HSC Insight / December 23, 2011 a monthly e-publication for the nonprofit community / the Human Services Coalition of Prince George's County |
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YOU ARE INVITED! | |
Join the Board, staff and members of HSC for a Leadership Reception saluting the service of Jerry Adams and welcoming new Executive Director Donna Crocker Mason.
Venue:
Melwood Campus
5606 Dower House Road
(Bldg. 5620)
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Date and Time:
January 18, 2012, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
*This community event is free, but RSVP is required.
To RSVP: click here.
For venue info., please email:
Bekah Carmichael |
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From Your HSC | |
IDEAS&INFO
What Foundations Are Looking For:
January 11th
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In Our Community |
MARYLAND NONPROFITS
Course:
Baltimore Office February 27, 2012 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Special Program: Doubletree Hotel - Annapolis January 9, 2012 9:30 am-12:30 pm |
| Join Us! | |
Explore the benefits of membership in an advocacy organization like HSC. Become a member, today.
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Greetings! | |
Special Announcement:
Greetings From HSC's New Executive Director
My name is Donna Crocker Mason and beginning in January,  I will be the new executive director of the Human Services Coalition of Prince George's County (HSC).
I am humbled, thrilled and honored to lead this organization and build on its tremendous accomplishments, especially those made in the past three years under the leadership of my esteemed colleague and good friend Jerry Adams. His efforts with our terrific Board of Directors and staff place me in the enviable position of moving forward with tremendous strength and clear vision. I hope you share our excitement and optimism about this season in HSC's evolution.
In taking this bold next step, I marvel as I look back.
I didn't intend to co-found a nonprofit, but to help bring meaningful change to the nonprofit community in the County. There was a loosely organized group of us serving youth in the 1970s. There was absolutely no money or resources to help us unify. In the 1980s, the Department of Family Services tried to reach out to County nonprofits and enlist their aid in meeting the increasing demand for direct services. That worked, to some degree. But because nothing was truly centralized, we could never seem to move forward. What finally motivated us to move forward was my serving on a grant review panel for a regional funder and realizing that in all of our grant reviews, there was not one application for funding from a nonprofit in Prince George's County. I knew there had to be a change to have more foundation investment to meet the needs of County residents.
We were finally able to make it happen in 2001. That was the birth of HSC.
HSC's growth and incredible impact across the region as a capacity-builder and advocate has reaffirmed my belief that individuals, organizations and communities united can create a world that is not only different but better. Thank you so much for your continued support as I take this opportunity to lead. Your commitment to HSC and your investment in our cause helps residents and communities work together to improve the quality of life for everyone in Prince George's County.
I hope this message will become an ongoing conversation with HSC members and supporters like you. I encourage your participation and ideas, as well as your financial support, as we move through these next critical years of development. Please feel free to contact me at info@hcscofpgc.org anytime. Enjoy your holidays, then let's get to work.
Yours in Excellence,
Donna Crocker Mason
Executive Director
Donna Crocker Mason is a newly-appointed member of the Personnel Board for the Prince George's County Council and outgoing Associate Executive Director of Employment and Day Services for the Arc of Prince George's County. Read bio. |
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Advocacy Essentials: "It's Time to Speak Up!" | |
"There is a time for everything; a time to be silent and a time to speak." -- Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
There are many voices, today, demanding to be heard. Is ours among them?
The Tea Party and Occupy movements have the potential to make big change on the national landscape not just because they are making big noise. These grass rooters are learning which tools to use--and, when--to get their message across in ways that garner support as well as attention. And, it's working.
Nonprofits could learn something from them. For many Prince George's County residents, we are not a luxury, but a necessity. The homeless. The jobless. Our youth. Our seniors. They all depend heavily upon the programs and services nonprofits provide. At Side-By-Side, where I also serve on the Board of Directors, I see our diverse community unite to support students, parents and teachers in making our public schools the best that they can be! When severe budget cuts continually decrease or eliminate the very services that we work to enhance, that's not the time to let go Parent Liasions, Pre-K programs, or Homework Clubs. That's the time to speak up
If the County cannot provide these services--nor fund our non-profits who "plug the gap"-- that's not the time to watch Prince George's decline in economic development and quality of life. That's the time to speak up.
