For the first time in its 29 year history, MACDC has collected over $100,000 in membership dues from its 88 member organizations. With the three dues checks that arrived last month, MACDC's total collection for the year reached $103,323.

"This accomplishment is a testament to the value MACDC provides to its member organizations," said MACDC's incoming board chairperson, Marc Dohan, Executive Director of the Twin Cities CDC of Fitchburg and Leominster. "During these tight budget times, nonprofit organizations would not pay such significant amounts if MACDC were not providing us with true value," said Dohan who also noted that every dollar in dues collected by MACDC is ultimately matched by $8 in public and private funding.

"MACDC's dues are scaled to the size of the member organization and range from $50 to $5,000 so the fact that our dues have increased over the past three years is strong evidence that our members are surviving these tough economic times," said MACDC President, Joseph Kriesberg. MACDC's dues have grown from $87,436 in FY 2009 to $103,323 in FY 2012, an 18 percent increase during the worst recession in 70 years.

Kriesberg also noted that MACDC has retained 98% of its voting members since 2008, while adding 13 new voting and associate members to the organization.

"The message from our dues collection, retention rate and membership growth is that our efforts are paying off," said Kriesberg. "It also speaks to the vision of our founders who understood 30 years ago that collective action at the state level was essential to our efforts at the community level. While much has changed over the past 30 years, the wisdom of their vision has not."

For more information about membership at MACDC, contact Joe Kriesberg.

As a member of T4MA (the Transportation for Massachusetts Coalition), MACDC is working with its members to mobilize people to respond to the MBTA's proposed fare increase and service cuts.

T4MA does not support the fare increases as currently proposed by the MBTA or as a stand-alone solution to the T's financial problems. The members of the coalition believe that any fare increase should be part of a comprehensive package that addresses the financial challenges facing the entire state's transportation systems. In addition, the fares should be fair and not disproportionately affect those that need transit the most.  Significantly the gas tax has not been increased since the early 1990's, while MBTA riders have already seen four major fare increases during that time.  MACDC believes the growing cost of transportation should be shared by motorists and transit riders.

CDC's in the MBTA area are asking their community members to attend one of the 20 public meetings on the proposed fare increase and service cuts.  For more information about the MBTA's proposal and the time and locations of the public meetings click here.

For more information about MACDC's role in T4MA, contact Pam Bender.

MACDC looks forward to working with Rick Jakious, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.  

Times: 9:00am-4:30pm, with one half-day session

Location: Boston location TBD

Instructor: Mat Thall (Community Development Consultant)

This four-session workshop is designed to introduce senior managers and executives at CDCs with limited real estate development experience to the broad range of real estate development activities of a CDC. Topics covered include the development process, major community development and real estate concepts, an overview of CDC staff and other professionals involved in the various stages of development, and the organizational issues and challenges that the executive may confront in overseeing an effective and successful development agenda. The focus of this course is not on 'how to be a developer,' but rather on how to provide leadership, oversight and problem-solving support to a real estate development team so that real estate development furthers the CDC's mission.

Application will be available on the Mel King Institute for Community Building website in mid-January. 

Tuition is $200 the series for MACDC members and $400 for non-members.

For more information, please contact Julie at melkinginstitute@macdc.org.

Additional Information

Organizing for Change

Date: January 25, 2012;

Time: 3:30pm-7:30pm

Location: SEIU 615, 2nd Floor (26 West Street, Boston, MA)

Instructors: Mel King and Lew Finfer

Organizing for Change will help leaders, board members, and staff of community-based groups to strengthen their own internal capacity to advocate for change in their community. Featured presenters Mel King and Lew Finfer will share their extensive knowledge and experience in educating, organizing, and mobilizing neighborhoods and communities into action. 

Tuition is $30 and covers a light supper from Falafel King and take-home materials. The fee may be waived upon request for those unable to pay.

Please register by contacting Judy Meredith at judy@realclout.org or 617-275-2923.

Additional Information

Registration Deadline: January 18, 2012