Webinar Resources
Browse resources, such as recordings and slide decks, from our recent webinars and virtual trainings here.
Safe, Healthy & Inclusive Places
The LISC Safety & Justice team joined LISC SA to share their work and insights into collaborative efforts to promote safe and healthy spaces. Their place-based approach to community safety includes approaches such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment) Model Problem solving, and it centers the needs and experiences of residents along with evidence-driven solutions to increase safety without over-policing. The webinar recording is available to watch below. Thank you to the Safety & Justice team for sharing your expertise!
__________________________________________________
Effective Boards Series 2024
The final session in the 2024 series will be an in-person reception featuring a keynote address from former Speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus. Register to join us on November 7!
Upholding the Public Trust
In the first session of LISC San Antonio’s 2024 Effective Boards Series, presenter Leslie Palmer discussed the public purpose of not-for-profit organizations and explored how this purpose shapes organizational and board member roles and responsibilities, including regulatory, legal, and ethical obligations. This session is designed to benefit both board and staff members of local nonprofits.
What Does a Treasurer Do?
At February's in-person Effective Boards training, speakers with diverse experience in nonprofits and finance drilled down to the practicalities of the Treasurer experience, emphasizing the essential role of this position in sustainable nonprofit governance. Training materials are available for reference.
A recording of the event is also available to review. Please note that audio quality is somewhat inconsistent as this training was designed as an in-person event.
Event Recording
00:03:14 Mission and Accountability, Leslie Palmer
00:22:50 Governance vs. Management and Board Development, Leslie Palmer
00:33:02 Fiduciary Responsibility, Chris Carmona
00:57:38 Treasurer Skills, Chris Carmona
01:26:06 Building Board and Treasurer Confidence, Chris Carmona
01:31:18 Common Challenges, La Juana Chambers Lawson
02:07:28 Acquiring and Developing Treasurer Skills, Chris Carmona
02:13:14 Alternative Models, Merced Housing Texas
So, You Want to Be President
In March, current and former board chairs, board members, and nonprofit leaders gathered for a robust discussion on key responsibilities of a nonprofit board chair or president, the skills and resources that they can use, and challenges they face. Training materials are available for reference.
Why Do We Need a Secretary?
Governance experts, including a lawyer and a parliamentarian, led April's Effective Boards session on the Board Secretary role. Participants discussed how the secretary can support and protect the board, and we dug into some of the details about minute-taking, executive sessions, and more.
Funders' Perspectives on Effective Boards
In this virtual session, speakers with diverse funding experience discussed the importance of having a strong, engaged board when it comes to fundraising. Panelists talked about what they look for in an effective board, how these factors may influence funding decisions, board warning signs, and how boards can improve their operations, concluding with a Q&A.
Representing Your Organization
LISC SA staff members Lori Hall and Netanya Jamieson guided board members through exercises designed to help them develop and practice sharing their nonprofit’s stories to increase awareness of their organization, build relationships, and even work toward raising funds for the nonprofit. Thanks to everyone who joined us and shared their “elevator pitch” with the group!
Representing Your Organization Activities & Exercises
Recruiting & Orienting Board Members
Experienced non-profit leaders joined us for this webinar to share best practices and experiences with recruiting and orienting board members. In addition to identifying potential board members who can support the organization’s needs and educating them on the nonprofit’s mission and work, the panelists discussed how board needs and composition evolve over the life of a nonprofit organization.
Family Service Board Resource Binder Sample
Including Board Profile Matrix (page 19). Thank you to Mary Garr and Family Service for sharing!
Additional Board Matrix Examples
Making the Ask—Fundraising for Board Members
Leslie Palmer, consultant and fundraiser, led nonprofit board and staff members in a discussion about the board's role in fundraising, practical relationship-building techniques, and the importance of donor stewardship. Thanks to everyone who joined us and asked questions, and to Leslie for sharing great information and resources!
Key Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofit Board Members
Nonprofit Fundraising Plan Template
Additional Resources
Sample Code of Conduct
Sample Conflict of Interest Form
New Board Member Orientation Checklist
Sample Board Commitment & Self-Evaluation Form View [+]
Sample Board Scorecard View [+]
Executive Sessions for Nonprofit Boards: BoardSource [+]
Board Development Resources View [+]
__________________________________________________
Existing ADUs: A Remedy for Our Housing Ills?
Beginning in 2023, LISC San Antonio partnered with two nonprofit agencies, Madonna Center and House of Neighborly Service, to pilot a program to assess the prevalence and condition of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in an area as well as support to renovation of up to four existing units to bring them up to code. Thank you to USAA, Wells Fargo, and HUD for providing funding to support these efforts.
