United Way of Smith County: Conference aims to bring new ideas

Published 8:32 pm Saturday, October 26, 2013

Danny Mogle

The Nonprofit Develop-ment Center, an initiative of United Way of Smith County, has an-nounced plans for its second “Bright Ideas for Success” conference. The idea of the daylong conference is to give no-nprofit professionals new ideas, networking opportunities and encouragement as they find ways to provide services — often with limited resources and mostly volunteers — to their respective target audiences.

Michael Clayton, a motivational speaker and contributing author to the best-selling book “Counter-Attack: Business Strategies for Explosive Growth in the New Economy,” will be the keynote speaker.



He has conducted hundreds of leadership and professional development conferences.

Clayton will speak on “Trust … The Big Difference Maker.”

In a promotional video, Clayton proclaims that “success is a process; it’s not an event” and that success comes about from “developing the right habits.” He says success happens when you “take action on opportunities.”

His experience includes serving 15 years as president of the Better Business Bureau in Southeast Texas.

“Bright Ideas” will take place on Nov. 14 at Green Acres Baptist Church’s CrossWalk Conference Center in Tyler. Check-in begins at 7:45 a.m. Break-out sessions will take place in the morning and afternoon, with Clayton speaking at the luncheon.

Break-out session topics include building an effective board of directors, making new partnerships, effectively using social media, fundraising, decision making, attracting young volunteers, managing workplace conflict and writing grant applications.

Registration is required and can be made by going to United Way’s website, www.unitedwaytyler.org.