Open to the public, a community conversation is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, at Peninsula College’s Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.

Presenter Ben Klasky from Islandwood, a 255–acre outdoor learning center located on Bainbridge Island, engages the audience and leads an exploration of the multi-million-dollar impact Clallam County nonprofit organizations have on local communities.

“We wanted to get a regional speaker and someone who is more or less in our back yard,” said Sue Ellen Riesau, conference coordinator and executive director of Olympic View Community Foundation. “We felt like the community would be much more responsive  with someone from our own area.”

The Alliance for Leadership Programs, sponsor of the event, estimates that nonprofit organizations in Clallam County have a $45 million impact. The number is based on research from annual revenues reported by 100 of Clallam County’s most active nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status.

Prior to joining Islandwood, Klasky served as the executive director of Net Impact, a global organization of MBAs using the power of business to address social and environmental challenges. He was selected for one of a TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) talks that showcases presentations and conferences under the slogan, “Ideas Worth Spreading.”

Klasky holds an MBA and a master’s degree in education from Stanford University. He also teaches a graduate class on nonprofit management and produced a video, “Know Your Sector,” that will be shown.

Klasky frequently gives talks to groups of varying size and facilitates board retreats to help other nonprofit organizations learn to be as effective as possible.

“There is not a lot for training and education for our local nonprofits in how to have a strong board and be a good leader,” Riesau said.

The Alliance for Leadership Programs is a partnership between Clallam County nonprofit professional leaders and the Benjamin Phillips Fund, established by the late Joy Phillips in memory of her husband, a former area business and civic leader.

Riesau said the alliance is considering having a similar conference every other year.

“We think there are lots of folks who know that we (nonprofits) exist … but there’s no real way for them to get how much of an impact they make,” she said.

For more information, visit the ALP website at www.alpconference.org or call 797-1338.