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Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
AJFCA is in the midst of a strategic planning process. In the initial stages of the process, we are gathering information; assessing where we are and where we have been as an organization. We are examining our most recent strategic plan and other goal-setting documents to determine whether we have been successful in reaching the objectives they set forth. It is as if we are creating an organizational roadmap, marking the destinations we have visited, probably the detours we took along the way, and the plan to move further up the road.
As the Book of Numbers concludes in this week's parashah Mas'ei, the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land, the concluding stop in their physical and spiritual passage from Egypt. It has been a long forty year journey and Chapter 33 lists all of the stops along the way. The listing of the names of the places evokes memories of the events that occurred at each location, some positive, some negative, but all part of the preparation of the people of Israel to enter the land and build their nation.
We are at the point in the Jewish calendar when we start to look forward to Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of a new year. It is a period of reflection, of thinking back to the events and actions of the past year, before we are fully prepared to go forward. Whether we are doing strategic planning, personal goal-setting, or journeying to a new land, it is crucial to know where we have been and where we are now. Then, we can proceed with the knowledge and faith that we are ready to be successful.
Shabbat Shalom |
AJFCA Fall Board and Committee Meetings & Washington Advocacy Mission
The Fall Board and Committee Meetings and Washington Advocacy Mission will be held from September 11th-14th in Washington, DC. Registration forms are due by Friday, August 5th. If you have not already signed up for the meeting(s) of your choice please contact Barbara Tapper for more detailed information. |
2012 Annual Conference Call for Proposals
Earlier this week AJFCA issued the guidelines and application form for workshop proposals for the 2012 Annual Conference. We are looking for engaging presentations and interactive sessions in concert with our theme, Leading with Vision: Strategies for Excellence. For further information please contact Ann Zeller. We look forward to hearing from you. |
2011 Digital Grant Guides in 25 Subject Areas
Find out who's giving and who's getting grants! The Foundation Center has expanded their popular series of Grant Guides to cover a wide range of grants awarded in 25 subject areas. Each Guide provides descriptions of hundreds-often thousands-of recent foundation grants of $10,000 or more, with convenient hyperlinks to essential funder information to help your agency identify prospects and get much needed grants. Along with detailed c ontent, the new digital format offers eco-friendly convenience of on-screen viewing.
Special features include:
- A fast-track menu to navigate listings with one click
- Keyword search for quick retrieval of facts
- Links to Foundation Finder, a web resource that provides more details on funders
New Titles, New Digital Editions - Only $39.95!
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Member agencies who are interested in participating in AJFCA's subscription to the Foundation Center's Foundation Directory Online for the second year (whether or not you participated in year one) will have that opportunity. If 30 or more members join, the cost again will be approximately $400 per agency.If you are interested in participating, please email Megan Myers no later than August 1, 2011. |
AJFCA Strategic Planning Update
We held a successful strategic planning conference call on Thursday, July 28th. Thank you very much to those who participated! The feedback was valuable and will be used in creating AJFCA's Strategic Plan. To sign up for the final strategic planning conference call, to be held on August 10th at 2pm EDT, please email Barbara Tapper. |
Idealware-Technology Workshop & NonProfit Social Media Decision Guide
eLearning: The Technology Pyramid
Does your organization have its technology priorities in the right order? This interactive eLearning course walks you through a solid plan for making good decisions for your organization's infrastructure, hardware, and software. The course concludes with a self-assessment quiz to help examine your organization's needs. This course is currently free with registration.
Please register with an email address that will allow you to access the course. Questions? Email Idealware at info@idealware.org.
Attracting New Event Attendees on Facebook
Your organization is on Facebook, right? Everyone is these days, it seems, but are they all seeing results from their use of the site, or is Facebook a bandwagon for non-profits that's not going anywhere?
Earlier this year Idealware surveyed hundreds of non-profit staff members already using Facebook at their organizations and asked about their results. Had they seen an increase in constituent base attributable to Facebook? Initial data revealed successful results in all five categories: donors, members, volunteers, clients and event attendees.
To learn more, read Idealware's full report, Using Facebook to Meet Your Mission: Results of a Survey. |
Provide MORE Program Dollars for Your Agency
 As unemployment in America has climbed to record heights, what agencies pay for state unemployment tax has risen dramatically. Are you aware that there are two ways you can satisfy your state's unemployment obligation? You can either stay with a state managed system or reimburse on your own.
A movement away from the state system can many times save you 1% to 5% on your total payroll. Heidi Posada at 501(c) Agencies Trust will be hosting a webinar that will review the advantages and disadvantages of each option and help you determine if this may be a good option for your agency.
FREE Webinar: Provide MORE Program Dollars for Your Agency
Thursday, August 18th
1:00pm EDT
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Putting Human Needs on the National Radar Screen
The National Human Services Assembly has released a brief entitled, Putting Human Needs on th e National Radar Screen , detailing the framework of effective communication, the importance of framing messages in positive ways that will resonate with the audience. It enumerates specific strategies for conveying information to constituents and policymakers, changing perceptions and developing a greater appreciation of the important role of human services and community development. |
National Not In Our Town Campaign
The Working Group's new PBS documentary special, "Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness" profiles a town coming together to take action after anti-immigrant violence devastates the community and thrusts it into the international media spotlight. The film and multi-year Inclusive Communities Campaign are designed to raise awareness about the rise of anti-immigrant violence, and introduce sustainable models people can use to address intolerance and promote safety and inclusion in their communities. With a September 21, 2011 national PBS air date, we have the opportunity to reach and inspire people in diverse rural and urban areas all across the country. |
2011 JCSA Young Professional Award
Recognition of extraordinary talent helps Jewish Communal Service Association retain the best and brightest leadership for the Jewish community. Help JCSA to acknowledge the exemplary contributions of younger professionals. There is just one month left to nominate an outstanding colleague for the JCSA Young Professional Award.
For more details regarding the history of the JCSA Young Professional Award, criteria, award benefits, and nomination forms, please click here . |
Embracing Choices - Creating Opportunities, (ECCO), is a unique, therapeutic program of
Jewish Family & Children's Service of Southern Arizona that encourages young people 13 to 18 to overcome their substance abuse issues, which include alcohol and other drugs.
What makes the program unique is its focus on the family. When it comes to substance abuse, few programs in Pima County address the needs of the entire family. It has been shown that when parents and other family members participate in their family member's therapy, the chances for recovery are increased.
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Jewish Child Care Association is participating in the 2011 Bronx Half Marathon. Every dollar raised will provide help and hope to the 16,000 children and families who depend on JCCA for emotional and practical assistance each year. Click here for more information. |
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