Cedar Valley Nonprofit Association
Cedar Valley Connections

Issue 121
December 14, 2015
Dear Nonprofit Supporter,
 
Welcome to Cedar Valley Connections, a newsletter to connect the leaders of the nonprofit sector. 


CVNA Sharing Corner...
Here is a great article called "To Boost Individual Donor Giving, Nonprofits Need a Plan"  we thought we would share.  To view this article, please

The CVNA is pleased to announce that we are working with Idealware to offer our members free webinars.  Please see below for the first series of webinars being offered.

Digging Into Program Data: Three 90-minute webinars, December 15, 16, and 17


December 15: Asking the Right Questions

Simply collecting data is not enough. Deciding early on what you will do with that data-and why you want it in the first place-will help you to define goals and approaches. We'll talk through how to define your organization's own data-based metrics strategy from the ground up and how
to ask the right questions.

December 16: Hunting Down the Data

More often than not, the most useful data won't be found neatly laid out in a spreadsheet. You might find extremely valuable data in handwritten staff notes, in software you haven't looked at in six months, or public repositories. We'll discuss where different data can live, which sources of
data might be useful, and where and how you can collect it to be ready for analysis.

December 17: Presenting and Using Your Data

It's not enough just to define and collect the data. Even if you work at a one-person organization, Course Partner Marketing Packet
you'll likely need to share that data with other colleagues, board members, and the community at large in order to bring about change. Presenting your findings visually and making sure that your organizational process includes making use of the data will ensure you can make the most
of it.

As a key decision-maker at your organization, you want to have a complete understanding of your organization's effort and impact. Learning from the variety of data you collect can help you be more informed about your organizational well-being, but where can you find all that data, and how do you make sense of it all? Our upcoming course can help you get there in just three sessions over three days. Digging Into Program Data, presented in partnership with Idealware, will take you from raw data to organizational enlightenment. Sign up now at a discount and start learning more about your organization.

To register for these webinars, please click on this access code and it will direct you.  All webinar times will be from 12 pm - 1 pm CST.
Strength Finders Presentation...

Please join the CVNA, as we are offering an added presentation to our schedule this year.  Please sign-up to attend this 1/2 day presentation.

When:  Thursday, January 7, 2016
Time:   8:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Where: Philanthropy Center (425 State Street - US Bank Bldg. Waterloo)
Cost:   $10 fee for each member for the assessment; $50 for non-members

In successful strengths-based organizations, individuals understand their talents and leaders build on team strengths while managing around weaknesses. As Dr. Donald Clifton, former Gallup Chairman and the Father of Strengths-Based Psychology said, "What will happen when we think about what is right with people rather than fixating on what is wrong with them?"
 
Please join us for an engaging workshop focusing on strengths-based development and leveraging strengths to improve well-being and engagement!  Attendees will have the opportunity to:
  • Complete an online assessment, Gallup's Clifton StrengthsFinder®, and receive resources, tools, and multiple personalized reports of your Top 5 Talent Themes
  • Learn how to leverage your strengths in working relationships and teams. Understand why focusing on strengths leads to improved productivity and performance outcomes.
  • Understand your strengths profile and how to apply the results toward desired performance goals.
Traci is the founder of Follow Your Strengths and one of the first Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches in the state of Iowa.  She is focused on training individuals and teams to leverage their strengths to improve collaboration, performance, and employee engagement levels within organizations. 

To sign-up or want additional information, email Holly Dusenbery  Deadline to RSVP by January 5, 2016.
CVNA Member Spotlight...

The Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens was voted the 2014 Organization of the Year at the Cedar Valley Tourism Awards! 
Founded in 1996, The Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens is a 501c3 non-profit organization located directly East of Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa. 
 
The mission of the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is to enhance the quality of life for all individuals through horticulture. We seek to enrich life by nourishing and sharing the beauty of the natural world, the joy of gardening, knowlegde of plants, and the diversity of our world.
 
