Saturday, September 26, 2009

$3.9 million grant awared for affiliation between Bassett Hospital and A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital

The Daily Star reported that plans for an affiliation of Bassett Healthcare and A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital received grant funding.

Overall, the legislature provided $436 million in the budget for Health care Efficiency and Affordability Law, or HEAL, of New York State grants to address the needs of health facilities statewide, according to an announcement by Gov. David Paterson. The funds are provided by the state Department of Health and Dormitory Authority.

A $3.9 million grant was awarded to facilitate the proposed affiliation between Bassett in Cooperstown and Fox Hospital in Oneonta, according to a joint release from the two organizations.

The two have been planning for months to achieve greater operating efficiencies and responsiveness to the community. That could be completed later this year, officials from both organizations said.

The funds will be used, according to the release, as follows: $2 million to Fox Hospital for restructuring existing debt; $400,000 to Fox to undertake a comprehensive master facility planning process; $500,000 to support information technology costs involved in connecting the two facilities; $300,000 to support legal activities; $500,000 to support the establishment of Bassett clinical services at FoxCare Center; and $200,000 to assist in recruiting health care provides to serve the greater Oneonta community.

Read more here.

Friday, September 25, 2009

United Way strives to make its goal in tough economic year

The Daily Star reported the kickoff reception for the 40th year of the United Way of Delaware & Otsego Counties was held Thursday at the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

About 75 people attended the opening of the fundraising campaign that runs through Dec. 31, Executive Director Terry Capuano said.

In the current economy, this will be a tough year to meet the goal of surpassing the 2008 total of $343,000, she said. But she is "cautiously optimistic."

The goal should be attainable when the public realizes that 99 percent of their donations "stays local," she said. The donations help fund programs in qualifying agencies in Delaware and Otsego counties that meet the needs of people.

Nonprofit agencies that receive support for specific programs include Planned Parenthood of South Central New York, Opportunities for Otsego, Salvation Army and Hancock Community Education Foundation. Read more here.

September 30th Employer Resources Program Announced!

Many local nonprofits are in the process of downsizing and re-organizing their staff, and are looking for ideas on how to do this appropriately and effectively. In response to these challenges, the Leatherstocking AEA has planned a panel discussion on human resources and employee issues (such as regulations, benefits, and employer resources). This panel discussion will offer you information on local resources, including sources for possible interns and training programs.

New Panel Addition!
The panel will feature presenters Alan Sessions, Business Services Rep. for the Dept. of Labor & CDO Workforce; Tammy Neumann, VP Human Resources and Development at Wilber National Bank; and Melissa Marietta, Internship Coordinator at Hartwick College.
A new addition is Kelly McGraw, Director of Human Resources for Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care.

Here's a peak at some of the material to be covered by the panel:
Wondering how to recruit and utilize interns? Join us to learn about what do students get from internships and why are college campuses promoting them so much. Hear what employers gain from hosting interns and how hiring interns can help your nonprofit. You will even learn about how to get your internship program started, and the legal considerations you need to be aware of and address.

WE NEED YOUR INPUT: Questions for our Panel
In preparation for this Program, please share questions you are hoping will be answered by the panel (click here).

The Program will be hosted by the Foothills Performing Arts Center. Attend the Program and learn about this impressive facility and its growing programming.
Date: September 30th, 9:30 am to 11:00 amLocation: Foothills Performing Arts Center
24 Market Street
Oneonta, NY 13820

REGISTER HERE

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Focus Groups Announced: Arts Council Needs Your Input

Greetings from UCCCA:

As you are aware, UCCCA is moving forward shortly to conduct a search for a new Executive Director and determine the future direction of the organization. With the current economy, our organization needs to set priorities for the best use of its resources. In order for the Board to be well informed we need input and thoughts from our various constituencies. To that end, Justine Woolner-Wise and I will be conducting focus groups in October. Each will aimed at a particular group of constituents, but feel free to attend any one of the three that is convenient for you. The groups will be held at the Wilber Mansion beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending no later than 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be available and we are requesting that you RSVP so adequate planning can take place. Also, please feel free to invite others to attend if they are interested and were not contacted directly by us. Let us know if you and others are coming.

