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FAST LINKS |
To subscribe, submit the form in the left column of this e-newsletter or visit www.nassembly.org. Newsbytes April 1, 2005 Newsbytes is the biweekly E-newsletter of the National Human Services Assembly that contains information for and about the nonprofit health and human services sector.
ASSEMBLY FEATURES "Rating the Raters" Study Released by National Assembly and National Council of Nonprofit Associations The National Human Services Assembly and the National Council of Nonprofit Associations recently released a study of charity “watchdog” organizations and publications that rank charitable nonprofit organizations. Rating the Raters: An Assessment of Organizations and Publications That Rate/Rank Charitable Nonprofit Organizations assessed rating, ranking and standards-setting entities. To download a free free copy of the report, click here.
By Marcia Avner The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook is a planning guide and resource for nonprofit organizations that want to influence issues that matter to them. This book will help you decide whether to lobby and then put plans in place to make it work. With this workbook you will learn how to initiate, support, and defeat bills, develop effective lobbying skills, gather and mobilize support, comply with state and federal regulations, and much more! Worksheets, sample agendas, and checklists break the process into doable steps. A complete case study, examples, and sidebars bring the process to life. Click here to learn more!
The Business Partners Program is a service for members of the National Assembly and their affiliates that leverages their combined purchasing power to reduce costs. Click on the logo above to see the complete list of National Assembly Business Services and Discounts. The Business Partners Program is made possible through the generous support of The UPS Foundation. Featured Business Partner A one-of-a-kind gift from stock or customized to say "Thank You", especially at this season of recognizing volunteers. Totally Chocolate specializes in creating chocolate items that express gratitude to employees and volunteers. All products are made from 100% pure Belgian chocolate and can be customized to fit specific needs. Items and wrappers can also be imprinted with organizations logos. National Assembly members receive special pricing and discounts. For more information, go to www.totallychocolate.com or call 1-800-255-5506 Study Shows Nonprofits Are Adopting Sarbanes-Oxley Reforms A study released this month shows that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act's corporate governance reforms for public companies are having an impact on the operations of nonprofit organizations and private companies. The study, sponsored by the Chicago-based law firm Foley & Lardner, is based on information collected from CEOs, CFOs, compliance officers, directors, and other officials at twenty-nine nonprofits and thirty-nine private firms. To read the complete report, click here. How to Attract Older Adults to Community Service Experience Corps released a new publication, Appealing to Experience: Zeroing In On the Right Message. Research done by Independent Sector shows that most older adults will volunteer when asked, but that less than half are ever asked. To help nonprofit organizations to do more asking, Experience Corps has collected what is known about crafting successful recruitment messages aimed at older adults. For more information and to download a free copy of the report, click here. Mission Based Advocacy Toolkit The Alliance for Children and Families announced the publication of a Mission Based Advocacy Toolkit. The Toolkit includes information to help advocates, board members, and volunteers engage in advocacy and lobbying. It also contains concrete tools and templates that make advocacy easier. If you have questions, would like more information, or would like to order a copy of the Toolkit, please contact policy@alliance1.org . Generations Unite Under One Roof Generations United, with the support of MetLife Foundation, recently announced the release of Under One Roof: A Guide to Starting and Strengthening Intergenerational Shared Site Programs to help government, nonprofits, and faith based organizations open the doors of new intergenerational shared sites and enhance the effectiveness of existing programs. The guide, authored by a national group of experts from various disciplines with practical knowledge on intergenerational shared sites, contains valuable information on program planning, design and construction, funding, marketing, and evaluation. It is available for free download at http://www.gu.org/share.asp .
Fact Sheets on Social Security and People with Disabilities The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force created a set of fact sheets to educate people about the effect of proposed changes to Social Security. Social Security provides benefits to 47 million people, including over 7 million people with disabilities and their families. The fact sheets cover topics such as how Social Security helps people with disabilities, including young workers who become disabled; how Social Security is funded; and how individual private accounts will affect the program. For more information, CLICK HERE. Gang Prevention Bill in Congress Focuses on Penalties, Not Prevention The Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2005, introduced by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) on March 14, focuses on enhanced penalties to deter gangs and expands authority to transfer juveniles to adult court. The bill does not include prevention strategies that educate parents and communities about the importance of promoting positive youth development. The House Subcommittee on Crime will hold a hearing on the bill on April 5. For more information, CLICK HERE. [Source: Child Welfare League of America] Report Calls for Reforms in State Juvenile Justice Laws A new report from the Coalition for Juvenile Justice finds that trying and sentencing youth in adult criminal court is harmful rather than helpful to community safety. Research has shown that prosecuting juveniles in the adult criminal system increases the likelihood that they will commit more serious crimes and that they will be released from prison without age-appopriate services and supports. The report, entitled Childhood on Trial, calls on policy makers to reform state laws that inappropriately send far too many youth under age 18, including first-time and nonviolent offenders, into the adult criminal justice system. To obtain a copy of the report, contact info@juvjustice.org.
