ace august 2012 newsletter
DESCRIPTION
ACE August 2012 NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
August 2012
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org 2
We are proud to work with you to
achieve ACE’s mission and vision
together:
Mission: Strengthen Arkansas Nonprofits
Vision: A strong, vibrant, united and
effective nonprofit sector that is well
positioned to meet the diverse needs of
all Arkansans.
Our Core Values: Best Practices |
Inclusive | Unity in Diversity | Connecting
& Equipping | Statewide Vision |
Regional Approach
IN THIS EDITION
3
4-5
6-7
8
9
10-11
12
Greetings from ACE
Upcoming
Trainings and Events
Member
Corner
Federal and State
Policy Updates
Grants Corner
Resources & Other
Links
Contact Us
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence:
Helping Nonprofits Help Arkansas
The results are in! The Nonprofit
Compensation Report: An Analysis of
Arkansas Nonprofits 2012. Click here to
find out more and get your copy.
View the ACE 2011-2012
Annual Report Today! And
learn about ACE’s impact
over the past year.
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org 3
GREETINGS FROM ACE Dear ACE Members and Friends,
Nonprofits should be MAD. That’s right, MAD. You wouldn’t think that would
have been one of the messages at our Annual Meeting held last week at
the Clinton Library. After all, the theme was about COLLABORATION. But
no, Stanford Tollette told us we need to be MAD. And, you know, he was
right! In talking about building capacity through collaboration, Stanford said
that nonprofit organizations need to Move, Adapt or Die (MAD). If things aren’t working well,
then move to a position that does work, or adapt to the environment you are in because, if you
don’t do one of those two things, your organization will begin to die.
And speaking of collaboration, our keynote speaker Kathy Webb, the executive director of the
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, managed to get through her entire presentation without once
using the word – collaboration. She was challenged by a colleague who proposed donating
$100 to the Hunger Relief Alliance if she could. She did pretty well, if you don’t mind the word,
“cahoots.” Though her approach was very funny, her message about hunger in Arkansas could
not have been more serious. Collaboration isn’t just a word to the Hunger Relief Alliance; it is
being able to feed more hungry people in our state every year.
All in all, it was a very exciting day for ACE members who attended their Annual Meeting. After
an exciting panel of experienced collaborators, moderated by Chris Love of the AR Community
Foundation and Regan Gruber-Moffitt of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, members elected
a new slate of board members for ACE whose expertise will guide us over the next several years
and approved changes to our bylaws. We also honored Jim Harris, one of the founders of ACE,
who passed away several weeks ago. His vision and passion for nonprofit excellence is evident
in the Arkansas Diamond Standards ™ which he developed. His presence among us will be
missed though never forgotten.
The afternoon brought two dynamic speakers, Jeff Spry of City Connections, who led a thought-
ful discussion on collaboration, and Brett Kincaid with Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families
providing step by step guidance on how to build a successful advocacy collaboration. It was a
full day’s agenda packed into five quickly moving hours of informing, networking and leading. I
would say, “Let’s do it again, soon!” but I am sure Emily and Rebecca, ACE’s intrepid staff, who
planned and executed this fantastic event, would revolt. But we do look forward to doing it
again next year and celebrating ACE’s 10th anniversary with you.
Have a great September – and don’t forget to get MAD!
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org
UPCOMING TRAININGS, EVENTS &
PROGRAMS
4
Arkansas Society of Certified Public Managers
4th Annual Arkansas Leadership Seminar
The Arkansas Society of Certified Public Managers® (ASCPM) and the Arkansas Public Administration
Consortium (APAC) will host a one-day professional development seminar Tuesday, September 11, at
the U of A Cooperative Extension Service in Little Rock. Because seating is limited to the first 190 regis-
trants, pre-registration for this event is required. To reserve your seat, please visit www.arcpm.org and
complete and submit your registration form and payment by mail.
A dynamic speaker, Todd Huston knows how to overcome incredible challenges. When his legs got
caught in the propeller of a boat at age 14, his life was radically changed. He battled to keep his legs
with numerous surgeries, but bone disease eventually forced him to have one leg amputated.
Tuesday, September 11
8:30a.m.-4:00p.m.
