Good Afternoon,

Here are some NYSCAA News and Updates along with other items that may be of interest.

 NYSCAA News and Updates

 Staff Changes.  We knew we had a good person in place, but so did the NYS Dept. of Transportation.  Vanessa Saari, our Administrative Coordinator, interviewed for a job by NYSDOT before coming to NYSCAA and was just offered a public policy position.  We are confident that we will find another candidate with strong skills and dedicated to the mission.  While she was only here a short time, her efforts are greatly appreciated.  Her last day will be Thursday, October 26th. 

 Save the Date for Tech Staff.  In response to members’ requests, a one-day “Tech Day” will be held at the Holiday Inn Turf in Albany on Wolf Road on January 31st.  The cost for this event will be $50 for member agencies with space for 60 participants.  Nonmembers may attend if space is available for a cost of $75.  You may want to engage some colleagues from partner organizations to join staff to share travel expenses.  More information will be forthcoming but please spread the word to save the date

 Angel Network Responds.  As you have seen on the news and via emails from Evelyn, Pat Standish and NYSCAA, several CAAs in Western New York are actively engaged in assisting those affected by the recent snow storm.  Please see this link for more information on how your CAA can be of assistance: http://www.nyscaaonline.org/testing/NYSCAA_20060503/NYSCAA_Old/AngelAction/AngelAction_20060831.htm

 CAPLAW.  Don’t forget that NYSCAA members have access to all CAPLAW services via a group membership through NYSCAA.  You can access their services via www.caplaw.org

 On the Road.  Sorry I didn’t get an email update out last week as I was on the road visiting members in Nassau and Suffolk counties.  Many thanks to Iris and Adrian for their (and their staff’s) hospitality.  I will also be on the road next week Tuesday through Friday visiting many folks in Western NY and the Southern Tier but will be checking in regularly via phone and email so my apologizes if I cannot respond as quickly to requests.  Please don’t hesitate to contact Jen Forster Green jfg@nyscaaonline.org if something comes up.

 Unique Opportunity

 Grantstation Special Event: October 25 Only

Check out http://ga0.org/ct/Td_Jaz61LzVM/ for a special offer from Grantstation.  For only ten hours on October 25, from 10 am to 8 pm Eastern Time, eligible nonprofits will be able to place orders for specially discounted one-year GrantStation memberships for only $90. After the special offer ends, our usual administration fee of $499 will apply. The regular retail price is $599.  They are able to offer this special promotion for only a limited time due to the substantial discount involved.

GrantStation membership includes access to a set of online resources that help nonprofit organizations identify the appropriate grantmaker for any given program or project. Users do not need to download or install any software. GrantStation also provides online tutorials on how to write compelling letters of inquiry and grant requests. In addition, you will receive their informative weekly bulletin, the GrantStation Insider.  Visit TechSoup Stock and place your request on October 25.

Training Opportunities

 Fiscal Training.  We have heard the many requests for advanced fiscal training.  And while we are working on incorporating those requests into the NYSCAA training calendar, on Tuesday, November 14th, Fiscal Management Associates is offering a FREE 3 hour training at Baruch Collect in NYC dealing with nonprofit financial management.  While this may not an advanced fiscal training, I know Hilda Polanco, the trainer, and if you are looking for a low cost option to expose other folks in your fiscal office to broader financial management issues, I would recommend this training.  Ms. Polanco has extensive expertise with nonprofits and she provides excellent training.  Please see the attached form for more information

The “Undoing Racism Fall Seminar Series: The Power of Love and Leadership” will host "Using Our Power for Anti-Racist Work" with Robert Schachter, DSW, ACSW, Executive Director, New York City Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers,  October 23, 6:00-7:30 pm, Rita Hall, Second Floor, Marymount College in Tarrytown. For more information on other seminars that are part of the “Undoing Racism Fall Series”, see http://www.naswnyc.org/new_copy2003/Currents03/UndoingRacismWorkshop.htm

 Entrepreneurial Ventures: Basic Components for Nonprofits

An online Experts Forum Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO, Council of Community Services of NYS, Inc.  Many nonprofits are considering diversifying revenue these days. Often times ideas include “for-profit” ventures that could support the mission of the organization.  Doug Sauer, CEO of  CCSNYS, Inc. will give an overview of the landscape of Entrepreneurial Ventures for nonprofits including legal, financial and other implications as well as the pro’s and con’s of heading down this path.   Cost: $30.00 CCSNYS Member / $40.00 Non CCSNYS member.   Thursday, October 26th, 2006.  Since it is online-there are no travel costs. 10:00am-12:00pm

 WIPFLi Training Dates (http://www.gfp.wipfli.com/)

 

REVIEW OF OMB CIRCULARS Plus HEAD START ISSUES

Monroe Township, New Jersey

OCT 30 - NOV 1, 2006

MANAGING GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAMS

Bloomington, Minnesota

NOV 14 -16, 2006

NEW! REVIEW OF OMB CIRCULARS Plus HEAD START ISSUES

Atlanta, Georgia

DEC 4-6, 2006

8th ANNUAL GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAMS MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE   Las Vegas, Nevada

JULY 10 - 13, 2007 HOLD THIS DATE!

  Funding Opportunities

 Get help preparing for 2007 Federal grants 

This is a good time of the year to identify opportunities that your organization may be eligible to compete for in the next fiscal year. The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Grants Catalog provides some basic information about the Federal grants process. It also lists over 170 programs that may interest your organization. Grants programs are organized into general categories ranging from programs for elders and the homeless to those that serve at-risk youth and people making the transition from welfare to work.    For more information visit: http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/funding.html

 Other

 The Dollar Value of Volunteer Time

The volunteer community has long debated the practice of assigning a dollar value to volunteer time. Susan Ellis states, from a management perspective, not accounting for volunteers’ work can result in wasting volunteer effort or in discounting the cost to the volunteer and the value to the organization. http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/LandingPage.aspx?id=88089&lm=3046735&q=21248668&qz=675bb338b1e539480afc05e8290bd76a

 

Have a great weekend and, with apologies to Yankee and Mets fans, GO TIGERS!

 Thanks,

Denise

 Denise Harlow
Chief Executive Officer
New York State Community Action Association
2 Charles Blvd.
Guilderland, NY  12084
(518) 690-0491
Fax: (518) 690-0498
www.nyscaaonline.org
 
A Member of the Community Action Partnership-Helping People.  Changing Lives.