Hi, Folks-Here are some NYSCAA updates and other items that you might find of interest.

NYSCAA News and Updates

Welcome Diane Cooper-Currier. As many of you know, Joe Roszak has left Oswego County Opportunities to pursue an opportunity on the West Coast. We are pleased to welcome Diane Cooper-Currier as the new Executive Director at OCO. Congratulations, Diane and we look forward to working with you.

Symposium on Poverty and Economic Security. In addition to OSCF Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez and OTDA Commissioner David Hansell have confirmed for the Symposium February 25-26, 2008. Registration is now open online via http://www.nyscaaonline.org/Registrations/main/Step1.aspx?cnfNum=123 and brochures should reach you in several weeks.

Reception for Evelyn Harris. Registration is also open for the reception to thank Evelyn Harris for all of her dedication and support to the network over the years. Please join NYSCAA, FDANYS, NYSWDA and Community Action Angels on February 25^th at 5:00-7:00 at the Albany Room of the New York State Museum. Registration for the reception is included in the Poverty Symposium’s registration fee. If you are not attending the Symposium, the cost is $25. Registration for both events can be found at http://www.nyscaaonline.org/Events_Events_FeaturedEvents.aspx. Invitations will be mailed out early in the New Year.

Mini Technology “Drip” Training. Don’t have much time but want to learn a new skill for using Outlook? Join us for our new 15-minute, FREE webinars that provide a quick and free way to learn new skills. To learn more and register, go to http://www.nyscaaonline.org/Events_Trainings_NYSCAATrainings.aspx

Financial Education and Asset Development Training. NYSCAA is pleased to offer these sessions as part of our new OCF grant for EITC and Other Asset Development Activities. These sessions are open to ALL CAAs and other human service providers interested in providing financial literacy services. In cooperation with Chautauqua Opportunities and other trainers from across the state, NYSCAA is hosting five FREE workshops this December. These one-day workshops will include sessions on the following:

Ø How to bring financial education opportunities to your customers AND make sure they participate.

Ø How to recruit and work with volunteers to conduct financial literacy and asset development training.

Ø How to approach financial institutions to assist with setting up bank accounts and opening Individual Development Accounts (IDAs).

Ø How to successfully use the Money Smart curriculum

The workshops are scheduled for the following dates in December. Specific location and registration information will be posted soon. Workshops are free and lunch is included but pre-registration is required. Please go to http://www.nyscaaonline.org/Events_Trainings_NYSCAATrainings.aspx to register.

Dates and locations at which the sessions are offered:

Ø Monday, December 3rd (Rochester, NY)

Ø Tuesday, December 4th (Syracuse, NY)

Ø Monday, December 10th (Poughkeepsie, NY)

Ø Tuesday, December 11th (Schenectady, NY)

Ø Friday, December 14th (Corning, NY)

Ø Monday, December 17th (Corning, NY - snow date for Rochester/Syracuse/Corning training)

NYSCAA Governance Committee: The committee will meet Tuesday, December 4^th at 10:00. Please call 1-866-680-1500 and enter code 3162050# at the prompt. We will be discussing potential bylaws changes.

NYSCAA Audit and Finance Committee: The committee will meet Thursday, December 20^th at 9:00 via conference call. Please call 1-866-680-1500 and enter code 3162050# at the prompt.

NYSCAA Board Meeting: The NYSCAA board will be meeting on Monday, January 7^th at noon in at PEACE in Syracuse. Details and board packets will be sent in early December.

Other Events of Interest

The Community Action Partnership’s Winter Conference. WORK HARD IN THE BIG EASY! January 9-11, 2008 at the New Orleans Marriott. Click here to see the array of training intensives, panels, and activities we have planned for the 2008 Winter Conference. Meeting in New Orleans is an emotional return for the Community Action network and a fitting location for the release of the “Community Action Plan to Reduce Poverty.” We will hear from the New Orleans and Gulf State CAAs on their rebuilding efforts. The intensive training sessions cover relevant topics such as Housing Tax Credits, Maximizing CAA Resources, By-Laws and Board Best Practices and much more! Register today and reserve your room at the newly renovated New Orleans Marriott at a fantastic rate of $159 single or double. Please complete and return the registration form (click here). Registration is $395. Current members pay only $345.

Low Income Forum on Energy Conference. Mark your calendars for the annual LIFE conference that will be held May 20-21 at the Marriott in Albany. The Walk a Mile project will be highlighted at the conference as well as a diverse array of workshop topics.

Family Development Association of New York State (FDANYS). Mark your calendars with a save the date for FDANYS’ annual confernce scheduled for May 21-22 at the Desmond in Albany.

Have a great weekend!

Denise

Denise Harlow, CEO

New York State Community Action Association, Inc.

2 Charles Blvd.

Guilderland, NY 12084

518-690-0491, ext. 24

FAX 518-690-0498

dharlow@nyscaaonline.org

Join the Call for a Statewide Commission on Poverty and Economic Security. Learn more and add your name and organization to the list of supporters at http://www.nyscaaonline.org/FirstPageNewsArticles/StateWidePovAndEcoSec.aspx.