“This is the one conference that every year I am sure not to miss. The content is specifically designed for CEOs and executive directors, and the networking has been invaluable to me. The friends and colleagues I made have helped me grow, learn and develop to be an even better CEO. My attendance at this conference has had a significant, positive impact on my organization.”
– past AELC attendee

Wednesday, June 3
6–8 p.m. Welcome Reception

Thursday, June 4
8–9 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9 a.m.–Noon Positioning for Strength in Turbulent Times
Effective leadership is critical in turbulent times. Creative and innovative thinking are critical for ensuring that your organization will not only survive the current challenges, but will also be well-positioned for the future. While many human service organizations are responding to economic challenges by downsizing, streamlining, and cost-cutting, astute leaders are also searching for new opportunities, entering new markets, and rethinking established processes.

Join us for this intensive and invigorating leadership event. The session will begin with a half-day overview of the environmental factors impacting the social service environment, with particular emphasis on the latest federal financing and policy initiatives.

The implications of these environmental factors for organizational strategy and operations will be identified and analyzed. This will be followed by facilitated working discussions on the role of leadership with system transformation, innovation, and strategic and operational planning in a rapidly changing and challenging environment—a unique opportunity to work with and learn from other leaders in the field. The focus of each discussion will be to identify implications for leaders and their organizations, and then develop actionable leadership strategies and solutions.

In this session you will:

• Gain an up-to-the-minute working understanding of current funding and policy initiatives impacting the health and human service sector
• Learn strategic alternatives for your organization in this environment
• Identify leadership implications for you and your team
• Develop actionable leadership strategies with your peers

Presenter: John Talbot, executive vice president, OPEN MINDS

New Revenue Showcase
   - part 1
   - part 2
   - part 3
   - part 4

Positioning for Strength in Turbulent Times
   - part 1
   - part 2
   - part 3
   - part 4

AELC Supplemental Information

12:15–1:15 p.m. Networking Lunch

1:30–4:30 p.m. Positioning for Strength in Turbulent Times (continued)

Friday, June 5
8–9 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Positioning for Strength in Turbulent Times (continued)

Enjoy the afternoon on your own.

6–7 p.m. Reception

7–9:30 p.m. Banquet Dinner

8:30 p.m. The Alex Smith Foundation San Diego State University Guardian Scholars Program

"Very inspiring, a replicable program worth pursuing."
– 2009 NLCCWI attendee

• Join our special guests, Alex Smith and Mike Eichler, to learn about their inspirational program. You will leave this session with the tools and support to replicate this program in your own community.
  
  Each year, thousands of young people age out of the California foster care system and find themselves on their own; not surprisingly facing significant challenges. The Alex Smith Foundation San Diego State University Guardian Scholars Program helps by providing a five-year scholarship, year-round housing, and extensive individual guidance and support to former foster youth attending San Diego State University.
  
  This program also provides support services that encourage active participation in university life, assistance with career development, and activities to nurture students to become active and socially responsible members of the community.
  
  The high school component of this program recruits, educates, and empowers high school foster youth to graduate high school, attend higher education, and as a result begin to rectify the evident schism between the numbers of students from foster care backgrounds capable of achieving a post-secondary education.
  Special guests: Alex Smith, Professional Football Player, National Football League; and Mike Eichler, executive director, Consensus Organizing Center, San Diego State University

Saturday, June 6
8–9 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9–11 a.m. Escape the Alligators and Come Up to 30,000 Feet
“When you are up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember your original intent was to drain the swamp.” This old leadership adage and its message is truer than ever: Even in tough times, leaders need to think big and think ahead. Join Peter Goldberg for a free-wheeling discussion of current events, organizational solutions, and promising trends affecting our field. Questions and topics will be collected throughout the conference and Goldberg will have a few up his sleeve as well. Don’t miss this  opportunity to engage with your peers at a high level and gain ideas, inspiration, and support to lead during challenging times.
Presenter: Peter Goldberg, president and CEO, Alliance for Children and
Families

Escape the Alligators presentation


11–11:30 a.m. Wrap-up and Evaluations