Where/when is Connection 2017 being held?
Connection 2017 is being held in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh offers both scale and intimacy, history and cutting edge uniqueness. The venue, the historic Pittsburgh Opera House, is a perfect blend of urban and familiarity that can make anyone feel like they are home in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

What is the Connection experience like?
The main stage program is only a fraction of what happens at Connection – the full experience involves many more activities and interactive installations that catalyze discussion and stimulate new relationships.

The experience kicks off with a welcome reception that introduces you to this year’s Connection event and to prepare you for what’s ahead. The next day is spent alternating between inspirational thought-provoking talks from our speakers and meals & interaction with fellow delegates, who comprise a truly multi-faceted group of change-makers passionate about strengthening outcomes for youth in our county.

During breaks between sessions, Connection offers innovative hands-on activities, art exhibits, and of course, meet-ups with the speakers. On the final evening, take the chance to kick back, relax, and share new ideas over food, drinks, and entertainment at Session 5.

About MANY

In 1988, a small group of interested providers joined together to become MANY. Driven by the needs of these providers, MANY developed a training and technical assistance program that identifies, cultivates, and effectively replicates evidence-based practices. This program has become a national model of excellence in improving outcomes for youth and young adults most at risk for victimization and delinquency.

Early on, MANY began to attract additional agencies and partners interested in the development of innovative alternatives for youth and families and in exploring new ways to provide high quality services. More than twenty-five years later, MANY is a national network designed to strengthen and coordinate resources and services for youth and families in high-risk situations.

http://connection17.manynet.org/

It’s not just an event, it’s an experience.

It’s not about who is at the front of the room… it’s about everyone who is in the room. It’s definitely not a meeting, not a conference, not a series of Power Points, and not traditional.

You can expect activities that inspire innovation and enhance learning. The relaxed atmosphere will encourage creative conversations about the topics that matter most in our field today. A sprinkling of purposefully interrupted time for quality networking will leave you refreshed, excited, and connected.

Topics that will be addressed include:

• The Changing Landscape of Federal Funding: An Inside Look
• Balancing Funding, Evaluation and Responsive Programming
• How To Manage Difficult Team Members To Produce Results
• CEO Transitions and the ‘Leftovers’
• Effective Community-Driven Alternatives to Incarceration for Youth
• The Role of Anecdotal Evidence In Your Program
• Preparing Your Organization To Engage A Millennial Workforce Successfully
• How To Effectively Use and Integrate Data in a Climate of Change
• Trends in Foundation Giving and Collective Impact
• Real Examples of Revolutionizing Nonprofit Strategy
• How the Formation of a Collaborative Impacts Its Future Success
• Leveraging Words: Using Storytelling to Unify Individuals Behind Your Mission
• What Is the Sharing Economy?
• The Danger of Disruption in Innovation
• The Challenges of Data Analysis: Choosing and Using the Right Tools

MANY is dedicated to those who desire to be outstanding leaders and managers, pioneers and risk takers, and wish to make a positive difference in their communities. Our mission is to help our members be their best by nurturing innovative practices grounded in positive youth development. We know, in an environment of tight budgets and changing demands, successful organizations need to have a stable group of talented leaders and easy access to relevant resources. We connect great ideas and great people and then add the most valuable collection of services and professional resources.

http://manynet.org/Public/events/FeaturedEvent.aspx