Oklahoma Standards for Excellence
An Ethics & Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector

What are the Standards?   *   Introduction Dates  *   Clinic Series

      Graduate Organizations   *   Nonprofit News

The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits is proud to offer the Oklahoma Standards for Excellence program! In its second year here in Oklahoma, this program gives Oklahoma nonprofits the tools and knowledge to be even more effective in pursuing their missions.

In partnership with the national Standards for Excellence Institute, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits offers a series of free Introduction to the Standards sessions, and an in-depth, 4-part Clinic Series, all designed to help nonprofits implement the 8 Principles and 55 Standards of the Standards for Excellence program.

What are the Standards?

• Eight guiding principles and 55 performance standards

• Core values of honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, compassion, and responsibility

• Basis for self-assessment

• Model for best practices

• Empowerment tool to help nonprofits meet the highest standards of nonprofit governance, management, and operations

• Code for self-regulation for the nonprofit sector

• Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits is one of only 10 organizations to be accepted as a replication partner by the National Standards Institute

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Introduction Dates
The Center will present a series of free, two-hour Introductions to the Standards for Excellence on the following dates:

Oklahoma City                                                                           Tulsa

July 16                                                    July 14

August 13                                             August 11

September 1                                         September 2

November 19                                       November 10

December 3                                         December 8   

These are the last Intro opportunities before the Fall 2009 Clinic Series begins!

*Click on the date to register for the session you'd like to attend!

The OKC introductions will be held at the Center's office.  The Tulsa introductions will be at OSU-Tulsa.   Space is limited, so secure your spot soon!

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Clinic Series Dates
The 4-part Clinic Series is designed to give participants a detailed look at the principles and standards and related tools to help their organizations. Organizations attending the Standards Clinic Series:

• may send two representatives to each of the 4 clinic training classes

• receive a hard copy and electronic version  of the Oklahoma Standards for Excellence Educational Resource Packet Manual which contains information, sample policies, forms, and other resource information to help an organization implement the Standards;

• receive an electronic copy of the Oklahoma Standards for Excellence Model Employee Handbook

• will participate in hands-on break-out sessions as a part of each class

4-Part Clinic Series cost is:

 $450 (Center Member rate) or 

$800 (Non-Member rate)

Fall 2009 Clinic Series

*Click on the city to register for that session! Seating is limited for the Clinic Series, so don't wait to apply.

For more information on the Introduction or the Clinic Series, or if you have other questions about Standards for Excellence, contact Donna Gregory at 405-236-8133, x205 or dgregory@oklahomacenterfornonprofits.org.

Graduate Organizations

The following organizations have completed 16 hours of training in the Standards for Excellence program offered by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.  As Standards graduates, these organizations have reviewed the Standards curriculum and have received tools to assist them in implementing best practices which promote transparency and accountability.

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What Oklahoma nonprofit leaders who have completed the

Standards for Excellence program are saying about it...

"We're receiving very good information with relevance to our effort.  Also, good resources material." 

 -Richard Clements, Treasurer,

Oklahoma Community Institute

"The education provided has led the staff and board to clarify policies and procedures and establish new procedures to help higher quality operations of the agency."

-Bill Weaver, President,

Daily Living Centers, Inc.

"I'm learning all the things I need to do to make us a truly excellent nonprofit."

-Pam Daniels, Director

Logan Medical Center Foundation

“The Standards for Excellence program is an outstanding ethics and accountability model for the nonprofits sector. The Standards program gives participants the tools they need to asses their own organization and ensure that they are doing the best they can to fulfill their mission. I would highly recommend this program to nonprofits across the state.”  

-- Ann Ackerman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer           

Leadership Oklahoma           

“You can’t argue with the importance of ethics and accountability. The Oklahoma Standards for Excellence program gives nonprofit leaders the ability to not only measure their own organizations, but it also gives them the knowledge necessary to ensure that their organizations are the best they can be.”

 -- Greg Hodgen, Former President of the Board of Directors           

Leadership Oklahoma           

 “No matter the size or affiliation of the organization, the Oklahoma Standards for Excellence program is a great resource. The educational program provides an outstanding template for ethical and accountable nonprofits to emulate.”

-- Robert L. Spinks, EdD, President          

United Way of Central Oklahoma          

 "Lots of good ideas & templates for policies-makes the process much less daunting".

 -- Lisa Raasch, Former Executive Director          

Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center          

 "Fabulous-so glad I was a participant!"

-- Barbara Findeis, Executive Director          

Child Abuse Network          

 "Very informative with good handouts."

-- Valerie Finley, Executive Director          

The Christmas Connection         

What participants nation-wide are saying about Standards...

"This process led us to reaffirm our commitment to the people we serve and our accountability to the public and private funders that make our work in the community possible."

-- Karen-Ann Lichtenstein, Executive Director

    The Coordinating Center

"Prevent Blindness Ohio saw this as an opportunity to examine our current practices and operations and shore up what was already a 'good' organization and make it even better."

-- Sherill K. Williams, President & CEO

    Prevent Blindness Ohio

"Successfully completing the Standards for Excellence certification program is an important step in the evolution of our rapidly growing organization."

-- Catherine Moreland, Executive Director

    The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center

"We are now grounded in systems and policies that will assure continued improvement in program quality and in service to our clients."

-- Howard Zeiderman, President

    Touchstones Discussion Project, Inc.

"The procedure raises questions and demands discussions with both board and staff, yet the entire process is productive. We now have validation of our strengths and a roadmap for areas of growth. I would recommend the Standards for Excellence process to other nonprofits."

-- Marti Worshtil, Executive Director

    Prince George's Child Resource Center

Nonprofit News
These links lead to news articles related to scrutiny of nonprofits and the importance of the Standards for Excellence program.

• Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Named Standards Replication Partner

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