achange may newsletter
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ACHANGE is the Arkansas Coalition of Neighborhood Growth for Empowerment, a trade association of affordable housing providers and supporters.TRANSCRIPT
Volume 2, Issue 3
2
ACHANGE’S MISSION:
To collectively promote quality
affordable housing and community
economic development in Arkansas.
IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE
3 Time for ACHANGE!
4 Chairman’s Corner
5 Building a Stronger
Nonprofit, pt. 2
6-10 Community Development
Week Insert
11 Member News
12 Executive Committee/
Contact Info
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SERVICE AWARDS 2012
JUNE 19, 2012
Accepting individual and table registrations
now! Join us in recognizing outstanding
contributions in the field of community and economic development!
For more info, contact Debra at [email protected] or call 501-766-3941.
Volume 2, Issue 3
3
TIME FOR ACHANGE! It takes a village…..you’ve heard the sentiment before applied to the
raising of children. When I reflect on my childhood, I can see that.
The neighbors watched out for us when we played. I could stop by
Ms. Vivian’s for cookies and milk or sit on the front porch with my
friend Yogi and pass the time. The neighbors all had a hand in
raising us, and there was a sense of shared pride whenever one of us
accomplished something big or small.
So it is with ACHANGE. It takes all of you to build the organization. Without you, there would
be no coalition and no shared voice for the future. It takes a village, and together we are building
a future where people can find a variety of places to live that will meet their needs in an afforda-
ble manner. Together, we can accomplish much more than we could accomplish individually.
In June, you will have the opportunity to come together and talk about the state of housing in
Arkansas. What can be done to help achieve that dream of great available housing throughout
the state? How can we make it happen? I know that you have ideas, and you know others that
have ideas as well. That’s why I hope that I’ll see you during Community Development Week.
Whether it’s to celebrate accomplishments, create an action plan for future housing policy, or
participate in training that will help to energize your work, this week is built with you in mind.
Help in the village building effort. Invite someone to attend the Public Policy Symposium or to
sit at your table for the awards. Do you know any organizations with counselors, educators or
management who might benefit from the training that we have scheduled? Share the registration
booklet with them. Be an ACHANGE agent and take ownership in the success of the event.
Enjoy that shared sense of pride that working together brings.
Together, we can do great things. That’s why it’s time for ACHANGE.
Debra Banks
Program Manager
Volume 2, Issue 3
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CHAIRMAN’S CORNER
VOICES
I have an admission. Everywhere I go, I hear voices. They aren’t the kind of voices that would make me end up in a hospital; but all of us are bombarded by people speaking their opinions, their agen-das, or promoting a concern. All day long, we are told what to be-lieve, where to put our trust, and how it will make us feel if we do what we are asked. I was taught in Sunday School that it isn’t always the loudest voice that matters most. Each of us has to be sensitive to the soft voices in our lives. When you have money or power or clout, your voice is typically louder. Your concerns and agendas are well promoted. Your followers echo those concerns and your voice becomes more and more prominent until, even though we may be busy with our lives, we have no choice but to pay attention.
This isn’t always so with soft voices. When we take the time to focus, truly see, and closely listen to someone with a “soft” voice, we learn something about ourselves. Our eyes become opened and we move from indifference to compassion. So it becomes that every once and a while, someone with a small voice will catch the attention of someone with a voice that is a little stronger, whose sphere of influence and reach is a little longer and, thus, change begins.
ACHANGE is made up of members with medium sized voices who have seen, listened to, and had compassion towards those with soft voices. Our medium-sized voices combine to create something more powerful and more influential, and all of a sudden, people are hearing the message. The message is clear if we take time to hear it. The message is truth if we study it closely. The message is powerful when spoken by people who care about it.
The voice of those you serve matters to us. That is why we will be having a town hall meeting during our public policy symposium June 20th. Come and bring the hundreds of soft voices that you have heard throughout the years. Bring their message to light and begin the process of change.
Karen Phillips ACHANGE Board Chair
Volume 2, Issue 3
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Building a Stronger Nonprofit Foundation
Pt. 2: Keeping Your Mind on the Money
No matter how great the mission, an organization must have the money
to do the job. Nonprofit organizations can be especially vulnerable to
this, often existing only as long as the grant funding exists. Adding the
additional constraints of development standards can place greater
burden on a budget already stretched to capacity.
