Choose Your Own (CYO) encourages you to explore a topic that interests you! They can be focused on a specific speciality, or be a more general topic, but they are geared towards an open audience. You will get to choose from more than 25 options—a great way to round out your learning based on your own interests and needs.
Here are some of the sessions being offered:
Diamonds in the Making
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Casey Conrad, President, Communication Consultants WBS Inc.
Today’s department director faces a challenging environment due to leaner organizations with higher customer expectations. Front line managers must rally behind senior management’s decision and corporate vision while keeping team members motivated, trained, and engaged.
Creating a Culture of Safety
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Dan Norber, Director of Consulting, the Redwoods Group
One of our responsibilities as community builders is to keep our members and participants safe from harm. Your JCC must be known as a safe place to be. We all know that stuff happens, so let’s do everything in our power to minimize the risk to our people, at our JCC’s, on our watch.
Revenue Roundtable: Rentals and Facility Usage
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Bob Kimsal, Chief Financial Officer, JCC Association of North America
Join a roundtable discussion on your JCC’s policies on rentals and facility usage.
Creating a Safe Space to Talk about Israel
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Mark Lazar, Director of Education, Center for Jewish Life, Merage JCC of Orange County
This session explores personal and JCC/institutional attitudes toward Israel to help create safe spaces for effective Israel programming.
Including Members with Disabilities
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Liviya Mendelsohn, Manager of Accessibility and Inclusion, Miles Nadal JCC
Explore how to engage the community and staff to create a culture of inclusion throughout your JCC.
Tell Us a Story
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Marla Cohen, Communications Manager, JCC Association of North America
Everyone who walks through the door of the JCC has a JCC story to tell – including you. You’ll learn what elements make for a compelling story, how to bring out details from an interview subject, and the ways to structure and write a narrative.
Beyond the Bathroom: Understanding the “”T” in LGBTQ Inclusion
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Daniel Bahner, National Manager of Education and Training, Keshet
In this session, we will discuss the needs of the trans and gender non-conforming communities, preparing JCC professionals to make more LGBTQ inclusive JCCs.
Surprising Information Behind Teens in the Workforce
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
David Bryfman, Chief Innovative Officer, the Jewish Education Project
What forces are teens navigating in the 21st century (that may be different than in the past) that are shaping their identities? What’s old, what’s new?
Top 10 Things JCC Leaders Should Be Thinking About
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Alan Goldberg, Senior Vice President, JCC Association of North America
If you had to make a list of the ten things JCC professionals and lay leaders should be thinking about as you lead your JCC, what would they be? We can think of dozens of successes and challenges we have, we could probably list 100. It is a great deal harder to come up with just ten!
Building Leadership Capacity Through Reflective Supervision
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Caron Blanke, Independent Organizational Consultant
In the fast-paced nature of JCC life, the supervisory conversation tends to focus on how to “get things done”. This workshop will explore the ways in which reflective supervision can transform the supervisory relationship and help us nurture and support the growth of our employees.
Marketing Forum
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Michael Rowland, Marketing Consultant, JCC Association of North America
(for participants enrolled in the Marketing Track) – This session will allow participants to share their marketing experiences and learn from each other.
Groups, People in Groups, and How Groups Work
Monday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Betsy Stone, PhD, Professor, Hebrew Union College
What happens when we try to work together? Groups of all sizes have a natural life cycle. How do people create and join groups? How do groups function well of poorly? How do you, as a group leader, impact and direct groups? This session is geared to anyone who works with children and teens, or supervises teens who work at the JCC.
Make Legacy Giving Part of Your Philanthropic Culture
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Arlene Schiff, National Director, Life & Legacy Grinspoon Foundation, Peter Blair, CEO Levine JCC in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Rick Lefton, Director of Development, Mayerson JCC in Cincinnati
Learn about the Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY initiative and how many JCCs are successfully integrating this strategy into their philanthropic culture.
You CAN Ride in My Little Red Wagon: JOFEE for JCCs
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Yoshi Silverstein, Director of JOFEE Fellowship, Hazon
How can you bring nature, food, and farming into your JCC? We’ll share program highlights from JOFEE Fellows placed at JCCs and workshop Jewish outdoor, food, farming, and environmental education program for your institution.
Revenue Roundtable: Programming
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Dori Denelle, Vice President, Certified Governance Trainer Community Consultant, JCC Association of North America
Join a roundtable discussion on your JCC’s programming, what works and what doesn’t.
Dali Museum: Innovation Labs
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Annemarie Boss, Innovation Facilitator, Dali Museum
The Dali Museum’s Innovation Labs reveals its unique methodology for creative problem solving workshops. The Labs will showcase tools, techniques, case examples, and research to creatively problem solve in any situation.
Celebrating WITH Pride: Using LGBT Pride Month to Strengthen Your Allyhood
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Daniel Bahner, National Manager of Education and Training, Keshet
In this session, we will discuss LGBTQ Pride month, which occurs in June, and ways in which JCCs can engage LGBTQ individuals with their programming.
The Magic of Personalities
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Kostya Kimlat, speaker and magician
Kostya shows you how master magicians, like master salespeople and customer experts can instantly read their audiences and adjust their performances accordingly. These powerful secrets of interpersonal communications are applicable in all professions and can be learned and mastered by anyone.
