MARQUETTE — The 2018 U.P. Nonprofit Conference will take place Thursday, Oct. 18, at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

The conference features four sessions focused on leadership, best practices, communication and volunteerism . There will also be the presentation of the U.P. Service Awards and networking time.

Demarra Gardner, principle and consultant at Change Agent Consulting will keynote on the Echoing Green leadership theory Head + Heart = Hustle. In this presentation, Gardner will help participants to identify how their skills and passions relate to their role as a leader.

In case studies in nonprofit best practice, Chad Mager from Grow and Lead will facilitate group discussion around board, fundraising, conflict and volunteer management scenarios. After working together on the case, the table will have a chance to share their findings and solutions with all attendees, working with the facilitator and matching their conclusions against best practice solutions.

The Michigan Community Service Commission will host a session of the Volunteer Michigan Tour in the afternoon. Participants will discuss community challenges and ways to improve the quality of life for residents. They will also explore methods to collaborate and share resources. The input gathered from the tour will help shape the future of Michigan volunteerism as participants will generate ideas to include in a new State Service Plan.

The Technology in Turbulent Times panel will feature local nonprofit representatives, who have experienced crisis, discussing how they leveraged technology to tell their story. Panelists include Kori Tossava from UPAWS, Chelsea Goodreau from Portage Health Foundation and Samantha Collins from STAR Children’s Bereavement Services/Samantha Elizabeth.

A complete list of workshops and other information, including how to register, can be found at www.glcyd.org, or by calling any of the Grow and Lead staff at 906-228-8919.