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Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
After months of discussion, negotiating, and more than needed posturing, Congress passed legislation this week raising the national debt ceiling. After the President signed the bill on Tuesday, there were the usual media commentaries as to who were the "winners and losers." Was it Republicans or Democrats? Liberals, conservatives, or moderates? Tea Partiers, Blue Dogs, or the Gang of Six? Frankly, I find the whole "morning-after" analysis to be too much about politics and process and not enough about substance and results.
This week, as we begin the reading of the final book of Torah, D'varim, we also read from the Prophet Isaiah for our haftorah. This is known as Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision, the Shabbat before Tisha B'av. On Tisha B'av we commemorate the destruction of both Temples, and Isaiah in words spoken years prior to the destruction of the First Temple, presages what will happen based upon the failures of the people. Essentially, the people have been loyal to ritual, but they have lost the meaning underlying their actions. Isaiah directs the people to "Learn to do good, Devote yourselves to justice." They must "aid the wronged, uphold the rights of the orphan, defend the cause of the widow." Failure to uphold the moral standards leads to the demise of the society, to the destruction of the spiritual home of The Temple.
No one wants the American economy to suffer due to unchecked federal spending and a spiraling national debt. But, in the process of rectifying that problem, it is critical that we not forget the most vulnerable in our midst. In the coming months, AJFCA and our partners will continue to heed the words of Isaiah as we keep the Administration and Congress aware of the "rights of the orphan" and the "cause of the widow," as we all work to find a lasting solution to the nation's financial condition. This is not about who wins, but about ensuring that we all do not lose.
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 today 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
Last 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 on or before Wednesday, August 31st. |
Foundation Center Renewal
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. To date 20 agencies have confirmed. We have extended the deadline until Wednesday, August 10th. If you are interested in participating, please email Megan Myers. |
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. |
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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Next Generation Voices at the Table
More and more boards are turning their attention to recruiting the next generation of leaders, comprising Generation X and most of Generation Y. This pool of potential board members has a lot to offer the nonprofit sector; they are both educated and engaged. According to a report released by Independent Sector, people under 40 years of age see the nonprofit sector as a key component in solving society's most pressing issues, and according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, the people that make up Generation Y are on pace to become the most educated generation in American history.
Next Generation Voices at the Table: Recruiting and Engaging the Next Generation of Board Leaders
Tuesday, August 9
2:00pm-3:00pm EDT
http://www.boardsource.org/Bookstore.asp?Item=1222
FREE for members/$35 nonmembers |
The Next Generation of American Giving
 Convio is a provider of constituent engagement solutions that enable non-profit organizations to maximize the value of every relationship; more effectively raising funds, advocating for change and cultivating relationships with donors, activists, volunteers, alumni and other constituents.
The Next Generation of American Giving is a study by Convio on the charitable habits of Generation X, Generation Y, Baby Boomers and Matures (those born before 1945). The study reviews the effectiveness of various channels of communicating with donors of each generation and proposes the best ways for an agency to engage donors from each group. |
 On Tuesday, August 2nd Shelley Rood, AJFCA Washington Director sent out a legislative update on the debt ceiling. Moving forward you can expect to receive news and advocacy from Washington at least twice a month. Legislative updates will include (but are not limited to) action alerts, grants bulletins and updates from Washington.
Archived legislative updates can be found on the AJFCA website, on the About AJFCA page in the E-Newsletter Archives. If you are interested in receiving news from Washington please email Megan Myers and she will be happy to add your email address to the contact list. |
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