CitySeed is seeking a Part-Time Market Manager (I) to help manage its 2012 markets in New Haven, CT. The Assistant will work under the supervision of the Market Manager and with other CitySeed staff, vendors, interns and volunteers to create successful and viable markets for Connecticut farmers and consumers. The Assistant Market
Manager will be responsible for sole and co-management of farmers’ markets and administering the Double Value Coupon Program (DVCP) and FVRx (Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Prescriptions) Programs. DVCP and FVRx are incentive programs to encourage greater consumption of fruits and vegetables at our markets. This position starts at the end of April 2012 and would typically include our Wednesday-Sunday markets over the course of the season. Specific market days are flexible and typically divided between the Market Manager and this position. From July through October, the Assistant Market Manager must be available to work the Fair Haven Market on Thursdays from approximately noon- 8pm.
 
Responsibilities:
• Oversee day to day operation of markets, including set up, special events, vendor and customer management, breakdown, and vendor reimbursements
• Answer DVCP and FVRx program questions
• Run Debit, Credit, and SNAP transactions on the wireless terminal
• Collect and input DVCP and FVRx transaction data on reporting sheets
• Ensure compliance of city, state and CitySeed regulations, policies and guidelines
• Ensure market profitability with sales of CitySeed merchandise as well as collection of vendor fees
• Work with and train interns and volunteers at markets
• Effectively manage relationships with vendors and consumers
• Work and collaborate with partnering neighborhood groups at each market
• Communicate CitySeed’s mission and programs to market-goers
• Attend additional events, as necessary, to represent CitySeed
 
Desired Qualifications:
• Enthusiasm for connecting communities through food
• Experience and/or desire to work with farmers, communities and food systems
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution and creative problem solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Fluency or understanding of Spanish language a plus
• Flexibility, maturity and a sense of humor
• Ability to lift heavy objects, work in inclement weather conditions and drive a vehicle safely with a trailer attached
 
• REQUIRED: valid driver’s license
 
Compensation and Start Date: This position is part-time starting at the end of April 2012 with hours varying between 10 – 30 hours per week (May only has two markets per week; June through November has between 4-5 markets in operation). Pay is $12/Hour. 

To apply please send resume, cover letter and (2) references to jobs@cityseed.org. This position will be posted until filled. CitySeed is an Equal Opportunity Employer and especially invites applications
from members of underrepresented groups.

Download the PDF version 

You’ve got to get out there—or so nonprofits are told. There being the world of social media: the everexpanding array of web-based and mobile technologies that can turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Social media makes use of a range of highly accessible technologies—video, audio, digital text, or a mix of these. Content created on these platforms is shared in a social environment, whether that be Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, or your organization’s blog.

http://www.bridgespan.org/tweeting-for-a-better-world.aspx

The Grove, partner to The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, for training of Neighborhood Leadership Grant recipients was featured in Fast Company Magazine. Grove Founders Slate Ballard and Ken Janke developed the training modules for our neighborhood leadership grants recipients with Community Organizer Kevin Ewing.

Read: "Why You Should Start A Company In... New Haven" by following this link.

Fast Company is a business magazine that focuses on technology, business, and design.

go to www.GNHCommunity.org scroll to the bottom, left-side or go directly to: http://tastycupcakes.org/

Dear Connecticut Nonprofit Colleagues,

The Global Training and Development Institute and University of Connecticut Nonprofit Leadership Program are pleased to announce the Young Turkey/Young America Nonprofit/NGO/Grassroots Leaders Exchange Program made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Overview

We are seeking sixteen (16) emerging Connecticut nonprofit leaders for an open, merit-based competitive process to take part in a social and economic challenges for future leaders exchange program with Turkey NGO* counterparts. Selected participants (fellows) will travel to Turkey for a two-week program with their Turkish counterparts from September 8-19, 2012. All international travel expenses of participants are covered by grant funds. Turkish Fellows will visit their Connecticut Fellows and organizations from June 24-27, 2012, with optional collaborative workshops for American Fellows to join at the UConn Storrs Campus during the Turkish contingent three week stay in the United States.

