Caminos Nacional:

Caminos Nacional is a federal grant, managed by Everstand and funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), to provide community-based and residential services for children who enter the United States without a guardian. These recently migrated youth are at significant risk of exploitation, including human trafficking. Caminos Nacional uses the skills developed by Everstand in delivering the program and extends its reach by providing guidance, consultation and grant management to accredited partner organizations so they may also offer the Caminos service to these at-risk children. 

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Member Tour Information

Monday, May 5, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wesley Living: St. Peter Manor and Union Avenue Baptist Towers 

Limited Space, Pre-Registration Required 

Wesley Living is celebrating its 50th anniversary in the Mid-South and now serves over 2,200 residents in two assisted living communities and 28 senior housing communities in West Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Arkansas. Enjoy a two-stop bus and walking tour of its Memphis-area retirement communities serving low-income seniors.

Located at the historic St. Peter Village, St. Peter Manor is a 10-story midrise apartment, which underwent a $10 million renovation in 2019 using Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Union Avenue Baptist Towers, a seven-story midrise, was refinanced in 2022 with equity proceeds of $2.8 million, which were used to upgrade resident apartments and add fresh amenities including a library, fitness room, theater and redesigned community space.

There is no charge for the tour, but space is limited, so pre-registration is required.

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Breakfast with Insight: Retirement, Health and Institutional Investing

Wednesday, May 7, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Pre-Registration Required

Start your day with a nourishing breakfast and inspiring conversation from Wespath. At this exclusive event, we’ll dive into three essential pillars of financial and personal well-being: retirement planning, health plans and institutional investing.

• Retirement Planning: Learn about strategies to build a secure and fulfilling future, tailored to your organization's needs.
• Health Plans: Discover how comprehensive health solutions can empower employees and enhance productivity while controlling costs.
• Institutional Investing: Gain valuable insights into investment opportunities and approaches that drive meaningful impact and sustainable growth.

This is your chance to connect, share ideas and take actionable steps toward success.

Come hungry for more than just great food—leave with tools, insights and connections to fuel your vision.

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Celebrating Impact: Methodist Ministries Network Mission Awards

Thursday, May 8, 10:15 – 11:45 a.m.

Don’t miss the Closing General Session featuring presentation of the Methodist Ministries Network Mission Awards. These awards, given to both an individual and a group within Methodist Ministries Network, recognizes outstanding impact through leadership and commitment to faith-based mission.

Tuesday, May 6, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. 

Opening General Session 

Creativity Unleashed: 5 Habits of World-Class Innovators featuring Jonathan Fanning

Innovation and creativity are paramount in today’s rapidly changing health and human service environment. To move organizations forward, leaders need core strategies to explore fresh approaches by fostering a culture of creativity. In this inspiring keynote, you will discover the questions, stories and models that will help you and your team get “unstuck.” Learn from some of the most creative people and organizations in history, as well as Jonathan Fanning’s personal experience to strengthen your curiosity to envision a brighter future for the people you serve. 

Jonathan Fanning is the author of several books, including Who are you BECOMING? and I Once Was Lost. He has been coaching leaders – from Fortune 500 executives to sole proprietors – for almost 20 years, and was voted the best speaker at a recent TED conference. A traumatic car accident and several other “Frying Pan” moments in the middle of Fanning’s career as a management consultant to Fortune 500 companies triggered a quest for a deeper sense of purpose, meaning and significance. He has also built several successful businesses, including a national children’s fitness franchise and Entrepreneur Adventure, which helps young people experience business start-up and ownership. 

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Wednesday, May 7, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.  

General Session 

The “What if?” Experience featuring Mike Rayburn

Transforming our Methodist ministries to meet the needs of the future will require bold aspirations. We must dare to do more, be more and reach farther than we may have ever thought possible. Curiously, every major invention, accomplishment and victory in human history began with the simple, almost childlike wonder of a “What If…?” question. “What if we could? I know we can’t, but what if we could?” This entertaining, artistic presentation and performance will share three simple, powerful tools which catapulted Mike Rayburn from playing his guitar in empty bars to headlining at New York City’s world-renowned concert venue, Carnegie Hall. 

