Caniece Haywood and Monica Johnson, Founder and Co-Founder of Above the Net, had the opportunity to attend the Third Annual USTA Impact Conference in Orlando, Florida. 230 NJTL (National Junior Tennis and Learning) organizations participated in the three day conference. The focus of the conference was all about strategies and techniques to make each NJTL stronger and more impactful in their respective local communities. We learned about planning and budgeting, building relationships, leadership, mission messaging, fundraising, and inclusive workplaces. We also were informed about a new partnership with IBM SkillsBuild which is an online platform filled with educational classses to prepare our NJTL students and staff for the world of work!
The various sessions were delivered by USTA Foundation Leaders, external experts ( including Sybil Smith, Sloane Stephens' mom and leader of the Sloane Stephens Foundation, Shari Fox of Fox Philanthropic Advisors, Teresa Hopke, President of Talking Talent America, and others).
Ginny Ehrlich, CEO of USTA Foundation, articulated the org's newly revamped go to market strategy and messaging that clarified its ambitious change lives through tennis mantra and will guide its fundraising efforts.
We even had the opportunity to visit the USTA National Campus and hit a few balls! All in all, we learned a tremendous amount in the sessions as well as through networking with our peers .... and now have a list of actions to execute to increase our impact on youth development in Henry County and we are fired up to continue this important work!
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