Community All-Star Sunshine Reinken Watson Shares the Benefits of Being a bbcon Speaker
Published
Call for Speakers for bbcon 2025 in Philadelphia is now open. If you need some inspiration, read about one All-Star's experience being a speaker.
Blog written by Sunshine Reinken Watson, Consultant, Barker and Scott
While I have become a seasoned speaker and panelist at bbcon, I still remember the jitters I had at my first session five years ago.
If you are ready to pass on some wisdom, I highly recommend teaming up with another community member or two to submit a proposal to speak at bbcon together this year.
Need some inspiration? We are sharing ideas about what topics would be good for submission in the bbcon community!
bbcon is a great learning and professional development experience. The insights I gain from the sessions and connections I make help elevate my current skills and expand my understanding of new possibilities. Being a speaker enhances the experience, as I gain valuable knowledge through the preparation process with my fellow speakers and the engagement of the attendees during the session.
Last year, I was a panelist for part 1 of "Ask the Super Users: Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT® User Panel 3.0" (Parts 1 & 2)" with Carlene Johnson, Consultant, Next Level Services LLC; Dan Snyder, Director of Advancement Services, Bennington College; Amy Barker, Database Administrator, Pine Street Inn; Maya Rosman, Senior Manager of Program and Systems, Wake Tech Foundation; Austen Brown, Consultant, Prenger Solutions; and Heather MacKenzie, Data Systems Administrator, Crystal Springs Uplands School.
This session was energizing and affirming for the speakers and the attendees alike. We answered a variety of questions, including questions about Raiser’s Edge NXT workflows, automation ideas, learning to use web view, soliciting lapsed donors, and more. Our slides include a list of favorite vendors and resources. As always, I learned so much from my fellow panelists and audience members during each session.
If you want to ask any questions about this year's call for speakers, I'll be doing a Ask an All-Star discussion series with fellow All-Star Carlene Johnson in the bbcon community on February 11-13th. Come with your questions!
Ready to submit your session? Click here!
While I have become a seasoned speaker and panelist at bbcon, I still remember the jitters I had at my first session five years ago.
If you are ready to pass on some wisdom, I highly recommend teaming up with another community member or two to submit a proposal to speak at bbcon together this year.
Need some inspiration? We are sharing ideas about what topics would be good for submission in the bbcon community!
bbcon is a great learning and professional development experience. The insights I gain from the sessions and connections I make help elevate my current skills and expand my understanding of new possibilities. Being a speaker enhances the experience, as I gain valuable knowledge through the preparation process with my fellow speakers and the engagement of the attendees during the session.
Last year, I was a panelist for part 1 of "Ask the Super Users: Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT® User Panel 3.0" (Parts 1 & 2)" with Carlene Johnson, Consultant, Next Level Services LLC; Dan Snyder, Director of Advancement Services, Bennington College; Amy Barker, Database Administrator, Pine Street Inn; Maya Rosman, Senior Manager of Program and Systems, Wake Tech Foundation; Austen Brown, Consultant, Prenger Solutions; and Heather MacKenzie, Data Systems Administrator, Crystal Springs Uplands School.
This session was energizing and affirming for the speakers and the attendees alike. We answered a variety of questions, including questions about Raiser’s Edge NXT workflows, automation ideas, learning to use web view, soliciting lapsed donors, and more. Our slides include a list of favorite vendors and resources. As always, I learned so much from my fellow panelists and audience members during each session.
If you want to ask any questions about this year's call for speakers, I'll be doing a Ask an All-Star discussion series with fellow All-Star Carlene Johnson in the bbcon community on February 11-13th. Come with your questions!
Ready to submit your session? Click here!
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02/07/2025 10:00am EST
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I’ll never forget the first time I saw you guys present at the virtual bbcon in 2020—it was truly mind-blowing! I’m so grateful to you all for generously sharing your expertise and insights!
This is great content, @Sunshine Reinken Watson! Thanks so much for sharing your bbcon speaker experiences!
Great advice @Sunshine Reinken Watson and thanks for allowing me to team up with all you veterans for my first bbcon speaking experience!