Mike Rayburn is a world class guitarist, comedian and Carnegie Hall headliner. He is also an expert on personal development and human potential. He uses world-class guitar and comedy to teach change and innovation to organizations worldwide. Rayburn has performed more than 5,000 presentations in 20 countries on five continents. He is a regular on Sirius/XM and morning radio nationwide and has performed as guitarist with The Beach Boys and John Oates. Raised Methodist, Rayburn has been inspired by his Christian faith to lead positive change. When he is not on the road performing, he spends time giving back to his community by mentoring and discipling new Christians, teaching life skills to the under-served and playing lead guitar in his worship band.  

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Thursday, May 8, 10:15 - 11:45 a.m. 

Closing General Session 

The Call to Service featuring Regina Crider 

The path to lead a faith-based, non-profit ministry has often been a winding journey for the leaders of our organizations. Inspired by their Christian faith and life experiences, members often share that they have been called to serve. Despite the challenges of ministry, it is the faithful commitment to this answered call that can energize leaders and keep them grounded in their work. Our closing keynote will offer attendees a chance to reflect on the many wonders that come with this call to service. Through a powerful personal story and dedicated commitment to advocacy, Regina Crider will not only explore what it means to answer a call but will also help attendees realize that we must all find ways to lift our voices for people in need to truly impact change.  

Regina Crider is senior policy analyst for Community and Parent Leadership at Chapin Hall and senior pastor of Crossroad of Life Community Church in Illinois. She is a dedicated advocate for youth, families and mental health. With over 15 years of experience navigating various child-serving systems in Illinois, she has become a leading voice in supporting families to overcome challenges related to education, mental health and developmental disabilities. Crider’s personal journey as a mother has fueled her passion for empowering parents to advocate for their children’s needs. At Chapin Hall, she influences policy changes to improve outcomes for children and families. The founder and former executive director of Youth & Family Alliance, her leadership also extends to board positions at the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF), the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership (ICMHP) and the Illinois Collaborative of Youth (ICOY). 

Tuesday, May 6, 10:15 - 11:45 a.m.

A1 Board Governance: Best Practices to Maximize Governance Effectiveness  

• Discuss how boards impact an organizations’ ability to achieve financial and strategic goals. 

• Realize how a well-functioning board and strong, collaborative board-CEO relationship typically reflect a thriving organization. 

• Examine case studies that show how board decisions positively and negatively affect non-profit organizations. 

Faculty:

• Lynn Daly, Executive Vice President, HJ Sims
• Steve Fetyko, CEO, Brio Living Services

A2 Transforming Financial Performance in Today’s Operational Environment: A Comprehensive Panel Discussion  

• Understand the current economic and operational challenges organizations face today.
• Analyze key trends impacting financial performance across various sectors.
• Dialogue with panelists to explore strategies to enhance revenue, reduce cost and limit liability in health and human services.

Faculty:

• Paul Towell, Principal, Hamlin Capital Advisors
• Mike Armstrong, Principal, Hamlin Capital Advisors
• Carl Martin, Director of Operations and Finance at Presbyterian Home for Children 
• Kevin McNamara, COO, Wesley Homes
• Ray Johnson, Managing Principal, Caldwell Butler

A3 Content Marketing that Connects: Strategies, Tactics and Results 

• Explore how to take a strategic approach to content marketing that helps deepen relationships with your prospects and lead base. 

• Analyze your audiences’ distinct needs and understand the issues that matter most to them.  

• Discover ways to increase engagement with your prospects while having fun building an online community.

Faculty:

• Tim Bracken, Vice President of Marketing, Love & Company

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Tuesday, May 6, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

B1 Homed: Case Studies on Addressing Homelessness Among Older Adults 

• Realize the fast-growing crisis of homelessness for older adults. 

• Discover ​U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (​HUD) programs and creative tools available to organizations seeking to preserve affordable housing. 

• Recognize the powerful impact of affordable housing with services on individual lives through member case studies.

Faculty:  

• Terry Barcroft, President and CEO, Wesley Woods
• Mark Oswanski, Vice President, Hampden Park Capital and Consulting

B2 Design on a Dime  

• Examine capital improvement needs, priorities and budgeting for your organization. 

