North Park University Presents 2009 BootCamp for New Nonprofit CEOs on July 8 - 10

CHICAGO, IL, June 16, 2009 — North Park University is pleased to host a BootCamp for nonprofit CEOs from Wednesday, July 8 through Friday, July 10 at its campus, located at 3225 West Foster Avenue in Chicago. Targeted to CEOs or executive directors who have been in their role for three years or less, the BootCamp is designed to maximize leadership effectiveness and organizational success for new nonprofit leaders. In its fourth year, BootCamp 2009 is again pleased to receive support from the Brinson Foundation and welcome a new sponsor, Achieve, a consulting firm based in Indianapolis.

"Each session combines theory with best practices in the field to give attendees what they need to know to get up to speed fast. Through case studies, lectures, and small group discussions, attendees will explore issues which are critical to leadership in the nonprofit context," said Pier C. Rogers, Ph.D., director of the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at North Park University. "A team of highly experienced leaders will lead sessions in the focus areas of: mission, board governance, leadership style and capabilities, strategic management, financial management and planning, resource development, legal and ethical issues."

Brad Manilla, executive director, Let's Dabble, LLC, who attended the 2008 BootCamp said, "BootCamp was a very productive experience that helped our company understand what an effective nonprofit organization needs to thrive and grow. It was very comforting to be surrounded by like-minded individuals faced with similar challenges, all experiencing the same concerns that come with the role of an executive director. Even after a year, I still keep in contact with a few friends I met."

Participants will leave BootCamp with an individualized 90-day plan for their organization. These plans, which are developed under the guidance of BootCamp faculty, will lay out the specific action steps and major goals that each participant plans to pursue over the next several months.

Those in attendance will have access to experienced faculty leaders and peers with whom they can interact and learn from. Faculty for the BootCamp includes:

-- Robert B. Acton, J.D. - Executive director at the Cabrini Green Legal
Aid and adjunct professor at the North Park University School of Business
and Nonprofit Management
-- Jimmie R. Alford, LL.D., L.H.D. - Founder and chair of The Alford
Group and executive in residence at the North Park University School of
Business and Nonprofit Management
-- Joan Beaubaire - Retired chief marketing officer at the American Red
Cross of Greater Chicago
-- Bill Braden - Coordinator of leadership development programs for The
Axelson Center and a retired CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater
Chicago
-- Greg Crawford - Regional director and consultant for Advantec and
adjunct professor at the North Park University School of Business and
Nonprofit Management
-- Richard L. Jones, Ph.D. - President and CEO of Metropolitan Family
Services
-- Mary F. Morten - President of the Morten Group
-- Nancy Kim Phillips, M.B.A. - President of NKP Consulting, LLC
-- Michelle Sherbun - President of Merlin Solutions, LLC
-- Kathryn Vanden Berk, J.D. - Attorney at Law Offices of Kathryn M.
Vanden Berk, LLC

The cost of the BootCamp is $495 and includes course materials, resource manual and meals. Only 35 spots are available and acceptance into the program is based on eligibility and availability of space. An application is available at www.northpark.edu/axelson/bootcamp.

For more information and a complete schedule of programs at BootCamp, click here.

About the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management
North Park University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, established in 1999, seeks to enhance the performance and effectiveness of individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector through education, service and resources. The Axelson Center's vision is to help build vibrant communities in Chicago and beyond through strengthening nonprofit leadership. For more information, visit www.northpark.edu/axelson.

About North Park University
Located in Chicago, North Park University is a Christian comprehensive university that serves nearly 3,300 undergraduate and graduate students from around the country and the world. Within a diverse, close-knit, urban community, North Park offers a values-based education to students through more than 30 undergraduate majors and an adult degree-completion program, as well as graduate and continuing education in business, nonprofit management, nursing, education, music, and theology. By integrating faith with learning -- as it has done since its founding in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church -- North Park University continues to focus on the important task of preparing students for lives of significance and service. More information is available at www.northpark.edu.