AGING SERVICES SPOTLIGHT
For more than a decade now the Village model has developed into a respected means for supporting individuals who want to age in place. Jewish Family Service of Delaware has made this model central to the provision of older adult services with the Brandywine Village Network, located in north Wilmington.
The Brandywine Village Network offers a yearly fee-based membership to adults 50 and older for coordinated services in their community including care management, volunteer services like transportation and housework, social and wellness programming and access to a select provider directory, including many providers that offer discounts to village members.
JFS of Delaware is working to expand the Brandywine Village Network using a hub and spoke model and aims to make the program self-sustaining. To learn more about the Brandywine Village Network, visit the website or contact the Director, Maggie Ratnayake.
Older adult services are an ever growing focus of Jewish social service agencies. AJFCA's goal is to highlight exemplary programs across the U.S. and Canada to acknowledge agency expertise and share successful models with our network. Share your programming triumphs with Liz today!
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AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS
Breakthrough Fund Grants Expand Reach of Programs to Jewish Community
The needs of the Chicago area's Jewish community are changing rapidly - where we live, how we live and how we connect- becoming more dispersed, active and mobile than ever before. As those shifts occur, Jewish Child & Family Services of Chicago is changing, too, taking on the challenge of expanding their connections to people in the communities where they live, work, worship and learn, and looking for new ways to serve the Jewish community.  In July, JCFS received a huge boost to its efforts to expand its reach beyond brick-and-mortar service centers: The organization was awarded two FY 2015 Breakthrough Grants by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. The grants, totaling $518,436 over three years, will allow JCFS to introduce innovative social support, substance abuse prevention education and addiction services to a wider, diversified audience. Read more here.
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AJFCA's Baltimore staff enjoyed brunch last week as they celebrated the upcoming arrival of Jennie's daughter.
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Calls & Webinars
Visit AJFCA's Calendarto learn more about free calls and webinars. For more information login to the Member Resources section of the AJFCA website, followed by Webinars. Contact Megan at 410-843-7327 with questions.
The 2014 HUD Performance Measures
Aug., 27th, 11am ET REGISTER HERE
Learn How to Maximize Your Good Deeds Day Sept., 4th, 11am ET REGISTER HERE
Breast Cancer Survivors: What You Need to Know About Nutrition and Exercise
Sept., 10th, 8pm ET REGISTER HERE  PPACA Compliance Made Easy
Sept., 23rd, 12pm ET
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Stay updated on AJFCA offerings, agency news & current trends . . .
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D'Var Torah
Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
In my job, I frequently have the opportunity to spend time in Washington, D.C., for meetings and advocacy. But, this week I did something I have not done for many years, come to D.C. as a tourist. We visited museums, strolled the Mall, listened to music, and relaxed in the majesty and beauty of this amazing city. One stop was the National Archives, a place I do not think I had visited since the fourth grade. In addition to the feeling of enormity on viewing the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Magna Carta, I was struck by the documents and artifacts that represented the struggle of our nation to empower all of or citizens with the democratic principles upon which we were founded. I watched a grandmother read aloud to her grandchildren the words of the Emancipation Proclamation, so important to their heritage, but so unnecessary if only we had always followed the true meaning of our founding documents. Good intentions, but not always the best follow through.
In this week's parashah, Re'ih, the Israelites are instructed that if they follow God's commandments they will be blessed. But, they also are warned of the curses if they do not obey. There is a deep sense of reality in this parashah. Despite all of the best intentions and the rewards that will follow, we are told there will always be "needy among you." "For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kinsman in your land." 15:11.
It is a struggle to achieve the rewards of the principles and laws upon which our nations were founded. That is why it is so important to not forget those who may have been lost or forgotten along the way. It is the work of our agencies every day, and the reason we continue to serve and advocate for those who have yet to reap the rewards of our underlying values.
Shabbat Shalom.
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August Recess Update
With August recess in Congress underway, JFNA has provided an update of recently passed domestic and Israel-related legislation, as well as summer recess action items. Please click here to view the update and ask Shelley Rood if you have any questions. As always, please tell us about your conversations and meetings with your elected officials and let us know how we may be of assistance. With the mid-term elections this November, this is a great opportunity to let your leaders know what matters most to you! |
AGENCY PROGRAMMING/OPERATIONS
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As a Human Resources professional, I read with great concern the following quote of Nicole Sheahan: "Before I meet with someone, I Google them. Facebook is the first thing that pops up, or LinkedIn or Twitter."
