Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A.G. SCHNEIDERMAN ANNOUNCES BOLD PLAN TO REVITALIZE AND REFORM NEW YORK’S NONPROFIT SECTOR

Attorney General Announces Nonprofit Report: Recommendations Guided by the Leadership Committee for Nonprofit Revitalization

New York State Attorney General Schneiderman unveiled a new plan on Thursday to reform and revitalize New York's nonprofit sector.

Announced before an audience of nonprofit and business leaders, the plan includes legislation to eliminate outdated and costly burdens on nonprofits, strengthen oversight and accountability, and reaffirm his office's commitment to policing fraud and abuse.

Acknowledging that organizations throughout New York State face historic financial and strategic challenges, the Attorney General's plan also includes several new partnerships with the business and academic communities to enhance nonprofit governance.

"New York is the proud home of the world's most dynamic and vibrant nonprofit sector, but for too long, our state's regulatory framework has placed unnecessary burdens on these essential organizations. This plan will unlock the full potential of our nonprofit community, and improve the lives of the countless New Yorkers they serve every day," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "In these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever to make New York a hospitable environment so nonprofits can continue to carry out their vital work. At the same time, we must maintain the public's trust by ensuring that nonprofits are governed effectively, and with meaningful oversight."

"NYCON applauds the Attorney General for his leadership in putting forth a positive agenda for reform of state and nonprofit relations," said Doug Sauer, NYCON CEO. "In the spirit of cooperation and partnership, we are hopeful that the AG, Comptroller, Governor and Legislature can work together to further shape and support the recommendations."

In 2011, Attorney General Schneiderman convened a Leadership Committee for Nonprofit Revitalization with 32 nonprofit leaders, including NYCON CEO Doug Sauer, to recommend proposals that would reduce regulatory burdens on nonprofits, while strengthening governance and accountability.

Today's legislative and reform initiatives are responsive to the committee's recommendations.

They include:
The Nonprofit Revitalization Act, to be proposed by the Attorney General;
"New York on BOARD" and;
"Directors U" designed to improve nonprofit governance

More Details & Full Report
http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2012/feb/feb16a_12.html

Friday, February 10, 2012

Career Opportunity: CADE Executive Director position

The Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship, Inc. (CADE) seeks a dynamic and experienced Executive Director to lead the organization. CADE was founded in 1991 as a non-profit organization and is based in Oneonta, NY. CADE strives to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises and related businesses in New York.

The Executive Director has the primary responsibility of managing day-to-day operations, leading the organization’s development efforts, and directing the work of staff and consultants. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director ensures that the organization is fiscally sound and that its communications, fund raising, and programming are meeting current and emerging needs of the sustainable agricultural industry.

The Executive Director will be adept at both internal management and optimizing external impact and visibility.  Successful candidates must be excellent communicators, who are able to convey effectively the mission and activities of CADE to specific constituencies, as well as to the general public. CADE offers a competitive salary and benefits package. CADE is an equal opportunity employer.  Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and three professional references to cadedirjob@yahoo.com by March 1, 2012.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Business Growth Workshop Sponsored by SEFCU

Are you looking to make changes to your business in 2012?

Looking to close the gap between where you currently are in your business and life and where you truly want to be? Presented by John Stahl, The Growth Coach, this workshop will help you slow down and reflect on your business, better manage priorities with a strategic plan, generate an action plan to increase revenues, and learn strategies that will dramatically grow your business.

This powerful planning retreat will help you examine your current role as an owner and adopt even more effective mindsets, strategies, habits, and areas of focus. In short, The Growth Coach will help you discover how to work smarter, not harder. This business growth workshop will put you on a path toward earning more, working less, and enjoying a richer life both professionally and personally.

When: Tuesday, February 21
Open Networking - 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Workshop - 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Where: Country Inn and Suites
4470 State Highway 28
Milford, NY 13807

RSVP: E-mail or call Angie Erway at 607-547-6083 or aerway@sefcu.com

School program connects employers with workers

People need jobs. Companies need workers with skills.

Milford Central School is erecting a bridge, of sorts, that can help connect job seekers with employers.

Through the Career Opportunities in Rural Education program, Milford Central has established a network of adult education courses and career advancement training programs designed to help those seeking careers land jobs with local employers or start businesses themselves.

Area residents interested in learning more about CORE's initiative are invited to the official launch of the program, scheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at Milford Central.

"We find so often that kids go off to college but end up not being able to use their degrees to get jobs here, and we want to avoid that," school CORE Director Liz Rickard said. "The young people tend to leave this region because they aren't finding the opportunities here."

CORE has identified a smorgasbord of educational backgrounds and job skills that could be promoted in the region to help employers find qualified workers from the local pool of available labor, read more here

C'town Chamber names Patricia Szarpa as executive director

The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce announced that Patricia A. Szarpa will be its executive director, effective April 1.

Szarpa joins the local chamber from her position as executive director of the Western New York Land Conservancy, which she has served since 2006, a media release issued Tuesday said.

She has more than 25 years of experience in public relations, marketing, outreach and business management and a record of community partnerships and volunteerism.

She led the nonprofit conservancy in developing a five-year strategic plan, the release said, and she increased membership and donor growth and retention.

Szarpa fills a vacancy left by Susan O'Handley, who resigned from the Cooperstown Chamber in October.

"Patricia Szarpa has an outstanding mix of skills, experience and personality to execute the goals of the Cooperstown Chamber and its members," Ken Meifert, chairman of the search committee, said in a prepared statement. "The board of directors is confident that Patricia will be a great fit, and that she will be very successful in leading our efforts to promote local business and tourism."

Szarpa and her husband, Darryl, had been planning a move to Cooperstown when the Cooperstown Chamber position became available, the release said.