Conference
$85/per participant
Register Here
National Council of Nonprofits/ACE
Creating Sustainable Funding for Your Nonprofit
This event is for ACE Members only
Just in time for your fall fundraising campaigns, on September 5 at 2:00 Central Arkansas Coalition for
Excellence is excited to bring you fundraising expert Terry Axelrod, founder and CEO of Benevon, in an
exclusive conference call hosted by our national network, the National Council of Nonprofits. Terry will
share her knowledge from more than thirty years in the nonprofit community on how to build long-
term, mission-focused donors. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to establish more meaningful,
sustainable funding for your nonprofit this holiday season. Thanks to the generosity of Click&Pledge, this
exclusive call is available, free of charge, to all members of Arkansas Coalition of Excellence.
Conducted by. Terry Axelrod, Founder and CEO of Benevon
2:00p.m.-3:00p.m.
Webinar-online and by phone
FREE
Register Here
DHS Conducts Tour to Determine Community Service Needs Across Arkansas
The Department of Human Service’s Division of Community Service and Non Profit Support will be host-
ing a seven-city Listening Tour to hear Arkansans’ thoughts on community service and volunteerism.
The department wants your input and participation in making this event a success. This information will
be used to develop a state service plan that will serve as a guide for future programs and funding until
2016.
For dates and locations click here.
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org
UPCOMING TRAININGS, EVENTS &
PROGRAMS
5
Thank you to everyone who attended the
ACE 2012 Annual Meeting
Working Together for a Better Arkansas!
Thank you again to our sponsors!
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org 6
ACE MEMBER BENEFITS
Do you know all of the cost-savings your membership includes?
Coeus Global– Discounted Background Checks
Effective volunteer management has become a necessity in today’s
nonprofit world. Choosing the right partner can be the difference between
providing a safe and secure environment for those you serve, as well as for
those who give selflessly to your organization, and allowing undesirable
elements to tarnish your organization’s valuable reputation within your
community. Coeus Global has partnered with the National Council of
Nonprofits to provide all the expertise you need to establish a “best in class” custom screening
program designed specifically to meet your organization’s unique needs. See why Coeus Global is
the known nationwide as the “TITAN of Screening Intelligence”. Their customized system will allow
your organization, locally or nationally, to effectively conduct screenings and track volunteer and
staff applicants quickly and easily. Their nationwide network allows us to offer national discount
prices to nonprofits of all sizes. Whether you are a single entity or a nationwide network of affiliated
units, Coeus Global can provide you with the highest quality services at the lowest price points in
the nation. Let us show you the path to improved volunteer selection and organizational protection
TODAY!
Services available:
VOLUNTEER & STAFF BACKGROUND CHECKS
Industry leading program is custom designed for
ease of use and cost effectiveness
NO COST RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Reduce liability exposure and protect your
organization’s valuable reputation
NO COST COMPLIANCE CONSULTING
Ensure that Federal & State compliance laws are
followed by dealing with our subject matter experts
COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER PROTECTION
Provide a safe experience for all who receive
services or participate in your valuable program
To sign-up and learn more click here.
Click here to learn more about your membership
cost savings benefits.
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org
MEMBERSHIP New & Renewing Members
Searcy County Rural Help
Center, St. Joe NEW |
The Gaines House, Little
Rock| NWA Center of
Equality, Fayetteville |
Bradley County Hometown
Health Coalition, Warren |
CASA of the Ouachita
Region, Mena | Mississippi
County Union Mission,
Blytheville | Arkansas Health
Care Access Foundation,
Little Rock |alt. Consulting,
Pine Bluff | Boys, Girls, Adults
Community Development
Center, Marvell |
CASA of Arkansas County,
Dewitt |Arkansas Cancer
Coalition, Little Rock |
Junior League of Little Rock,
Little Rock NEW| Hot Spring
Flute Ensemble, Hot Springs,
NEW | Single Parent
Scholarship Fund of NW AR,
Fayetteville NEW | Seven
Harvest, Forrest City |
Arkansas Student Loan
Authority, Little Rock| Eileen
Earhart Oldag, Little Rock |
Southern Bancorp
Community Partners , Little
Rock
Want to join our
coalition of 309
members dedicated to
strengthening the nonprofit
sector ? Contact Rebecca
at 501.375.1225 or
rzimmermann
7
Member of the Month–
McGehee Desha Alumni Community Center
MeGehee Desha Alumni Community Center Presents the Consignment
Shoppe- MDACC’S Bicycle Factory Launches First Hand Entrepreneur-
ship Training
McGehee, AR, August 14, 2012: The McGehee Desha Alumni Community
Center’s Bicycle Factory has embarked on a new hands-on entrepreneurial
training project for students 5th through 8th grade-the Consignment Shoppe.
