Agenda

We’ve designed the International Symposium to be a time for open, interactive discussion and sharing ideas and strategies with peers.

All sessions and activities, unless otherwise noted, will take place at the Fairmont Dallas Hotel, and all meals and refreshments will be provided. The meeting rooms are located on the Terrace level in the hotel's North Tower, and the reception will be on the main level near the North Tower. Tuesday morning's meeting room will be in the Far East Room on the hotel’s Banquet Level.

Keynote Session: Navigating the Global Ministry Landscape

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CT

Takes place in the Far East Room

(CPE: Specialized Knowledge)

Dr. Jennifer Holloran, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Bible Society

Dr. Jennifer Holloran will lead a conversation about the challenges and opportunities ministries face in steering their organizations through today’s complex global landscape.

Learning Objectives:

Identify common situations and opportunities international nonprofit and mission organizations are facing in a complex and changing global landscape
Determine which challenges and opportunities may be relevant to your organization
Evaluate strategies and best practices your organization can apply within your operations and planning

Breakout Sessions by Title

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM CT

CEO Discussion: International Leadership Considerations

Takes place in the Patio Room

(CPE: Specialized Knowledge)

Fran Brown, Managing Partner, CapinCrouse LLP

Join us for an interactive discussion about common issues facing CEOs of international nonprofit and mission organizations. Participants will share considerations for managing an international remote workforce, staying focused on your mission and avoiding mission creep, leading in the current political climate, and more.

Learning Objectives:

- Assess strategies for effective management of an international remote workforce
- Recognize the signs of mission creep and apply best practices to avoid it
- Analyze common challenges in the current political climate and steps you can take to respond and lead effectively

CFO Discussion: International Finance Issues

Takes place in the Terrace Room

(CPE: Finance)

Dave Gunter, Partner, CapinCrouse LLP

This session will provide an opportunity to discuss international finance and banking issues, including strategies for moving money globally; considerations around cryptocurrency, banking relationships, and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) reporting; and cash-management strategies organizations are using in cash-centric countries.

Learning Objectives:

- Apply best practices for moving money globally
- Address common financial considerations around cryptocurrency, banking, and OFAC reporting
- Implement effective cash-management strategies in cash-centric countries

Group Session: Managing Legal Considerations When Operating Internationally

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM CT

Takes place in the Far East Room

(CPE: Business Law)

John Wylie, Partner, Sherman & Howard LLC
Ted Batson, Jr., Partner, Tax Counsel, and Professional Practice Leader – Tax, CapinCrouse LLP

Gain insights into legal considerations to help your ministry maximize effectiveness and mitigate risk when operating internationally. This interactive session will focus on options for international legal structures for carrying on worldwide activities, creative access strategies such as business as mission (BAM), international grant making, establishing foreign entities and other risk management strategies.

Learning Objectives:

Identify key legal considerations when operating internationally and how they may pertain to your ministry
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of different types of relationships with international affiliates
Evaluate new options for creative access

Optional Group Session: ESG Can Be Problematic for Christians

1:40 PM - 2:30 PM CT

Takes place in the Fountain Room

(CPE: Specialized Knowledge)

Sarah Newman, Principal, Innovest Portfolio Solutions
Richard Todd, CEO, Principal, and Co-Founder, Innovest Portfolio Solutions

Amidst the complexities of modern investing, Christian investors find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with ethical dilemmas that strike at the heart of their beliefs. Christian investors face complex ESG dilemmas, including investment firms imposing anti-Christian norms, the cancellation of Christian customers, and the lack of alignment of ESG portfolios with Christian values. We will explore questions like: How does government endorsement of ESG influence cultural norms? Why is proxy voting for Christians ignored? How does green energy diminish human dignity? Balancing financial stewardship with faith, Christians must critically evaluate investments and advocate for ethical practices aligned with Christian teachings to reclaim the integrity within the investment landscape. Join us as we explore these critical questions and chart a course towards responsible investing that aligns with our Christian values.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the impact of investment firms imposing anti-Christian “social norms” on public companies, including the cancellation of Christian customers and partners, and the exclusion of Christian values from ESG portfolios
Analyze the challenges faced by Christian institutional investors whose investments are managed by firms with conflicting values and evaluate strategies to address these conflicts
Assess the effectiveness of proxy voting mechanisms for Christian portfolios in countering anti-Christian biases