Employment law specialists would caution that this could lead to claims of discrimination in hiring. I would refer you to the following two articles that address the legal aspects of using social media in hiring:
As with any personnel policy, I would recommend that every organization have a social media policy that has been reviewed by counsel.
There may be other ways to assess a candidate's skill with social media without risking a charge of discrimination. It would be reasonable to have the candidate provide a portfolio demonstrating examples of his/her work during the interview process. In addition, it is possible to pose a scenario describing a project that will use social media platforms and have that candidate respond with a proposal.
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Nonprofit Leadership Development Is a Vital Ingredient for Social Change
While business is investing in its people with renewed vigor, the nonprofit world continues to lag in making such investments. The Foundation Center recently reported that foundation support for leadership development was less than 1 percent of overall giving from 1992 to 2011. That's not nearly enough. Click here to read why leadership development isn't an integral part of grant-making strategies.
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Human-Resource Departments Gain Power at Half of Nonprofits
Nearly half of nonprofit human-resource executives say their influence has grown in the past year, while 21 percent report increases in their department's size, according to a new survey. They say the change is largely the result of new leadership or senior management better understanding the role of human resources in achieving organizational success. Learn more here.
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2015 Annual Conference Workshop RFP
connect|miami
building community together
AJFCA is seeking workshop proposals that will enhance the 2015 Annual Conference theme: connect|miami: building community together, by focusing on leveraging the collective impact of our network, with an eye toward building resilience in our agencies amongst the following areas of focus: - Executive Leadership
 - Agency Services
- Fund Development & Marketing
- Board Leadership
- Volunteer/Young Adult Engagement
Click here to view the RFP Guidelines and Workshop Proposal Form. The proposal deadline is September 19, 2014. This document contains important information on the Conference and detailed guidelines for each of the areas of focus.
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Cultivation Across the GenerationsJoin professionals from four AJFCA agencies as they recreate a popular 2014 AJFCA Annual Conference workshop. Presenters will relay their experiences in working with programs at their agencies aimed at teens, families and young adults. Listen to what works to attract and retain young donors to support your agency. The webinar will focus on:
- using an agency program to promote community outreach and engagement,
- creating hands-on experiences to engage younger donors on a deeper level,
- messaging the value of engaging with the agency in a way that resonate with younger donors, and
- creating opportunities to link the donor's engagement with their Jewish values.
Cultivation Across the GenerationsTuesday, August 26th, 2pm ET - REGISTER HERE
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Distinguishing a Board's Steering and Rowing Work
Boards work in three modes: fiduciary, strategic, and generative. To use a metaphor in which an organization is a boat, boards can make two distinct types of contributions: steering and rowing. When steering, the board collectively: Sets the direction of the organization; determines which values and logic will guide it; and ensures the organization's resources are used prudently to advance its work. Click here to learn about rowing.
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COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
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How Do You Measure Development Success?
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Donor Life Cycle Map
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Common measures of achievement in the fundraising arena are total amounts raised in an annual and/or capital campaign. Even endowment success is often assessed by new money taken in yearly notwithstanding that the development officer at the time the gift is realized may have had nothing to do with securing it, e.g. the bequest. Click here to learn about a different measure of success or really a combination of them that when adopted will result in substantive development strategic planning.
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NetworkforGood Giving Day Planning Guide
While it may be the dog days of August, GivingTuesday 2014 kicks off on December 4th. NetworkforGood to the rescue! They've just published this terrific, free e-book with lots of tips and planning templates to help your organization decide whether to participate. Click here for details.
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VOLUNTEERS/YOUNG ADULT ENGAGEMENT
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The URJ's Emerging Young Adult Initiatives Community of Practice
Judaism is constantly evolving, addressing new challenges and needs, and a key aspect of synagogue life is setting a vision for tomorrow. Consistent is our yearning to plant seeds for the next generation, but that pathway to doing so is often unclear. Click here to learn more.
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