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D'Var Torah
Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
Gilad Shalit is home with his family. Could there be a better way to begin the New Year? After more than five years of captivity, with almost no contact with the outside world, not even permitted visits from the Red Cross, Gilad is back on Israeli soil with the freedom to eat what he wants, go where he desires, and knowing that tomorrow will not bring more pain and isolation. The price for Gilad's redemption was steep, the eventual release of over 1000 convicted terrorists and criminals. But, we know that the value of even one life is significant, and so, Israel did what was necessary to bring home its son. We complete our annual reading of the Torah this week on Simchat Torah and begin the cycle again. Although the written text remains the same, each time we begin we discover new meaning. We have changed during the course of the year and, thus, bring a new perspective to our reading. We may discover ideas and images that were not apparent before, or make connections that infuse the words with new layers of complexity or awareness of simple truths. This week as I read how human beings, of all creatures, were selected to be created in God's image, I will have a deepened understanding of those words. These few words are the inspiration for the basic values which guide our lives; they are the source of the inherent dignity of all human beings. Gilad is safe at home and that is good. Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom. |
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Provide M ORE Program Dollars for Your Agency - FREE Webinar
As unemployment in America has climbed to record heights, what agencies pay for state unemployment tax has risen dramatically. A movement away from the state system can many times save you 1% to 5% on your total payroll. For 30 years 501(c) Agencies Trust had been helping nonprofits save millions of dollars on their unemployment expenses. In addition to saving you money, 501(c) Agencies Trust provides services to help reduce the risk of choosing this option.
You Will Learn:
- How your agency can potentially save thousands of dollars annually
- Why 501(c)3 nonprofits have a legal, cost-saving option to leave the state unemployment tax system and continue to provide benefits through other methods
- Advantages and disadvantages of each option
- Why over 1,500 nonprofits are already members of 501(c) Agencies Trust
- How Trust services keep nonprofits safe and secure
FREE Webinar: Provide MORE Program Dollars for Your Agency
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2:00pm EST
REGISTER HERE
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Idealist.org Reports on Employment Trends in the Nonprofit Sector
Idealist.org, a nonprofit organization specializing in nonprofit human resources, has published a report entitled, Bouncing Back? Employment Trends in the Nonprofit Sector. Idealist surveyed 3,000 organizations from all over the country, asking them how they had been impacted by the financial downturn of 2008 and how they are feeling about the future. Most organizations surveyed were forced to downsize staff in the past few years but are planning now to hire again. Many of them, though, are not budgeting for salary increases for current staff, and many struggle to provide affordable health care and other benefits to their employees. The report also finds tha t the single largest human resource challenge in the nonprofit sector is the reality that staff must juggle multiple roles and priorities in their work.
To read more about employment trends in the nonprofit sector, download the report here.
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The New 10 Commandments of Strategy: Planning for our Uncertain World
The unpredictability of the world impacts us at every level, from our business practices all the way to our very sense of self. It's hard to find and define our place in a world when our points of reference are themselves constantly shifting. For organizations too, planning and forecasting has become something between impossible and irrelevant.
So, given this context of unpredictability how should foundations - and nonprofits in general - plan? Isn't planning for uncertainty an oxymoron? Andres Spokoiny, President/CEO of the Jewish Funders Network has developed a new way of thinking about strategy that can help all of our organizations meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. He calls them the 10 Commandments of Strategy for an Uncertain World.
To read more click here. October 4, 2011 - eJewish Philanthropy - Andres Spokoiny, President/CEO Jewish Funders Network
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A Consumers Guide to Grants Management
Completely updated in 2011, our free, 169-page Consumers Guide to Grants Management looks at the features and processes used b y 20 grants management systems to help private foundations accept and review applications and track grants throughout their life cycles.
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COA's PQI Webinar Series
The Council On Accreditation is offering the PQI webinar series for $75 for members of sponsoring organizations (discount code "Sponsor").
 Part One: An Introduction to COA's PQI Standards
Thursday, November 3rd, 3:00pm-4:30pm EST
Part Two: Outcomes and Measures
Thursday, November 10th, 3:00pm-4:30pm EST
Part Three: Closing the Loop
Thursday, November 17th 3:00pm-4:30pm EST
Members can register using the attached form or contact Danielle Cook.
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Purchasing Point Update
AJFCA is pleased to announce that based on second quarter reporting for 2011, AJFCA member agencies have saved 26% more than last year on goods and services through Purchasing Point.
PurchasingPointSM is a program that enables national nonprofits and their affiliate networks to purchase products and services at substantial discounts. The range of categories includes office supplies, food, furniture, shipping, copiers, postage equipment, facility maintenance supplies, employee and volunteer screening, rental cars, web and audio conferencing services, and more. This is a tremendous opportunity to lower costs and direct more money toward your mission related work. We encourage you to take advantage of it!
Begin enrollment: http://ajfca.purchasingpoint.org
Invitation Code: AJFCA620
Note: Enrollment in the program typically takes 2 - 3 weeks. Upon official enrollment you will be notified with a welcome email including your unique program ID.
Need Assistance?
202-347-2080 x26
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New AJFCA Adoption Professionals Forum
AJFCA is pleased to offer a member forum for adoption professionals. We are excited for our agencies' adoption professionals to have an opportunity to exchange ideas, information and insights. Thank you to Cathy Brodsky, JCCA Director of Ametz Adoption Program for suggesting the new forum.
If you would like to join the adoption professionals forum, and are not already registered for forums, please email Barbara Tapper your name, your agency and the name of the forum(s) you would like to join. Barbara will email you your username and password once you have been entered into the system.
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 The Alliance for Children and Families New Age of Aging initiative has selected two AJFCA agencies: Alpert Jewish Family & Children's Service in West Palm Beach, FL and Jewish Family & Children's Service of Sarasota-Manatee in Sarasota, FL as recipients of the Power of Mentoring Showcase Awards. These awards recognize standout agencies who served as mentors and mentees in the New Age of Aging's mentoring grant program.   The winners were chosen based on the degree to which they executed the program's chief objectives: to develop a culture of mentoring within the Alliance membership and to promote leadership and guidance in the field of aging. Each winner received a $5,000 cash award, plaque, complimentary registration for the Alliance and UNCA 2011 National Conference in Washington, D.C., October 17th-19th. _____________________________________________________________________________________ __________ Jewish Family &Children's Service of Greater Boston's Visiting Nurse Association, Home Care, and Group Adult Foster Care are moving from Boston to a new home in Brookline. As of October 17th, they can be found at 1371 Beacon Street in the heart of Coolidge Corner. |
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