Current BF student members are training two hours on Fridays and five hours
on Saturdays in every aspect of business. From checking in and inventorying
stock to helping customers, cashing out sales and closing out receipts, the stu-
dent members of Cameron Walton, President, and Aaliyah Wilson, Secretary
work hands-on with the developer and manager of the Consignment Shoppe
Mrs. Julia Ware-Harden.
Manager of Heritage Manor and an U.S. Army Veteran, Mrs. Ware-Harden
started as a dedicated volunteer at the Bicycle Factory in March 2012; in early
June she introduced the consignment shop idea as a place for students to
develop hands-on experience in a real world business and on Saturday July,
7,2012 she opened the shop for business.
Parents interested in enrolling their 5th through 8th grade student(s) in the Bi-
cycle Factory for the opportunity to train at the Consignment Shoppe should
contact Julia at 870-222-6588.
Click here to learn more about your membership
cost savings benefits.
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org
PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY
State Ballot Measures and Nonprofits
This year, as voters consider 145 ballot measures, nonprofits and the communities they serve face an array of threats and op-
portunities. In Arizona, Arkansas, California, New Hampshire, andOregon, a plethora of tax-related measures will appear on
the states’ ballots on November 6. Proposed measures in Alabama,California, and South Dakota that stand to alter revenue
sources for state and local budgets and impose new limits on spending will also be decided by voters. Meanwhile, new vot-
ing-related proposals are up for public vote in Arizona and Minnesota. Also, voters in Floridaand Oklahoma will consider two
amendments that would directly impact social service providers and their collaborations with state and local governments.
To learn more about these and other measures appearing on the November ballots that could affect nonprofits and the
communities they serve, visit the National Council of Nonprofits’ 2012 State Ballot Measures webpage.
Governments Officially Leaning More on Nonprofits
As state and local governments continue to struggle with budget shortfalls, many
are looking to nonprofits to fund government, help provide services, or even take
over certain government responsibilities. According to a recent GAO report, the
number of states formally turning to count the work of nonprofits to plug welfare
gaps has increased from three in 2007 to 17 in 2011. Utah, Georgia, Colorado,
Hawaii, and Arizona are among the states that sought the most food, health care
services, employment assistance, and family stabilization services from nonprofits.
In New Jersey, local leaders are using grant funds from a private foundation to help
turn around the state’s lowest-performing schools. Still other state and local
governments are dealing with budget problems by handing off entire agencies or
programs to nonprofits. Ohio’s government-run legal rights agency for disabled
individuals has announced plans to become a nonprofit on October 1. The
executive director of the agency expects the conversion from government to
nonprofit to create more efficiency and expand advocacy efforts for disabled Ohioans. Detroit followed a similar path when
the nonprofit Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation took over the city’s cash-strapped Workforce Development Depart-
ment and $47 million in state and federal funds. To preserve the city’s 17 recreation centers, Detroit has also created a
new recreation trust that has already raised $15 million in pledges through foundations, corporate gifts, and a $3-million
Community Development Block Grant. The funding will go to a nonprofit to administer all of the recreation centers’
programming.
Taxes, Fees, PILOTs
Property Taxes: A Michigan State Senator proposed a bill amending the state’s Property Tax Act to force nonprofit
land conservancies to pay property taxes unless they allow for unlimited public access and motorized vehicles in
areas that are currently privately owned and preserved. The proposal would not impact other tax-exempt pre-
serve owners, such as churches. Critics say the proposal forces these nonprofit conservancies into a lose-lose sce-
nario in which they are forced either to pay property taxes to protect local wildlife or open the preserved areas
up to the threat of human impact to avoid the new taxes, thereby defeating the purpose of conserving the land.
Tax Exemptions: The Revenue Study Commission in Louisiana has begun an evaluation of 468 different tax exemptions,
credits, deductions, rebates and other loopholes, which the Louisiana Budget Project (LBP) estimates cost taxpay-
ers $4.8 billion per year. LBP has compiled all of its tax research on its website, which also includes resources from
other organizations.
