Negotiating with government agencies may not be what many nonprofit professionals envision for themselves, but for many it is becoming the reality. This workshop will outline negotiation tactics with government agencies, the goals of government, and how to leverage the strengths every nonprofit comes with in negotiations.  This event will highlight real examples of negotiation challenges and opportunities through the experiences of Delaware nonprofit leaders. Presented by Tanner Polce and Rebecca Byrd.

In this workshop, participants will:

• Learn general negotiation strategies
• Understand what the State’s goals are in negotiation
• Understand what strengths nonprofits come with in a negotiation

About Tanner Polce

Tanner Polce currently serves as the Chief of Staff at the Brandywine Valley SPCA and served at the Chief Advancement Officer from 2020-2023. Since joining the team, Tanner has been responsible for revenue and fund development, external affairs, and strategies that support the organization's $20+ million in annual revenues. 

Prior, Tanner served years in numerous roles for the State of Delaware and as a Councilmember in the City of Dover. Tanner was senior staff in the Office of the Lt. Governor from 2016-2020. Prior to the role of Policy Director for the Office, he served as Legislative Aide to Senator David Sokola and then-Senator Hall-Long. In 2017, Tanner was elected to Dover City Council and served a term before selecting to not seek election. His deep understanding of relationship management, policy and strategy has been instrumental in growing revenues and cultivating new connections.  

Tanner holds a B.A. in Political Science and an M.B.A., both from Wesley College. Tanner and his wife, Shelby, live in Felton with their four dogs - Brutus, Allen, Marty and Charlotte.

About Rebecca Boyd

Rebecca knows government, policy and politics with the inside knowledge that comes from broad experience with all three branches of government, and she combines it with the perspective of a lawyer.  Since 2009 she has worked as a lobbyist representing a variety of interests before the Delaware legislative and executive branches.

Prior to 2009, Rebecca was the deputy legal counsel to Governor Ruth Ann Minner and a deputy attorney general in the state Justice Department under Attorney General Beau Biden. She also clerked on the Delaware Supreme Court for Justices Carolyn Berger, Jack Jacobs and Henry duPont Ridgely and served as a liaison for the court to the General Assembly.

She is the author of articles on Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act, the Eminent Domain Law in Delaware, the Delaware response to the “Me To” Movement, and other Delaware legislative and legal issues.

Rebecca is a member of the Delaware State Bar Association and the American Bar Association (ABA), where she is a member of the Business Law Section and its Government Affairs Committee. She is a graduate of the George Washington University and the Catholic University of America School of Law.  While at the Catholic University of America (CUA) she competed in ABA negotiation competitions and was a founder of the CUA Alternative Dispute Resolution Society.