HSC can be a resonating voice in championing the needs of our nonprofits in one cohesive message. Synergies among our organizations, many of whom deal with different issues in similar populations, provide a bigger "bang for the buck" than any of us would have going it alone. Our combined experience, industry knowledge, ready-made resources and broad professional network is impressive. Our collective voice is undeniable.
Our communities may sometimes feel voiceless. But, they are not. They have us to speak for them. Now is not the time to be silent. It's time to speak up!
In This Issue of Insight
This month, INSIGHT looks at Advocacy Essentials. Learn to share your experiences in the community with decision-makers who can foster change. Get tips on engaging your local legislators. And, in the IDEAS&INFO Recap, get a first look at the 2013 Prince George's County budget to understand why now--not later--is the time to speak up.
Yours in Excellence,
Jody Kiser Noyes
HSC Advocacy & Public Policy Committee
Service Organization: Side by Side |
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"Seen But Not Heard" by Gary D. Bass and Kay Guinane | |
Advocate: 1. a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually followed by of ): an advocate of peace.
2. a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor.
 The current HSC Public Policy book selection, Seen But Not Heard: Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy, paints a clear picture of just how frequently nonprofits actively engage in public policy. It also provides a detailed analysis of the current barriers and incentives for nonprofits engagement in the political process and policy activities.
Co-authored by OMB Watch's Gary D. Bass and Kay Guinane, along with several contributing writers, Seen But Not Heard offers great insight on how the nonprofit sector can increase its participation in public policy and gives nonprofit staff specific recommendations for strengthening their advocacy work. This text truly inspires readers to move from contemplation to action.
Some Key Recommendations from "Seen" for Nonprofits:
* Make the time to advocate, join coalitions, monitor policy developments and alert their members.
* Be conscious of how internal characteristics and processes can influence participation in public policy (including: staff and resource allocation, board responsibilities and development).
* Move from a model of occasional advocacy to a new nonprofit business model that places policy participation co-equal with other management, governance, and service responsibilities.
Learn more or get your copy, here.
Helpful? Looking for something different? Let us know: email insight@hscofpgc.org. |
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| IDEAS&INFO Luncheon Recap | December 2011: Previewing the PG County 2013 Budget | |
Prince George's County government is reaching out to the nonprofit community to help meet human service needs and to advocate for as much budget stability as realistically possible, in the wake of ongoing revenue shortfalls. Loss of anticipated state support, dwindling property tax revenue and decreased federal aid to large sectors like housing and healthcare is being cited as the cause of the persistent fisc al challenges.
Tom Himler, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Budget, Finance and Administration, gave HSC members and others attending the December 14th luncheon a first look at the 2013 county budget. "We estimated the availability of far more outside funding to support the work of nonprofits than we're currently getting. We got a call from HUD (Housing and Urban Development) to tell us they're cutting our CDBG grants by $3 million - in this fiscal year. We think this is just the start of things. We're trying to figure out what all of this means, and which programs will be most impacted" said Himler.
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE BUDGET
General fund revenues are expected to increase slightly in FY 2013 due to a projected in increase in outside aid to K-12 education (including two capital projects being developed by nonprofits: the National Children's Museum and the Alice Ferguson School). However, County fund revenues will decrease slightly due to a projected decrease in real property tax revenues. Over the past two years, the assessed value of Prince George's County declined from $95 billion to $73 billion (with a similar decline expected for the next round of property assessments in early 2012). Funds added from the Economic Development Incentive (EDI) create roughly a 'break even' picture for the County. See the numbers for yourself, here.