PILOTs: After considering a proposal to require some nonprofits to make payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) worth 25 percent of
their non-existent property taxes, the Haverhill, MA City Council’s Administration and Finance Committee voted against the
payments from nonprofits. The committee Chairman says the decision was made at a meeting attended by 20 people, many
from nonprofits in the city.
Government-Nonprofit Contracting News
The National Council of Nonprofits is bolstering its efforts to improve government-nonprofit contracting practices with the ad-
dition of Beth Bowsky as Policy Specialist – Government-Nonprofit Contracting. A longtime leader and consultant for nonprof-
its, Bowsky brings a diverse set of skills and experience to the Council of Nonprofits and its network of State Associations, policy
allies, and national nonprofit organizations. Bowsky will be responsible for mobilizing advocacy efforts through broadening
public support for needed policy changes in government-nonprofit contracting processes, publishing reports on best prac-
tices and solutions, managing the work of a panel of experts, and expanding a centralized public website for practitioners
and researchers. See the news release and Beth Bowsky’s bio, and join us in welcoming Beth to this important work by sharing
your ideas with her.
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Innovative Rural Health Projects
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust Rural Health Award
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust is excited to announce the “Innovations in
Rural Health Award.” We are looking for original, innovative solutions to drive health
improvement in rural communities. Three winners will receive a $25,000 New Rural
Health Award for their creative and inspiring ideas.
In addition to the $25,000 prize, winners might see their projects implemented in
North Carolina by the Trust and will gain exposure to a number of other North
Carolina funders that could benefit their future work.
Anyone or any organization across the U.S. is invited to participate. We encourage
you to think big and help us identify exciting approaches that will work to address
health challenges in rural areas.
We will begin accepting applications September 1, 2012. Please share this opportu-
nity with partner organizations and others in your community who might be inter-
ested in participating.
Download the “Call for Submissions” and award overview.
For more information, visit the award FAQs.
Social Justice Programs in the U.S. and Abroad Funded
Jewish Helping Hands: Tikkun Olam Grant Program
Jewish Helping Hands’ Tikkun Olam Grant Program is intended to advance the goal
of inspiring and supporting tzedakah, justice, and righteousness throughout the
world. The grant program supports projects that focus on reaching needy and vul-
nerable populations in the United States and abroad, particularly those that have
been overlooked or marginalized. Grants are provided to nonprofit organizations
that show clear promise to achieve one or more of the following: address basic
causes of injustice and foster systemic change, promote self-help and empower-
ment within communities, and respond to unmet needs of those who are poor and/
or marginalized. Grants of up to $5,000 are provided. Letters of application must be
submitted by October 1, 2012. Visit the Jewish Helping Hands website to learn more
about the program.
Support Provided for Community Service and Volunteering Activities
Corporation for National and Community Service
The RSVP Competition provides support to community service programs that can
demonstrate community impact and solve community problems. Interests include
education, healthy futures, veterans and military families, environmental stewardship,
economic opportunity, and disaster services. The program places emphasis on pro-
jects that support volunteers 55 years of age and older serving in a diverse range of
activities that meet specific local and community needs. The application deadline is
October 11, 2012.
GRANTS CORNER
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org 9
Look for more available grants on GrantStation.com.
Get a free subscription with your ACE membership.
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org
RESOURCES AND OTHER LINKS
TIP OF THE MONTH
8 Essential Words By Melanie Lockwood Herman
A few days ago I was reminiscing about the dinner table of my childhood with a close friend. Our conversation about language led me to recall a “word of the day” game that I played with my siblings and parents. Each evening one of the kids was expected to show up at the dinner table with an unfamiliar word. As we passed plates containing pro-tein, starch and vegetables, each family member anxiously awaited the inevitable, always dramatic unveiling. After the kids and then adults tried to guess the definition of the unfamiliar term, the word bearer would reveal its peculiar meaning.
Assuming you have limited funds with which to “buy a vowel” or consign a consonant, what words or phrases are “must haves” in a risk manager’s vocabulary? In a toast to today, here’s my list of eight essential words.
