July 2025 e-Newsletter
Letter from the Director
Dear Colleagues in Caring,
As the summer sun shines brightly over Southern Maryland, I hope you're staying cool and energized while continuing your vital service to our communities. Your dedication remains the heartbeat of our mission, and I’m excited to share the strides we’re making at the Nonprofit Institute.
We’ve officially launched several key initiatives from our Strategic Plan, each designed to elevate our support for you and your teams. In June, our NPI Pilot Partners joined us for their first orientation, gaining insights into our year-one goals. We’ve also opened registration for our professional development courses—now with two dynamic new offerings to enrich your growth journey. Meanwhile, planning is in full swing for our upcoming Executive Exchange program, and we’re making strong progress on developing certification tracks in Human Resources and Next-Level Leadership—tailored for the nonprofit sector.
Our Affinity Group summer lineup is in motion, featuring our Executive Director Roundtable Lunch & Learns. We’ve invited accomplished leaders to share how they transformed challenges into triumphs—these engaging sessions are complimentary, and I encourage you to attend. See registration and more details below.
And here’s a highlight born directly from your feedback: we’re thrilled to introduce the Nonprofit Board of Directors’ Bootcamp! This much-requested addition emerged from last fall’s listening sessions, and we’re proud to deliver it. Strong boards create resilient organizations, and this program is designed to foster that strength from the ground up. Details on registration and session topics are below.
There’s so much more on the horizon—stay connected with us through our newsletter for the latest developments.
Wishing you a safe, rejuvenating, and impactful summer.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Stephanie D. Rolle
Director, CSM Nonprofit Institute
Wellness Matters
As summer temperatures continue to rise, with heat warnings becoming common, it just makes sense to remind ourselves that water matters. While some are very disciplined to remain hydrated, as temperatures rise, we may not keep hydration top of the mind. Staying hydrated becomes more and more of a priority. Please refer to our article from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health for some great information on hydration and share with the people you care about. And, always remember, particularly in the work of caring for others, Your Wellness Matters!
Upcoming Training
Maryland Nonprofits is hosting an event to explore the topic:
Navigating the Uncertainty of Federal Funding
July 8 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST | Virtual
In addition to our traditional courses, there are two new courses offered for the fall. They are BUILDING EFFECTIVE TEAMS and HIRING THE PERFECT FIT. Be sure to take a look and take advantage of the enhanced NPI Professional Development curriculum.
View Upcoming Training
We are also recruiting professional instructors to teach. If you or someone you know would be interested, please apply to be considered.
View Open Positions
Affinity Groups
Reminder:
Please be reminded that Affinity Group Virtual Calls are paused for the Summer. We plan to return in the Fall.
Something Special is in the Summer Air: Executive Roundtable Series
While virtual affinity groups are paused for the Summer (to resume in the Fall), the Summer Executive’s Roundtable Series continues. We are excited to present the next two in-person round table talks, featuring meaningful topics for nonprofits. Speakers with substance and deep experience have agreed to be with us to engage in real-world conversation about the nuances of their success in a lunch and learn format. Below, please find the schedule and hurry to register because space is limited!
Wednesday, July 30, 12 - 2 p.m.
Prince Frederick Campus, B112
- Topic: Getting the Most out of What You Have (new ways to think about staff performance & retention)
- Guest Speaker: Leslie Taylor, People Management, Growth & Development Expert | For more than 20 years, Leslie has delivered high quality professional development services in a variety of industries with stellar reviews. We are fortunate to have her lend her gifts to the Southern Maryland nonprofit community.
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 12 - 2 p.m.
Regional Hughesville Campus, HS 206
- Topic: Introducing Professional Certifications for Your Teams (to help with employee retention)
- Guest Speaker: Marcia Chase, MA, PHR, SHRM-CP | If there is an HR professional who knows just about all HR related things, it would be Marcia. Her experience has weaved her career through nonprofit, healthcare and now defense industries spaces and there is much to be gained from her knowledge
Register Here (Be Sure to Bring Your Lunch!)
Announcements
Announcing the Board of Directors Bootcamp
The Board of Director’s Bootcamp
Saturday, October 4, 2025
8:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
(Location TBD)
Topics include:
- Roles and Duties of Board Members
- The Role of Board Committees
- Board Recruitment, Orientation and Evaluation Processes
- The Board’s Responsibilities for Resource Development Understanding Fiduciary Responsibility
- And so much more!!!
Are you interested?
Please complete the interest form
ICYMI: NPI Pilot Partners Program – Makeup Orientation
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 10 a.m.
We were excited to host the first orientation for our Pilot Partners recently. If you registered to be a part of this wonderful experience and were unable to attend, we have scheduled a make-up session. Please join us for the overview of the year-one strategy rollouts and how you can connect and be a part. If you registered for this great opportunity, be on the lookout for the link to the meeting in your email. We look forward to having you.
my.CSMD
Navigating the Uncertainty of Federal Funding
Professional Development Opportunities