Axelson Center at North Park University Announces 2009 Symposium for Nonprofit Professionals and Volunteers

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - April 2, 2009) - North Park University announced today that registration is now available for its 10th Annual Axelson Center Symposium, one of the largest gatherings of nonprofit professionals and volunteers in the greater Chicago area. The event, which will take place May 13 - 14 at North Park University, includes more than 30 regional and national speakers and will provide free nonprofit consulting services at various times throughout both days.

The theme for this year's symposium is "Forces for Good -- Key Practices That Transform Organizations." It is based on the award-winning book, "Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits," coauthored by Leslie Crutchfield, who is also the symposium's opening plenary speaker.

A variety of panel discussions and workshops will address practices that enable nonprofit organizations to work smarter and accomplish more. A post-conference institute will offer participants the opportunity to further research key components of the 2009 symposium.

NBC5's Zoraida Sambolin will present the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence along with a $5,000 unrestricted grant to two Chicago nonprofit organizations. The award is sponsored by Chase and Shore Bank. The closing reception on May 13 will feature Robert Egger, founder and president of DC Central Kitchen. Egger's presentation will address change and innovation in the nonprofit sector.

"This two-day educational and networking event is packed full of real-world takeaways and big-picture concepts that will provide nonprofit leaders with the tools they need to transition from organizations with high hopes to ones with high impact," said Pier C. Rogers, Ph.D., director of the Axelson Center. Continuing education points are available for Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) status. For the early bird rate of $150, participants must register by April 3. After this date, registration will be $225. For more information and to register, please visit www.northpark.edu/axelson, email axelson@northpark.edu, or call (773) 244-5799.

About North Park University

Located in Chicago, North Park University is a Christian comprehensive university that serves nearly 3,300 undergraduate and graduate students from around the country and the world. Within a diverse, close-knit, urban community, North Park offers a values-based education to students through more than 30 undergraduate majors and an adult degree-completion program, as well as graduate and continuing education in business, nonprofit management, nursing, education, music, and theology. By integrating faith with learning -- as it has done since its founding in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church -- North Park University continues to focus on the important task of preparing students for lives of significance and service. More information is available at www.northpark.edu.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: David Gutierrez North Park University (312) 780-7204 dgutierrez@dresnerco.com Joshua Taustein North Park University (312) 780-7219 jtaustein@dresnerco.com