Level Up & Lead: 

Advancing Your Impact 

 

October 3rd & 4th - Gretna, NE
 

Does any of this apply to you?

  • You are AMAZING at serving your community through your programming, but find the "behind the scenes business" not as fun?
  • Do you want to foster a culture of trust, respect, and growth within your organization?
  • Looking for guidance on how to manage those TOUGH conversations when it comes to keeping your organization running safely and smoothly?
  • Want new, fresh ideas on securing funding through grant writing and other development strategies?
  • Are you looking to enhance staff and volunteer management skills, including communication, conflict resolution, and team retention?
  • Want some practical strategies to take back to your team for further development? — including equine assisted learning activities! 

Join us!

This interactive workshop is designed for nonprofit professionals who are ready to “level up” in every aspect of their organization’s impact. Together, we’ll explore how to lead with intention, build a culture of trust and respect, strengthen fundraising strategies, retain dedicated volunteers, and optimize community engagement. Whether you’re guiding a team, cultivating donors, or managing day-to-day operations, you’ll leave with practical tools and fresh ideas to help your nonprofit thrive.

Why HETRA?

At HETRA, we know what it takes to lead a thriving nonprofit and a high-performing equine-assisted services program—because we’ve been doing it for more than 30 years.
 
As the only PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Nebraska, we’ve built a reputation for excellence not just in safety and quality of services, but in how we lead, grow, and sustain a nonprofit organization. We’ve tackled the same challenges many leaders face: recruiting and retaining great people, building financial stability, caring for our horses and participants at the highest level, and adapting to an ever-changing nonprofit landscape.
 
When you learn with HETRA University, you’re learning from a team that has:
  • Proven Leadership Experience – From board governance to staff development, we know how to build strong, mission-driven teams.
  • Sustainability Strategies That Work – We’ve grown programs while maintaining financial health and long-term stability.
  • Innovative Solutions – Our creative approach to service delivery and community engagement is helping shape the future of EAS.
  • A Spirit of Collaboration – We’re committed to lifting the whole industry, not just ourselves, by sharing tools, resources, and real-world lessons learned.
This isn’t theory—it’s experience. We’ve been where you are and we are headed to the same place! We’re excited to share practical strategies and inspiration to help you lead with confidence, sustainability, and vision.

Something for everyone! 

New in this fourth installment of our workshop, we have organized the content to cater to unique needs and budgets.  Join us for the whole weekend, or build your experience ala carte!  Can't make it in person? Don't worry, you can get in on the development virtually. 

Friday, October 3rd will focus on global non-profit topics. This day is a great option for any professional that wants to "level up" their impact - not just those in EAS.  Expect to hear from industry experts and opportunity for personal growth with the partnership of our mini horses! 

Saturday, October 4th will continue the non-profit focus with additional session options that align with the equine-assisted services industry- including exploration of additional EAL activities you can take home to your team! 

Sunday, October 5th is reserved for optional one-on-one mentorship time.  Reserve a time slot Sunday morning to discuss specific issues or receive additional guidance from HETRA staff on topics of your choice! 

*As a bonus - we are also offering a saddle fit clinic on Sunday, should any EAS centers want to maximize their learning for the weekend! This opportunity is included in all Sunday registrations.

Friday, October 3rd

A great one day, ala carte, option for general non-profit professionals.

8:00 AM - Registration & Check-In

8:30 AM - Tour of Facility and Welcome

9:45 AM - From Burnout to Buy-in: Fostering a Positive Culture

11:00 AM - Effective Communication for Non-Profit Teams

12:00 PM - LUNCH PROVIDED

1:00 PM - TBD

2:15 PM - TBD

3:30 PM - Equine Experience for Professional Development

5:30 PM - Dismiss for Optional Networking Event at a Local Venue

Saturday, October 4th

 Diving deeper into Equine-Assisted Services topics.

