Fostering Excellence in East Texas Nonprofits
In partnership with the University of Texas at Tyler, the United Way of Smith County offers East Texas nonprofit professionals the opportunity to learn from industry experts and sharpen their skills in areas such as: Management, Fundraising, Grant Writing, Board Engagement, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, and Organizational Ethics. This partnership strives to strengthen nonprofits that provide vital services so that all East Texans can thrive.
Upcoming Trainings
October 8, 2026 | 11:30am-1pm
Building Your Nonprofit’s AI Policy: Practical & Ethical Foundations
(Stephen Myers, M.S. and Scott Dillingham, Ed.D)
United Way of Smith County in partnership with UT Tyler offers all courses at no cost with lunch provided
October 8, 2026 | 11:30am-1pm
Building Your Nonprofit’s AI Policy: Practical & Ethical Foundations
(Stephen Myers, M.S. and Scott Dillingham, Ed.D)
This hands-on session will combine policy drafting with the ethical judgment calls behind it. We will define what counts as “AI use”, identify some data privacy issues for donor/client info, weight institutional values on this issue. Come ready to discuss the concerns your organization has with using AI and ready to craft a working first-draft policy.
Location: United Way of Smith County
911 S. Broadway Ave Tyler, TX 75701 (map)
Stephen Myers, M.S.
Steve Myers is an Instructional Designer II and Adjunct Instructor in Communications at the University of Texas at Tyler, where he helps faculty leverage design thinking and technologies to enhance learning and communication. Steve began his career in the nonprofit sector, leading media and communications projects for organizations focused on youth development, education, and community engagement. Today, he draws on more than 15 years of experience in education, media production, leadership, and public speaking to help people and organizations develop and grow. As a frequent presenter on AI, communication, and learning innovation, Steve brings a practical, people-centered perspective to developing AI policies that balance innovation, ethics, and organizational values.
Scott Dillingham, Ed.D
Scott Dillingham is the Executive Director of the Office of Digital Learning at the University of Texas at Tyler, where he leads initiatives that advance innovation, technology-enhanced learning, and institutional transformation. He recently earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and is recognized for helping people and organizations navigate change through thoughtful leadership and strategic adoption of emerging technologies. As Chair of UT Tyler’s AI Oversight Committee, Scott works with faculty, staff, and university leaders to develop responsible approaches to artificial intelligence that support learning, productivity, and organizational effectiveness.
November 5, 2026 | 11:30am-1pm
Finding Your Voice: Public Speaking That Builds Trust and Inspires Action
(Stephen Myers, M.S.)
Whether you’re introducing your nonprofit to a potential donor, presenting at a community event, or speaking to volunteers, effective communication builds credibility and inspires action. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn a simple framework for organizing presentations, adapt their message to different audiences, manage speaking anxiety, and deliver with confidence. Through practical exercises and a short speaking activity, attendees will leave with tools they can immediately use to represent their organization with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
Location: United Way of Smith County
911 S. Broadway Ave Tyler, TX 75701 (map)
Stephen Myers, M.S.
Steve Myers is an Instructional Designer II and Adjunct Instructor in Communications at the University of Texas at Tyler, where he helps faculty leverage design thinking and technologies to enhance learning and communication. Steve began his career in the nonprofit sector, leading media and communications projects for organizations focused on youth development, education, and community engagement. Today, he draws on more than 15 years of experience in education, media production, leadership, and public speaking to help people and organizations develop and grow. As a frequent presenter on AI, communication, and learning innovation, Steve brings a practical, people-centered perspective to developing AI policies that balance innovation, ethics, and organizational values.
February 2, 2027 | 11:30am-1pm
People First. Lawsuits Never: How to create exceptional workplace culture without sacrificing compliance!
(Amy Clem, MBA, SHRM-CP)
This course is designed to benefit individuals tasked with HR responsibilities within a Non-profit organization, as well as Non-profit board members and leaders, to expand and/or refresh their knowledge of the Human Resources field.
No matter if you are within an HR specific role, manage people, or make high level decisions that impact employees, being aware of employment law and ensuring everyone is following them appropriately can be overwhelming. Throughout this course, we will review the basic fundamentals and laws pertaining to Human Resources, in an engaging fashion, and discuss how creating phenomenal workplace culture is the secret to retention.
Location: United Way of Smith County
911 S. Broadway Ave Tyler, TX 75701 (map)
Amy Clem, MBA, SHRM-CP
Amy Clem is a seasoned HR professional, university instructor, and consultant who has spent more than 18 years helping people and organizations navigate the ever-changing world of work. She holds an MBA and is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). Amy enjoys bringing a practical, people-centered approach to HR and is passionate about making even the toughest workplace topics relatable, engaging, and providing plenty of humor into the conversation along the way.
March 3, 2027 | 11:30am-1pm
No Accounting Degree Required! Understanding Your Nonprofit’s Numbers.
(Jennifer Reynolds, CPA)
You don’t have to be an accountant to understand your nonprofit’s finances. This practical and approachable workshop is designed for nonprofit employees and board members who want to feel more confident working with financial information.
Together, we’ll explore three essential areas of nonprofit financial management: budgeting, internal controls, and financial statements. You’ll learn how to create and use a budget as a tool for planning and decision-making, explore practical ways to protect your organization’s resources through effective internal controls, and gain a better understanding of what your financial statements are telling you.
No accounting background is required! Whether you are involved in the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit or serve on its board, you’ll leave with a better understanding of the numbers behind your organization’s mission – and the confidence to ask the right questions.
Location: United Way of Smith County
911 S. Broadway Ave Tyler, TX 75701 (map)
Jennifer Reynolds, CPA
Jennifer Reynolds is an Assistant Professor of Practice in Accounting at The University of Texas at Tyler. Before entering academia, she served as CFO of a nonprofit organization, Controller/VP of Finance for a large independent pharmacy, and worked in public accounting with a focus on taxation. She holds a master’s in taxation from the University of Texas at Arlington and is a licensed CPA in Texas. Jennifer enjoys actively serving her community through various community service projects with her students as well as serving on the board of directors and volunteering with various local nonprofits.
April 8, 2027 | 11:30am-1pm
From Clicks to Cash: Connecting Engagement to Revenue.
(Kerri Camp, Ph.D.)
Managing an organization’s online presence can be challenging. It is important to use marketing effectively to reach your goals. We will discuss marketing for nonprofit organizations and strategies to increase digital marketing efficiencies.
Online engagement is important for nonprofit organizations, but often “clicks” and “likes” don’t always result in donor financial support. This presentation shows nonprofit leaders and board members how to turn online supporters into active donors. In this session you’ll learn practical ways to track digital interest and turn those actions into steady funding for your mission.
Location: United Way of Smith County
911 S. Broadway Ave Tyler, TX 75701 (map)
Kerri Camp, Ph.D.
Kerri M. Camp is a Professor of Marketing at The University of Texas at Tyler. She holds the following degrees of Ph.D. Texas Tech University, MBA Golden Gate University, and BBA Texas A&M University. She has industry experience in healthcare administration, marketing consulting, retail promotions, and retail management. She has over seven years of industry experience in healthcare administration, marketing consulting for healthcare organizations, and has served on healthcare organization advisory committees. She has been a columnist for The Daily Sentinel and a regular media consultant for local ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox news.