Monthly Meetings

Leveling Up Your Career Series

September- December 2025

The YPC is hosting a 3-part series designed to equip young professionals with the tools to stand out and thrive in today’s workplace. From making a strong first impression to building a lasting professional brand and expanding your network, each session offers practical strategies and insider tips to help you advance your career and strengthen your agency’s impact.

• Level Up Series Session 1 - The Art of Getting In: Balancing Personality and Professionalism

Seeking to make a strong professional impression? Unsure how to balance your personality with professional expectations? Join the Young Professionals Cohort for a session with Lando Flores, an HR Recruitment Specialist from the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County. With his extensive experience leading recruitment and career events, Orlando will share insider knowledge on the art of getting yourself in the door. You'll leave with practical tips on how to effectively get noticed and build a strong professional presence. This is a great opportunity to learn how to showcase your authentic self while meeting the standards of any professional environment. Find the Recording Here.

• Level Up Series Session 2 - Building your Personal Brand in the Community Action Network  

Introducing part 2 of "Leveling Up Your Career"! This workshop explores the power of personal branding, setting the stage for participants to view themselves as their own brand ambassadors. The interactive activities will help participants begin to develop their personal mission statement and craft a memorable introduction that clearly communicates who they are, what they stand for, and the unique value they bring to the table. Find the Presentation Slides Here.

• Level Up Series Session 3 - Building your Personal Brand in the Community Action Network 

You've honed your personal brand and mastered the strategies for getting in the door. Now, it's time to focus on what comes next: transforming those initial successes into long-term professional growth through strategic networking. In this virtual workshop, we will equip you with essential tools and actionable techniques for:

• • Building Your Network: Move beyond transactional interactions to create meaningful, reciprocal professional relationships.

  • Leveraging New Connections: Learn how to strategically utilize your growing network to discover new opportunities, gain insights, and find mentorship.

  • Sustaining Engagement: Get tips on how to follow up and maintain your connections over time effectively.

This session is designed to give you the confidence to actively expand your professional circle and turn every meeting into a potential resource for your career journey. Find the Recording Here.

Artificial Intelligence 101 Webinar Series

July-August 2025

In this 3-part series, participants learn the foundational elements of Artificial Intelligence tools, how they can assist with nonprofit and government agency workflows, and how to determine when to use AI. The subjects below may be modified based on session Q&A.

Speakers:

• Shawn Howell, SA Howell, LLC

• Walter M. Fordham III, Smart Quest Technology, Inc

  • The Future Agentic AI Processes (1 of 3)- Session Recording | Session Resources

    • • AI agents for automated client screening and eligibility determination

      • Multi-step workflow automation for grant applications and reporting

      • Intelligent document processing agents for case management

      • Proactive outreach agents that identify at-risk clients and trigger interventions

      • AI assistants that can handle complex multi-agency referrals autonomously

  • Regional Customization (2 of 3)- Session Recording | Session Resources

    • • Incorporate California-specific compliance requirements and data privacy considerations

      • Address multilingual AI agents given your demographic diversity

      • Include examples of AI agents for housing assistance, workforce development, and energy programs

      • Focus on building AI workflows that integrate with existing state systems

  • Interactive Elements (3 of 3)- Session Recording | Session Resources

    • • Live demonstrations of building simple AI agents during the sessions

      • Breakout discussions on agentic AI implementation challenges

      • Resource sharing on AI agent tools and platforms suitable for CAAs

Books, Budgets, and Balance: Navigating Higher ED While Serving Community Action

June 25th

Juggling the demands of a Community Action career with the pursuit of higher education is no small feat. In this candid panel session, two professionals share their journeys through school while working in the field—why they chose to go back (or stay in), the struggles they faced, their proudest achievements, and the real talk on what to consider before committing to a degree or certificate program. Whether you're thinking about starting school, going back, or supporting a colleague who's trying to do both, this session offers perspective, encouragement, and practical takeaways.

Recording

Fundraising for Impact: Lessons from Successful Agency Events

April 9th

Join Sarah Starr, a seasoned Community Events Coordinator, as she shares insider tips and real-world experiences from organizing impactful annual award ceremonies and silent auctions. Learn how to effectively manage donations from corporate representatives, individuals, and organizations while fostering lasting relationships. Whether you’re an emerging professional or just beginning your fundraising journey, this session will equip you with practical strategies to enhance your efforts and maximize the success of your event. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights and boost your fundraising confidence!

Grant Writing Panel

March 18th

Join the Young Professional Cohort for our March workshop featuring a dynamic panel discussion on grant writing! Whether you're a seasoned grant writer or just starting out, this session will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you secure funding for your Community Action initiatives. Hear from grant writing professionals within the network as they share their expertise on best practices, common pitfalls, and the current landscape of grant funding. Get your questions answered and learn how to craft compelling proposals that get noticed. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your fundraising skills and make a greater impact in your community!

