TableTalks—Peer Learning Groups™

Sessions are held at Non-Profit Works, a comfortable space on Capitol Hill/Seattle; parking is accessible and free! The bus stops one block away.

Enrollment is limited and sessions fill quickly.
$385 – TableTalks™ & BoardTalks™ includes access to cohort listserv, materials, refreshments and monthly sessions.

» Download registration form (PDF)
» Download registration form (MS Word)

» Download registration form (PDF) or Download registration form (MS Word)

The Program Professionals Peer Learning Group bings together those who manage, direct or coordinate program area of their nonprofit organizations. Shared challenges include topics such as managing up, leading from behind, performance management, hiring and retaining staff. From managing/leading small to large budgets, staff and volunteer teams, the Program Leaders in this cohort share issues and solve problems in a colleagial, confidential setting. Learning from one another, this interactive cohort leaves each session with tools, resources and frameworks to use to strengthen their programs, along with ideas on how to maintain more of a balanced professional and personal life.

BoardTalks™ provides the fundamentals of board governance in an engaging, peer learning environment. Over this series of four, three-hour sessions, participants will deepen their knowledge of core concepts such as the board building cycle, while also developing a network of colleagues to share and solve board issues and organizational challenges and opportunities in a confidential setting. The curriculum will feature pre-planned material as well as topics suggested by the participants.

The Learning Lab: Fundraising Fundamentals peer learning group delivers core concepts of non-profit fundraising through instruction and real-life problem solving for development professionals. Over this series of three 3-hour sessions, participants will deepen their knowledge of fundamentals such as the donor pyramid, giving charts, developing fundraising plans and donor centered methodologies. In addition to the focus on fundraising principles, participants will share and solve problems in a confidential setting, while building a network of colleagues for support. The curriculum will feature pre-planned material as well as topics requested by participants.​

All TableTalks™ participants receive a coaching discount.
» Learn more about one-to-one coaching

Meet Your Facilitators

Since 1988 Janet Boguch has been Principal and Owner of Non-Profit Works, an organization development and nonprofit management consulting firm that serves all sizes and types of nonprofit organizations, public agencies and socially responsible private companies. Her firm’s mission is to assist individuals and organizations to reach their highest potential and to ensure the health and stability of the nonprofit and public sectors. She is a seasoned facilitator, trainer, and consultant and is a certified professional coach. Through Wide Angle Coaching, Janet’s niches are leadership development and transition coaching. Janet is founder of TableTalks and BoardTalks-Peer Learning Groups™ and she is proud of the professional and organizational growth she has experienced over the years through the peer learning format. She is very excited to increase the TableTalks™ facilitator team with seasoned professionals who are wise, skilled and fun. » Read more

Sarah Kaiser is Vice President of Development at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest. She holds an Executive Master of Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University and is a volunteer Promise Leader for Sandy Hook Promise. As a result of a successful fundraising career and as a former board member of Transitional Resources, she knows firsthand what it takes to work in partnership with volunteers, staff, board members and donors to develop philanthropic relationships and to raise funds! Sarah has a passion for fostering greater understanding and collaboration through dialogue.

Deidre McCormack Martin is motivated by a deep commitment to the transformation that happens in the lives of young people who are given new access to opportunity. Deidre has built her career around helping others. Her role in leading Summer Search Seattle is centered in the belief that everyone has something unique to offer the world, and our call is to help one another find it.

Erin Tierney is the co-facilitator of the Special Events Professionals cohort. She is the Development Manager at Zeno and has worked in a variety of nonprofit settings planning events of all sizes – from salon-style dinners to conferences and more.

Teresa Myers is the co-facilitator of the Special Events Professionals cohort. She is the Events Director at Climate Solutions, where she oversees their signature fundraising events and has played a significant role in growing their revenue stream.

Christine Martin is the principal of HR Strategies International, a consulting firm which supports nonprofit organizations through leadership and human resources capacity. She has a unique background with over 20 years experience as an executive and leader in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, developing organizations and helping them run more effectively. She has served as an Interim Executive Director at nine organizations over the past five years, providing leadership and support to boards and staff during many challenging transitions. Christine is currently completing her sixth year on the board and second year as board chair at Child Care Resources, and has served in leadership capacities on a number of other boards and organizations. Christine is a partner at Social Venture Partners.

BoardTalks™ will be facilitated by Tara Smith, a member of Crux Consulting Consortium. Tara’s teaching and facilitation expertise stem from time in the trenches as an Executive Director, Development Director and Board Member. Having raised money and led teams at both small and large organizations, Tara’s 18-year career has been dedicated to inspiring generosity, developing leaders and connecting people with their communities.​

How do I register for TableTalks™?

• Enrollment in each cohort is limited. To register, please Download the registration form (PDF) or Download the registration form (MS Word)
• See TableTalks™ registration fees above. No make-up sessions. No refunds.
• Registration includes: monthly 3-hour sessions; confidential listserv and resource sharing between sessions; hand-outs; refreshments.
• For more information, email Janet Boguch.

Each cohort uses its own listserv to communicate and share resources between monthly sessions.

At each monthly session, specific topics are based on participants' requests. Examples have included: Time Management; Effective Teams; Board Evaluations; Burn-out; Getting Started in Planned Giving; Developing a Philanthropic Organizational Culture, Useful Social Media Networking Strategies, among many others.

The cohort group often selects a book to read and discuss. Examples have included: Susan Scott’s Fierce Conversations, Daniel Pink’s Drive, Heath Brothers’, Switch, John Gardner's On Leadership, Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of Teams; Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point, Jim Collin’s Good to Great, Penelope Burk's Donor Centered Fundraising, articles from the Harvard Business Review and many others.

» Download registration form (PDF) or Download registration form (MS Word)

Background
In 1990, Janet Boguch – Principal of Non-Profit Works since 1988 – founded TableTalks—Peer Learning Groups™ to meet the needs of nonprofit professionals who wanted to learn from each other, gain new knowledge and skills and to discuss timely issues and topics relevant to managing and leading nonprofit organizations. There are now several peer learning groups tailored to particular professional roles and functions, as well as cohorts tailored to board members and board officers.

VIRTUAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING GROUPS—these are teleconference sessions to meet nonprofit professionals who work across the country. Contact Janet for further information.

ORGANIZATION-SPECIFIC LEARNING GROUPS—these are designed for professionals who work within a single organization. Contact Janet for further information.