Group Session: Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology to Advance Your Mission

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM CT

Takes place in the Fountain Room

(CPE: Information Technology)

Dr. Jennifer Holloran, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Bible Society
Eric Katzung, Director of Corporate Development, Diode
Ross Stonecipher, Senior Director of IT, Samaritan’s Purse
Tim Sims, Partner and Professional Practice Leader – Attest, CapinCrouse LLP
Dave Gunter, Partner, CapinCrouse LLP

We’ll delve into how international organizations are using AI and technology to enhance various aspects of their operations, with a look at potential solutions and strategies and how to maximize them for the greatest outcome.

Learning Objectives:

Review the role of AI and technology in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness within international operations
Assess challenges and opportunities associated with integrating AI and technology applications into the operations of international organizations
Define potential strategies for enhancing your organization’s use of AI and technology

Keynote Session: Leading Forward – Leading Through Transition to New Growth

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CT

Takes place in the Fountain Room

(CPE: Business Management and Organization)

Kurt Nelson, CEO, East-West Ministries International
Kristen Shuler, President, East-West Ministries International
Tim Sims, Partner and Professional Practice Leader – Attest, CapinCrouse LLP

During this panel discussion, leaders from East-West Ministries will share their experience with leading through transitions in a way that supports further growth. This includes insight on creating a transition team, onboarding for key strategic roles, assessing and implementing more agile processes and systems, building a strong financial foundation and infrastructure for the future, and raising up the next generation of leaders.

Learning Objectives:

Review strategies and considerations for leading effectively through transitions
Discuss key components and considerations to help your organization build a strong financial foundation and infrastructure for the future and support the next generation of leaders
Identify how your organization could apply these considerations and strategies

Breakout Sessions by Topic

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM CT

Tax Roundtable

Takes place in the Patio Room

(CPE: Taxes)

Ted Batson, Jr., Partner, Tax Counsel, and Professional Practice Leader – Tax, CapinCrouse LLP

Join us for a guided conversation about common taxation issues for organizations operating internationally. We’ll discuss key findings and considerations from the 2023 Survey of Finance and Administration Practices conducted by CapinCrouse in collaboration with Missio Nexus. Topics will include working condition fringe benefits, organizational structure, compensation matters, travel expenses, and more.

Learning Objectives:

- Recognize common taxation issues for organizations operating internationally and review how they may affect your organization
- Determine tax issues within your organization that may need to be addressed
- Apply best practices to ensure compliance at your organization

International HR Considerations

Takes place in the Terrace Room

(CPE: Personnel/HR)

Steve Oakley, Attorney, Oakley Strategic Counsel

We’ll discuss key HR considerations when operating internationally. This includes a look at compensation and pay scales for international teams, visa issues, and responding to employee misconduct outside the U.S.

Learning Objectives:

- Identify common HR issues for global organizations
- Consider whether your organization has an HR philosophy for global workers
- Develop a systematic approach that balances risk with compliance

Group Session: Measuring Success with KPIs and Ratios; Open Q&A  

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM CT

Takes place in the Fountain Room

(CPE: Management Services)

Tim Sims, Partner and Professional Practice Leader – Attest, CapinCrouse LLP
Michelle Haerr, Senior Audit Manager, CapinCrouse LLP
Fran Brown, Managing Partner, CapinCrouse LLP
Greg Griffin, Partner and Executive Vice President, CapinCrouse LLP

Learn how to maximize the use of KPIs and ratios to provide insight and help your organization make informed strategic decisions. Participants will have the opportunity to share what KPIs and ratios they are monitoring and gain insight and ideas from the group. There also will be time for open Q&A and discussion on business and operational issues.

Learning Objectives:

Define key KPIs and ratios for monitoring and evaluating financial and organizational performance within your organization
Identify key ratios available through CapinData
Develop a framework for implementing key measurements within your organization
Address questions about current business and operational issues international nonprofit and mission organizations face