LEARN FROM THOSE WHO ARE
WALKING THE SAME PATH AS YOU.
Understanding what questions to ask and where to find suitable answers is a challenge in this industry – but you can now get those questions answered in one place with smconnection.
We’re the only community aside from industry conferences that connects PHA and NPO directors and finance managers with industry leaders to facilitate relevant solutions to common housing authority concerns.
PHA and NPO Directors and Finance Managers can experience our unique multidisciplinary platform by connecting with – and receiving support from – knowledgeable leaders in the housing authority industry.
2022 STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR NON-PROFITS
2022 STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR PHA and NPO
$2,000 for one non-Connection member

Benefits
Outside of self-organized groups, there isn't a peer group for PHA and NPO leaders to connect and learn.
Receiving personalized information at industry conferences would be ideal, but that simply isn’t the case. The problem is that leaders in the public housing authority and non-profit space need a hub – a professionally facilitated peer group where challenges and solutions could be addressed and discussed.
When directors and finance managers need help with the day-to-day management of housing authorities, SMConnection is here to facilitate the process. SMConnection is that connection.

Improve Leadership Skills

Develop the Best Business Strategies, Plans & Procedures

Build Long Term Relationships With Value

SMConnection combines PHA and NPO consultation & advisory services with expert accounting knowledge to create the ideal knowledge base and support program for public housing authority directors and finance managers.
Established by parent company Smith Marion & Co, this bi-annual program curates a small group made up of executive directors, finance managers, and high-level experts specializing in PHA and NPO financing. The objective is to better understand the issues faced behind the scenes in the housing industry, encourage discussions about solutions, and strategize areas of opportunities to develop more effective processes.
Our Process
WHAT
HAPPENS AT
SMCONNECTION
1) You are placed in a peer group consisting of up to 20 industry leaders.
2) Topics are tailored towards the peer groups and the specific challenges they are facing collectively.
3) Open guided conversations focused on solving your problems and providing you with solutions.
4) Access to online environment to network with group throughout the year.
5) Day and a half, facilitated discussions with your group of peers.
6) Great locations that you get to help select for biannual meetings.
Connection meetings are strategically focused on creating, improving, and enacting positive changes within organizations today.
We’re not an association. We’re PHA and NPO facilitation experts, and we’re a specialty group of expert facilitators with additional focus on the public housing authority and non-profit industry. This unique conglomerate of skills provides a mixture of educational tools and resources as well as facilitated conversations that are self-directed.
HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT THAN
A CONFERENCE?

"Connection meetings are strategically focused on providing members with the necessary tools to create, improve, and enact positive changes in their organization today."
A conference entails sitting in a room and listening to a large amount of general topics that may or may not be tailored to your specific situation and needs. Connection meetings are strategically focused on providing members with the necessary tools to create, improve, and enact positive changes in their organization today. Connection is interested in discussing topics regarding modern approaches to process improvement, sustainable change, elevating capacity, and leveraging talent.

"Members are stakeholders in determining the design of the agendas and topics discussed."
Rather than a tightly packed agenda, members are stakeholders in determining the design of the agendas and topics discussed. Meeting agendas with SMConnection are designed for you, promoting flow of thought and idea exchanges.

"Time dedicated to facilitated discussion on real issues you are facing."
The final component that sets SMConnection apart from a standard conference is the time dedicated to facilitated discussion on real issues you are facing. We can liken a general conference attendance to watching a sports event, and SMConnection to playing on an all-star team.

We are PHA and NPO facilitation experts — business owners — CPA — financial experts with years of experience. We know the financial side of the housing industry, and we can help.
Our Facilitators

Chad Porter
CPA , CFE

DOUG ENGLEHART
CPA

HANNAH BALDWIN
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Kendra Dockham
CPA
SERVICES

FINANCIAL CONSULTING
In-depth accounting knowledge (with an emphasis on the PHA industry) is provided so you have the opportunity to understand and develop your finance management skills and make financial decisions that benefit your company

LEAN SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGY
Our Green Belt facilitators take your team through the process of improvement using the Lean Six Sigma Method. This four day approach is an in-depth dive into finding the issues in a process and revising them. Creating lasting, sustainable processes, with fewer mistakes.

NONPROFIT FRIENDLY (STAY TUNED!)
While we do not currently have a nonprofit focus group, we are excited to create one in the future. Please fill out a form if you would like to learn more and would be interested in joining a peer group for nonprofits. We're looking forward to releasing Connection for nonprofit agencies.
JOIN
IF YOU’RE REFERRING A BUSINESS OR INDIVIDUAL, PLEASE FILL OUT THE SECOND FORM.
Want to be a part of Connection? Apply Now!
1. COMPLETE YOUR MEMBER APPLICATION
2. MEET WITH OUR TEAM TO SEE IF WE ARE A FIT FOR YOU
3. ATTEND YOUR FIRST MEETING
Individuals or businesses interested in a housing authority connection group can submit an interest form below.
*NONPROFITS FIRST MEETING JANUARY 11TH & 12TH 2023.