8:30 AM - Registration & Check-In

9:00 AM - Building a Strong Volunteer Team: Boundaries, Expectations and Engagement 

10:45 AM - Elevating Equine Welfare & Public Perception of the Herd

11:45 AM - LUNCH PROVIDED 

1:00 PM - TBD

2:15 PM - Equine Experience for Professional Development

4:30 PM - EAL Application for Professional Development

5:30 PM - Dismiss

Sunday, October 5th

We have opened Sunday morning for optional one-on-one mentoring with the HETRA staff that best fits your needs. This is a great opportunity for additional development before you hit the road back home!  Mentorship also includes limited email communication with your mentor following the workshop.

8:00 - 9:00 AM or 9:00 - 10:00 AM sessions are available.

This opportunity is included with full registration and Sunday registrations.    

BONUS

Sunday - Saddle Fit Clinic

Are you an EAS professional attending the workshop who wants to maximize your education? 

Come learn a very practical approach to saddle fitting that HETRA uses quarterly to assess our herd. We know a healthy back is imperative for our horses, but buying a fully custom saddle is not practical or within the budget.

What You Can Expect:

  • Hands-on experience troubleshooting a variety of saddles to horses of different shapes and sizes.
  • Multiple horse/facilitator teams available for clarity and questions.
  • Leave the session feeling confident in your ability to feel what properly fitting tack should be!

This opportunity is included with full registration and Sunday registrations. 

Interested in Saddle Fit Only? Register Here.

REGISTRATION OPTIONS

Options that work for unique goals, budgets and schedules!

$200

Full Workshop 

Access to all content!

  • Friday and Saturday Sessions
  • Sunday one-on-one mentoring, including email follow-up after the workshop with your mentor. 
  • Sunday Saddle Fit Clinic 
$160

Two Day Experience 

Choose the two days that work best for you!

  • Friday/Saturday
  • Saturday/Sunday
$80

One Day Experience

Are you a non profit professional that wants to just join us for Friday?

Are you an EAS professional that can only get away for one day? 

Choose Friday, Saturday or Sunday only! 

*Sunday includes access to Saddle Fit Clinic

$80

Virtual Experience

Can't make the trek to Gretna? Join us online! 

  • Virtual access that includes audio/visual of all presentations. 
  • Access to PowerPoint presentations.
  • Digital downloads of handouts that are available.
  • Observation of horse activities during the workshop, access may be limited due to the dynamic nature of sessions.
Register for the Workshop Now!

Don't take our word for it... here is what previous workshop attendees have said!

I'd come back anytime. So well done, professional and on point.  This was such a well done weekend!

Thanks to your whole team who contributed to this workshop! I look forward to joining more informational
sessions in the future! Also, thanks for offering a virtual option! The HETRA team were very accommodating to allow us [online] to feel part of the workshop...

Thank you for all the educational content you are putting out. HETRA is my go-to for education and CEU's and the first place I look when I need ideas for my own center. Keep up the great work.

Welcome to Gretna! 

Area Accommodations

Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Omaha I-80

16175 Stevens Pointe

Gretna, NE

 

Comfort Suites - West Omaha

2500 S 192nd Ave

Omaha, NE 68130

Your nonprofit’s success depends on more than passion—it requires strong leadership, sustainable strategies, and a thriving culture. This interactive workshop will help you “level up” every aspect of your organization’s impact.

You’ll walk away with strategies to:

  • Lead with intention and inspire confidence in your team and stakeholders.

  • Foster a culture of trust and respect that keeps people engaged and committed.

  • Strengthen fundraising efforts with practical, results-driven approaches.

  • Retain and motivate volunteers to build a dependable support network.

  • Deepen community engagement to expand your reach and influence.

  • Optimize day-to-day operations for greater efficiency and impact.

Whether you oversee a team, cultivate donors, or manage daily operations, you’ll leave with actionable tools and fresh ideas to help your nonprofit not just survive—but thrive.

I'm ready to improve our program!