• Recognize the impact of small-scale changes and how to manage expectations by focusing on the “why” behind the project. 

• Review examples of real-world, cost-effective, small-scale renovations that can strategically impact all types of campus-based ministries. 

Faculty:

• Dan Godfrey, Partner, RLPS Architects 
• Jennifer Schwalm, Principal, Baker Tilly 

B3 Accelerating from Zero: Building Fundraising Capacity 

• Analyze how to adapt fundamental gift structures to meet immediate and future challenges. 

• Identify best practices and potential strategies for ongoing gift development. 

• Examine different technical options that can efficiently scale up program growth. 

Faculty:

• Reverend William McMorran, Green Oak Consulting Group 
• Colleen Ryan Mallon, Chief Growth Officer, Frasier 

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Tuesday, May 6, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

C1 Optimize the Resident Experience Through Technology Advances and Artificial Intelligence

• Explore the role technology and artificial intelligence (AI) play in enhancing wellness programming, mitigating staff shortages and showcasing your unique value proposition.
• Assess the potential challenges and consequences of AI in senior living communities.
• Discuss strategies for implementing tech-enabled initiatives and leveraging them as differentiators in sales and marketing campaigns.

Faculty:

• Ryan Galea, CEO, Icon
• Andrew Applegate, President and CEO, Arbor Acres
• Nick Patel, President of Thrivewell Tech at Asbury
• Mark Lenhard, President & CEO, United Methodist Communities
• Dr. Carol McKinley, PhD., President & CEO of Simpson Senior Services

C2 Charting a Brave Course for the Future of Senior Living

• Examine the short and mid-term outlook and opportunities for non-profit, senior living as organizations seek to grow their mission.
• Dialogue about key factors impacting the field including workforce pressures, technology, innovation and partnerships.
• Develop tools to venture into responsible risk taking to meet the demand amidst today’s economic realities.

Faculty:

• Margaret Yu, RLPS Architects
• Mimi Rossi, Senior Vice President, Head of Senior Living Research, Zeigler

C3 Dining Management for the C-Suite

• Learn best practices to better recruit, train and retain dining team members and more.
• Discover how to improve cost controls, food quality, flexibility and creative offerings.
• Formulate key questions to ask to hold providers and purveyors accountable for quality, cost and service.

Faculty:

• Scott Daniels, Vice President of Culinary Operations, The Culinary Coach (3^rd Plus)
• Ron Patti, COO of United Methodist Homes

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Wednesday, May 7, 10:15 - 11:45 a.m. 

D1 Aspire to Inspire: Grassroots Mentoring to Grow Leadership Within

• Hear about two powerful member programs – a three-year grassroots initiative and a structured certification program for mentors and preceptors.
• Examine key steps and action plans to provide continuous professional development and support for leaders serving in their roles.
• Evaluate the impact of redefining mentoring and precepting as career paths on team member retention and professional growth.

Faculty:

• Krista Van Hooser-Perin, Director of Organizational Learning, WesleyLife
• Kristy VanDerWiel, Chief Culture Officer, WesleyLife
• Pam Garafolo, Corporate Director of Tapestries, United Methodist Communities
• David Glenn, Senior Vice President for People and Culture, United Methodist Communities

D2 A Call to Partner: Unlocking the Power of Innovative Collaboration

• Explore diverse partnership models and how they can be structured to maximize effectiveness.
• Engage in thought-provoking discussions with panelists and fellow attendees on the power of collaborative problem solving.
• Discuss case studies showcasing ways organizations have leveraged partnerships to achieve greater outcomes than they could individually.

Faculty:

• Aaron Rulnick, Managing Principal, HJ Sims
• Nancy Toscano, CEO, UMFS

D3 The Power of Storytelling

• Realize how effective storytelling can be a strategic asset to catalyze philanthropic initiatives and elevate social causes.
• Dissect the fundamental elements of effective storytelling to foster connection and further impact.
• Discover ways to craft compelling narratives and effectively share stories across media platforms.