October 1, 2009
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Artists, Galley Owners, Teachers

October 8, 2009
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Art Organizations, Local Business & Government

October 15, 2009
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Community at Large and UCCCA Members

I hope you will mark these dates on your calendar and plan to attend. Again, please RSVP by calling 607-432-2070 or emailing calbrecht@uccca.com so we can be fully prepared for the meeting.

If you are unable to attend any of the meetings, but want a chance to participate, you may take a survey UCCCA has made available on Survey Monkey. Copy and paste the survey link into your internet browser: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspxsm=NXTHOBJrPcas5_2fn9_2fSl1Dg_3d_3d


Cheri Albrecht,MPA
Interim Executive Director
UCCCA
607-432-2070

Friday, September 18, 2009

September 30th Employer Resources Program Announced

Many local nonprofits are in the process of downsizing and re-organizing their staff, and are looking for ideas on how to do this appropriately and effectively. In response to these challenges, the Leatherstocking AEA has planned a panel discussion on human resources and employee issues (such as regulations, benefits, and employer resources). This panel discussion will offer you information on local resources, including sources for possible interns and training programs.

The panel will feature presenters Alan Sessions, Business Services Rep. for the Dept. of Labor & CDO Workforce; Tammy Neumann, VP Human Resources and Development at Wilber National Bank; and Melissa Marietta, Internship Coordinator at Hartwick College. The Program will be hosted by the Foothills Performing Arts Center. Attend the Program and learn about this impressive facility and its growing programming.

Date: September 30th, 9:30 am to 11:00 am
Location: Foothills Performing Arts Center
24 Market Street
Oneonta, NY 13820
REGISTER HERE

Friday, September 4, 2009

Soccer Hall of Fame to Close

The Daily Star reported that the museum at the National Soccer Hall of Fame will be closed to the public after Labor Day, except for dates when matches are on the field, its President and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Ullman said Thursday.

He spoke during a media conference at the facility about the Soccer Hall's financial difficulties and also confirmed there will be a reduction in staff as it works on "a new sustainable operating model." He did not discuss details of the cuts, saying, "We have some wonderful people that have worked extremely hard and have been dedicated to this organization." Read more here.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

OFO awarded $2.4 million stimulus funding to help fight poverty

WKTV reported that Congressman Michael Arcuri made a stop to announce some major funding for Otsego County on Monday.

Arcuri spoke at Opportunities for Otsego, a non-profit organization whose goal is to fight poverty.

On Monday, Congressman Arcuri announced that there is $2.4 million coming to Otsego County under the stimulus package. Much of the money will be used for various programs, including one called "Wheels to Work." It provides many transportation-related services, including helping to secure car insurance. Watch the video here.

Employees Volunteer Services to Charities and Nonprofits, Fostering Potential New Customer Relationships

Some small businesses are following the recession playbook of the unemployed.

Just as many laid-off workers are volunteering more to fill up their free time and enhance their résumés, small-business owners and their employees are doing more pro bono services or volunteer work as a marketing and customer-relations strategy.

The recession hit Studio G Architects Inc. of Boston particularly hard last fall, causing 2008 revenue to drop 30% from the prior year, says Gail Sullivan, the principal. Clients of the 16-year-old architectural firm killed or put on hold 10 projects last October. With work slowing down, the company began providing 15 to 20 hours a week in pro bono services to keep employees occupied and potentially attract future contracts. It worked.

This spring the firm prepared preliminary design projects, such as a playground for severely handicapped children, for various charities. The projects later received full funding and Studio G obtained several contracts, which ranged in value from $16,000 to $100,000. "Offering the pro bono services has given us a chance to maintain our design vigor [and] resulted in people hiring us," Ms. Sullivan says.

For a small business that has lost clients or seen revenue-generating projects dry up, performing free work is a way to keep employees engaged while cultivating new relationships. Donating services to charity groups, churches, schools and other nonprofits can "increase local visibility, deepen local business ties and create opportunity for new business," says Christine Banning, vice president of marketing and communications at SCORE, a Washington-based group that provides free counseling to small businesses. Read more here.

How can nonprofits in the local region better position themselves for attracting pro bono assistance? Share your ideas here.