LitNYS Special Sessions
Upcoming Special Sessions
Restorative Practices Within Organizations
Thursday, June 4
10 AM-12 PM via Zoom
Presented by Daniel O'Brien & Kyle Skovira
This session will center on how restorative practices can be meaningfully integrated into the day-to-day life of organizations.
Together, we will explore how relational approaches can move from ideas into lived practice, shaping how people communicate, make decisions, and navigate tension.
Register now - limited to 30 participants
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Finding Your Power in the Funder Relationship
Thursday, September 17
10 AM-12 PM via Zoom
Presented by Kerry McCarthy
In this two-hour session, leaders will learn to shift the power dynamic with funders from one of obligation to one of true, strategic partnership. Drawing on decades of experience from both sides of the philanthropic table, we will explore why your organization is an indispensable engine of change that foundations need to fulfill their own missions. This interactive workshop moves beyond a simple lecture; you will clarify your unique value, participate in a translation lab to practice turning organizational challenges into transparent learning opportunities to find ways to share bad news with funders that build trust. By the end of this webinar, you will understand how to build more trusting partnerships with philanthropy and to reclaim your seat as an equal at the table.
Register now - limited to 30 participants
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ARCHIVE OF PAST SESSIONS BELOW:
Restorative Practice as a Relational Compass
Presented by Daniel O'Brien & Kyle Skovira
HELD ON: Thursday, 5/21/26 from 10am-Noon via Zoom
An introduction to restorative practices as a framework for guiding how we relate to one another within organizations.
Rather than positioning restorative practices solely as a response to conflict, this session explores them as a proactive, values-based approach to building trust, accountability, and shared responsibility.
LitNYS Special Session: Emotional Intelligence
TO BE HELD on Thursday, April 16, 2026: What if the key to stronger leadership isn’t IQ—but EQ—Emotional Intelligence? In this engaging workshop, we will explore how emotional intelligence helps leaders build trust, manage conflict, inspire creativity, and strengthen workplace relationships. Participants will learn the four pillars of EI, and practice applying these pillars to real-life challenges to engage employees, manage conflict, and build leadership effectiveness. Featured presenter is Geraldine Grossman, the Founder of My Executive Coach, a national leadership and coaching consultancy.
LitNYS Special Session: Board Development - Real-World Strategies for Success
HELD ON November 19, 2025: Throughout an organization's life cycle, having an effective partnership with its Board of Directors is key. So why is this also one of the most difficult relationships to achieve? In this session, we will take a case-study approach to examine some of the most frequently asked questions around effective board partnerships. Featured presenters are Kathryn Besemer, President, and Colleen Kinder, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Off Assignment Magazine, and Michele Kotler, Founder/Executive Director, Community Word Project.
LitNYS Special Session: Building Strategic Capacity through Clarity, Strategy, and Impact
HELD ON August 20, 2025: How do you grow a sustainable literary arts organization when so often “mission-rich and cash-poor”? Presented by LitNYS Colleague Bruce Morrow, this free interactive virtual workshop focuses on the building blocks of strategic capacity: clear budgeting, aligned fundraising, and storytelling that moves funders and communities alike.
LitNYS Special Session: That Good Feeling That Comes from Giving
HELD ON June 18, 2025: Giving is more than a transaction—it’s a powerful tool for connection and impact. Presented by LitNYS Colleague Michelle Kotler, this free virtual workshop will guide you through the process of developing a thoughtful, sustainable individual giving plan that aligns with your values and simultaneously builds community.
LitNYS Special Session: Wade in the Water
HELD ON April 16, 2025: Presented by LitNYS Colleague Lisa Willis, Wade in the Water is a free virtual workshop focused on capacity building to navigate challenging times.