Faculty:

• Evan Witkowski, Institutional Relationship Manager, Wespath
• Sarah Metroff, Marketing Manager, Investments, Wespath

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Wednesday, May 7, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

E1 Flipping the Non-Profit Culture Playbook: Strategic Employee Engagement 

• Explore how to shape the workplace experience for employees and other stakeholders to grow employee engagement.
• Define how an organization’s current value system, norms and goals can support employee engagement.
• Outline practical steps to evolve and sustain organizational culture to improve employee recruitment and retention.

Faculty:

• Brooke Davilla, Vice President for Organizational Effectiveness, Methodist Children’s Home
• Jean Wright, Organizational Effectiveness Senior Director, Methodist Children’s Home

E2 Benchmarking Excellence: Elevating Financial and Operational Performance in Senior Living

• Discover the critical role of data in benchmarking processes.
• Dissect how to implement key financial and operational benchmarks to drive quick and effective decision-making.
• Delve into real-world examples and case studies that demonstrate successful benchmarking practices in the senior living industry.

Faculty:

• Jim Stradiot, Partner, Plante Moran Living Forward

E3 Cultivate a Groundswell of Support and Diversify Revenue

• Amplify your fundraising efforts by combining engagement strategies to diversify revenue, increase community awareness and engagement.
• Discover how peer-to-peer engagement can create new donors.
• Define the importance of building relationships with local, state and federal officials to become an ambassador for your issues and advocate for investment.

Faculty:

• Allison Ashe, President/CEO, Wellroot Family Services
• Carol Hill, Director of Marketing & Communications, Wellroot Family Services

 

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Wednesday, May 7, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.

F1 Legacy Leadership: Weathering Storms Through Strong Leadership

• Identify top strategies for maintaining strong leadership amidst C-suite transitions.
• Evaluate your organization’s operations for opportunities to foster leadership.
• Chart ways to compare and contrast various leadership styles and how they impact your team.

Faculty:

• Steve McAlilly, CEO, Methodist Senior Services
• Jill Wilson, President/CEO, Otterbein SeniorLife
• Mark Fish, President of Eklego Leadership 
• Susan Ryan, CEO, Center for Innovation

F2 Expert Insights: Impact and Risk of AI in Health and Human Services

• Explore the diverse applications of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in health and human services and emerging technologies.

• Assess current AI trends and tools from key thought leaders in the field.
• Discuss the potential risks associated with AI such as privacy, security, clinical safety and ethical considerations.

Faculty:

• Matt Reiners, CGO, Parasol Alliance

F3 Bridge the Gap for Multi-Generational Giving

• Recognize the differences in the motivations and approaches to giving across generational types.
• Leverage the diverse perspectives and innovative ideas of each generational type to enhance the effectiveness of the giving efforts.
• Discuss communication challenges, differing expectations and other common barriers that impede a generational giving program.

Faculty:

• Karen Manczko, Director, Institutional Relationships, Wespath
• Ginger Mills, Director of Advancement, Cunningham Children’s Home

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 Thursday, May 8. 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

G1 A Call to Excellence: Faith-Driven Approaches Impacting Care and Services

• Explore components of strong spiritual care programs that support both clients and staff.
• Discover how EAGLE Accreditation empowered a struggling organization striving for excellence.
• Learn best practices to prepare your organization for accreditation.

Faculty:

• Jill Myers, Executive Vice President, The Methodist Home
  Rev. Josh Gale, Chaplain, The Methodist Home
• Rev. Madeline Luzinski, Director of Pastoral Care, Residing Hope
• Cameron Bishop, President/CEO, Wesley Glen Ministries
  Julie Rogers, Chief Development Officer, Wesley Glen Ministries
• Emily Robbearts, Director of Operations, Methodist Ministries Network

G2 Strategic Planning for Generations

• Identify the critical components of an effective strategic plan and the difference between strategic and long-range plans.
• Analyze intentional ways to share your strategic plan with internal and external stakeholders to achieve greater outcomes.
• Explore how to use your strategic plan to guide organizational decisions and fundraising initiatives.

Faculty:

• Jennie Smith, Partner, GSB Fundraising