This exchange program is aimed at promoting mutual understanding and professional networks between the U.S. and Turkey, while expanding the effectiveness and capacity of grassroots and nonprofit organizations to address social and economic challenges within marginalized populations and economically disadvantaged communities.  The overarching goal of the Young Turkey/Young America Program is to develop grassroots initiatives that positively impact people’s lives resulting in stronger ties between the two nations.

Details

Please see the linked flyer and application from the University of Connecticut announcing a competitive merit-based search for sixteen (16) Connecticut young mid-career professionals (nonprofit and grassroot emerging leaders, ages 24-35) and their sponsoring employers to participate in a two-way educational and cultural exchange program.

The program involves face-to-face and web based workshops for grassroots leaders from the U.S. along with their grassroots leaders from Turkey, to help them better address the pressing social and economic challenges facing both countries.  The grant funding also supports eight follow-up social change projects in local communities throughout Turkey, and allows for ongoing networking, project planning and collaboration between the participants. 

The U.S. based portion of the exchange program will be held from June 16–29, 2012.  U.S. and Turkish young leaders will attend numerous workshops together at the UConn campus in Storrs, CT during this timeframe. Due to travel constraints, the UConn Storrs-based teachings are optional for Connecticut Fellows. The Turkish young leaders will also have the opportunity to job shadow at the U.S. Fellow organizations for (3) days, and subsequently work with UConn program faculty and the U.S. Fellows to plan grant-funded social change projects for local communities in Turkey.

As this is a two-way exchange, the U.S. Fellows will subsequently travel to Istanbul, Turkey on September 8, 2012 for 12 days to participate in Turkey based exchange activities, which will also include workshops, cultural exchanges, job shadowing, and field visits to their Turkish counterparts social change project.

Language and Matching

The Turkish Fellow you will be matched with speaks English and so do members of their NGO organization. So you do not have to speak Turkish, and language will not be a barrier to your application. You will be accompanied in your travel to Turkey by Roy Pietro, Director of the UConn Global Training and Development Institute and myself.

To make this as powerful a learning and exchange process as possible for you, we will be matching you with organizations and Fellows who do similar work as your organization in Connecticut. Based on our accepted Turkish Fellow pool, U.S. applicants who will have an edge in the selection process will have direct work, advocacy or backgrounds in one of the following areas (in alpha order):

• Adult education in marginalized populations
• Children and youth issues
• Community health issues
• Community integration of immigrant populations and discrimination
• Democracy, human rights and social justice      
• Entrepreneurship and social enterprise
• Grassroots community development and empowerment
• Individuals with disabilities
• Micro-credit and economic empowerment of marginalized individuals and communities
• Multicultural tolerance and awareness
• Municipal support operations; such as fire, emergency EMT and first-responder
• Multicultural tolerance and awareness
• Reducing domestic violence
• Women’s rights, gender equality and empowerment

• In addition, applicants with experience in advocacy and partnering with government on one or more of the above issues, or individuals in town or Connecticut state government that are working on any of the issues listed above will be strongly considered.

To Apply

We invite young grassroots Connecticut leaders to apply at this time.  We also welcome grassroots and nonprofit organizations in Connecticut to nominate someone at their organization for this opportunity. 

All candidates must complete and email back the linked application, along with their current resume to me at david.garvey@uconn.edu.

Application deadline is Friday, May 11, 2012.

If mailed the address is Dr. David Garvey, Nonprofit Leadership Program, Center for Continuing Studies, University of Connecticut, One Bishop Circle, Unit 4056, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT  06269-4056

My best,

Dave

David Garvey, Ph.D.

Director

Nonprofit Leadership Program

Center for Continuing Studies

University of Connecticut

One Bishop Circle, Unit 4056

Storrs, CT  06269

Ph. 860-486-2574

Fax. 860-486-5221

david.garvey@uconn.edu

Skype: david.garvey.uconn

http://continuingstudies.uconn.edu/professional/nonprofit

Member of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council

International Host of the 2013 ARNOVA Conference on Nonprofit Research

* NGO refers to non-governmental organization, similar in mission to an American nonprofit.