Empowering Women
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Jan Sparrow, Co-founder of ASGMC Global Management Consulting
Organizations and work groups are most productive when everyone the “team” is performing at their very best. Groups succeed when there is diversity in every form. This session will offer strategies and practices to ensure that women’s skills and talents are recognized as “an integral part of every group”.
Bless Your Workforce
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Mark S. Young, Managing Director, the Leadership Commons
This session will engage in an interactive workshop with concrete strategies on how we can best retain and value our staff, infusing theory from both the corporate worlds The Good Jobs Strategy, examples from non-profits, and inspiration from Jewish texts that validate these strategies.
JCC Maccabi Office Hours
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Jordan Zarin, Host Community Liaison, JCC Maccabi, JCC Association of North America
A session on delegation building, fundraising to support your local programs, and year round engagement.
Understanding Who We Serve and Effectively Communicating the Benefits We Offer – Learning from AARP
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Barbara Shipley, Senior Vice President, Brand Integration, AARP
In 2013 AARP dramatically changed both its public face and the programs and services it offered to adults age 50 and older. In this session, led by the professional who was the architect of this revitalized brand platform and their Real Possibilities programming, you will learn about how to apply these strategies in your own program design and communications.
Because the Middle East is Funny
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Benji Lovitt, Comedian and Educator
Join Benji on a virtual visit to the Holy Land as we explore Israeli society and cultural differences through classic Israeli comedy clips and discussion.
High Performing Teams
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Blair C. McHaney, CEO of Club Works
High performing teams are extremely adaptable and know when to change tactics in order to accomplish the mission or broader strategy. Companies, who make adaptability part of their strategy, deliver much better customer experiences and create more customer loyalty. This session will explore the core principles of how you build adaptability into your organization and give you some useful and practical tools for making it.
Greening: Social Justice and Your JCC
Tuesday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Shula Banchik, Cultural Arts Manager, Calgary JCC
Sheena Chin-Greene, Coordinator, Florida Green Lodging Program, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Carrie Miller, Total Recycling Program manager, Waste Management Inc. of Florida
Dee Dee Bagitt, Director of Engineering and Facilities, Rosen Hotels and Resorts
This session will provide insight on how to improve greening initiatives in your JCC.
Chibbuk – Tradition with a Hug: A Model for Family Engagement
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Shira Ackerman Simchovitch, Director of Early Childhood, TALI Education Fund, Israel and JCC Association Sheva Center faculty member
The Chibbuk (hug in Hebrew) model combines and connects adult Jewish learning with hands on family fun. Chibbuk activities are grounded in the Jewish festival cycle and include materials to be enjoyed at home.
Oh Wheelie? The Surprising Story of How a Bike Ride Became the Standout Talent Management Tool for a Local JCC
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Miriam Leichtling, Director of Rides, Hazon
Annie Keith, COO, Mandell JCC West Hartford CT
Director of Bike Rides at Hazon joins Chief Operating Officer at Mandell JCC for a fascinating look at how Mandell JCC of West Hartford is successfully using long distance bike rides to cultivate incredible, loyal employees and approach Talent Management in an exciting new way!
Revenue Roundtable: User Fees vs. Membership
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Alan Goldberg, Senior Vice President, JCC Association of North America
Join a roundtable discussion on the different types of fees at JCCs around North America.
(Not so) Straight Talk about LGBTQ Inclusion
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Daniel Bahner, National Manager of Education and Training, Keshet
This interactive session is geared toward JCC professionals looking to take initial steps in exploring LGBTQ inclusion from a Jewish perspective, and how it applies to their work.
Give ‘em the Pickle! Superior Customer Service
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Aaron Greenberg, Senior Consultant for Day Camp Initiatives, JCC Association of North America
Pickles. Some people love them, others not so much. Successful businesses agree that customer service is their business! But what do pickles have to do with customer service? Come find out!
Making Theatre Happen
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
David Winitsky, Artistic Director of the Jewish Plays Project
How you can support new creative work at your JCC, bring in new bodies, build your base, and raise money through the arts, all without breaking the bank of building a theatre.
Cutting-Edge Digital Marketing Trends for JCCs
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Chris Strom, Director of Digital, JCC Association of North America
Discover the newest digital strategies and tactics to grow your programs in 2017 and beyond.
Staff Engagement Exceptional Practices; JCCs Putting Benchmarking Results into Action
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Andy Paller, Vice President, Community Consultant, Director of Benchmarking, JCC Association of North America
Rabbi Samantha Safran, Assistant Director, Bobbi and Vic Samuels Center for Jewish Living and Learning, Evelyn Rubenstein JCC
Paige Silberfein, Associate Executive Director, Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC
Jeremy Weiser, Assistant Director and Senior VP for Programs, Memphis JCC
Come and explore the results being released for the first time at this session, identifying the intentional, well-executed, and easily replicable strategies used by JCCs to generate strong and/or improved customer satisfaction scores, and how you can adapt these approaches for your JCC.
HR and the Aging Workforce: Strategies and Best Practices
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Dorothy Knapp, Field Services Director East, SHRM
This session will explore engagement and retention of older workers. We will look at key HR strategies for today’s multi-generational workforce and spend some time on individual retirement planning.
What Every JCC Staff Person Needs to Know about Security
Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM