AGRM 2018 Annual Convention AGRM 2018 Annual Convention AGRM 2018 Annual Convention AGRM 2018 Annual Convention AGRM 2018 Annual Convention AGRM 2018 Annual Convention AGRM 2018 Annual Convention AGRM 2018 Annual Convention
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		 
 
 
   

TRACK SEMINARS
Group 1
Wednesday
June 13
11:15 a.m. –
12:30 p.m.		 Group 2
Wednesday
June 13
3:00 p.m. –
4:15 p.m.		 Group 3
Thursday
June 14
9:00 a.m. –
10:15 a.m.		 Group 4
Thursday
June 14
3:00 p.m. –
4:15 p.m.		 Group 5
Friday
June 15
8:00 a.m. –
9:15 a.m.
     

CLIENT & CULTURE
Wisconsin Center Room 102 A

 
  Strategies in Low-Barrier Models

Communities need shelters that (1) are easily accessible and immediately available for anyone experiencing a housing crisis, and (2) provide targeted support to help people move forward in life. There are misconceptions about what low-barrier means. This session will dispel some of those ideas and discuss strategies for moving people from shelter into permanent housing.

Nan Roman, president, National Alliance to End Homelessness
 

 

  
 
 
  Identifying and Helping Trafficking Victims

With trafficking victims increasingly seeking shelter and assistance at member facilities, it’s critical to know how to identify and help people who are fleeing dangerous situations. In this session, you’ll learn how to approach and gain trust; hear the ins and outs of providing assistance; and how to effectively follow up. Mission case studies will be used as the launching point for discussions.

Laura Lederer, president, Global Centurion Foundation
 

 

  
 
 
  International City Mission Perspectives

We live in a global community. Cultures and customs may differ around the world, but we are dealing with many of the same issues. Hear how faith-based social services in Europe respond to those challenges and discuss the global similarities and trends we share. Networking with like-minded international ministries can call attention to opportunities and threats, and it can also inspire new approaches.

Zuzana Filipková, director, Slezská Diakonie
 


 
 
 
  The Burnout Prevention Toolbox

Leading transformational work is exhausting and can easily lead to cynicism and burnout. In this session, we’ll hear from a panel of ministry veterans who will share their perspectives; lessons learned; and practical strategies for staying safe, fresh, passionate, and effective in ministry.

Tracy Gorman, president/CEO, Evansville Rescue Mission; Bob Sweeney, executive director, Dallas LIFE; and Rex Baker, executive director, Gateway Rescue Mission
 


 
 
 
  Facilitating Healing from Abuse

People who have experienced the trauma of domestic abuse are commonly found in the population you serve. They need a clear understanding of the issues and a safe place to begin their healing process. Come learn about the challenge, what’s needed for healing, and what that can look like in the context of transformational ministry. We’ll talk about identifying abuse victims, offer strategies for helping, and give you practical tools.

Stacey Womack, executive director, ARMS
 

 

  
   

STRATEGIC THINKING
Wisconsin Center Room 102 E

 
  Thinking Beyond Today for Missions

A foundation leader recently said, “I have millions of dollars waiting to invest in nonprofits to help them raise money differently and thrive in the future…but no one has a solid plan I can support.” Many donors and foundation leaders believe that, in the near future, nonprofits will not enjoy the funding levels they do now. In this session, we’ll dive into future funding opportunities such as social impact investing, enterprise, and services consolidation, and we’ll look at the plan one mission is pursuing. Leave armed with information to begin thinking differently about the future.

Dennis Van Kampen, president/CEO, Mel Trotter Ministries, and Michele McIssac, consultant
 

 

  
 
 
  Creating a Culture That Inspires

Every organization has a culture, and your mission’s culture has a significant impact on what it’s able to accomplish. Culture can develop by happenstance, or it can be intentionally driven by visionary leaders who have a plan. If you desire quality, collaboration, innovation, and engagement for your team, come learn what it takes to align your organization’s culture with what God has called your ministry to be and do.

Arnold Kimmons, coach, Ministry Ventures
 

 

  
 
 
  Leading for Growth

What are the key factors of growth for an organization, and what do its leaders need to shepherd the ministry forward? This session will unpack these factors and provide real-world application from the experience of a rescue mission managing high growth.

Rick Alvis, president/CEO, Wheeler Mission Ministries
 

 

  
 
 
  A New Way to Do Strategic Planning

As our culture and economy have become increasingly turbulent, traditional, long-range strategic planning is less useful. The Denver Rescue Mission recently used newer techniques for developing strategy that are helping its team discern God’s will for the organization’s future. Learn how you can develop adaptive plans and capture your organizational strategy on one side of one sheet of paper.

Brad Meuli, president/CEO, Denver Rescue Mission, and Jim Galvin, president, Galvin & Associates
 

 

  
 
 
  Seven Habits of Healthy Boards

Stephen Covey authored The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to encourage individuals and leaders to improve themselves by setting goals and then aligning with what he calls “true north.” But is there a true north to becoming a healthy board? What are the steps board members can pursue, individually and corporately? We will explore seven very practical habits for a stronger and more effective board in this session.

Kent Vanderwood, vice president, The Timothy Group
 

 

  
   

RADICAL HOSPITALITY
Wisconsin Center Room 103 A
 
  How to Treat Clients With Dignity and Respect

Since Jesus tells us that how we treat people who are homeless is really about how we treat Him, we need to get this right. This seminar will provide practical, rubber-meets-the-road “how tos” when it comes to helping our clients and guests see their true worth.

Bob Emberger, executive director, Whosoever Gospel Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  Barrier-Busting Intake Procedures

Is your intake procedure like a hotel check-in, or is it more like being booked at the police station? Positive first impressions can bring down barriers and set the stage for receptivity. We’ll explore ways to improve intake procedures in a way that gives both your mission and your clients the best chance at success.

Cassie Sorenson, principal, Cassie Sorenson Consulting
 

 

  
 
 
  How to Open a Medical Clinic/Respite Care Center for Free

Have you thought about adding medical respite or mental health services to your program? Medical and mental health respite beds and other models of care can benefit clients and guests without compromising your faith-based curriculum or funding sources. In this session, you’ll learn about assessing needs, finding resources, forging partnerships, and collaborating with government agencies to launch these programs at little to no cost.

Brooks Ann McKinney, director of vulnerable populations, Mission Health System
 

 

  
 
 
  Resource Spotlight: Nurse-Family Partnership

Nurse-Family Partnership is a community health program designed to empower first-time moms to transform their lives and create better futures for themselves and their babies. Hear how this outcome-based program can partner with AGRM members in more than 40 U.S. states to help improve mission outcomes with new mothers and their children.

Jaime Moreno, director of marketing & communications, Nurse-Family Partnership
 

 

  
 
 
  Defending Against Bedbugs

Talk of bedbugs at your mission can grow legs within your community, create an inhospitable environment, and hurt your ministry’s reputation. While even the cleanest facilities are not immune to this problem, there are ways to mitigate the risk and halt progression when it does occur. This session will cover identifying the problem, training staff, preemptive steps, and treatment options.

Jeff Zimmerman, CEO, Bed Bug Heat Doctor/Prevsol
 

 

  
   

TRANSFORMATIONAL PROGRAMMING 1
Wisconsin Center Room 102 C

 
  Building Health Partnerships That Work

The ability to address medical and behavioral health needs in programs can positively affect outcomes and overall success. In this session, you’ll hear examples of how partnerships can be a part of your solution. We’ll detail referral arrangements, linkage agreements, on-site clinics, and medical respite, plus cover related issues like liability insurance, responsibilities, and workload.

Bobby Watts, CEO, National Health Care for the Homeless, and Brooks Ann McKinney, director of vulnerable populations, Mission Health
 

 

  
 
 
  Helping Clients Grow Through Grieving and Loss

Recovery from addiction won’t happen until clients learn to work through painful pasts. God has given us the tools grieving and forgiving to help process the past and become free. This seminar will explain these processes and describe various skills and creative exercises that can help your clients move from the past toward acceptance and gratitude.

Dean Perry, principal, Dean Perry Consulting, and Genesis Process associate
 

 

  
 
 
  Figuring Out What Makes an Addict Tick—and How to Help

In order to help people struggling with the bondage of addiction, it is critical to understand who an addict is and what makes him or her tick. A misdiagnosis can result in well-intentioned but mistaken and misdirected help. This seminar will apply biblically informed, yet practical remedies to the diseased heart of an addict.

Bob Emberger, executive director, Whosoever Gospel Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  Breaking the Bonds of Shame

Living in shame is like living in bondage, fearful that others will see our nakedness. Mission guests often live in this kind of bondage. Though the lies of our flesh and Satan tell us otherwise, God sees our shame and promises to cover our nakedness in Christ. This seminar will show how you can walk with people out of their shame and into the glorious righteousness of Christ.

Heather Rice, program coordinator, Whosoever Gospel Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  Bridging The Gap Between Homelessness, Long-Term Programs, and Housing

As unique as each person and their situation is, the strategy to help them move out of homelessness must be just as targeted. This seminar will break down a program that utilizes coordinated entry, proactive intake at the shelter level, and community engagement to move people to their next step. More than 50 percent of guests in the program move beyond the shelter within 60 days.

Tracy Brooks, director of emergency services, and Josh Geppelt, vice president of programs, Denver Rescue Mission
 

 

  
   

TRANSFORMATIONAL PROGRAMMING 2
Wisconsin Center Room 103 C

 
  Resource Spotlight: Adult and Teen Challenge

The needs across North America are so great that partnerships are more critical than ever. Come hear about a like-minded organization that is available to partner with missions in the area of addiction recovery and prevention. You’ll hear about their programs and their evangelism and discipleship DNA, see one of their prevention tools in action, and learn how your mission may be able to connect.

Joe Batluck, president, Teen Challenge International, U.S.A.
 

 

  
 
 
  Increasing Job Readiness and Acquisition

What does it take to transform someone who once was homeless and broken into a confident and successful employee? This session unpacks one mission’s job readiness program that focuses on giving people every tool possible to become employable—96 percent of the students find full-time employment! You’ll leave with plenty of ideas to build into your mission’s re-employment services.

Joey Gonzalez, success center manager, Orange County Rescue Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  Leveraging Community Partnerships for Family Housing

Looking for innovative ways to combat the affordable housing crisis and break the cycle of poverty in your community? This session will unpack The New Horizons Housing Collaborative, a program The City Mission in Cleveland developed to move single-mother families from homelessness to housed to homeownership by leveraging community partnerships.

Rich Trickel, CEO, The City Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  The Role of Humility in Life Regeneration

This seminar will define and explore the key role humility plays in long-term life transformation. We’ll also address practical ways to enable not only program clients, but also emergency clients seeking life change, to walk in “humble dependence” on Christ. This dependence is vital for arriving at total freedom in Him. Come prepared to learn and discuss this important asset of spiritual life that Jesus modeled and taught regularly.

Steve Zerbe, vice president of client services, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  Judea, Samaria, and the Ends of the Earth

HUD has estimated that 30 percent of those experiencing homelessness are in rural areas and suburbs, yet most missions and services are centered in and focused on the city. In this session, we’ll unpack some practical ways to affect rural and suburban areas without building a new shelter. The keys are partnerships, collaborations, diversion, and simply showing up. Leave on fire to go beyond your city with few added resources.

Dennis Van Kampen, president/CEO, and Adrienne Goodstal, vice president of programs, Mel Trotter Ministries
 

 

  
 

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 1
Wisconsin Center Room 102 B

 
  Best Practices and Big Mistakes of Rescue Mission Capital Campaigns

Few things have the potential impact of a capital campaign in helping ministries leap forward in fulfilling goals, but certain decisions can tip the balance between success and failure. This session will review five best-practice tips to help ensure success, as well as five common mistakes that could sink your campaign. You’ll also learn the single most important thing you can do to make your campaign successful.

Brent Hafele, vice president of client services, Dickerson, Bakker & Associates
 

 

  
 
 
  A Development Dashboard: Not Big Data but the Right Data

This workshop will explore the fundraising metrics and key performance indicators that are essential to any well-run development program. Participants will learn what to monitor and measure so that they are on top of their activities and know how their donor file is performing against industry standards. Knowing what to measure will allow for better planning and for better strategy decisions going forward.

Christopher Doyle, director of client development, Blue Dawg
 

 

  
 
 
  Embracing Abundance: A Fresh Approach to Growing Major Giving

Raising major gifts from high-capacity donors has never been more important. This session will focus on two critical elements to any successful, gospel-centered major gifts program: fostering an organizational culture of grace and abundance, and facilitating redemptive major donor experiences. You’ll learn how to leverage organizational challenges, integrate your volunteer program, and minister to major givers.

Shawn Saunders, vice president, Dickerson, Bakker & Associates
 

 

  
 
 
  Energize Your Major Donor Efforts


Major donor involvement is crucial to every successful annual, capital, or endowment campaign. This workshop will teach you how to identify, cultivate, and solicit key donors with a practical six-step strategy. You’ll leave with a game plan for engaging major donors in your ministry and tools for refining your donor presentations.

Patrick McLaughlin, president, The Timothy Group
 

 

  
 
 
  Collaboration: Key to Successful Capital Campaigns


The governor’s office, churches, individuals, foundations, corporations—with so many stakeholders, how do you create a successful capital campaign? Join Brad Hopkins and Rita Carver as they discuss the opportunities created through collaboration and the practicalities of creating a successful $8 million campaign in Casper, Wyoming.

Brad Hopkins, executive director, Wyoming Rescue Mission, and Rita Carver, principal, R-Designs, Inc.
 

 

  
   

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 2
 
  Event Profitability: Make Money and Not Just Friends

Events are staples of development plans, but the investment is too significant to leave to chance; you must have a strong plan. This workshop will unpack the five P’s of successful event planning and give you resources you can leverage to meet your event’s fundraising goals.

Shellie Speer, executive VP, client strategic development, Brewer Direct
 

 

  
 
 
  50 Ideas in 50 Minutes

In this fast-paced interactive seminar, you’ll learn 50 innovative fundraising practices to help advance your mission. Today’s best practices for digital, major donor, print, television, and radio fundraising will be presented. If you want to raise more money, you can't miss this session.

Todd Baker, vice president & senior strategist, Milwaukee Direct Marketing
 

 

  
 
 
  Making the Generation Gap Work for Your Ministry

Both younger and older generations play a vital role in fundraising strategy. One is instrumental in advocacy and influence, and the other has deeper pockets. How can you use the information available on generational trends to improve your donor messages? Learn the answer to this question and others in this data-driven and strategically minded seminar on how the generations work in concert.

Lori Connolly, vice president, research & analytics, One&All Agency
 

 

  
 
 
  Fundraising Breakthrough: Unleashing the Donor Experience

Traditional engagement tactics aren’t producing the results that they used to. In today’s “experience economy,” a seismic shift in the fundraising landscape is underway, and those ministries focused on providing—and continuously improving—their donors’ experiences will have a stronger chance of thriving. In this session, you’ll learn how to map, deliver, and optimize your donor experience to raise more money.

Kn Moy, senior vice president of insight and innovation, Masterworks
     
 
 
  Cultivating Your Community and Churches

Your mission’s immediate community and local churches can be the most fertile ground for development. But with so much competition for donor dollars, how do you get their attention? This session will inspire you with practical ideas you can implement immediately to build inroads into your community and local congregations. As your organization cultivates relationships and builds trust, the resources will come.

Ron Coleman, major gifts officer, Charlotte Rescue Mission
 

 

  
   

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION 1
Wisconsin Center Room 101 A
 
  Financial Policies and Procedures

The financial policy and procedures manual is the foundation of a strong financial management system. It’s the guide for determining how your organization manages money, and it ensures that financial data is accurate for decision making. It establishes the organization’s internal controls and ensures compliance with regulatory standards, donor restrictions, and grantor guidelines. In this interactive session, you’ll learn the major components of this document and how to set policies and procedures that match your organization’s needs.

Denise Henning, principal, Stewardship Matters
 

 

  
 
 
  Recent Developments Affecting Your Mission

With the constantly morphing legislative landscape and shifts in giving, it’s critical that ministries stay informed on key issues and trends. This session will include something for everyone: information about accounting practices, impact of tax reform, giving trends, and so much more. Bring your notebook and be prepared to drink from the fire hydrant.

John Van Drunen, executive vice president, ECFA
 

 

  
 
 
  Steps to Promote a Safe and Secure Environment for Those We Lead and Serve

You see the incidents on the news all too frequently, and you wonder if your mission is prepared to respond to an active shooter event. This seminar, taught by a certified ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) instructor, will introduce you to the protocols necessary to keep your clients, staff, and volunteers safe during an active shooter threat.

Brian Merriam, president, Merriam Insurance Agency
 

 

  
 
 
  30 Characteristics of Great Teams

We’ll move through this fast-paced session to cover 30 key elements of high-functioning teams. After attending, you’ll: (1) Consider high-trust work cultures to be the most important key to high-functioning teams; (2) Realize that win/win thinking is the balance between collaborative and competitive teams; and (3) Review simple, yet powerful tips to organize and strengthen your work teams.

Mark Siegrist, FranklinCovey certified facilitator
 

 

  
 
 
  Mock Trial: Risk Assessment and Mitigation

You be the jury and deliver the verdict when a mission employee is tried on grounds of negligence. This fictitious hearing, based on a true-to-life scenario, will open your eyes to the ways staff can inadvertently put your mission at risk. You’ll also leave knowing how to correct problem areas and avert disaster in this creative, suspenseful session.

Brian Merriam, president, Merriam Insurance Agency, and Rex Whiteman, lead AGRM certification consultant
 

 

  
   

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION 2
Wisconsin Center Room 102 D

 
  Understanding Stress and Building Staff Resiliency

The Los Angeles Mission and Denver Rescue Mission piloted a resiliency program with the Headington Institute to build resiliency among employees engaged in this challenging work. Find out how resiliency training empowers staff to manage and overcome the pressures of working in the ministries of rescue and life change.

Brad Meuli, president/CEO, Denver Rescue Mission, and Don Bosch, senior advisor and director of risk environment psychology
 

 

  
 
 
  Turnaround Amid Chaos: Leadership Tools to Transform Your Organization

Regardless of our spheres of leadership, we all face challenges and the need for change. In this session, the author of the book Turnaround Amid Chaos draws upon biblical principles employed in his 25 years of leadership to provide tools in addressing: fear and insecurity in implementing change; clarifying board/CEO roles; confronting negative realities; and developing people, including next-generation leaders.

Wayne Fields, president/CEO, Oliver Gospel Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  Decoding Conflict

Part of walking in wisdom is learning to be a peacemaker. One mission has worked to develop verbal de-escalation strategies for its work environment. The team has reduced hands-on crises by 90 percent, yielding a culture that is more harmonious, healthy, and productive. Key players in that effort are with us to talk about what they learned and how you can build a similar training program.

Lisa Cooper, director of operations at The Crossing, and Tracy Brooks, director of emergency services, Denver Rescue Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  Employer-Provided Housing, Incentives, and Other Compensation Issues


The area of compensation can be a minefield in today’s world. The IRS closely scrutinizes nonprofit compensation practices, particularly overtime, employer-provided housing and meals, benefits, and incentives. You want to make sure that everything is properly documented and understood. This workshop is your opportunity to shore up your compensation practices and possibly avoid a costly mistake.

Angie Criner, owner/consultant, Career Cross Training
 

 

  
 
 
  Marijuana in the Workplace

The list of states legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational uses continues to grow. What does this trend mean for your ministry workplace? Can you still prohibit use when it’s legal? Can you test for it? How do you handle THC creams and salves in your unique environment? We’ll discuss these points and more from both HR and legal points of view.