Older Americans Month Photo Essay Contest The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) is sponsoring the 2005 Older Americans Month National Photography Contest. The purpose of this contest is to enhance the image of older Americans to all generations through pictures. The photographs are to reflect the photographer’s interpretation of the 2005 Older Americans Month Theme: “Celebrate Long-Term Living”. Download the contest entry form here. Deadline for entry is April 15, 2005. Target
Community Giving Program Youth Service America announced the winners of the fourth annual Harris Wofford Awards, named in honor of the former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Given to one young person, one institution, and one media organization, the Wofford Awards recognize commitment to service and civic involvement. This year's winners are: Individual Winner - Katie Pugh from Alabama; Institutional Winner – Alternatives, Inc. (Hampton, Virginia); and Media Winner – Jasper Newsboy (Jasper, Texas). For more information, click here.
National Collaboration for Youth Washington Group Meeting April 5, 2005, 1:30 - 3:00 PM, at the National Assembly, 1319 F Street, NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC. For more information, please contact david@nassembly.org Aging Caucus Meeting April 12, 2005, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the National Council on the Aging 300 D St SW, Suite 801, Washington, DC. For more information, please contact sara@nassembly.org Communications & Marketing Peer Group Meeting April 20, 2005, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM by conference call. To participate in this conference call, please contact sara@nassembly.org Resource Development Peer Group Meeting April 21, 2005, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM by conference call. To participate in this conference call, please contact sara@nassembly.org Senior Policy Council Meeting May 9, 2005, 12:00 PM -2:00 PM at the National Assembly, 1319 F Street, NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC. For more information, please contact david@nassembly.org National Collaboration for Youth Research Group meeting May 16, 2005, hosted by Girls Incorporated in Indianapolis, IN. For more information, please contact Pam Garza at pam@nassembly.org National Collaboration for Youth Program Group meeting May 19, 2005 hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, please contact Pam Garza at pam@nassembly.org
CONFERENCES, TRAININGS, AND EVENTS TRAININGS & EVENTS 14th Annual National Healthy Kids Day April 2, 2005 The 14th annual National Healthy Kids Day, sponsored by the YMCA of the USA, will bring kids and families together at more than 1,150 YMCAs across the nation to discover the wide range of wellness activities and youth sports available to kids. National Youth Service Day 2005 April 15-17, 2005
The Child Welfare League of America's 2005 Teleconference Series includes five sessions from January to May on child trauma. Specifically, they will focus on the developmental impact of child trauma; how knowledge of child trauma can enhance child welfare practice in various settings, such as schools and residential treatment centers; and evidence-based child trauma interventions that can be used to treat child sexual abuse. The next call is on April 21.
2005
National Volunteer Week - Inspire By Example Sponsored by the Points of
Light Foundation, National Volunteer Week is about thanking one of America's
most valuable assets – our volunteers – and calling the public's attention
to all that they do to improve our communities.