The vision of the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is to serve as a compelling public resource for the study of plants, a leader in environmental stewardship, a cultural center for the community, and a showcase of Iowa's rich heritage with the land.
 
For more information on their great organization, please visit their web-site.

Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens has been a member of the CVNA since 2013 -- thank you for your continued support!
Current Job Openings...

Job Title:  Development and Community Relations Coordinator

The Larrabee Center, Inc. is seeking a highly organized self-starter to implement and coordinate the execution of the agency's annual fundraising plan.  This full time position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as effective sales skills.  The ability to work harmoniously with a wide range of people is essential for this position.

A Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 1 year of experience in Development/Fundraising is required.  (Educational Experience may be considered.)

If interested, please submit resume to Jessica Gulick, Program Manager at 117 11th St NW, Waverly, IA 50677.  Please visit our website for more information: http://www.larrabeecenter.org




Job Title: Enrollment Coordinators (2)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa was just awarded TWO AmeriCorps positions through the Iowa Department of Public Health. We are seeking: One full-time, 40 hours/week AmeriCorps member for our Waterloo office, and one part-time, 20 hours/week AmeriCorps member for our Waverly office. 

The primary role for both positions will be to recruit, enroll and match volunteers and youth in one-to-one mentoring relationships in Black Hawk, Bremer and Butler County schools and communities that will change the child's life for the better, forever. Both positions do allow for outside employment and schooling as long as it does not conflict with the member's scheduled service hours at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa. 

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references to Katie Orlando, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa at Katie.orlando@iowabigs.org
Legislative Forum...





We would like to thank everyone especially our Legislators and Senator Danielson who attended this years Legislative Forum. Please enjoy these pictures.


State Representatives News Updates...

Please click here   for the most updated information from Bob Kressig


 Please click here for the most updated information from Sandy Salmon


Please click here  for the most updated information from Walt Rogers


Please  click here  for most updated information from Jeff Danielson


Please click here for the most updated information from William Dotzler


Please  click here for the most updated information from Bill Dix


Please click here for the most updated information on Timi Brown Powers

WE DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS A THING!


Have you renewed and joined yet?  Don't miss out on our upcoming programs and networking opportunities!


RENEW/JOIN TODAY!

 In our first two years we have: (continually being updated)
  • 64 member organizations
  • 6 investors
  • 1 corporate sponsor
  • 1,000 program registrations
  • 64 hours of programming
  • 121 e-newsletters
  • Grant Gurus workshops
  • 110 jobs advertised
  • 20+ organizations connected with 50 UNI students 
  • added additional educational training workshops to our members
  • won the "Gift of the Heart Innovation" award in 2013
Check out the other benefits of membership HERE.  If you are interested in joining CVNA, you can access our application form online HERE

If you have any questions, please email CVNA Coordinator at 
Share your good news with the CVNA and be featured in future e-newsletters.   Have you implemented an innovative idea?  Are you hiring?  Have you created or updated your website?  Are you hosting an event?   Let the CVNA spread the word. 

To submit an item for the next newsletter, click on the submit news page.  Please note that only member organizations who have submitted membership applications may post items.  The newsletter is published every two weeks.

 

 

 
CVNA Meeting Dates
CVNA is pleased to announce the topics of our upcoming education events for the year ahead: 2015
  • January 7th - Strength Finders
  • January 22nd - Grant Gurus
  • February 4th - Tech & Fundraising
  • February 29 - Explor-A-Ganza
  • April 6th - NP Leadership Alliance Luncheon
  • April 7th - Nonprofit Branding
  • April 28th - Grant Gurus
  • June 2nd - Culture
  • June 23rd - Grant Gurus
  • August 4th - Grant writing
  • September TBA - Story Telling
  • September 22nd - Grant Gurus
  • October 6 -  Finance
  • December 2nd - Legislative Forum
For the most updated information please visit our resources section and stay tuned to our web-site for additional information.
Quick Links

LIKE us on Facebook
 
Our Investors







Jean Trainor

The Guernsey Foundation
Visit Our Website!