At the fundamental level, nonprofits must create workable financial development strategies,
function within the confines of a realistic financial management system, avoid excessive risk and
ensure that the organization is in compliance with all legal requirements.
1. Financial Development
Do you have a development or fundraising plan? How often do you review that plan to ensure
that it is working as intended? Are you committed to the promise you made to your donors to
do what you said that you would do with the money?
2. Financial Management
Prepare a realistic budget that is in line with the work that you do. Put proper accounting tools in
place and a good system of checks and balances. Do you have an annual audit conducted by an
independent auditor? Have you heard of Sarbanes-Oxley?
3. Financial Protection: Risk Management
Does your organization have insurance coverage to address risk? Does your organization consid-
er the risks involved in an activity before engaging in that activity?
4. Legal Compliance
Is your board knowledgeable about its fiduciary duties, and does it monitor activities to ensure
that the organization is compliant with the law?
Want to learn more? Read more on the Diamond Standards by visiting the Arkansas Coalition for Excellence’s
website at www.acenonprofit.org and clicking on the Diamond Standards tab.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CURRENT PROFITABILITY?
Attend: Beyond Bricks: The New Economy for Affordable Housing Providers on June 21, 2012
To register for this special one day session, use the enclosed registration form or click here.
Volume 2, Issue 3
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JUNE IS NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH.
WHAT BETTER TIME TO:
CELEBRATE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS;
FORM PUBLIC POLICY STRATEGIES; and
PROVIDE OUTSTANDING TRAINING?
We couldn’t think of a better time either! In the following pages, see a
few of the highlighted activities for June 19-22, 2012!
Volume 2, Issue 3
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The State of Affordable Housing in Arkansas:
The ACHANGE 2012 Public
Policy Symposium
June 20th, 8:00 am — 4:00 pm
The affordable housing landscape continues to change. What does the market look like in
2012? How affordable is housing in Arkansas? How does Arkansas compare to the rest of
the nation?
This symposium will provide insight into the current state of affordable housing, including
local, state and national perspectives.
Highlights of the Day:
“The State of Affordable Housing in Arkansas” presented by UALR’s Institute on
Economic Advancement. The report will highlight housing occupancy status, monthly
housing costs, and the economic impact of housing in Arkansas.
A multi‐discipline panel will discuss the state of housing from varying viewpoints .
Panelists include ADFA, private and nonprofit developers, LISC and NeighborWorks®
America
Town Hall discussion of affordable housing concerns.
Join in the discussion of the issues and help to provide a roadmap of where Arkansas
goes from here.
This year’s featured luncheon speaker is
Dr. Sheila Crowley, President and CEO of The National Low Income Housing Coalition.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to achieving socially just
public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have
affordable and decent homes. NLIHC educates, organizes and advocates to ensure de‐
cent, affordable housing within healthy neighborhoods for everyone.
Don’t delay! Register today!
Volume 2, Issue 3
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ATTN: HOMEBUYER
EDUCATORS AND
HOUSING COUNSELORS! Need some tools to energize your sessions?
HO280 Sharpen Your Presentation Skills – Tips and Tools to Rejuvenate Education and Counseling Programs
June 21-22, 2012
Are your education workshops expanding or bursting at the seams?
Is your audience fully engaged?
Are you looking for a way to market a program that appeals to a new audience in light of to-
day’s economic conditions?
Are you prepared to deliver energized education and counseling services under the NSP?
Energize your education and counseling programs to meet today’s market conditions and de-
mands. In this course designed for trainers, counselors and anyone in your organization fo-
cused on education and counseling activities, participants will receive state-of-the-art training
tools and materials, and practice presentation skills. You will review the methodology needed to
run a high-volume, high-quality homeownership education program. You will be instructed on
PowerPoint techniques and how to develop interactive learning activities.
Certificates are available for this course, but you must attend both days of training.
If you are interested in learning more about this class, call Debra at 501-766-3941.
Visit the website at www.achange.org . Register by June 7, to receive your
certificate on the last day of training.