On January 30, presenters from House of Neighborly Service and Madonna Center shared their experiences and findings over the course of this program, discussed the impact for homeowners and their own organizations, and provided updates on the units under renovation. City of San Antonio staff members also presented briefly on how rehabilitating existing ADUs aligns with the City's Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP) priorities and where they are in their own ADU Initiative. LISC SA Executive Director Leilah Powell moderated a Q&A with all speakers following their presentations.
__________________________________________________
Heirs Property & Tangled Title: Prevention and Remediation
In cases of heirs property or tangled title, a home is inherited by multiple family members. This fractionalized ownership can restrict use of the home as an asset or wealth building tool and increase risk of displacement or homelessness. Panelists for this one-hour webinar reviewed the challenges and impacts of heirs properties; described the current conditions around heirs property identification, remediation and prevention; and shared updates on successful efforts to help families impacted by heirs property situations.
The webinar included a presentation on the Heirs Property System Analysis from consultant Ladder Logik, updates from Mexican American Unity Council, San Antonio Legal Services Association, and Merced Housing Texas, and a Q&A moderated by LISC SA Executive Director Leilah Powell.
This one-pager developed by consultant Katherine Dillard Gonzalez of Ladder Logik provides an overview of home title issues and the effects of tangled title, also called heirs’ property or clouded title.
__________________________________________________
Effective Boards: Conversations & Capacity Building
Communications Before, During, and After a Crisis
April 25, 2023
LISC San Antonio for a virtual discussion about how to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from negative media coverage. Local nonprofit leaders shared their experiences with insight from a crisis communication professional and Q&A from attendees. Speakers included Leslie Komet Ausburn, Komet Marketing Communications; Kristin Davila, Merced Housing; Francesca Rattray, YWCA of San Antonio; and Leilah Powell, LISC San Antonio (Moderator).
Upholding the Public Trust
May 12, 2023
In this webinar, presenter Leslie Palmer discussed the public purpose of not-for-profit organizations and deepen understanding of how this purpose shapes organizational and board member roles and responsibilities, including regulatory, legal and ethical obligations. This session is designed to benefit both board and staff members of local nonprofits.
Engaging the Board in Strategic Planning
June 5, 2023
In this webinar, non-profit CEOs and Executive Directors shared case studies on how to engage board members around your organization's mission, vision, values, and goals. Speakers Pete Alanis (San Antonio Housing Trust), Mary E. Garr (Family Service), and Katie Vela (South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless) presented practical approaches to board education that lay the foundation for effective engagement, including a focus on board members with lived experience.
Sample Board Resource Binder Contents
Family Service provided the table of contents used in their Board Resource Binders as an example of the resources and background information that organizations may want to share with incoming board members.
What Does the Board Do?
June 26, 2023
In this virtual session, geared toward non-profit staff, consultant Marion Lee of Lee + Associates provided a basic overview of the value of boards, the scope of their responsibilities, and expectations around board interaction with non-profit staff as well as engagement in the broader community.
Funders' Perspectives on Effective Boards
October 10, 2023
In this virtual session, a diverse panel of funders discussed what funders look for in a board before they invest, including red flag behaviors that cause them to be cautious. Speakers included:
- Sheila Anderson: Senior Director - Western Region, NeighborWorks
- Hala Farid: Executive Director, Texas Community Capital
- Patricia Mejia: Vice President of Engagement, Spurs Sports and Entertainment
- Leilah Powell (Moderator): Executive Director, LISC San Antonio
Additional Non-Profit Organization and Board Resources
- Upcounsel: What Is the Purpose of Nonprofit Organizations?
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Nonprofit vs. Not-for-Profit vs. For-Profit: What's the Difference?
- BoardEffect Blog
- BoardEffect White Papers
- National Council of Nonprofits
- Foundation Group
- Texas Secretary of State: Nonprofit Organizations FAQs
- BoardSource
__________________________________________________
Homelessness is a Housing Problem with Dr. Gregg Colburn
On March 27, 2023, LISC San Antonio and the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH) hosted Dr. Gregg Colburn, co-author of Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns to give an overview of his reaseach into the causes driving homelessness in different cities and counties across the country. The research challenges a range of conventional beliefs about what drives the prevalence of homelessness in a given city—including mental illness, drug use, poverty, weather, generosity of public assistance, and low-income mobility—and finds that none explain why, for example, rates are so much higher in Seattle than in Chicago. Instead, housing market conditions, such as the cost and availability of rental housing, offer a more convincing explanation. LISC SA executive director Leilah Powell offered a brief response from a local perspective in addition to posing additional questions about Dr. Colburn's research. The webinar recording is now available below.
