Empowering students
and building stronger communities together…
CISGA held their two-day Statewide Convening on October 12th -13th, centered around “Leadership for Impact: Empowering students and building communities together”, bringing together a diverse array of attendees, including Board Members, Executive Directors, Site Coordinators, CIS National staff, AmeriCorps members, and many more. With an impressive turnout of over 160 participants from across the state, the event was a dynamic platform for learning and collaboration.
The event featured inspiring speakers, with words of wisdom from CIS National president Rey Saldana, a state-of-the-network address delivered by CISGA chair Joseph Lillyblad, and a presentation on CISGA’s growth and strategy by CISGA President Carol Lewis. These leaders provided valuable perspectives and insights into the organization’s direction and impact.
Executive Directors delved into essential sessions, such as “Stories that Stick for Fundraising,” “Planning for an Annual Audit,” and “Thriving Organizational Health,” equipping them with valuable tools and insights enhancing their leadership roles. Meanwhile, site coordinators engaged in informative sessions like the “Developmental Relationships Framework,” emphasizing the transformative power of relationships in their work.
An exciting aspect of the event was the Unconference, where site coordinators took the reins, curating their own discussion topics to gain further insights and share best practices, fostering a sense of autonomy and empowerment.
Additionally, AmeriCorps members, a crucial part of the CISGA community, had an impactful and engaging orientation experience, preparing them to provide vital tutoring services for students in grades K-5, further strengthening the organization’s commitment to academic support.
“I was so happy to have the opportunity to engage with Executive Directors, state and local board members, site coordinators, CIS Alumni, and AmeriCorps members, along with our sponsor, Amerigroup!
A special thanks to our National President Rey Saldana who join us to share his vision from our national organization.
And thank you to the Leslie Myles and team at Communities In Schools of Georgia who’s organization and support brought this event to fruition. I am honored to lead a Network of affiliates that invest everyday in the success of our students!” – Carol Lewis, President and CEO, CIS of Georgia.
Participants also had the opportunity to shop in our donations store, generously provided by Tanger Outlets Papaya store.
We also had the pleasure of hearing CIS alum, Alyssa Blackmon (featured here), tell her story of triumph and growth, then sit down for Q&A with her Site Coordinator Ali Jennings of Catoosa County.
The CISGA Statewide Convening was a powerful gathering that exemplified the commitment to empowering students and building stronger communities through collaborative leadership and engagement. By focusing on the developmental relationships that adult professionals build with one another as well as on the supporting structures that surround this work, we are cultivating a relationally rich culture with the potential for enriching practice and enhancing effectiveness and impact across the CIS network and schools.
“To our many amazing speakers and presenters, and all who attended and participated, we are honored by your presence at the first Communities In Schools of Georgia Network since convening since before the global pandemic.” – Leslie Myles, Chief Program Officer, CIS of Georgia.