Registration Open for the Institute for Trustees

08:49AM / Thursday, February 24, 2022Print Story | Email Story

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — For the second year, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation will join Essex County Community Foundation in presenting the Institute for Trustees (IFT), an annual conference inviting nonprofit leaders to gather virtually for educational workshops and networking opportunities.

The event is open to local board members and executive directors from Berkshire County, Mass., northwest Litchfield County, Conn., and Columbia and northeast Dutchess counties in New York.

The IFT kicks off on April 11 with a keynote address by Dr. Kenann McKenzie, director of the Generous Listening and Dialogue Center at Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. The Center, opened in the spring of 2021, serves as a hub and educational resource for the Tufts community to promote authentic dialogue and generous listening across differences.

Participants can sign up for any number of 25 total workshops – taking place from April 12 to May 26 – that will cover topics ranging from strategic planning and fundraising to diversity and board development.

To register for and learn more about the 2022 IFT, visit eccf.org/ift.

Registrations will be accepted at a discounted early bird rate of $110 until March 11. After that, registration will cost $130.

Full board registration is available for $500.

A sample of planned workshops includes:

Creating a Diverse Board of Directors with Gail Fortes, YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts
Courageous Conversations with Jermaine Moore, The Mars Hill Group
Same Storm, Different Boats: Navigating Financial Concerns in a Post-COVID World with James Matzdorff, Cohn Reznick LLP
Mapping the Future: Equitable and Inclusive Strategic Planning with Molly Penn and Marita Phelps, PENN Creative Strategy
How to be a Supportive Leader in a Difficult Time with Sarah Carlan, MSW, SWC Consulting
Funders are Evolving, Too: How Can You Meet Them Where They Are? with Phyllis Corkum and Alex McCray, Philanthropy Massachusetts

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts in Springfield, Mass., and SouthCoast Community Foundation in New Bedford, Mass., have joined Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and Essex County Community Foundation in presenting the 2022 event.

"We are pleased to expand the power and reach of this exceptional learning and networking opportunity for nonprofit board leaders around the region," said Peter Taylor, president of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. "Coming together to explore common challenges and promising solutions with sector experts is critical for effective leadership in uncertain times."

Tags: Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation,

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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building.

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.

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