Planners Gathering

Designed specifically for DDA and Main Street board members and staff, this interactive workshop delivers a turnkey training solution. Instead of spending valuable time creating original training materials, downtown managers receive a ready-made, essential tool to seamlessly integrate into their annual meeting and professional development schedule.

Empower your board volunteers to understand their vital roles, enhance individual leadership, and operate as a high-performing team – making this a must-attend event for every local board member.

POW! Strategies delivers a tailored, engaging two-hour session complete with interactive Q&A. Custom-crafted to address Main Street Oakland County’s specific community needs and opportunities, the program covers core fundamentals of board management, including:

• Master downtown management: Striking the perfect balance between Main Street and DDA frameworks
• Realize the full value and economic impact of dedicated downtown management
• Clarify roles and responsibilities for boards, committees, and chairpersons
• Define clear boundaries and collaborative responsibilities for professional staff
• Navigate governance rules and procedures effortlessly (OMA, Robert’s Rules, PA57, and reporting requirements)
• Implement proven best practices for effective boards of directors
• Optimize staff and board management dynamics
• Actionable tips and strategies to take back home: Recruiting volunteers, engaging colleagues, empowering passionate advocacy, successful fundraising, conflict resolution, consensus building, and more

Experience a dynamic peer-to-peer environment where you will explore the real-world nuances of leading boards and managing downtowns through interactive dialogue, tackling tough questions, and sharing high-impact engagement strategies.

Before the workshop, participants complete a brief online organizational self-assessment so we can target and address the real-world issues most relevant to your community during and after the session.

SPEAKER

Cristina Sheppard-Decius, CMSM, Founder/President, POW! Strategies, Inc.

POW! Strategies, Inc., is a strategic planning, business development and communications firm helping communities and businesses grow. With over 25 years of downtown management and public relations experience, Sheppard-Decius also provides educational training, assessments, coaching, project development and executive management services. She is known nationally and locally for her proven track record of revitalizing Downtown Ferndale (2000-2015); building a collaborative organizational framework in Downtown Dearborn (2015-2022); and serving as the executive director for the Birmingham Shopping District (2022-2024). She has served as the Chairwoman of the Michigan Downtown Association since 2020. Recognized as one of Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 (2009), Sheppard-Decius holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Western Michigan University and is a Certified Main Street Manager (CMSM) of the National Main Street Center.

AGENDA

5:30 p.m. – Check-In and Light Dinner

6:00 p.m. – Training Begins

9:00 p.m. – Training Ends

Questions? Contact

Annaka Norris, Main Street Oakland County at:

Norrisa@OaklandCountyMI.gov | (248) 858-544