How to Put Together a Session Proposal

February 27th

Join the Young Professional Cohort on February 27th at 9am PST/12pm EST for an interactive workshop focused on crafting compelling session presentations for conferences and events. Whether you're a seasoned presenter or just starting out, this session will provide valuable tips and tricks to help you create engaging and impactful presentations. We'll cover everything from structuring your content and designing effective visuals to delivering with confidence and handling Q&A like a pro. Come prepared to share – attendees are encouraged to bring a session idea they'd like to workshop during the session!

Exploring Nonprofit Board Service: Making an Impact in Your Community 

January 29th

Kick off the year with a purpose by exploring how you can make a difference through nonprofit board service. This engaging panel discussion will feature experienced professionals with diverse perspectives—both from within the community action sector and beyond. They’ll share their insights on what it means to serve on a board, the impact you can make, and how it can benefit your personal and professional growth. Whether you’re new to the idea of board service or ready to take the leap, this session will provide valuable guidance and inspiration to help you start your journey.

Learn About CAPLAW

October 23rd

This month, we're learning more about CAPLAW, Community Action's legal expert, from Executive Director Allison Ma'luf, Esq. CAPLAW's focus on legal compliance, financial grant management, governance, and leadership helps Community Action Agencies nationwide to operate as "accountable and effective change agents." Learn how CAPLAW empowers the network and discover new tools to support your agency's mission. We're excited to welcome Community Action legend Executive Director Ma'luf to this meeting and hope you can join us!

Financial Literacy

September 24th

In this workshop, you'll learn practical financial tips and gain a clear understanding of the differences between a Roth IRA and a Traditional 401K. Through a thought-provoking activity, you'll explore how your personal views on money shape your financial decisions. We'll also address the often-overlooked topic of financial literacy, discussing why it's important to overcome the taboo surrounding personal finances. You’ll leave with useful savings tips to help you take control of your financial future. Please complete a short worksheet before class to help guide our discussion, which will be emailed to registrants.

Recording | Resources

5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

August 14th

In today's workplace, it's crucial for employees to feel valued, but each employee prefers receiving appreciation differently. Join us in exploring the "5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace," developed by Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Paul White, adapted from the concept of love languages to the professional environment. Understanding and utilizing these languages can create a more positive and productive environment by ensuring appreciation resonates with individual team members. We look forward to seeing you there!

Resources

Foundation and Legacy: Tracing the Past and Future of Head Start

April 22nd

Embark on a transformative journey through the evolution of Head Start, guided by two expert panelists at the forefront of early childhood education: Tommy Sheridan, Deputy Director of the National Head Start Association, and Elizabeth “Biz” Steinberg, CEO of Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo. Delve into its rich history, from its inception as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty to its profound impact on millions of children and families nationwide. Explore the current landscape, where innovative practices intersect with pressing challenges, shaping the program's trajectory. 

Grant Writing 101

March 22nd

Are you eager to secure funding for your organization's projects but unsure where to start? Join this month's YPC workshop taught by CAPSLO's Planning and Grants Manager, Sally Rogrow, for a comprehensive grant writing session designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to navigate the competitive world of grant applications successfully. Whether you're a newcomer to grant writing or seeking to refine your existing skills, this session offers valuable insights and practical tips to help you maximize your chances of securing funding for your organization. 

"ROMA Basics & CAA Professional Development"

January 26th

Kicking off 2024 with seasoned trainer, Josh Summer of OACAA's presentation on the Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) framework. Beyond learning its relevance to Community Action, this training will provide context for the reasons for pursuing a ROMA certification, the certification process, and how it has shaped his Community Action journey! Want advice on other Community Action professional development opportunities? Josh will also advise others wishing to pursue certifications outside of ROMA. Come with questions and leave with answers!

Recording | Resources

Advocacy Training

December 4th

Are you ready to transform passion into purpose? Check out Advocacy Training for Young Professionals, where we'll embark on a dynamic journey of empowerment, inspiration, and impactful change! NCAF's David Bradley will lead this training, providing insight based on his experience spearheading support for nonpartisan legislation during partisan gridlock.

Unlock your advocacy potential during this four-training! There is no more important time to use your voice for change now.

Recording | Resources

Community Action Career Journey

November 17th

It's no secret that the Young Professionals in our network have held a variety of exciting positions as they continue to find ways to rise within their agencies. This month, we've gathered a few of our folks to speak to their Community Action career journeys. Want to learn how you can pursue professional growth in your position or future ones? Check out this meeting to learn some tips and tricks from our panel.

Recording | Resources