Collage by Cynthia Hammer – Modified on Canva.com

ADD Resources can rightfully be proud of the many events they have sponsored through the years. Funding a nonprofit while fulfilling its mission is a constant struggle. Today, a good social media campaign can deliver a good return for little manpower. Webinars and Virtual conferences can reach more people with less effort and far smaller monetary outlay. But, nothing can beat the experience of connecting on a personal level. Despite the increased demands, the reward is great. Money is necessary to keep an organization alive, but so are the connections and camaraderie of working together.

When ADD Resources first starting sponsoring educational events in 1995, it required the combined efforts of many groups and volunteers. We would conceive and lead in the execution of a proposed talk, workshop or conference, but co-hosted with other non-profits in return for their help. We depended on WA PAVE to manage the ticket sales, co-hosted with LDA of WA for their insurance, and had CHADD Northwest help promote it. We used volunteers as “slave” labor to fold and address flyers. Our mailing parties were legendary, but also a great opportunity to talk.

By 2004, much of this could be accomplished online with a bit of technical knowledge. We always needed volunteers though. We depended on Board members and volunteers to man the events. We even catered the events ourselves. As we found out when moving events to ritzier venues, every volunteer’s efforts had helped to bring in a positive cash flow. By 2006, we were also providing support and education through Webinars and podcasts. They serve a valuable need, but here is power in coming together in person that I hope will not be lost to expediency.

Conferences and Workshops Sponsored by ADD Resources