What are the challenges and opportunities of conducting workshops in the nonprofit sector?

1 Know your purpose and audience

Before you start creating your workshop content and activities, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and who you are trying to reach. What are the goals and objectives of your workshop? How do they align with your nonprofit's mission and vision? Who are the participants and what are their backgrounds, interests, and learning styles? How will you measure the impact and outcomes of your workshop? These questions will help you define the scope, format, and duration of your workshop, as well as the methods and tools you will use to deliver it.

2 Choose the right platform and format

Depending on your budget, resources, and audience, you may decide to conduct your workshop in person, online, or in a hybrid mode. Each option has its pros and cons, and you need to weigh them carefully. For example, in-person workshops can foster more interaction and rapport, but they may also entail higher costs, travel, and health risks. Online workshops can reach more people and save time and money, but they may also face technical glitches, distractions, and low engagement. Hybrid workshops can offer the best of both worlds, but they may also require more coordination and preparation. Whatever platform and format you choose, make sure you test it beforehand and have a backup plan in case of emergencies.

3 Design for participation and interaction

One of the main benefits of workshops is that they allow for active learning and collaboration among participants. However, this also means that you need to design your workshop in a way that encourages and supports participation and interaction. This involves creating a safe and inclusive space, setting clear expectations and ground rules, using a variety of methods and media, providing feedback and recognition, and facilitating discussions and group work. You also need to be flexible and responsive to the needs and dynamics of the participants, and be ready to adjust your plan and pace accordingly.

4 Address diversity and inclusion

The nonprofit sector is diverse and inclusive by nature, and your workshop should reflect that. This means that you need to be aware of and respect the different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of your participants, and avoid any assumptions, stereotypes, or biases that may affect your workshop content and delivery. You also need to ensure that your workshop is accessible and equitable for everyone, regardless of their abilities, languages, cultures, or identities. This may involve providing translations, captions, subtitles, audio descriptions, or other accommodations, as well as using inclusive language, examples, and images.

5 Incorporate storytelling and emotion

Another way to make your workshop more engaging and memorable is to use storytelling and emotion. Stories can help you connect with your participants, illustrate your points, and inspire action. Emotions can help you capture attention, elicit empathy, and motivate change. You can use stories and emotions from your own experience, from your nonprofit's work, or from your participants' feedback. You can also use different formats and channels to tell your stories, such as videos, podcasts, slides, or social media. However, be careful not to overdo it or manipulate your audience. Use stories and emotions authentically, ethically, and strategically.

6 Evaluate and follow up

The last step of your workshop is to evaluate and follow up with your participants. Evaluation can help you measure the effectiveness and impact of your workshop, as well as identify areas for improvement and future opportunities. You can use different methods and tools to collect feedback, such as surveys, quizzes, polls, or interviews. You can also use metrics and indicators to track the outcomes and outputs of your workshop, such as attendance, retention, satisfaction, learning, behavior, or impact. Follow-up can help you maintain and strengthen the relationship with your participants, as well as provide them with additional resources, support, or guidance. You can use different channels and modes to follow up, such as emails, calls, messages, or newsletters.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?