John McMullan, Chief Executive of Bryson Charitable Group, gives his thoughts on the success of the CO3 conference that took place in February.
John McMullan, Chief Executive of Bryson Charitable Group.
It was a privilege to attend the 2012 CO3 Conference “Dealers in Hope” in the City Hotel in Derry over 23rd and 24th February 2012. CO3 again demonstrated their knack of producing a high quality conference on an important theme that is most relevant to those people who are leading third sector organisations in Northern Ireland and beyond.
The two international keynote speakers, Dr John E. Brothers, Senior Professor at the Support Centre for Non Profit Managers in USA, and Rick Moyers, Vice President of Programmes and Communications Meyer Foundation USA, gave challenging and thought-provoking presentations, which included life stage analysis for third sector organisations and getting real about finance. Both were well received and provoked stimulating debate during their presentation and again later in the margins of the conference.
In addition to the wonderful range of speakers and panels, the experience of two of Northern Ireland’s third sector experienced leaders – discussing their actual experience of addressing a merger that wasn’t – was so insightful that it still resonates with those who attended even after the event. The networking opportunities, and in particular the ‘time out’ to talk socially to peers and leading organisations in Northern Ireland’s third sector, is so valuable and an opportunity which is not available often enough.
I found the conference so useful and enjoyed it so much, I can’t wait until the next one. I would like to acknowledge the important and valuable work that CO3 does, in supporting those individuals, who lead organisations in our vibrant third sector.
CO3 Live Feed 