Angie Criner, owner/consultant, Career Cross Training, and Jon Ruybalid, attorney
 

 

  
   

ENTERPRISE
Wisconsin Center Room 103 B

 
  Enterprise in a Box

This will be a practical, how-to workshop that will help mission entrepreneurs add enterprise to their operations as an income stream. We will walk through the vision, business planning, implementation, maturation, and accountability processes, so that your organization can begin to realize more income to fuel your ministry.

Penny Kievet, executive director, and Paul Stasi, director of resource development, City Rescue Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  How to Get Retailers to Want Your Products

Whether you are about to start enterprise, or you have one with products to sell, retailers can be a key part of your sales and distribution plan. In this seminar, we'll cover the key elements to make your products desirable to retailers. We’ll talk about the importance of your brand, social media presence, wholesale structures, and the types of retailers to pursue.

Ana Maddox, director of engagement, Zealot Branding
 

 

  
 
 
  Igniting Entrepreneurship

This session will provide a framework and process for taking a business idea from concept to reality. This can be the basis for a new program and a new way to engage your clients, staff, and volunteers in an exciting venture. If someone can come through addiction and homelessness, they have the resilience and perhaps the desire it takes to turn their talents and skills into independent and productive living.

Jon Ruybalid, attorney, business professor, and entrepreneur
 

 

  
 
 
  Managing What Matters

What separates your social enterprise from any other business is your impact on the community. Even so, your business should be best-in-class in order to promote your brand and be successful. Regardless of how you define your win, metrics are important to making informed decisions, building your brand, and succeeding. This seminar will focus on identifying the metrics that matter most and tracking them intentionally.

Steve Slack Jr., president, SMCo Thrift
 

 

  
 
 
  Getting Started with Social Enterprise

You’ve heard about thrift stores, catering businesses, cleaning crews, and the multitude of other rescue mission enterprises that are providing job training, dignity, and a path out of poverty. But how do you get started with little funding? This session will unpack how your mission can take what it already does every day and turn it into a social enterprise that complements your recovery programs.

Jeff Cook, senior director of enterprise and work, Springs Rescue Mission
 

 

  
   

PUBLIC IMAGE
Wisconsin Center Room 101 C

 
  Crisis Communications

Considering your message and practicing your delivery can’t wait until your organization is in crisis. With a mic in your face and lights in your eyes, you must be able to draw on refined messages and proficient delivery that flow from a solid plan. A communications pro is on hand to share insights into how to develop and execute a strategy that will help your ministry weather inevitable crises.

Steve Ruppe, principal, RuppePR
 

 

  
 
 
  Engaging Businesses in Transformational Work

Studies have shown that volunteering helps corporations retain their employees, especially Millennials. With that, a growing number of businesses are looking for ways to engage their employees in meaningful work in the community. This workshop will detail a four-stage strategy to help your ministry take advantage of this wave of corporate social responsibility and create a win-win-win for businesses, the mission, and those you serve.

Glenn Olson, volunteer engagement manager, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
     
 
 
  When Is It Time to Refresh Your Brand?

Fresh paint can revive a drab living room, a new haircut can bolster confidence, and a revitalized image can bring life back to an outdated brand. However, unlike a hairstyle, a brand isn’t something to change on a whim. Without a solid strategy, your renovation could turn into a disaster. This seminar will help you see if a refresh is necessary and how to do it well.

Jason Maddox, director of strategy and design, Zealot Branding
 

 

  
 
 
  Media Relations Training

Ever wonder why some organizations seem to be the darlings of the public, awash in glowing coverage, while others are tapped only when there’s trouble? This session, taught by the former national community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army, will equip you to effectively engage with media, create positive coverage, and tell your story in today’s cluttered and distracted culture.

Ron Busroe, senior strategy advisor, Summit Marketing
 

 

  
 
 
  Cause-Related Marketing for Ministries

In a day when diversifying revenue and cutting costs is increasingly important, corporate partnerships can be an excellent way to grow funding and procure free marketing. This workshop will present how your ministry can set up a multiyear cause-related marketing partnership.