This webinar is part of our Community of Practice Roundtable series, which aims to get practical information into the hands of housing and service providers, and is co-hosted by LISC San Antonio and SARAH.
Book Website: https://homelessnesshousingproblem.com/
__________________________________________________
Community of Practice Roundtable: Faces of Care
Hosted by the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless and LISC San Antonio, the Community of Practice Roundtable is a platform for different nonprofit agencies across San Antonio and Bexar County to share resources, address challenges, and discuss collaborative opportunities to address needs and bridge service gaps.
For our January 2023 session, five service providers discussed the challenges and joys of their work in our community, the roles they and their agencies play, and what motivates and sustains them. Speakers Trimble Hudson (Haven for Hope Intake), Alicia Mitchell (COSA Street Outreach), Kathy Lacy (Homeless Connections Hotline), Ladonna Sewell (UTSA Youth Housing), and Madelein Santibnaez (Corazon Harm Reduction) shared insight into a typical day at work, the role they play in the larger homelessness system, and why they do this vital work.
__________________________________________________
Introduction to Affordable Housing in San Antonio
This webinar on October 3, 2022 provided an overview of affordable housing to those who are unfamiliar with or want a refresher on the organizations, programs, and funding streams already in place. LISC San Antonio Executive Director Leilah Powell led this one-hour session covering the affordable housing landscape and introducing relevant terminology, partners, and events as the first part of our Affordable Housing Finance Capacity Building Series.
San Antonio Housing & Homelessness Glossary
__________________________________________________
Practitioners’ Roundtable: Housing & Homelessness—A Local, State and Federal Legislative Update
As part of a quarterly series of virtual events aiming to get practical information into the hands of housing and service providers, panelists joined LISC SA and the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH) to share updates on local, state, and federal policy outlooks for housing and homelessness issues. Speakers included Mark Carmona, Chief Housing Officer for the City of San Antonio, Cacie Madrid, Vice President of Public Policy for the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President of Policy for LISC nationally.
__________________________________________________
Financial Counseling Programs Scan: Assets and Opportunities
With support from Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the City of San Antonio Department of Human Services, LISC San Antonio engaged consultants to perform a scan of national models and local programs focusing on financial counseling and coaching. On September 7, 2022, consultants Christi Baker and Vanessa Lindley presented their findings, including discussion of definitions, metrics, and approaches around successful financial counseling programs, investment levels and outcomes, and strategic opportunities for enhancing local service delivery.
Financial Counseling Programs Scan Webinar Recording
Financial Counseling Programs Scan Final Report
__________________________________________________
Turning NIMBY to YIMBY: Community Engagement & Supportive Housing
On August 29, 2022, LISC San Antonio convened a panel of local practitioners to discuss recent Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) or supportive housing projects, including community engagement strategies and commonly-voiced concerns about these developments, and factors that influenced the success or failure of getting the project approved. Featured panelists were:
- Nikisha Baker, President & CEO—SAMMinistries
- Edward Gonzales, Executive Director—Housing First Community Coalition
- Francesca Rattray, CEO—YWCA San Antonio
- Melody Woosley, Director—City of San Antonio Department of Human Services
- Mark Carmona, Chief Housing Officer—City of San Antonio (Moderator)
The webinar recording and presentation deck are available below.
Turning NIMBY to YIMBY Webinar Recording
__________________________________________________
Preventing Eviction: Sustaining Our Work
The City of San Antonio has become incredibly efficient at using emergency dollars to stabilize families during the pandemic, but what will happen to these vital programs when funding sources expire?
LISC SA retained California-based consultant Homebase to explore eviction prevention models and best practices. Homebase created a report on the state of the eviction prevention system, its successes and potential for future growth and development. These findings were shared in a webinar on April 29, 2022. A recording of this event, the slides presented, and the final Eviction Prevention report are available below.
Eviction Prevention Webinar Recording 4/29/22
Homebase Eviction Prevention 4/29/22 Presentation
Neighborhood & Housing Services Department 4/29/22 Presentation
__________________________________________________
Community of Practice Roundtable: Workplace Culture, Retention, and Remote Work
What do our workplaces look like after the challenges of the last two years, and how do organizations need to adapt? Employers and staff from various organizations and nonprofits gathered virtually to explore this question and discuss best practices on March 28, 2022. This roundtable is part of an ongoing series co-hosted with the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH).