April 30-May 8, 2005 The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a diverse group of national organizations present the third Cover The Uninsured Week. The Week is a nationwide effort that features nonpartisan community town hall discussions about specific proposals for making health care more affordable and stable for all Americans, including the 45 million who are uninsured. For more information, visit http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/ Celebrate Older Americans Month The 2005 Older Americans Month theme, “Celebrate Long-Term Living” was selected by the Administration on Aging (AoA) to recognize and honor the valuable contributions of older persons to their communities as they age. Learn more, click here. May 17 & 18, 2005 The 4th Annual Afterschool
for All Challenge in Washington, DC, May 17th and 18th. Afterschool advocates
will gather in our Nation's capital to network, share advocacy ideas and
meet with Congressional leaders to discuss how afterschool is key to kids'
success. For more information, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org/challenge_2005.cfm. 2005 Points of Light Foundation Member and Connect America Partner Teleconferences The Points of Light Foundation offers teleconferences on a myriad of topics relevant to volunteer practitioners. Some take the form of short workshops; others are technical assistance calls; others may be discussion circles in which volunteer practitioners explore a new trend or rising concern in the field within the safe space of a facilitated call Whatever form they take, the calls are designed to help volunteer practitioners and leaders build the capacity of their organizations and communities to engage and mobilize volunteers to help solve serious social issues. Teleconferences are Free to Members of the Points of Light Foundation and $15 for Nonmembers (unless otherwise specified). To register for a teleconference, e-mail Nonprofit.gov@PointsofLight.org or call 202-729-3224. Registrations will be taken up to two hours prior to the call. Visit http://www.pointsoflight.org/resources/teleconferences/ for more information. UPCOMING CONFERENCES 16th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference and International Forum Youth Crime Watch America March 30-April 2, 2005 Miami, Florida Youth and their adult allies can find inspiration, valuable skills, prevention knowledge, and national resources in the fight against crime, violence, and drugs. Unifying Family Support Programs: Creating Policy, Power, Voice, Skills and Results Sponsored by Family Support America April 3-5, 2005 Jacksonville , Florida CORE: Coalition for Residential Education National Conference Tasting Success: Steps Toward Independent Living April 9-12, 2005 Milton Hershey School YouthBuild Conference & Transformation Institute The YouthBuild Academy for Transformation will hold two Transformation Institutes (April 11-13 in Los Angeles and October 24-26 in Washington, D.C.) for directors, staff, teachers, counselors, policy-makers, and funders from the youth development, youth leadership, youth employment, after-school, and education arenas. Los Angeles, CA - April 11-13, 2005 Washington, DC - October 24-26, 2005 2005
LSA Annual Conference Fight, Work and Pray for Justice! April 12-15, 2005 Washington Marriott Washington, DC Sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services Independent Living-Transitional Living Conference May 18-20, 2005 Atlanta, GA, This conference will focus on the latest issues and trends concerning independent living and transitional living programs with an emphasis on economic opportunities for older youth in care. One Child Many Hands: A Multidisciplinary Conference on Child Welfare June 2 & 2, 2005 Philadelphia, PA Presented by The Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania. National Mental Health Association Justice for All June 9-11, 2005 Washington, DC 2nd National School-Based Mentoring Conference June 14-16, 2005 Fairmont Hotel Sponsored by Youth Friends National Assembly/National Leaders Summit Keynote Speaker: Lester Salamon, Johns Hopkins University September 8, 2005 Reagan International Trade Center Washington, DC National Assembly-Alliance for Children & Families Policy Forum Connecting Grassroots and Grasstops Policy Efforts September 9, 2005 Washington, DC Generations United 13th International Conference The Intergeneration Current: Across the Life Span and Around the Globe September 13-17, 2005 Washington Marriott Washington, DC 2005 National Summit on Your City's Families Institute for Youth, Education, and Families National League of Cities September 25-28, 2005 San Antonio , TX "This exciting event focuses
participants' attention on what local government can do, both independently
and in partnership with others, to improve education and afterschool programs,
engage young people in community decision making, and create supports
for low-income working families." 2005 Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth Conference "The Asset-Building Get-Together: Creating Intergenerational Community" November 3-5, 2005 Dallas, TX InterContinental Hotel Sponsored by The Search Institute National Assembly/Executive Leadership Institute (in cooperation with Leader to Leader Institute) The Roles of Leaders in Learning Organizations/Knowledge Management For Top Executives and Board Leaders of National Assembly Member Organizations November 10-12, 2005 Wyndham Harbor Island Tampa, FL CLICK HERE to post your organization’s conference dates on the National Assembly’s website; click on “Add Your Own Event,” and follow the instructions.
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The
Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations: Shaping Public
Policy at the State and Local Level 
Youth
Service America and over 100 national partners present National Youth
Service Day 2005, a public awareness and education campaign that highlights
the amazing contributions that young people make to their communities
365 days a year. Young people will design and lead service-learning
projects in areas ranging from literacy and the environment to healthcare,
hunger, and help for the elderly. For more information, visit the
website at