CIL NET Presents: A Teleconference & Webinar Series

The Strategic Management Series: Sound Employment Practices for Centers for Independent Living

Cost: $150.00 for the entire series

Register online or by using this printable registration form.

This year, CIL NET is offering a teleconference & webinar series on exemplary employment practices and skills for Executive Directors and other managers at Centers for Independent Living. Taking place in four parts, this series offers the opportunity to explore the risks and rewards of the employment relationship within the context of a Center for Independent Living.

Learning objectives for the series include:

1. Understanding potential trouble spots in the employment lifecycle (from hiring to departure),
   
   
2. learning effective techniques for empowering employees to succeed,
   
   
3. learning how to spot and address difficulties that often arise in the workplace, and
   
   
4. understanding the circumstances under which outside help may be needed to manage employment challenges.

Part 1: Effective Hiring Practices; March 2, 2011, 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST

During the first program in the series we will explore the importance of hiring qualified personnel while respecting the philosophy and requirements of the independent living movement with regard to hiring personnel with disabilities. The hiring stage of the employment relationship can and should be managed in a way that increases the chance that new hires will be a good “fit” for the organization. Learn how to approach the hiring process with optimism and discipline while managing the legal risks that arise at this stage of the employment relationship. We will cover:

• Hiring goals
  
  
• Legal do’s and don’ts and risks associated with hiring
  
  
• Sensitivity in hiring
  
  
• Matching screening tools to the “risks” of the position (e.g., reference checks, background checks, interviews, home visits, etc.).

Part 2: Staff Supervision and Evaluation; March 16, 2011, 3:00 – 4:30 PM EDT

The effective supervision and evaluation of staff is essential to ensure the success and good health of an independent living center. Yet many organizations neglect this area of organizational development due to the demands associated with providing high quality services and strain on resources. This webinar will explore practical “do’s” and “don’ts” for staff supervision and performance evaluation. The webinar is intended to be helpful to supervisors who lack formal management training as well as experienced supervisors who are eager to broaden their perspective and improve their supervisory skills.  We will cover:

• Why and how to establish shared expectations
  
  
• Employee feedback and coaching: when and how
  
  
• Communication tips for supervisors
  
  
• Performance management and appraisal: options and strategies

Part 3: Discipline and Departure; March 30, 2011, 3:00 – 4:30 PM EDT

From time to time, in every organization, it becomes necessary to discipline staff for poor performance or unacceptable behavior. Staff discipline is an unwelcome task for even the most experienced supervisor. The process of discipline and termination is also fraught with legal risk. This webinar will explore core principles in staff discipline and termination, and offer practical advice for minimizing legal risk as well as stress and organizational disruption. We will cover:

• When and how to discipline poor-performing or poorly behaved employees
  
  
• Common pitfalls in employee discipline
  
  
• Recognizing legal risks in discipline and termination
  
  
• Conducting “safe” separations

Part 4: Managing Workplace Risks; April 13, 2011, 3:00 – 4:30 PM EDT

Every independent living center faces the risk of events that may be difficult, if not impossible to forecast. Yet the difficulty of accurately forecasting—predicting what, when and who—does not mean put anticipating and preparing for events out of reach. This webinar will explore practical strategies for reducing the likelihood of violence and misconduct and other disruptions in the workplace and planning to protect staff and consumers should events take place despite preparation. Topics that will be covered in this program include sexual harassment, workplace bullying and workplace violence and other circumstances and events that are hard to predict but can cause serious damage to morale, reputation and the health and safety of personnel. We will cover:

• Key workplace rules and protocols
  
  
• Recognizing and addressing harassment
  
  
• Preventing and addressing workplace bullying
  
  
• Managing the unthinkable: workplace violence

Meet Your Presenter

Melanie Lockwood Herman, Executive Director, Nonprofit Risk Management Center 

In a world that is fraught with danger, it is comforting to know that Melanie Lockwood Herman is holding on tight to the handlebars of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. The Center provides training, technical assistance and informational resources to help nonprofits take a practical approach to managing risk so that they can fulfill their missions and stay out of trouble.

A prolific author of a more than a dozen comprehensive (and comprehensible!) guides on various risk management topics, Melanie has delivered countless workshops, seminars, and keynote presentations for organizations simply unwilling to leave success to chance. Melanie earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Affairs from American University (Washington, DC) and a Juris Doctor from George Mason University (Arlington, VA). She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association.

Melanie’s books include Taking the High Road: A Guide to Effective and Legal Employment Practices for Nonprofits.

In 2007 and 2008 Melanie was named to the NonProfit Times “Power & Influence Top 50,” a list of "executives and thinkers ... selected for the impact they have now and for the innovative plans they are putting in place to evolve the charitable sector."

A calculated risk taker, Melanie loves raw fish, scalding coffee, and riding her 2009 Buell Blast, 1964 Norton Electra or 1970 BSA Bantam motorcycles (she always wears her helmet). She also embraces risk by serving on three nonprofit boards. To be on the safe side, she serves as Chair of the Administrative Council, lay speaker and organist of her church.

PRESENTED BY CIL-NET: A program of the IL NET national training and technical assistance project for Centers for Independent Living (CIL-NET) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC-NET). The IL NET is operated by ILRU, Independent Living Research Utilization, in partnership with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL).