By Foresee Foundation
With more than 30 training workshops aimed at capacity building and an entire one devoted to inspiring with innovative, creative and collaborative thinking, NPOwer’s 2023 ‘Connect and Inspire’ Conference is the place to be from February 23 to 25. Registration is open and it’s as easy as visiting www.npowersxm.com (click on the blue tab - ‘2023 Conference’) at the upper right side of the main page.
The biennial conference comprises three segments. The regional component is February 23. It will bring together non-profits from the neighbouring islands and the French side of our island to foster greater collaboration, and give insight into different ways of thinking and knowledge exchange.
On Friday, February 24, at Belair Community Centre, a symposium will tackle four main topics with hands-on activities designed to connect organisations and people. Four featured speakers, including a visiting luminary in the area of community building, will offer interactive thinking sessions. One of the activities will be some fun “speed dating”.
On the next day, February 25, the conference moves to St. Dominic High School. Thirty training workshops will offer participants the opportunity to personalise their learning needs and the needs of their organisation. NPOwer combed the community and invited the brightest, most experienced and innovative minds to share knowledge.
On both days, the conference starts at 8:30am.
How does this conference contribute to a better St. Maarten for all?
The idea of building the capacity of non-profits stemmed from NPOwer’s knowledge and insight into the needs, strengths and weaknesses of the non-profit sector. NPOwer’s insight was validated by a survey done in 2022 “State of Affairs” of the NPO sector, which listed capacity strengthening as an important need. NPOwer was created in 2018, after Hurricane Irma devastated the island and local non-profits took on the mandate to give immediate relief to those in need. However, organisations were not working as a collective and at some points this absence of coordination led to a less effective response to the needs of people. With non-profits working more effectively, our community will see a better response to the services and support offered by this sector, which is quickly becoming a sector that is considered the “beating heart” of the island.
Give examples of what to expect at the conference.
The conference is catering for 200 participants from local and visiting non-profits. Each person can customise their training experience based on the individual and organisation’s needs. On Saturday, people can choose from five rounds of workshops and specialised hands-on experiences. Friday will offer thought-provoking insight into the sector, methodology of how to improve your presence within the sector, a speed dating session designed for non-profits and much more.
Why should you sign up?
If you are a volunteer, a civil servant who needs to collaborate with the non-profit sector, the private sector that would like a greater insight into who and which organisations to support or just someone that wants to contribute to a better society sign up to enhance your skill-sets.
How to sign up?
Register for the conference:
- Visit www.npowersxm.com, click on the blue tab “2023 Conference” at the upper right side of the main page.
- Fill in information
- Then select your workshops
NPOwer members are allotted two free spots. Non-members are welcomed for a daily fee of US $50 per person. Fee includes all materials, coffee, tea and snacks. For further information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1 721 581 5050.