Wayne Richardson, CEO, Gospel Center Rescue Mission
 

 

  
   

ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN THRIFT STORES
Wisconsin Center Room 101 D

 
  Leadership

Excellent leaders inspire trust, garner better output, fortify morale, improve retention, foster innovation, and build loyalty; poor leadership leads to skepticism, frustration, low productivity, and turnover. Are you committed to being a better leader for your operation? Come to this session to learn more about what makes a great leader and how to step it up in your own organization.

Chuck Franklin, retail services director, Rock Church
 

 

  
 
 
  Keys to an Exceptional Thrift Operation

Whether you’re brand new to the thrift store industry or an old hand, you will find this seminar highly informational and inspiring. We’ll discuss the foundational concepts and uncover the key strategies of starting and managing an outstanding thrift store.

Rusty Parrish, principal, ThriftStoreSpecialist.com
     
 
 
  Five Essential Questions Affecting Thrift Stores

Participate in a guided discussion about issues affecting Christian-owned thrift stores in an ever-changing retail market. Specifically, we’ll dive into tax reform, Facebook Marketplace, minimum wage laws, personnel turnover, and marketing.

Keith Overholt, president/CEO, and Mike Smith, senior director of retail ministries, Downtown Rescue Mission
 

 

  
 
 
  Point-of-Sale Platforms, Mobility, and Payments Update

Come join us as we detail the different point-of-sale platforms, with benefits and drawbacks of each. We’ll also review mobility options available with use cases and include a thorough review of electronics payment, compliance issues, and fees.

Bob Bauer, thrift specialist, BMC
 

 

  
 
 
  Thrift Store Roundtable

Whether you’re new to thrift or you’re a veteran, you’ll benefit from the collective experience of these expert panelists. Bring your questions and concerns or even the crazy ideas you’d like to explore, and this panel will work on some take-home solutions to help move your enterprise forward. This might be this track’s best session!

Bob Bauer, thrift specialist, BMC; Chuck Franklin, retail services director, Rock Church; Keith Overholt, president/CEO, Downtown Rescue Mission; Rusty Parrish, principal, ThriftStoreSpecialist.com; and Mike Smith, senior director of retail ministries, Downtown Rescue Mission
 

 

  
   
 
   

BASIC COUNSELING COURSE
Hilton Wright Ballroom A
 
 

Because mental health issues are so prevalent at AGRM member missions, we are offering a unique five-session basic counseling skills course. Led by experienced professional counselors, the course will focus on the importance of providing an effective and healing relationship to those in need and will cultivate an understanding of how to apply spiritual gifts and interpersonal skills.

Participants who complete all five sessions will receive a basic counseling course certificate of completion. The counseling course and credits are free for convention registrants. While no advance registration for the course is required, participants will need to sign in at each session in order to receive credit.

The course will be taught by Mitchell Pegg, LPC; Roy Smith, M.Div., Ph.D.; and Trish Young, Psy.D.


 

 

  
 
  Healing Relationships

Wednesday, June 13, 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This seminar will discuss how to provide the type of relationship that fosters healing and supports positive change. We will cover the essential ingredients of what makes up a therapeutic encounter. The stages of change, motivational interviewing techniques, and the insightful use of one’s own emotional responses will lay a foundation for an empathetic and supportive experience.
 

 

  
 
 
  Trauma

Wednesday, June 13, 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

This session will cover basic issues in helping to heal individuals who have experienced trauma. We will discuss how trauma becomes part of how someone defines themselves in the future, as well as steps to work through trauma so that what once created a sense of weakness can become a new form of strength.
     
 
 
  Personality Styles

Thursday, June 14, 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

This seminar will analyze various life views different people support. We will discuss the thoughts, needs, and resistances to change that are specific to each type of personality.
 

 

  
 
 
  Addiction

Thursday, June 14, 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

This session will cover the biological, social, psychological, and spiritual effects of addiction. Although drug and alcohol addiction will be highlighted, the principles described will also deal with other addictive issues like food, sex, work, and gambling. We will talk about the fact that most individuals will have mental health issues along with their addictive symptoms.
 

 

  
 
 
  Criminal Thinking

Friday, June 15, 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

This final seminar will look at criminal thinking and its influence on mental health issues. Learning to respond specifically to how criminal thinking presents itself within a counseling case will aid in creating positive change.