1. Aware – Informed, practical risk managementbegins with being aware. What might go wrong? What could turn
out better than we anticipate? What has never happened before… but could? Let’s agree to dispense with ex-haustive exercises aimed at “identifying every risk,” and settle on increasing our sense of what’s possible. Simply put, let’s aim to be risk aware.
2. Alternate – This one-word alternative to the verbose-sounding “contingency plan” reminds us that escaping dire
circumstances often depends on the availability of an alternate escape route. A different way out, around, or through the obstacle or dilemma at hand. Even the best run nonprofits need alternate routes.
3. Back-up – This term has different meanings based on how it is used. After your first encounter with the “blue
screen of death” on a laptop, you’re likely to hear “when was the last time you backed-up?” from a member of your IT team. “Back up” also refers to the very wise choice of ensuring that no critical task in your nonprofit is owned and understood by a single individual. Let’s face it, stuff happens. We need reliable human and data “backups.”
4. Explicit – Many years ago I co-authored a booklet on abuse prevention whose title was an explicit statement
noting the fact that supervision of young people never includes sex. I was a bit shocked when the client sug-gested the title. Yet when a recent story of inappropriate and illegal relations between a trusted adult and vulner-able teen was described in a local paper, I recalled the wisdom of that explicit advice. Instead of hiding behind euphemisms for prohibited conduct (e.g., “boundary violations”), today’s nonprofit risk leaders need to recognize when absolutely clear and explicit direction works best.
5. Practical – When I counsel nonprofit leaders about strengthening risk management practices I often find myself
preaching about the importance of the “practical” method or approach. Lofty ambitions are of little value when you’re trying to guard against harm to mission, human beings and valuable property.
6. Enforceable – Policies and procedures that exist in name only are relics of organizational history, not effec-
tive risk management tools. Start pruning yourrisk management program today in order to lift the huge exposures these policies create.
7. Truth – Whether we’re advising clients about the best path for defensible reference giving (“truthful, verifiable
information only!”) or helping a nonprofitleadership team evaluate and re-tool a performance appraisal process, the truth is an always necessary,never failing centerpiece of sound risk management.
8. Compassion – The discipline of risk managementinvariably involves policy formulation, staff training, supervi-
sion and accountability, record-keeping, and from time to time, accident reports, losses and liability claims. When your risk managementprogram is grounded in compassion—abiding concern for the well-being of all human be-ings who you serve and who serve—your intuitive responses to unanticipated events, will be the right ones.
Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of theNonprofit Risk Management Center. She welcomes your ideas about any risk management topic and questions about the Center’s resources at [email protected] or (202) 785-3891. The Center provides risk management tools and resources at www.nonprofitrisk.org and offers consulting assistance to organizations unwilling to leave their missions to chance.
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Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org
TIP OF THE MONTH
JOBS CENTER
Membership Coordinator/ Americorps VISTA– Arkansas Coalition for Excellence
Site & Training Coordinator– Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central AR
Outreach Educator– Museum of Discovery
Bookkeeper- Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central AR
Finance Manager - ARVets
Executive Director–Disabilities Rights Center of Arkansas
Create a JOBTARGET account on our site to post your organization’s open positions.
ACE members post for free!
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Creating and Curating Content
Odds are good that your organization is using multiple communications channels to
reach people, from social media to direct mail and email to websites and blogs. Be-
cause each can attract a different audience, and may be better-suited for certain
types and lengths of content, coordinating among them all can be difficult.
You want to provide useful, interesting, mission-related information to use each channel
successfully and meet the expectations of the people who follow you, but how do you
keep each channel different enough to be interesting on its own without turning content
-creation into a full-time job?
To start sharing your content-related efforts among each of your channels requires stra-
tegic thinking in four areas: Creating, Curating, Promoting, and Community-Building.
Are you creating new, original, informational content for each channel you’re using?
That kind of content may not be necessary for all your different communications. People
frequently write news stories or opinion pieces for some channels, like their websites,
email newsletters or blogs, while using others to share reposts, links or other means of “re-
using” content.
Click here to read more.
Thank you for reading this month’s edition of our
newsletter. Questions or Comments? Contact us.
Stephanie Meincke, MSW
Executive Director
Emily Ingram,
Associate Director
Rebecca Zimmermann,
Membership & Communications
Coordinator, AmeriCorps VISTA
Located within the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Offices
200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 375-1223
www.acenonprofit.org
Helping Nonprofits Help Arkansas