April 11, 2010 - Creative Chicago Expo 
ESC is pleased to participate in the 2010 Creative Chicago Expo, an annual, day-long, free event that connects Chicago's arts and culture community with services, information and networks. The 2010 Expo will be held Saturday, April 11 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St).
March 23 & August 25, 2010 - New Member Orientation
Are you interested in joining ESC's volunteer consultant corps? Two dates have been scheduled for new volunteer orientation in 2010. If you are interested in volunteering, read about our volunteer program and contact us.
February 26, 2010 - ESC's Torch Ceremony
As the 2010 Winter Olympics came to a close in Vancouver, ESC held our own torch ceremony as 22 founders or long-serving Executive Directors participated in ESC's Passing the Torch Workshop, an adaptation of a nationally regarded workshop to guide established nonprofit executives in exploring the complex organization, professional and personal issues related to successional planning and transition. Many participants commented on how the workshop is a confidential and safe place to ask difficult questions and have discussions with peers experiencing the same issues, with one participant stating, "I appreciated the opportunity to have small group discussions with the different workshop trainers, facilitators and participants. The comfort and safety of the group was an asset."
The Passing the Torch workshop covered various topics relating to the organizational and personal transition of succession planning, including:
- Practical lessons and best practices gained from successful examples around the country
- An overview of succession and transition planning processes and review of key issues, particularly in light of the current economic situation
- A pro-active approach for enhancing organizational capacity and sustainability between now and the anticipated departure
- Focused sessions to tailor succession and personal plans to each participant's individual needs, and the realities of their respective organizations, and much more
"It is great to know I now have a roadmap for this transition in our workbook," commented one participant, reflecting on the value of the activities participants complete before, during and after the workshop sessions. ESC plans to offer another session of Passing the Torch in 2010, dates to be determined; for more information please contact us.
February 18, 2010 - So You Want to be an Executive Director?
In 2009 YNPN Chicago and ESC launched The Leadership Institute, a collection of programs to help ensure the future leadership and vitality of the Chicago region's nonprofit and public service sector. The pilot program of The Institute "So You Want to be an Executive Director?" guided fourteen participants through day-to-day life of being at the top, helped them plan their own career trajectories, and provided opportunities for them to learn from the mistakes and successes of current and past Executive Directors from various Chicago organizations. The program's first eight month session closed in February 2010 to rave reviews from the participants.
"My peers are very impressive!" wrote one participant siting the program's format of roundtables focused on group exploration and discussion as key to the program's success. Marcia Lipetz, ESC President & CEO, and Bob Houston, ESC Consultant & Coach, guided the group of participants through identifying and prioritizing the skills and knowledge they would like to develop to become successful nonprofit leaders. "The roundtables really enforced a solid work plan for becoming a new Executive Director. I feel that I will be able to step into an Executive Director role strategically, while before I wouldn't have known where to start," commented one participant.
Coupling the roundtable experience with one-on-one coaching, participants were provided an individual sounding board for knowledge gained in the roundtables as well as an opportunity to strategically improve their work performance. One participant reflected, "The coaching sessions served as a great time to reflect on my personal goals for professional growth. My coach helped me focus on next steps while also training myself not to 'bite off more than I can chew'."
YNPN and ESC will begin accepting applications for participation in the 2010 "So You Want to be an Executive Director?" program in early March. Participation is limited to YNPN members and there is a competitive selection process.
November 17, 2009 - ESC Wins Encore Opportunity Award
Civic Ventures and MetLife Foundation have awarded one of eight Encore Opportunity Awards to ESC. The awards honor organizations that are making it easier for experienced workers to transition into "encore careers" - paid jobs that offer meaning and a chance to make a social impact. ESC was recognized for its innovative Interim Executive Director service which places highly experienced former nonprofit Executive Directors as interim leaders in organizations undergoing a leadership transition. Click here to read more.
November 12, 2009 - A Celebrated Reunion
The room was full with over 300 volunteers, clients, funders and guests at ESC's Reunion, the 2009 Celebration of Service. Tim Samuelson's comments about the importance in Chicago's history of those willing to help their follow Chicagoans were fitting as ESC honored seven of its volunteer members for their exceptional commitments to ESC and our nonprofit and public agency clients. For more information and pictures from the event, click here.
For an archive of ESC press releases and media coverage, please visit our Publications & Media Coverage page.