NICNE Storytelling Symposium: From Storytelling to Story-Selling
About this Event
Overview
Learn how to turn your nonprofit’s stories into donations, partnerships, and lasting support with Emily Hartzog of Chartwell Agency.
Join NICNE, AW Communications, and Chartwell Agency for an afternoon gathering designed for nonprofit leaders, staff, and board members to sharpen how they share their mission and learn practical storytelling strategies. Leave ready to turn compelling stories into donations, partnerships, and lasting support. When we tell our stories with purpose, we inspire people to act.
Event: From Storytelling to Story-selling: Stories That Move People to Act
Date and Time:
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM CST
Location: NICNE at NIU Rockford, Room 207, 8500 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108
About This Event:
Every nonprofit has stories worth telling. The ones that grow their missions also know what each story is supposed to accomplish. Featured speaker Emily Hartzog of Chartwell Agency will share a practical approach to turning compelling stories into donations, partnerships, and lasting support, without losing the heart that makes them work. Andrew Wright of AW Communications will moderate the conversation and guide an audience Q&A.
What You’ll Gain:
- A clear way to match each story to the action you want people to take
- Practical techniques for turning your mission’s moments into fundraising and partnership opportunities
- Ideas for keeping your stories authentic while making them more effective
- Time to ask Emily your questions in a Q&A moderated by Andrew Wright
Who Should Attend:
Executive directors, development and communications staff, board members, volunteers, and anyone who shares their organization’s story with donors, partners, or the community.
Agenda:
3:00 PM | Welcome and speaker introduction with Andrew Wright
3:10 PM | Presentation with Emily Hartzog
4:00 PM | Q&A moderated by Andrew Wright
4:25 PM | Closing remarks
Cost:
$30 for NICNE members / $40 for nonmembers
About Our Speaker:
Emily Hartzog has more than 17 years of experience in sales, marketing, and public relations for industries as varied as higher education, technology, municipal agencies, and nonprofits. Hartzog has a strong background in strategic planning, integrated marketing communication evaluation and creation, event planning, writing, crisis communication, and social media initiatives.
Prior to joining Chartwell Agency, Hartzog served as the Community Relations Officer at Rockford Public Library, where she coordinated all the marketing and public relations efforts, including a rebranding initiative, media relations activities, marketing collateral coordination, special event planning, and staff training. Additionally, Hartzog presented at regional and national library conferences and provided marketing and messaging training to library systems and associations. Before joining the Library, Hartzog was the Marketing Specialist for SupplyCore, an online procurement company specializing in B2B and B2G systems, and Assistant Director of Admission for Rockford College, focused on non-traditional student marketing, recruitment, and retention.
Hartzog was named in the inaugural class of Rockford’s 40 Leaders Under 40 in 2008 and Rockford College’s Alumna of the Year in 2012. She is currently the President of the Discovery Center Museum Board and the Chair of its Marketing Committee. She has served on the boards and committees of the River District Association (President 2008-2011), Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, and The Literacy Council’s 100 Men Who Cook. She is an active volunteer with Transform Rockford, a member of the Rockford Chamber’s LEAD 360 Group, and owner, instructor, and performer with the Aloha Hula Girls Polynesian Dance Group.
About Our Moderator:
Andrew Wright is the owner of AW Communications (awcommunicationsinc.com). He is a native Rockfordian, a graduate of Auburn High School, with an English degree from Luther College. He’s made a career of explaining complicated ideas and concepts in intuitive, easier to understand ways. Whether it’s insurance benefits, manufacturing processes, or the stories of the businesses throughout the community, Andrew’s had a significant impact in influencing decisions, support, and change. More than ever, Andrew advocates for success through storytelling. Nothing delivers a message like being authentic, showing your expertise, and explaining the needs for your products or services through well thought-out messaging. And there’s no reason you can’t have fun doing it.
Questions?
Contact Deanna Mershon at [email protected] or 815-753-5324.
About NICNE: For 22 years, the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence at NIU has strengthened nonprofits across the region through training, consulting, and community collaboration. As the region's primary resource for nonprofit management, initiative leadership, and leadership development, NICNE strengthens nonprofits and encourages collaboration resulting in a strong, vibrant nonprofit sector critical to a healthy community. NICNE's mission: Promote, model and grow innovation, excellence and social impact.
NICNE is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with Northern Illinois University, Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development. Learn more at our website, www.niu.edu/nicne/
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 33.85 to USD 44.52
