Learn partnership competencies that will help you
align and leverage resources, while engaging
partners in working towards mutual missions.

Public lands agencies and like-mission nonprofits are transforming their organizations to meet new demands with limited resources. Central to this transformation is a renewed commitment to partnerships—requiring different approaches, working in new ways, and across different organizational cultures.

  The Association of Partners for Public Lands (APPL) is conducting an
  intensive, blended learning Partnership Academy designed to
  engage leadership from nonprofit partner organizations along with key
  agency staff.

  Participants will focus on taking their partnerships to the next
  level through a free exchange of ideas and experiences among peers within
  the context of the online training process.

Seasoned presenters will provide 16 hours of in-depth instruction, facilitated dialogue, and curated readings over this five-day academy.

Who Should Participate in the Academy?

• Public land agency staff with partnership responsibilities
  (superintendents, chiefs, supervisors, and partnership coordinators)
  
  
• Leadership staff from nonprofit public land partner organizations
  (executive directors, managers, and board members)

Partner organizations include, but are not limited to friends groups, cooperating or interpretive associations, field schools, trail organizations,
and heritage areas.

Benefits are maximized when agency and nonprofit staff from the same site participate together (see registration details below for additional savings when you register with a partner). 

A Cost Effective Investment in Your Partnerships

Register Now!

Partner Registration  Best Value  (Register one representative from a nonprofit and one representative from an agency together at the same time)
      Early (by August 31): $545            Regular: $595

Individual Registration
      Early (by August 31): $295            Regular: $325

Payment is due at time of online registration either by credit card (MasterCard and Visa) or check (mailed to APPL after registering online).

If you're interested in registering groups of five or more people contact Chuck Benjamin for special group registration rates.

Please note if you try to pay with an AmericanExpress or Discover credit card your online registration will not process.

Academy Schedule*
* Subject to change.

Introduction (one hour on your own)
  Orientation and Partnership Basics: This is self-directed pre-academy—to be
  completed by September 16.

Monday, September 16 (1:00 p.m. -  3:00 p.m. EDT)

  Perspectives on Challenges, Trends, and Achievements: Exploring those areas
  which continually prove to be a trial in keeping partnerships healthy and on-track.
 
  Developing a Partnership Paradigm: Developing and maintaining mutually strong yet
  independent organizational missions that are aligned toward achieving a common vision.

Tuesday, September 17 (1:00 p.m. -  5:00 p.m. EDT with 15min. break)
  Bridging Agency and Nonprofit Cultures: Narrowing the gap between organizational
  operations and developing a better understanding between the two.

  Effective Nonprofit Governance (self-directed): Uncovering legal responsibilities and
  best practices of sound nonprofit board operation.

Wednesday, September 18 (1:00 p.m. -  3:30 p.m. EDT) 
  Review and Discussion of Previous Day: Examining further the topics from the
  previous day through Q&A and facilitated discussion
 
  Financial Management and Sustainability (self-directed): Looking at funding,
  budgets, balance sheets, and other components of financial viability.

Thursday, September 19 (1:00 p.m. -  5:00 p.m. EDT with 15min. break) 
  Strategic Thinking in Tandem: Planning in tandem with and among
  partners.

  Partnership Practicum: Applying the theories discussed through activities and
  facilitated work groups.
 

Friday, September 20 (1:00 p.m. -  3:00 p.m. EDT)
  Review and Discussion of Previous Day: Examining further the topics from the
  previous day through Q&A and facilitated discussion 

  Keeping Your Partnership on Track: Learning tools for nurturing, maintaining, and
  celebrating healthy partnerships.

 

Register Now!