Himler said the County Executive Rushern Baker and the County Council remain cautiously optimistic on their ability to move the budget in a positive direction. So far, changes in the budgeting and grantmaking processes have helped, as has Executive Baker's ability to leverage his great relationships with leaders in Annapolis. This administration intends to use the current situation to use strategic development to trigger economic growth.
COUNTY IDEAS & INITIATIVES
The County's HHS team is planning a "one-stop shop" facility to better serve clients and ease accessibility of services. The current schedule would have a full plan in place by 2013, and the facility complete by 2014. In conjunction with the Prince George's Health Department, the University of Maryland is conducting a Public Health study to find the critical health gaps in our communities to ensure the new Regional Medical Center, scheduled for completion in 2017, will be able to fill them.
"We want to shift key dynamics. Once you have a regional medical center, everything else (business, residences, etc.) will grow around it. We're excited for the potential for revenue and to improve the quality of life," Himler said.
Hank Gromada, who serves the Foundation Schools, a special education model for children with emotional and behavioral challenges thinks the move for such improvements, particularly in healthcare, are long overdue. "At one time," said Gromada, "there were six comprehensive mental health facilities in the County. Now there are none. That's a great step backwards. I look forward to seeing something meaningful done."
To that end, County leadership is working with nonprofits and others to assess the needs of Prince George's residents and analyze where service gaps actually exist.
According the Executive Director Jerry Adams, "HSC is already working with the Urban Institute to complete Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis. Our goal is to be able to provide the County Executive and each Councilmember of breakdown according their districts. So there will be no need to duplicate that effort."
WHAT NONPROFITS CAN DO
In the meantime, Himler encourages qualified nonprofits step up to dialogue about the need to maintain current funding levels and to apply immediately for the $700,000 in grant money still on the table.
"We'll post on our website and forward to HSC several upcoming pieces of legislation-such as the school and hospital upgrades--that need your support." said Himler, "The state is facing a $1 billion deficit and everyone will be fighting for what there is. Talk to your legislators early and often."
"Advocacy works." Himler continued, "Recently, we had a series of community meetings where leaders like you turned out to tell us how important the local libraries were to you and your constituents. After hearing so much about the need for these resources from people all across the County, changes were made to our original plan. Those are the stories the County Executive needs to hear, particularly if you have the data to back it up."
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"How to Advocate with Your Elected Officials" | |
Leslie Ann Ezelle
Board Resource Center
Learn how to think, plan and do what it takes to engage your representatives and get real results!
 | | How to Advocate with Your Elected Officials |
Stay in touch with HSC for upcoming local advocacy events and public policy initiatives, here. |
| CATALOGUE FOR PHILANTHROPY: Advocates for Excellent Nonprofits |
 The Catalogue For Philanthropy's family of nonprofits is over 300 strong and represents the tremendous range of good works in the greater Washington nonprofit community. Since November 2003, their inaugural year, they have helped raise more than $15 million from new donors for featured nonprofits.
One hundred fifteen reviewers from foundations, corporations, corporate giving programs, giving circles,the philanthropic advisory community, and peer nonprofits, evaluate applicants (about 250 a year) for distinction, merit, and impact. Seventy are selected annually. Every featured charity has been "site visited" by at least one reviewer, some by as many as five. Their auditors scrutinize all finalists: cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and financial transparency are critical. And all organizations on the Catalogue website are re-reviewed every four years. The Catalogue for Philanthropy leverages the region's knowledge about philanthropy for the benefit of the entire community.
The Catalogue represents some of the best smaller nonprofits in the Greater Washington region. Become one of them. Apply today!
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Copyright © 2011 - Human Services Coalition. All rights reserved. Insight is published monthly by Human Services Coalition of Prince George's County, Inc. E-mail: insight@hscofpgc.org, Web site: www.hscofpgc.org. Phone: 301-429-0414. Writer/Editor: Dawn Goodman Washington. Contributors: Jerry Adams, Jody Kiser Noyes. Publication Advisor: Colette Gingles. |
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