Many nonprofit organizations use special events to help tell the organization’s mission story and to raise money.  Poorly designed events can hinder your image and can lead to confusing messages or duplicated effort.  This class will help you learn how to enhance your ability to plan special events, conferences and/or meetings by providing  many tools and strategies to help  plan for your special audience.  Topics will include: event format, promotion and marketing, site selection, negotiation, event budgets, protocol and much more. This course is geared toward those who would  like to reduce the stress of preparing for and conducting organizational special events.

You will learn how to:

• Manage a group of event volunteers
• Script your events down to the minute
• Develop relationships and resources through your event

Candyss Bryant has more than ten years of experience in nonprofit development and management as both a professional and volunteer.  Currently, she serves as the coordinator of Austin Community College’s Center for Community-Based and Nonprofit Organizations (ACC CCBNO) and the President of ROCA Resources, Inc. Bryant is committed to nonprofit excellence through capacity building efforts through strategic thought and planning.  She has facilitated and or provided assistance to leadership gatherings, coalitions, boards of directors, planning committees, resource developers, nonprofit professional groups, conference organizers, event managers and many others.

Candyss began her professional career in Columbus, Georgia, as a marketing director for a start-up Women’s Professional Fastpitch Softball League. While working full-time positions with the National Infantry Association, Columbus State University and Goodwill Industries, she began independently consulting in 1999 and later developed ROCA Resources in 2001. It was during this time that she began training and instruction for hospitality classes and nonprofit training classes with an emphasis in strategic planning, board governance and special event planning.  Bryant is the original founder and coordinator of Columbus, Georgia’s Nonprofit Academy.

Bryant has had the honor and opportunity to serve many businesses and organizations with her organizational skills and broad knowledge of various business services. Currently, Bryant works extensively with the United States Army RANGERS to produce the Best Ranger Competition as seen on ESPN, OLN, the Discovery channel and in publications such a Sports Illustrated.  Bryant’s event experience includes collegiate athletics at Ohio University and varying professional sports arenas.  With Bryant’s leadership and guidance, ROCA Resources, Inc. developed the Chattahoochee Valley Adventure Challenge that debuted in Columbus, Georgia, March 19, 2005.

Although Bryant is new to the Austin community, her dedication to civic responsibility is noted through various community service projects and initiatives.  She is a past chairman of the Columbus Children, Youth and Family Coalition (a Family Connection collaborative) and the Community Assets and Critical Issues steering committee for a collaborative effort spearheaded by United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley and the Columbus Children, Youth and Family Coalition.  Bryant has also served on the executive committee of the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation. Other recent community service projects include: Committee assignments for Covering Kids and Families and the Department of Juvenile Justice. 

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