150 Nonprofits Attend Investors Bank 2nd Annual South Jersey Conference

More than 150 leaders of non-profits from throughout South Jersey learned how to become better leaders and improve the culture within their organizations to create happier, more fulfilled employees at the Second Annual Southern New Jersey Not-For-Profit Conference on Wednesday, October 28. Investors Bank hosted the free conference – The Art of Thriving: Optimizing Your Not-For-Profit – at Stone Terrace, in Hamilton.

“Investors Bank is proud to present events like the Art of Thriving Conference. The event was absolutely incredible and the feedback from attendees on the panel and Keynote speaker was extraordinary. Bringing not-for-profit organizations together is important not only to Investors Bank and the communities that we serve, but also, it gives fundraising professionals the opportunity to share and learn new techniques to enhance and support their missions,” said Sandy Broughton, Vice President/Community Development Officer for Investors Bank.

The keynote speaker of the well-received, half-day conference was Dennis Budinich, Investors Bank Senior Vice President & Chief Culture Officer, who presented on “The Advantage: How to make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.”

“A leader’s responsibility is to get on the ground and grow your people to reach things they never thought they could reach. We all have brilliance inside – we were born with it. Our job is to draw it out, cultivate it, and make it work. Figure out what someone’s gifts are and make use of them,” said Budinich.

Budinich also urged attendees to ensure their non-profit employees – and the attendees themselves – were happy. “Happy people sell more. Happy people solve problems better. Happy is the heart of your company, and it’s as important to the organization as your heart is to you. The secret to success is to be likeable. And enjoyment at work and community service go hand-in-hand.”

“The Investors Bank annual not-for-profit conference was fabulous! The turnout and networking opportunities were exceptional, the keynote speaker was hilarious and motivational at the same time, and the panel discussion was extremely informative. It is clear Investors Bank understands the challenges of local nonprofits and goes above and beyond to support us by providing a valuable conference each year,” said Cheri Durst, Vice President, Resource Development, of United Way of Greater Mercer County.

In addition to Budinich’s presentation and networking opportunities, conference-goers were treated to a panel discussion moderated by Michael J. Baker, Founder and Partner of m3 Development. The panelists were Brian D. Agnew, Senior Vice President of Development, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital; Monica Vermeulen, Founder and CEO, The Ashley Lauren Foundation; and Thomas P. Weatherall, President and CEO, Make-A-Wish New Jersey. The panel covered the topics of event fundraising, networking, give or get policies for Board members, partnerships, and more.

“Success is not the destination, it’s the journey. Failure is part of business. You have to accept that you’re going to fail, because if you’re not failing, you’re not trying,” said Baker. “I’m really honored to be part of this panel. Investors Bank doesn’t just talk the walk, they walk the walk.”

“Investors Bank is going to be successful, but we also are going to give back and make a difference in our communities. That is truly what is happening,” said John Nietzel, Investors Bank Senior Vice President. “This conference is one of the examples of the bank giving back.”

Investors Bank’s free Care2Share affinity program has served hundreds of nonprofits that have enrolled their operating accounts. Non-profits receive quarterly donations from Investors Bank based on the average balance maintained by their supporters in personal deposit accounts.

“The Care2Share program is an easy, low-cost to no-cost way to receive funds, and a wonderful way to encourage account holders to support our program,” said Dawn Doherty, Executive Director of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, at the conference. “We get ‘free money’ each quarter – $2,500 in the past year! This really is a great program that allows us to take advantage of the great generosity of Investors Bank.”

Executives at nonprofits looking to learn more should visit www.myinvestorsbank.com/.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With more than $20 billion in assets and more than 135 retail branches in New Jersey, New York City and Long Island, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors’ consumer banking services include complete deposit products, online banking, home equity loans and lines of credit and a full array of mortgage loans. Serving the business community, Investors provides deposit accounts, cash management services, business loans and lines of credit, and commercial real estate financing solutions to small and middle market companies, professional services firms, municipalities and other businesses. Investors Bank. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.