New Braunfels is replete with very effective, dedicated non-profit organizations doing great works of charity and promoting well-being through our community. Unfortunately, many do not have the personnel, specialized training or resources to reach their potential. The McKenna Institute was founded to enhance the capacity building possibilities of these organizations and broaden their ability to carry out their important missions. The Institute is a center for shared information, training and other activities for non-profit organizations, fostering cooperation and coordination of efforts in a cost-effective manner.

It would be counterproductive for us to try and duplicate what’s already being done. Better to use the resources we have to help other organizations be even more effective. While it’s a common phrase, in this case it is absolutely true – a rising tide raises all boats.

There has never been a time with greater need for the services of the McKenna Institute offers. Our current economic situation has resulted in funding cuts, fewer donations and stretched resources for many non-profit organizations. By availing our resources, expertise, facilities and financial support, we are furthering our goal of focusing on well-being for the betterment of the entire community. Together, we can accomplish more and affect a greater number of lives. The way we see it, these circumstances may offer the greatest impact we could have on the well-being of people in the community—helping others help many, many people.

The McKenna Institute can assist qualified non-profits in a number of important ways. The Institute will host training events and seminars designed to help heighten skills, set objectives and enlighten the staffs of area nonprofits. And because many organizations do not have the budget to travel personnel to important informational conferences, the Institute will sponsor seminars and bring speakers and leaders to New Braunfels to speak and teach on subjects of interest to the non-profit world.

The McKenna Institute also aims to be a center of information regarding best practices in different areas of nonprofit management. The Institute will strive to stay abreast of the latest information, tools, and resources and make those readily available to our local organizations.

Finally, the McKenna Institute desires to create a culture of partnership and collaboration in the New Braunfels nonprofit community. Through various events and programs, the Institute will model and encourage local organizations and volunteers to work together to build a better community.

Organizational Assesment Survey

Located in the heart of New Braunfels, McKenna Center is truly the center of activity for McKenna Institute and the organizations we serve. As part of the Institute’s mission, the Center’s amenities are made available on a complimentary or reduced rate basis to qualified non-profits. Its two full size gymnasiums provide a unique destination for health and wellness oriented programs for all ages. The meeting and classrooms of McKenna Center provide a forum for classes, meetings, training sessions, conferences and fund-raising galas and serves as a “town center” for groups and activities representing the entire community.

Go to McKenna Events Center site
May 6, 2010 Thursday Get on Board!

An event to bring non profits and community members together.
January 21
Creating a Culture of Service Excellence
Presenter: Jennifer Malatek, FACHE
A dynamic and participatory seminar incorporating strategies from study with The Disney Institute and more than 10 years hands-on experience with developing and implementing service strategies for organizations. Participants will learn:
  • The Significance of Service Excellence for Non-Profit Organizations
  • Service Standards Utilized by Organizations Recognized for Excellence
  • How to Develop Service Strategies that Match Your Organizations' Values
  • Implementation Strategies to Achieve a Culture of Service Excellence
  • Accountability Systems to Sustain the Culture
Jennifer has more than 20 years experience as a not-for-profit, healthcare executive. She has worked with organizations to develop, implement and sustain service excellence cultures with national and regional recognition based upon the service results. In addition, Jennifer has provided leadership for strategic planning, development, marketing, public relations, operations, human resources and physician services. Jennifer has a degree in Mass Communication from Texas State University and a Master of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University.
Febuary 18
Diversified Fundraising
Presenter: David Sapadin
Fundraising consistently ranks as the most difficult area of leading a nonprofit organization, especially in light of the current economic situation. Non-profit leaders must develop a strong fundraising plan that includes a diversified mixture of the different areas of fundraising possibilities. In this seminar, Mr. Sapadin will give your organization the necessary tools to develop a strategic fundraising plan that will assist you in attaining sustainability in the days to come.

David Sapadin is founder of the Center for Fundraising Management, an organization that counsels non-profit agencies. In that capacity he has raised over $50,000,000 for small non-profit agencies for a variety of projects including innovative grant funded projects and capital campaigns. He also has presented hundreds of workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics relating to fundraising and non-profit organizational development. He has been project director on a number of innovative grant funded projects.
March 18
Developing & Sustaining an Effective Board of Directors
Presenter: Barry Silverberg
Join in a comprehensive and systematic - and sometimes humorous - exploration of how to achieve a highly effective Board of Directors. Underpinning all will be a focus on being "effective" - defined as being clear on one's mission and having the means and ability to achieve that mission. During the course, the following topics will be addressed: Board Roles & Responsibilities, Achieving an Effective High-Performing Board, and Getting the Board's Work Done. Barry Silverberg has over 35 years of diverse leadership, management, resource development and communications experience within the nonprofit arena as both a professional and volunteer leader. Currently he leads the Center for Community-Based & Nonprofit Organizations at Austin Community College (ACC CCBNO), and the Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations (TANO), as well as serving as adjunct faculty at St. Edward's University's New College. Barry is passionate about promoting "strategic creativity," fostering greater understanding and appreciation of the Nonprofit Sector as a Sector distinct from the Corporate/ Business and Government/ Educational Sectors. He is a strong advocate of promoting creativity, credibility and ethics throughout society; but especially within the Nonprofit Sector.
April 22
Sustainable Organization: I've heard the Term, but what Does It Mean?
Presenter: Candyss Bryant
What does it mean to be a sustainable organization? It's more than just generating funds to pay the bills. Defining your mission, setting goals, raising the funds and maintaining good governance practices are important, but finding and keeping the right people to make it happen is essential. How do you get everyone working toward the same goals while keeping them interested in and excited about your work? Where will your organization's next generation of mission loyalists come from? This seminar will focus on the human element of sustainability.

Candyss Bryant has more than 11 years of experience in nonprofit development and management as both a professional and volunteer. Currently, she serves as the coordinator of Austin Community College's Center for Community-Based and Nonprofit Organizations (ACC CCBNO)' and the President of ROCA Resources, Inc. Bryant is committed to nonprofit excellence through capacity building efforts with strategic thought and planning. She has facilitated and/or provided assistance to leadership gatherings, coalitions, boards of directors, planning committees, resource developers, nonprofit professional groups, conference organizers, event managers and many others.
May 20
Standards for Excellence in Nonprofits
Presenter: Rose mary Fry
The Standards for Excellence® Code serves as a model for how the most well managed and responsibly governed nonprofit organizations should operate. The Standards for Excellence® Code covers eight principle areas that incorporate 55 performance standards.
Areas covered include:
  • Mission & Program
  • Governing Body
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Human Resources
  • Financial & Legal
  • Openness
  • Fundraising
  • Public Affairs & Public Policy

Rose Mary Fry is the founding Executive Director of the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network, a 501(c)(3) organization that will help identify and meet the needs of Texas nonprofits through work with nonprofit resource centers and academic providers in Texas. Previously, she was Executive Director of the Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas in San Antonio, the oldest resource center in the state and one of the largest in terms of budget and staff.

From I-35:

  • Exit 186 in New Braunfels, Texas.
  • Travel west on Walnut Avenue.
  • Proceed through one traffic light at Business 35.
  • Take a right at the second light (San Antonio Street.) You will pass two streets. McKenna Events Center is on the right, at 801 West San Antonio Street between Santa Clara and Willow Streets.
  • Park in front and enter through front entrance.

Click here for Google interactive map.

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801 West San Antonio Street
New Braunfels, Texas 78130
P (830) 606-9500
F (830) 606-9581
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