Volume 2, Issue 3
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Beyond Bricks: The New Economy for Affordable Housing Providers
June 21st
Back by popular demand, Dione Alexander, VP, Nonprofit Finance Fund (2011 keynote
speaker) will provide a one‐day workshop specifically designed to help
you re‐conceptualize your organization in today’s economy.
Beyond Bricks is an interactive session designed to guide affordable
housing providers through an assessment of both the impact and
profitability of their programming and frame strategies and scenarios
to address the capital and capacity needed to achieve their aspirations
for change and growth.
Highlights of the Day:
"I Am From" (an exercise in storytelling)
All organizations need a way to frame their story that is less about the technical or
statistical achievement and more about the compelling ways in which lives and
communities are affected. Mission drives motives; reconnecting with why you as an or‐
ganization exist is the first step in planning for the future.
Impact Assessment
Participants will build a matrix that plots their core activities in terms of impact and
profitability and will develop some strategies and scenarios for contracting, expanding,
or changing programming to both strengthen their organization and their community.
Case Study
Participants will be led in a case study exercise and dialogue that focuses on an afforda‐
ble housing provider that substantially changed its business model. The case study will
also provide opportunity to learn and share information about new tools and
resources in the industry.
Ready to shift to a more integrated system of community development?
Register today!
Volume 2, Issue 3
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ARKANSAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK June 19 – 22, 2012
Hilton Little Rock, 925 S. University, Little Rock, AR 72204
Registration Form
Name:_________________________________________________________
Title: __________________________________________________________
Company/Office: _________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: __________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________ Fax:______________________
Email: _______________________________________________________
Community Development Service Awards June 19th 6pm
___Individual tickets @$50.00 each OR ___ Table @$500.00
(Please forward guest names. )
Addressing the Affordable Housing Dilemma in Arkansas Symposium June 20th
8:30 am—4:00 pm
___ Individual tickets @$50.00 Luncheon Only (11:30am—1:00pm): ____ tickets @$25.00
Keynote Speaker: Sheila Crowley, President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition
NeighborWorks® Sharpen Your Presentation Skills - Tips and Tools to Rejuvenate Education and Counseling Programs June 21st and 22nd 9:00 am—4:30 pm
____ $200.00 each
Beyond Bricks: : The New Economy for Affordable Housing Providers June 21st ONLY
___ $100 each
Volume 2, Issue 3
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MEMBER NEWS!!!
RENEWING MEMBERS
Pine Bluff—Jefferson County EOC
Southern Bancorp Community Partners
Northwest Arkansas Regional Housing Authority
Better Community Developers, Inc.
West Arkansas Community Development Corporation
Central Arkansas Development Corporation
Fort Smith Housing Authority
Other News
A scholarship is available from ACHANGE for the 2012 Community
Development Institute (CDI) in Conway, Arkansas. CDI is an intense,
information-rich experience for anyone who would like to learn more
about the total community development picture. If you’d like to see the schedule for the 2012
institute, click the CDI logo! For scholarship information, contact Debra.
HouseAboutIt’s 3rd annual Small City Summit will take place
on July 27, 2012, in Little Rock. Be on the lookout for more
information as plans are finalized.
For more information on the Small City Summit, click the summit logo or call HouseAboutIt at
501-247-3674.
3rdAnnualSmallCityEconomicLeadership&EmpowermentSummit
Volume 2, Issue 3
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ACHANGE Executive Committee Board Chairman—Karen Phillips
1st Vice Chairman—Susan Forte
2nd Vice Chairman—George Holcomb
Secretary— Frances Newsome
Treasurer—Cathy Carlock
Associate At-Large Board Member—Martie North
At-Large Board Member—Darryl Swinton
Program Manager—Debra Banks
Committee Chairs
Education and Training Committee Chairman—Roma Isom
Finance Committee Chairman—Cathy Carlock
Membership & Marketing Committee Chairman—George Holcomb
Public Policy Committee Chairman—Darryl Swinton
Resource Development Chairman—Charles Vann
Ad-hoc Committee Chairman—Martie North
Follow ACHANGE on
Facebook by clicking the
logo or by clicking here!
Follow ACHANGE on
Twitter by clicking the logo
or by clicking here!
401 Main Street, Suite 206
North Little Rock, AR 72114
501-766-3941 Fax: 501-244-9670
At ACHANGE, your membership matters.
Come grow along with us!