__________________________________________________
Intro to ADUs: Opportunities, Advantages, and Barriers
On Monday, December 13, LISC SA hosted a webinar exploring the potential of accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—also known as casitas or granny flats—as a strategy for providing safe, accessible, affordable housing in San Antonio. A panel of speakers including national experts along with local practitioners and residents discussed opportunities and barriers to ADUs along with San Antonio-specific code and policy information. A recording of the webinar and an ADU guide for San Antonio (published June 2022) are available below.
Intro to ADUs Webinar Recording
Accessory Dwelling Units for San Antonio Guide
__________________________________________________
Permanent Supportive Housing 101
On August 30, 2021, LISC SA and the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH) engaged the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC) to provide an overview of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for San Antonio. This training explored PSH development, best practices, finance, and management.
__________________________________________________
Small Business Ecosystem Stakeholders Meeting
On April 21, 2021, LISC San Antonio joined the City of San Antonio to discuss the Small Business Ecosystem Assessment recently released by Common Future and Next Street with support from JPMorgan Chase. This study found a historic, unmet annual demand of about $8.3 billion in capital for small businesses in Bexar County, a shortcoming that is particularly acute for local businesses owned by people of color. Small business owners and business support providers discussed the San Antonio small business community's most pressing needs, the greatest opportunities for impact, and how we can work towards narrowing racial gaps in small business ownership, revenue, and employment across Bexar County.
San Antonio Small Business Ecosystem Assessment
Webinar Recording
Please note: breakout sessions beginning at 1:04:10 could not be recorded by Webex. Meeting resumes at 1:17:45.
Four Pillars Summaries:
Access & Networks
Access to Flexible Capital
Ecosystem Coordination
Sustainability & Resilience
Small Business Ecosystem Assessment Media Coverage
San Antonio Business Journal
San Antonio Report
__________________________________________________
Housing & Service Innovations in a Post-COVID World
On December 16, 2020, LISC San Antonio with support from Wells Fargo hosted presenters from Crosspoint Inc., San Antonio Legal Services Association, San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries, the City’s Neighborhood & Housing Services Department, and the Maestro Entrepreneur Center to share how they adapted their program development and service delivery in response to pandemic conditions.
Crosspoint Inc. Video: Alvarez House Women's Wellness Center
__________________________________________________
Social Determinants of Health & Trauma-Informed Care
On December 1, 2020, LISC SA, the Texas Association of CDCs, and the San Antonio Apartment Association hosted a webinar exploring how to achieve more effective resident-centered, cross-sector service provision. Edward Gonzales of the City’s Neighborhood Housing & Services Department and Mary E. Garr of Family Services Association discussed the Social Determinants of Health and ACES frameworks, including the impacts of racism and housing instability.
__________________________________________________
Policy & Legislative Outlook 2021
Keynote Presentation
2020 Election Outcomes & Texas Legislative Outlook
Matt Josephs, LISC SVP for Policy
Mark Bordas, Aegis Advocacy / Tris Castañeda, Longbow Partners
Breakout Session Presentations:
87th Texas Legislature – Matt Hull, TACDC
Texas Urban Blueprint Housing Priorities – Kyle Shelton, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Texas Housing Stability Collaborative – Linda Davis-Demas, THSC
Additional Policy Resources:
View all of LISC's policy priorities and recommendations at www.lisc.org/policypriorities.
__________________________________________________
Talking the Walk: Why Language Matters
Together with the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Area Foundation, LISC San Antonio hosted this webinar on October 28, 2020. Presenters included Adiyah Ali of LISC Development and DEIJ Coordinating Committe, Jane Paccione of the Successfully Aging and Living in San Antonio (SALSA) Initiative of the Area Foundation, and Scott Ackerson of Prospera Housing Community Services.
A recording of this event and the presenters' slides are available for reference.
Webinar Recording: Talking the Walk
Additional Reframing Aging Resources
Learn about the Swamp of Public Opinion on Aging and other research on the Reframing Aging Initiative webpage.
Take the Implicit Association Test to measure your implicit bias.
Reframing Aging Quick Start Guide
__________________________________________________
Affordable Housing During COVID-19: Relief, Recovery, and Resilience
LISC SA, the City of San Antonio, and Bexar County hosted this virtual panel on Affordable Housing and COVID-19: Relief, Recovery, and Resilience on May 29, 2020. Presenters discussed the Shelter & Food Security Working Group report, the City of San Antonio SHIP & Consolidated Plan Process, and efforts to expand housing counseling capacity. Resources from this event are available below:
Food Security & Shelter Working Group Materials
Housing Playbook for Recovery & Resiliency
__________________________________________________