Orientation and Introductions:
December 2 & 3, 2026
January 13 & 14, 2027
Instructional Webinars Start:
January 20 & 21, 2027
Instructional Webinars End:
June 2 & 3, 2027
Course Format: 18 live instructional sessions (38 training hours) plus Orientation and Introduction sessions. All coursework is completed online, no travel is required.
Participants meet weekly for two hours, in one of four seminar-sized groups. Attendees may participate on the day and time of their choice based on the options available. Anticipated webinar group times:
Wednesdays
- Alpha Group: 11 AM to 1 PM ET
- Beta Group: 2 PM to 4 PM ET
Thursdays
- Gamma Group: 11 AM to 1 PM ET
- Delta Group: 2 PM to 4 PM ET
During the application process, individuals indicate a preferred day and time for the webinar group that best fits their schedule. Participants may attend any of the offered webinars if they have a schedule conflict during a particular session week.
Regular sessions are interspersed with self-study weeks. Participants can also enrich and apply their learning through optional activities such as networking sessions, homework, and make-up work for missed sessions.
Because the Academy observes Daylight Saving Time, class times will change accordingly in March.
December 2 & 3 – Orientation I: Welcome
Join us for an orientation to the Academy’s virtual classroom. Greet your peers, practice interactions, and test your technology before our first instructional session.
January 13 & 14 – Orientation II: Getting to Know You
Explore connections and find common ground with peers through introductions and interactions. Get familiar with our virtual classroom and do final tech checks.
January 20 & 21 – Session 1: Charting our Course
- Welcome
- Course Overview
- Active Listening and Effective Communication
January 27 & 28 – Session 2: See the Possibilities
- Agency Leadership Perspectives on Partnership and Community Collaboration
- Partnership Competencies & 21 Success Factors
February 3 & 4 – Session 3: Connect to Community
- Community Collaboration and Process Design
- Partnering and Managing by Network
February 10 & 11 – Session 4: Head, Hand, Heart
- Collaborative Leadership
- Partner Culture Awareness
February 17 & 18 – Session 5: Look Beneath the Surface
- Partnership Assessment and the Partnership Impact Model (TM)
- Partnership Network Life Cycle
February 24 & 25 – Session 6: Paddle Together
- Alumni Case Studies
- Launching the 2027 Case Study Program
- Foundations of Collaboration Skill Check
Week of March 1 – Self-Study
There are no instructional webinars during self-study weeks. Connect with peers, dive deeper with homework or catch up on a missed session.
Meet-Ups on March 3 & 4. All participants are welcome to join in these fun and informal conversations.
March 10 & 11 – Session 7: Find the Common Threads
- Partnering Through Change
- Engaging with Partners: Motivation, Involvement and Recognition
March 17 & 18 – Session 8: Dig Deeper
- Conservation Social Science
- Social Science Tools
March 24 & 25 – Session 9: Walk a Mile in Their Shoes
- Shoe Stories
- Facilitation
March 31 & April 1 – Session 10: Calm the Waters
Conflict Management
April 7 & 8 – Session 11: Change Your Tack
Principled Negotiation
April 14 & 15 – Session 12: Smart Moves
- Political Savvy and Resilience in Partnerships
Week of April 19 – Self-Study
There are no instructional webinars during self-study weeks. Connect with peers, dive deeper with homework or catch up on a missed session.
Meet-Ups on April 21 & 22. All participants are welcome to join in these fun and informal conversations.
April 28 & 29 – Session 13: Put the Wind in Your Sails
- Trust Ecology
May 5 & 6 – Session 14: New Paths to Follow
- 2027 Peer Case Studies
- Persuasion
May 12 & 13 – Session 15: Get Your Ducks in a Row
- Managing Partnerships and Agreements in a Changing Environment
- Entrepreneurship and Risk Assessment
May 19 & 20 – Session 16: Putting it All Together
- 2027 Peer Case Studies
- Accountability in Partnerships
May 27 & 28 – Session 17: Reflect on the Journey
- Vision and Strategic Thinking
- Reflection: What’s Possible Now
June 2 & 3 – Session 18: Commencement
- 2027 Peer Case Studies
- Gathering In Reflection
- Graduation
June 9-18 – Self-Study Weeks
Make up work: Watch the recording for any sessions you missed. Share your takeaways to receive credit towards an Honors Certificate.
All make-up work must be submitted by June 18 to receive credit towards an Honors certificate.
Topics are subject to change depending on participant needs and instructor scheduling.
Managing by Network is cohosted by:
