News & Conference Information from AJFCA for March 11, 2011

In last week's newsletter, we included an opportunity to share information about family caregiving. Our member agency, JFCS in Minneapolis, provided us with a questionnaire they use to help family caregivers begin the planning process through their L'Chaim Senior Services program. Here is a link to another tool that many of you will find helpful for families you are assisting. Thanks to JFCS in Minneapolis for sharing this useful information.

2011 AJFCA Annual Conference Update

"Thriving in the New Frontier"

Ann Zeller

Director of Meetings & Conferences

Here's Another Excellent Reason to Attend the AJFCA Annual Conference in Calgary!

No-Cost, No-Obligation Marketing Consultation

Marketing: Real Issues, Real Answers

(to take place during the workshop session)

Monday, May 16th - 10:00 am-11:30 am

During the conference, one agency will receive a no-cost, no-obligation marketing consultation from three stellar marketing "mavens" at AJFCA member agencies: Ken Weinberg, CEO, JFS Seattle; Cathy Gardner, Marketing and Development Director, JFS Gulf Coast (Florida); and Pam Kelner, Executive Director, JFS Nashville. This will be a wonderful and unique opportunity for your agency to receive help from these recognized marketing veterans for a marketing dilemma that keeps you up at night.

The process is simple:

1) Submit a challenging marketing issue that your agency needs help with to AJFCA by Thursday, March 31st. If your agency's issue is chosen, it will be presented during the workshop session, whereby you will receive a real-time consultation.

2) If selected, a representative from your agency must be present at the workshop.

3) The session will also include practical marketing strategies and suggestions that address real marketing challenges such as:

· Increasing awareness of programs and service

· Enhancing the agency image

· Attracting new donors

To submit an application for an opportunity to be the star of this session, please fill out the marketing consultation submission form and email it to Barbara Tapper, or fax the form to 410-664-0551 by Thursday, March 31, 2011.

If you are planning to attend the AJFCA Annual Conference this year, you have already made a great decision. As a reminder, the conference and registration information is now available for you to download: CONFERENCE & REGISTRATION.

Program Update

Lisa Budlow

Director of Programs

Grant Opportunity to Provide Green Jobs Training

The Department of Labor has recently announced the Green Jobs Innovation Fund, approximately $40 million in grant funding that will be distributed in 5 to 8 grants to national organizations with local affiliates. Each grantee must be able to provide technical and basic skills training through local affiliates in at least six communities nationwide. The affiliates must have a career training program already in place. AJFCA has been asked to partner with ed2go in applying for this grant. Ed2go would provide all training curricula for the program.

The application deadline is Tuesday, March 29th so we would need to move very quickly if we want to take advantage of this opportunity. We will be holding a conference call together with ed2go to discuss the grant this Tuesday, March 15 at 1:00pm EDT. If you are an AJFCA member agency that is already involved in career training and think you may be interested in this opportunity, please email me at and I will send you the call in information as well as, the informational slides that ed2go has prepared.

AJFCA's Inaugural TrailBlazer Award

A reminder to all agencies to submit nominations for AJFCA's Inaugural AJFCA TrailBlazer Award, which will be presented to one professional and one volunteer leader at this year's conference in Calgary. Each of the award winners will receive a complimentary registration to AJFCA's 2012 Annual Conference in Houston.

Submissions are due to me by Friday, March 25th. If you need an extra copy of the submission guidelines, please email me.

Leadership/Young Leadership Award

Also due to me by Friday, March 25th are submissions for Leadership Awards honoring professional and volunteer leaders who have received awards from your agencies this year. Please see the attached guidelines for submissions.