GLOBAL CONNECTIONS 2015 Annual Report

Building Community Across Cultures

314 Boucke Building

University Park, PA 16802

814-863-3927

gc-cc@psu.edu

www.gc-cc.org 2015 Annual Report

People served in 2015 = over 5,600 through programs & events including…

Conversation Partners Program - 240 Women’s Intercultural Book Groups - 40

International Friendship Program - 89 International Children’s Festival - 450

English (ESL) Classes - 270

International Speakers Program - 623 Translation & Interpretation Services - 210

Tax Assistance Program - 635 internationals from over 55 countries

None of these programs and events would be possible without the

support and generosity of our hundreds of volunteers, donors, and friends.

THANK YOU to all of you who help to support our mission and our work in many ways!

In 2015, Global Connections progressed in its mission to strengthen the cultural fabric of our diverse community through partnerships, service, education, and advocacy. Our organization continued to build community across cultures as we served over 5,600 people through a variety of programs, services, and events.

Global Connections’ programs thrived as people from the local community, the university, and around the world sought out opportunities to connect locally and globally. The Conversation Partners and International Friendship programs helped to forge many new connections and friendships, with over 170 new matches bringing people together from over 35 countries in the world. With the help of many wonderful volunteer facilitators, people connected through art, literature, and conversation as participants in Conversation & Crafts and our Women’s Intercultural Book Groups.

We collaborated with a number of community groups, businesses, and organizations over the course of the year. One highlight was an International Speakers Program event that took place at the Howard United Methodist Church in Howard, PA. This event featured several people of the Muslim faith who shared a variety of personal and cultural perspectives and life experiences with a group of people of the Christian faith. A collection of other events provided additional opportunities for community involvement and intercultural interaction: the International Children’s Festival, our Found In Translation poetry event held at Webster’s Bookstore & Café, the Community Resource Fair & Kids’ Day, Community Super Fair, United Way Day of Caring, and walking tours of downtown State College for new Penn State University International Students and their parents.

The Cultural Luncheon series this year featured cuisine from Germany, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, and a combined luncheon for Belize & El Salvador. Over 400 guests attended these popular luncheons throughout the year. Guests enjoyed delicious home-cooked food and wonderful cultural presentations. Our Passport On A Plate gala event focused on the theme A Caribbean Odyssey. Attendees enjoyed superb cuisine and beverages influenced by the flavors and flare of the Caribbean, and many guests took home wonderful items from the event’s live and silent auctions.

In the world of technology and social media, our website has improved immensely since undergoing a major overhaul in late 2014, and our staff continues to grow in their knowledge of website design. Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, just to name a few, have helped us to spread the word about what’s happening with Global Connections. We had over 100 new followers “Like” our Facebook page in 2015 to bring the total to just under 900 “Likes.” These social media platforms continue to help us share information about community groups, events, and services that help people connect locally and globally.

Board Initiatives 2015-2016

Statement of Financial Activities

January - December 2015

Capped by a retreat in October, our Board of Directors completed the development of a new, three-year strategic plan. This process proved to be extremely positive and included: (1) rewriting the wording of our mission statement, (2) reviewing all aspects of administration, development, and programming, and (3) re-focusing priorities in support of our mission.

Income

Contributions, Grants

Centre Gives 7,676.83

Contributions 3,175.53

Grants 3,300.00

Humphrey Program Grant 3,000.00

Ouwehand Family Fund 973.60

United Way 16,583.37

Total Contributions, Grants $ 34,709.33

Development

Annual Appeal 1,885.00

Passport-on-a-Plate

Auction Live 1,550.00

Auction Silent 6,640.69

Donors 2,182.30

Sponsors 23,450.00

Tickets 25,170.00

Total Passport-on-a-Plate $ 58,992.99

Total Development $ 60,877.99

Interest Income 120.52

Miscellaneous Income 535.64

Program Service Revenue

Education

Cultural Luncheons 3,374.00

International Speakers Program 250.00

Total Education $ 3,624.00

Integrating

Women's Intercultural Book Groups 3,282.15

International Children’s Festival 1,139.00

International Women's Day 1,711.00

Women's International Night Out 7,070.00

Total Integrating $ 13,202.15

Navigating

Community Translators 500.00

Total Navigating $ 500.00

Penn State University 37,500.00

Total Program Service Revenue $ 54,826.15

TOTAL INCOME $ 151,069.63

Net Operating Income $ 8,451.57

Net Income $ 8,451.57

Expenses

Administrative Expenses

Bank Charges 30.00

Conferences 197.44

Dues & Subscriptions 570.00

General Administrative Expenses 597.85

Parking 55.00

Postage 193.14

Stationery & Printing 206.22

Supplies 379.41

Technology 5,652.57

Total Administrative Expenses $ 7,881.63

CCCHS Grant Expenditures 4,914.66

Depreciation 464.90

Development Expenses

Centre Gives & Annual Appeal 463.60

Passport-on-a-Plate Dinner 5,643.59

Total Development Expenses $ 6,107.19

Insurance

Insurance, D&O 1,080.00

Insurance, Liability 500.00

Total Insurance $ 1,580.00

Meals and Entertainment 70.00

Payroll Expenses

Payroll Tax Expense 0.00

FICA/Medicare 6,120.10

Unemployment Compensation Tax 1,004.79

Total Payroll Tax Expense $ 7,124.89

Salary and Wages

Total Salary and Wages $ 105,730.70

Workers' Compensation Insurance 610.00

Total Payroll Expenses $ 113,465.59

Programs Service Expenses

Cultural Luncheons 2,075.33

English Language Classes (ESL) 7.46

Found in Translation 1.50

Women's Intercultural Book Groups 200.00

International Children’s Festival 1,123.01

International Friendship Program 387.07

International Speakers Program 21.92

International Women's Day 1,499.54

Women's International Night Out 2,818.26

Total Programs Service Expenses $ 8,134.09

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 2,618.06

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Board Members 2015-2016 Talat Azhar Linda Barton Eleanor Bird (Vice-President) Josephine Carubia Emily Gallagher (Treasurer) Carl Hill Elaine Jurs (Secretary) Doris MacKenzie Mike Ostroski Jean Landa Pytel Laura Reidy Susan Steinberg (President) Maureen Wagner Wendy Warner Jie Xu Bill Zimmerman Jennifer Campbell (Penn State Liaison)

The Board of Directors meets on the third Thursday of every month. Members of the Board serve 3-year terms, renewable.

Staff

Marc McCann Executive Director

Virginia Meadows Program Coordinator

Sarah Dufour Program Coordinator

is a United Way Member Agency & Pennsylvania State University Affiliate