From Scenarios to Strategy: Introduction to Scenario Planning

Schedule

Wed Nov 05 2025 at 10:00 am to 01:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Kirkbride Hall | Traverse City, MI

Advertisement
Learn scenario planning to guide your nonprofit through change, align decisions with your mission, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.
About this Event

Summary:

Join us for an engaging and practical workshop designed to help nonprofit leaders prepare for an uncertain future. Through hands-on exercises, expert insights, and real-world case studies, you will learn how to build scenario-based strategies that can guide your organization through disruption and change.

This workshop, led by experienced facilitators from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at GVSU, will teach you how to craft meaningful scenarios, explore their impact across key organizational functions, and make decisions that align with your mission and values. Whether you are facing economic shifts, changing community needs, or operational challenges, this session will empower you to approach the future with clarity and confidence.

Learning Goals:

  • Understand the principles of scenario planning and its role in guiding organizations through change and crisis.
  • Practice applying scenario-planning exercises to explore the effects of financial and programmatic shifts.
  • Identify practical tools and peer examples to integrate scenario planning into your organization’s strategy.


Target audience:

  • Executive Directors, CEOs, and Senior Leaders who set organizational strategies and need to prepare for uncertainty and Board Members responsible for long-term vision and risk management.
  • Program Directors/Managers who want to anticipate how external shifts (economic, community, operational) could impact their programs.
  • Collaborative leaders (coalition heads, network conveners) who need to plan across multiple organizations or sectors.


This learning experience is made possible through a collaborative funding partnership with the n, the , the Huckle Foundation, and .


Workshop Details:

  • Date and time: November 5, 2025 | 10 am - 1 pm
  • Location: Kirkbride Hall at the Grand Traverse Commons
  • Lunch will be provided
  • Please refrain from wearing strong perfumes or fragrances.

Event Photography: Photos may be taken by staff or a representative of Rotary Charities. These photos may be used in digital or print or shared across our communications channels. If you prefer not to have your photo used for these purposes, please let us know when you RSVP

Accommodations: Rotary Charities is committed to creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome. If you plan to attend this gathering and need to request a reasonable accommodation, please let us know when you RSVP.


About the faciltators, Mandy Sharp Eizinger & Jeff Williams:

Mandy Sharp Eizinger joined the Johnson Center as a program manager in April 2020. She facilitates sector-wide learning and professional development programs. With a strengths-based approach to personal and organizational development (Developer, Connectedness, Belief, Responsibility, Empathy), Mandy is committed to facilitating meaningful and measurable results, whether supporting boards and youth advisory councils or advocating for wellbeing in the nonprofit sector.

Jeff Williams joined the Johnson Center in February 2020 and currently serves as director of consulting services. In this role, he leads a team of researchers, evaluators, database experts, and web developers who provide insights into nonprofit and philanthropic organizations and activities. With expertise in operations, strategy, data analytics, and public policy, Jeff is passionate about connecting data to people to action. He oversees our consulting team’s annual research agenda, as well as relationships with partner organizations and communities. Jeff also serves as a member of the Johnson Center’s leadership team.

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Kirkbride Hall, 700 Cottageview Drive, Traverse City, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Rotary Charities of Traverse City

Host or Publisher Rotary Charities of Traverse City

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Traverse City

2025 Teen Racing League
Tue, 04 Nov at 06:00 pm 2025 Teen Racing League

1212 South Airport Rd, 49685

CONTESTS SPORTS
Spooky Plant Trivia
Tue, 04 Nov at 06:00 pm Spooky Plant Trivia

The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park

CONTESTS
Supermoon Ecstatic Dance in Traverse City
Tue, 04 Nov at 06:06 pm Supermoon Ecstatic Dance in Traverse City

The Grand Traverse Circuit "Community Cultural Arts, Wellness, & Education"

Michigan Visible Learning+ Institute
Wed, 05 Nov at 08:00 am Michigan Visible Learning+ Institute

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

The Oracle Within
Wed, 05 Nov at 05:00 pm The Oracle Within

Unity Spiritual Center of Traverse City

MEETUPS NONPROFIT
 Points North Podcast Listening Party: The Other Side of the Storm
Wed, 05 Nov at 06:30 pm Points North Podcast Listening Party: The Other Side of the Storm

Identity Brewing Co.

ENTERTAINMENT PARTIES
Primary - Activity Days
Wed, 05 Nov at 07:00 pm Primary - Activity Days

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

RELIGIOUS
Youth Activities 12-18 yrs old
Wed, 05 Nov at 07:01 pm Youth Activities 12-18 yrs old

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

RELIGIOUS
TC SOUP '25
Wed, 13 Aug at 05:30 pm TC SOUP '25

The Alluvion

MUSIC LIVE-MUSIC
Youth Activities 12-18 yrs old
Wed, 29 Oct at 07:01 pm Youth Activities 12-18 yrs old

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

RELIGIOUS
 Sound Voyage with the Earth Tones!
Fri, 31 Oct at 06:00 pm Sound Voyage with the Earth Tones!

10781 E Cherry Bend Rd, Traverse City, MI, United States, Michigan 49684

HEALTH-WELLNESS MEDITATION
Girls Fly, Too - Girl Scout Event Traverse City
Sat, 01 Nov at 08:00 am Girls Fly, Too - Girl Scout Event Traverse City

Traverse City Airport

SALVATION ARMY TRAVERSE CITY FOOD DRIVE
Sat, 01 Nov at 09:00 am SALVATION ARMY TRAVERSE CITY FOOD DRIVE

Oleson's Food Stores (3850 N. Long Lake Rd., Traverse City, MI)

SPORTS NONPROFIT
November PTO Meeting
Mon, 03 Nov at 06:00 am November PTO Meeting

5858 Culver Road, 49685

MEETUPS VOLUNTEERING
Soup and Bread
Mon, 03 Nov at 06:00 pm Soup and Bread

448 E Front St, Traverse City, MI, United States, Michigan 49686

NONPROFIT
Pediatric CPR and First Aid course
Tue, 04 Nov at 09:00 am Pediatric CPR and First Aid course

806 Hastings St, Traverse City, MI 49686-3400, United States

WORKSHOPS NONPROFIT
Ship Yard Series - Bridge Between & Stone Reverie
Tue, 04 Nov at 05:30 pm Ship Yard Series - Bridge Between & Stone Reverie

414 E Eighth Street, Traverse City, MI

ART MUSIC
From Scenarios to Strategy: Introduction to Scenario Planning
Wed, 05 Nov at 10:00 am From Scenarios to Strategy: Introduction to Scenario Planning

Kirkbride Hall

NONPROFIT CHARITIES
The Oracle Within
Wed, 05 Nov at 05:00 pm The Oracle Within

Unity Spiritual Center of Traverse City

MEETUPS NONPROFIT
Youth Activities 12-18 yrs old
Wed, 05 Nov at 07:01 pm Youth Activities 12-18 yrs old

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

RELIGIOUS

What's Happening Next in Traverse City?

Discover Traverse City Events