We hope to see you on the next Maddie's Community Conversation on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 11am PT / 2pm ET for "Want More Impact? Think Networks, Not Organizations" a conversation with Jane Wei-Skillern, Senior Fellow, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, Center for Social Sector Leadership.
In this webinar, Jane shares key principles of network leadership-an approach that prioritizes mission over individual organizations and focuses on building strong, trust-based relationships across a broader ecosystem. Rather than working in isolation, leaders can expand their impact by sharing leadership, aligning around a common goal, and mobilizing partners across sectors.
For animal rescue leaders, this session highlights how deeper collaboration among shelters, rescue groups, veterinarians, volunteers, and funders can help save more animals and strengthen outcomes for entire communities.
This session is for all leaders who can apply network leadership approaches to their collaborative work. i.e., return home/intake staff, could connect adopters with additional resources from peer nonprofits, grant writers can make a stronger case for the impact of donor dollars because of leverage achieved through partnership, fostering relationships and community among volunteers can help create stronger commitment and peer support - but all are welcome.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Build trust and foster relationships with other before you focus on formal structure and accountability
- Make strategic decisions that serves your mission best, not necessarily serves your organizational/individual self interest
- Strive to weave constellations of trusted partners rather than be a lone 'star' organization that outshines others
Don't forget! Maddie's Fund will be giving away up to $10,000 in grants each month! You can enter for a chance to win each time you attend a call or watch it on demand during the month by completing the monthly giveaway drawing entry form.
Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom.
🧠 Got Topic or Speaker Suggestions?
We want to hear your ideas! If there's a topic you're curious about or a speaker you'd love to hear from, please share your suggestions with us on our Community Conversations Suggestions thread.
Looking forward to being in community with you!
#CommunityPartnerships*#EducationandTraining#OrganizationalManagement#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)------------------------------
Sheila Kouhkan
Senior Education Specialist
Maddie's Fund
CA
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