Many communities dream of having their own trail system. Join us to learn how BATS and Catamount BMX grew into the successful volunteer-run group it is today! Lead by two, enthusiastic young professionals, who took the state of trails in the area into their own hands and turned it into something they are really proud of.

This is the first of the four-part 2021 Project Development Series. Hear from project leads from the Southern Vermont region on how they’ve stewarded their projects through each step, created community buy-in, dealt with failure, and learned to pivot and re-envision mission. There are three projects included in this project stewardship session, each with a different focus. Conversations will take place on three different occasions so that there is enough time to dig deep and ask questions about each project. In each session, you’ll hear from the project lead, a community champion, and a funder of the project.

Slides: Budgeting, budget management and controls – BDCC June 2021

This is the second of the four-part 2021 Project Development Series. In this training, we’ll cover the role of strategic planning in budgeting to budget controls (a.k.a. “Seven Keep-me-out-of-prison Essentials”). We’ll also dive into an actual, real-life project budget and touch on getting more money through endowments to bonds.

The Part 1 trainer, Gary Deziel, is an Extension assistant professor for UVM Extension. His work focuses on public library budgeting and human resource management, and workforce development. He is former Associate Dean of Finance and Operations, UVM Extension. Gary has experience in budgeting and budget management, grants and contracts, fund accounting, gifts, endowments, cash management, petty cash, and sales and fees.

Part 1: June 24th, 2:30-4:30 pm

An introduction to budgeting and budget management: Gary Deziel, UVM Extension

• • First things first: the role of strategic planning in budgeting
    • Students will understand that their organization’s value, mission, and vision are foundational to a successful budgeting process.

• • What is a budget?
    • The student will understand what a budget is, why one is required, and what the basic characteristics of a budget are. Annual budgets are the focus of this topic, capital and other budgets may be considered.

• • Talk (a little) like an accountant
    • The student will understand the basics of accounting-speak, including terms such as chart of accounts, journals, funds, expenses, and revenues, as well as learn about the “four legs of the accounting stool” and its implications in ethical and sound money management.

• • Budget cycle
    • The student will understand the basics of the budgeting process and gain an appreciation for the cycle budgeting truly represents.

• • Wonderful reports
    • The student will gain greater insight into monthly fund account reporting, including budget-to-actuals and the utility of reporting to keeping the organization on sound financial footing. Also, the student will better understand other common reports, such as profit and loss, cash flow, capital budget, et cetera, as appropriate.

• • Things you absolutely have to do
    • The student will understand the “Seven Have-to-do Essentials” [caveat: maybe less, maybe more] you must do to competently managing their organization budget.

• • Keeping the till safe – budget controls
    • The student will understand the “Seven Keep-me-out-of-prison Essentials” (yeah, seven essentials is a trend here) of keeping your “books” squeaky-clean.

This is the second of the four-part 2021 Project Development Series. In this training, we’ll cover the role of strategic planning in budgeting to budget controls (a.k.a. “Seven Keep-me-out-of-prison Essentials”). We’ll also dive into an actual, real-life project budget and touch on getting more money through endowments to bonds.

The Part 2 trainer, Bobbi Kilburn, joined BDCC in February, 2015 as its Grant & Project Manager, and in 2016 she transitioned into the role of Director of Finance & Grant Management. Prior to joining BDCC, she was providing business and financial support to the Vermont Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, acting as its Director of Finance and Board treasurer during its wind-down phase, and to Green Mountain Power Corporation providing litigation support specific to Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation. Both followed her 15 years with Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation as its Vice President, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary.  Bobbi also provided financial and business consulting services to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria and to Monadnock SCORE Chapter #379 in Keene, NH.

Part 2: June 25th, 8:30-10 am

Capital Budgets and Project Budgeting using a Real Live Project: Bobbi Kilburn, BDCC

Contact: bkilburn@brattleborodevelopment.com

Slides: 06.2021 BDCC Budgeting Financial Management Presentation

Getting More Money: Facilitated by Jen Stromsten, BDCC

• • Jon-Michael Muise, USDA RD, jon.muise@vt.usda.gov
  • Kevin Wiberg, Vermont Community Foundation, kwiberg@vermontcf.org
  • Katie Stuart Buckley, Vermont League of Cities and Towns, kbuckley@vlct.org

Presentation:

Proposal Writing Workshop 1.27.22

Facilitator: Jen Stromsten, BDCC

Panelists:

• Richard Wizansky, BoldMoves Consulting: Fundraising and private donors
• Jeanne Walsh, Brooks Memorial Library: Library as a resource
• Katie Buckley, VLCT: ARPA and other state funding
• Jon-Michael Muise, USDA RD: USDA programs and funding
• Mariah Noth, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board: REDI program and other VHCB programs

Resources:

VCRD ARPA Webinar and Blog

Brooks Memorial Library Grants and Nonprofit Page

Eight Bold Moves Image

If you missed the SVEP Project Management Series Bonus Session: Grant Management– How to Stay Organized this spring, or want to refresh your knowledge, the video is available at : Grant Management: How to Stay OrganizedIf you’ve received a grant to fund your project, congratulations! But the work is not over when you receive the funds. Now you need to know how to manage those funds and stay in compliance with the terms of your grant.

Join Bobbi Kilburn and Kris Plante of BDCC as they take you into the weeds of grant management! They will show you all the things you never knew you’d need to know about staying organized. This example-heavy training was produced on request, thanks to our municipalities who provided some great context for this training.From reading Grant Agreements to developing systems and teams for record keeping and compliance, coping with file storage, maintaining records, accounting systems and tracking grant expenditures – there are so many details to cover and Bobbi and Kris cover them all.

Topics covered:

1. Why are grant funding projects so frustrating?

2. You received a grant – Grant Management – Now What?

• How to read and dissect the Grant Agreement.
• Realities
• What is required?
• System Development
• File Storage Method
• Techniques
• Establish your Team
• Roles & Responsibilities
• Due Dates & Tracking

3. Maintaining Records

• Digitized vs. Electronic

4. How to Track Grant Expenditures

• Accounting System
• Requisition Spreadsheets
• Monthly Processes

5. Subgranting & Monitoring

• MOU Development
• Reporting Requirements
• How does the $$ flow
• Pass Thru Requirements
• What to Monitor

6. Single Audit / Closeout

7. Procurement Requirements

• less than $10K
• Non Profit vs. Municipality
• $10K – $150K
• greater than $150K
• Sole Source