Cedar Valley Nonprofit Association
Cedar Valley Connections

Issue 128
March 21, 2016
Dear Nonprofit Supporter,
 
Welcome to Cedar Valley Connections, a newsletter to connect the leaders of the nonprofit sector. 


CVNA Member Spotlight...
 
Comprehensive Systems is an accredited, community-based, private, non-profit Iowa corporation founded in 1970.  We provide supports to more than 300 individuals with special needs.  Our array of services include residential, vocational and day services in a five county area.

For information on this great organization and to learn more about volunteering, please  click here.  

Comprehensive Systems has been a member of the CVNA since 2014-- thank you for your continued support!
You're Invited...
Nonprofit Awards Luncheon
When:  April 6, 2016
Where: UNI Commons Ballroom (1224 W. 23rd Street Cedar Falls)
Time:   12:00-1:30 p.m.
Cost:    $30/ per person; $100/ half table (4 people); $200/ full table (8               people); Sponsor a student for $15

The University of Northern Iowa's Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association invites you to join us for the 12th Annual Cedar Valley Nonprofit Awards Luncheon. This event recognizes leaders of the nonprofit sector in the Cedar Valley.

For more information and to register for this luncheon, please email [email protected].
Grant Gurus...
Challenge grants and Matching grants: Questions and Ideas
When:  Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Where: 425 State Street, Waterloo (Philanthropy Center - 3rd floor)
Time:   11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

At this session, Stacy Van Gorp, Executive Director of the McElroy Trust would like to discuss your experiences with matching grants and challenge grants.  The McElroy Trust often issues challenge grants and matching grants. In the coming months, they will post a guide to challenge and matching grants on their website. 

To make this guide useful, Stacy would like to know your questions about these types of grants.  She'd also love to hear best practices and stories of when matching and challenge grants worked well.
Community Foundation News...

We understand the importance of having a knowledgeable and engaged team to effectively serve our community. That is why the Community Foundation offers a variety of affordable professional development opportunities to enhance the management and leadership skills of local nonprofit board and staff members. 

OnTrack - An Introduction to Grant Writing: Strategies for Success March 31, 2016:  Grant writing expertise is an important skill set for many nonprofit organizations as they seek support to carry out their missions. However, many nonprofit staff and volunteers accidentally fall into the role of grant writer with little to no prior grant writing experience. Knowing where to start and how to best utilize the limited time and resources available to the grant writing process can seem daunting. Join us as Lance Noe, Director of the Drake University Center for Professional Studies shares key strategies for creating a "grant ready" organization that will experience grant writing success.  Learn more and register.
 
BoardLaunch - Building Your Board: Strategies for Effective Recruitment, Engagement and Accountability
April 26, 2016: Join us as the Meyvn Group leads this interactive session to designed to provide you with a clear understanding of how to strategically recruit and engage the right board members to lead your organization. You will learn how to identify the skill sets your organization needs on the board, build a strategy to attract the right candidates, execute a winning recruitment process, prepare new board members to add value on day one and learn how to help the board implement systems of personal accountability.  Learn more and register.

Current Job Openings...
North Star currently has 3 Job Openings
Job Title:  Day Habilitation Specialist

We are currently seeking applications for a Day Habilitation Specialist to supervise leisure activities with persons with disabilities. Responsibilities include providing support to persons served, assisting with accommodations and the development of community activities, implementation of planned goals and objectives, and data collection.

Applicants must be physically able to assist persons served as needed, possess a high school diploma, training and/or experience working with people with disabilities, and meet requirements for driving record and background checks. 

Job Title:  Community Living Specialist

The Supported Living Program of North Star Community Services is accepting applications for a Community Living Specialist to work part time with persons with disabilities in the Cedar Valley area. Hours include afternoons, evenings and weekends. Responsibilities include providing support to persons served, assisting with accommodations and community supports, implementation of planned goals, and data collection. Applicants must be physically able to assist persons served as needed and meet agency criteria for driving record and background checks.

Job Title:  Community Living Specialist - Waverly

The Supported Living Program of North Star Community Services is accepting applications for Community Living Specialist to work part time with persons with disabilities in the Bremer and Butler County area. Hours include a combination of days, evenings and weekends. Responsibilities include providing support to persons served, assisting with accommodations and community supports, implementation of planned goals, and data collection. Applicants must be physically able to assist persons served as needed and meet agency criteria for driving record and background checks.

For more information on all these positions and on how to apply, please click here. 
Community Events...
To purchase tickets to this great event, please click here.



Institute for Youth Leaders are preparing for our 2016 McElroy Scholar Lecture
Our featured speaker is Dr. Norman Dolch whose presentation will focus on "Lifetime Leadership Lessons From Nonprofit Organizations."

When:  Thursday, April 7, 2016
Time:    6:30 p.m.
Where: UNI 252 WRC

Please click here for the full flyer and information on the speaker. 
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
  • 1,065 program registrations
  • 72 hours of programming
  • 128 e-newsletters
  • Grant Gurus workshops
  • 116 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
  • Partners with NLA
  • Partners with Idealware
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: 2016
  • April 6th - NP Leadership Alliance Luncheon
  • April 26th - Grant Gurus
  • May 5th - Culture
  • June 2nd - NP Branding
  • June 23rd - Grant Gurus
  • August 4th - Grant writing
  • September 20 - 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.
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