"We actually had our honeymoon in Cooperstown," she said in the release. "My husband wanted his two 'loves' to meet _ his new bride and the Baseball Hall of Fame! Since then we have been here numerous times as our boys were growing up. It will be privilege to be a part of this community _ something we have talked about for a long time!"

Szarpa is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and a certificate in public relations.

She also holds an associate degree in business administration from Villa Maria College of Buffalo.

"I truly look forward to my new role with the Cooperstown Chamber and the opportunity to work with area businesses and residents in growing visibility, vibrancy and sustainability of the village, awareness and overall community pride," Szarpa said.

The Cooperstown Chamber, located at 31 Chestnut St., represents more than 400 members from central New York.

This year, the Chamber restructured its membership to lower annual dues while adding significant member benefits.

Monday, February 6, 2012

NYCON CEO Doug Sauer Testifies at Public Hearing on Executive Compensation at Not-for-Profits

Public Hearing: To examine executive compensation at not-for-profit organizations receiving State funding and the actions needed to prevent State tax dollars from being wasted on excessive salaries
Senate Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
Chair: Senator Carl L. Marcellino

NY Council of Nonprofits CEO Doug Sauer shares feedback and testimony on the Governor's Executive Order addressing Executive Compensation for Not-for-Profits. You can hear Doug's comments beginning at 49:30. Watch for more from NYCON shortly. Interested in joining the NYCON mailing list? Subscribe here.

Summer Opportunities Fair For Your Nonprofit: Sign Up Now

Free for Nonprofits!
SUNY College at Oneonta's 2012 Summer Opportunities Fair will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 1:00-4:00pm in the Hunt Union Ballroom. This event is open to both SUNY College at Oneonta and Hartwick College students.

This event provides a venue to learn about potential jobs and internships, career paths and organizations, and to network with employers. Student registration is not required. However, it is encouraged that students submit professional documents to CDC Staff for review prior to the event. Professional attire is recommended.

Nonprofits will find this event a good opportunity to identify candidates for internships and other summer positions. Registration is is now open. Space is limited therefore we recommend that you register early.
CLICK HERE: TO SIGN UP OR FOR MORE INFO

Interested in Promoting an Internship with SUNY Oneonta?
If you are interested in promoting an internship experience with your nonprofit, SUNY Oneonta's Career Development Center has provided the following Internship Vacancy Form to complete. Have questions or need more info, contact Megan Ackley, Internship Coordinator.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

The Development Assessment: A Tool to Enhance Fund Raising Effectiveness

Presented by Michael Stein, Vice President Development at the Bassett Medical Center

Many nonprofit executives are confronted with the challenge of leading organizational fund raising efforts without necessarily having background or experience in this most critical area. The development assessment process provides organizations with a comprehensive analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of existing fund raising programs. The assessment process focuses on how the organization can maximize current resources and makes recommendations regarding additional resources needed to attain full fund raising potential. The development assessment is worth considering if an organization:
• Is dissatisfied with current fund raising performance.
• Wants to increase Board involvement, participation and “ownership” of the development program
• Seeks comparative benchmarks by which to evaluate fund raising effectiveness
• Is looking for a strategic development plan to complement the overall organizational strategic plan.
• Is preparing for a major capital campaign.

REGISTER NOW

Date: April 25, 2012
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Location: FoxCare Center's Education Room 1 FoxCare Drive, Route 7 Oneonta, NY 13820


On the Presenter: Michael Stein was appointed Vice President- Development at the Bassett Medical Center (Cooperstown, NY) in February of 2011. He joined Bassett in 1982 and later became the organization’s first Director of Public Relations and Fund Development. In that capacity, Stein helped orchestrate Bassett’s first capital campaign to help fund construction of the Bassett Clinic. In 1994, he left Bassett to serve as the Vice President for Development of the Presbyterian Hospital in the City of New York. Returning to Bassett in October 1996, Stein served as the Vice President for External Affairs. He successfully managed a $15 million capital campaign in 1997 and later led the Bassett Heart Care Campaign, which raised $12 million in support of the Bassett Heart Care Institute and related construction projects. For the past five years he has served as Bassett’s Executive Director for Government Affairs on a part-time basis, while also serving as an independent fund raising consultant to numerous not for profit organizations throughout upstate New York including the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Springbrook, Union Graduate College and the Masonic Research Laboratory. He has lectured on fundraising topics for many organizations and academic institutions throughout the state.


Stein serves on the board of O’Connor Hospital in Delhi, the University Council at the University at Albany and is currently co-chair of Planned Parenthood of South Central New York. He previously served as President of the Utica Chapter of the American Heart Association, and on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association Northeast Affiliate. He also chaired the Health Care Association of New York State’s Task Force on Community Health.


Stein is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University at Albany and a Masters in Counseling in Higher Education from the University of Michigan. He lives in Cooperstown with his family.

Friday, February 3, 2012

OFO to Share Key Findings

In October 2011, Opportunities for Otsego completed a comprehensive community needs assessment of Otsego County. The report analyzes key issues, population changes, demographics, and poverty relating to employment, education, housing, nutrition, income, transportation, and health. The final document is available for download through the Publications Section of Opportunities for Otsego’s website.

To supplement the community needs assessment document, Opportunities for Otsego will hold a webinar to present key findings. The online event will begin promptly at 1:00PM (EST) on Wednesday, February 15th. The event will last approximately 45 minutes, with added time for Q&A.

To register, individuals must email their name and company affiliation to Opportunities for Otsego by close of business on Tuesday, February 14th.


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This webinar is being held in partnership with the State University of New York at Oneonta, Center for Economic and Community Development.