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2016 AJFCA Annual Conference

Session Spotlight
 
Join colleagues from the AJFCA network for a dynamic and informative conference. Connect and participate in interactive sessions featuring trends and best practices in the sector. Here is a sampling of the engaging workshops offered at AJFCA's conference: 

Executive Team Leadership
Participative Planning & Programming 
Historically, program development was often determined based on assumptions about community need or because a few individuals pushed their agendas. Decreasing resources coupled with funder's expectations of measureable outcomes required a shift from assumptive reactions to more deliberate assessments. Join us for a conversation about the now standard proactive, thorough planning process employed by JCFS Community Services in Chicago. Strategies for securing grant dollars to support the process, engaging stakeholders throughout planning, and accomplishing tasks in order to formulate recommendations that provide a foundation for launching a scalable, sustainable, broadly supported program will be shared.

Board Leadership
Making Big Decisions through Generative Conversations 
Learn how JFS San Diego utilized generative board conversations to set the stage for making "big decisions." Over the past three years, the JFS Board purchased a 
building, undertook a successful capital campaign, authorized a significant campus expansion, actively engaged in advocacy and concluded a year-long strategic plan. Moreover, they began making budget and strategic program decisions utilizing data developed by rigorous outcomes measurement, and assessed by a Community Impact Committee. Each step along the way required the Board to consider and
 explore opportunities facing JFS with wisdom, insight, and creativity. Generative thinking requires Board Members to intentionally look at things in different ways - from a different perspective. Learn about a fascinating journey, what worked and what didn't.

Development & Marketing
Articulating a Compelling Narrative for Human Services 
The National Human Services Assembly and its members, of which AJFCA is one, have completed a study of how the public understands human needs and human services. Research conducted by the MacArthur Foundation award-winning FrameWorks Institute for this initiative found that people don't understand the value of human services and tend to think of little beyond direct aid for individuals. However, the research also found that there are ways to talk about human needs and human services that resonate with values that most Americans hold, regardless of political bent. This session will share a new narrative, including user-friendly language and an easily-relatable metaphor, that professional and volunteer leaders AJFCA and its members can use with confidence to convey the importance their work to donors, policy makers, and others.

Agency Services
Where are All the LGBTQ Jews? Integrating LGBTQ Programming into Jewish Agencies 
Many Jewish institutions strive to welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals -- it aligns with the core Jewish value to serve the most vulnerable populations., Since 2013, Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS) has become a visible leader in providing comprehensive programming to LGBTQ individuals and families. By meeting LGBTQ folks where they are at, we have built trust and increased participation of LGBTQ Jews. How could your agency move beyond the rainbow flag towards greater LGBTQ inclusion? Together with Keshet, a national organization working for LGBT Jewish equality and inclusion, let's explore how to integrate LGBTQ programming into your agency.

Volunteer/Young Adult Engagement
Making the Case for Jewish Service Learning 
What's the point of bringing learning into the volunteer experience? In this interactive session, we'll experience different modalities to engage volunteers in meaningful learning - both Jewish and social justice-related. We'll also explore the benefits of learning for the agency and the volunteer alike and think about how to "make the case" for service learning, to both the volunteer and the broader agency.

Sponsor Sessions
CliftonLarsonAllen - Finance and Development: Collaboration and a Healthy Tension 
A healthy collaboration between development and finance is important to the success of a nonprofit organization. This session will discuss the friction that can develop between these two departments and how best to communicate financial information to each other and your stakeholders. The session will also address how to integrate the financial and development systems in ways that will benefit both functions. 
Networking Luncheons

Make the most of your Conference experience by having lunch with colleagues while discussing trending topics. Optional Networking Lunches are offered on Monday, May 16th, and can be added to registration for an additional $50. All luncheons require pre-registration. Click here to learn more about each luncheon.
  • Lay Leaders Luncheon
  • Development & Marketing Professionals Luncheon
  • 40 & Under Luncheon
  • Older Adult and Disabilities Services Luncheon 
  • Networking Luncheons
Tentative 2016 AFJCA Annual Conference Schedule


Registration is Now OPEN!
Westin Hotel | San Diego, CA | May 15th - 17th
 
 

Book your hotel room and learn more about the Westin San Diego here

Please contact Megan with questions.

AJFCA is committed to the inclusion of all interested parties in the AJFCA Annual Conference. If you would like to request accommodations to enable you to participate fully in the event please contact AJFCA's Director of Older Adult & Disabilities Services, Liz Woodward, by April 15, 2016 at 410-500-5372.