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that is opened the application process for the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program. As part of the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, this fund is designed to support “community-oriented strategies to address neighborhood-level crime issues.” The application is available online here and due June 7.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today sent a letter to state agency commissioners directing them to work with the Department of Administrative Services and the Department of Labor to widely advertise agency summer job opportunities.

“Connecticut’s falling unemployment rate is good news, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us,” said Governor Malloy. “Any one of these jobs can make a difference to someone who is unemployed or a young person looking to gain work experience.  I want to ensure that we are casting a wide net, so that we can both help people who face specific employment challenges and stimulate our economy.”

The Office of Policy and Management recently approved 1,252 full and part-time seasonal positions within state agencies, a large majority of which are with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

“Connecticut has now recovered just over 30 percent of the 117,000 jobs that were lost during the recession and this is good news for those residents who have found new employment,” noted State Labor Commissioner Glenn Marshall. “But for those jobseekers having difficulty finding a new position, these openings can provide excellent short-term employment opportunities as they continue their job search.”

With additional seasonal employees, agencies will staff camps and respite activities for disabled residents, state park maintenance teams, and operations crews for recreational facilities.  Funded through a variety of state, federal and private resources, agencies will work with the Department of Labor to reach out to the unemployed and other targeted groups, and with the Department of Administrative Services to widely post information on each position.

For more information on seasonal jobs, visit the Department of Administrative Services website.

Prepare For Your Future

If you are working in a nonprofit, have an associate degree (or 60 college credits) and seek to move into a leadership role in the nonprofit sector, the University of Connecticut has designed a degree-completion program for you. The Bachelor of Professional Studies in Nonprofit Leadership allows you to enter UConn as a junior (if you have an associate degree), complete your degree and prepare you for management roles in your organization and the nonprofit sector.

Convenient Format and Top Faculty

The core classes of the Nonprofit Leadership program are all taught online. So you have flexibility to incorporate your learning with your work schedule. The degree-completion program was developed by the University of Connecticut Nonprofit Leadership Program in partnership with the University’s Department of Public Policy, Schools of Business and Social Work, and leaders of the Connecticut nonprofit sector.

"The University of Connecticut has brought together the brightest thinkers in the nonprofit field to support your career growth through the bachelor degree-completion program in Nonprofit Leadership."   —Rick Porth, Executive Director of the United Way of Connecticut

Essential Courses

Seven courses have been specifically designed as part of this degree-completion program by nonprofit sector leaders.

1. Leading and Governing Nonprofit Organizations
2. Strategic Planning, Outcomes and Evaluation in the Social Sector
3. Nonprofit Organization Fund Development
4. Nonprofit Accounting and Budget Development
5. Human Resources: Talent Management in Nonprofits
6. Advocacy, Social Change and the Roles of the Nonprofits
7. Nonprofit Marketing and Communications

Go to our web site Bachelor of Professional Studies in Nonprofit Leadership to learn more.

Accepting Applications Now

The first class offering for the degree will begin this fall, 2012.  If you would like to learn more about the degree-completion program please contact an academic advisor at a UConn campus near you. Or, feel free to give Dr. David Garvey, Program Director, a call at 860-486-2754 or send him an email at david.garvey@uconn.edu. 

Have a bachelor degree and feel like brushing up on the above specialties in the field? Individual courses can be taken. Talk to an academic advisor.

By Jane Ford

Do you understand the financial reports that you receive each month with your board packet? Financial oversight is a major responsibility of all nonprofits board members, not just the treasurer. By the time you finish reading this article, you will have two quick tools to help you better use those financial reports. Just as for-profit businesses use ratios to evaluate their finances, nonprofits can use similar ratios to help better understand their financial reports. This article explains two key ratios that every board member needs to understand. Information for the ratios comes from the Statement of Financial Position (called the Balance Sheet in for-profit accounting). Board members should receive this report monthly.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Board-Members:-Understand-These-Two-Ratios-to-Help-Evaluate-Your-Nonprofits-Finances&id=5491266 

Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology

Job Description

Job Title:                    Adult Services Manager

Department:               Adult Services

Reports To:                Executive Director/President

FSLA Status:              Exempt

SUMMARY

Provides vocational counseling and special support services in an adult education system.  Must effectively liaison with students, employers, teachers and human services providers, and possess a demonstrated ability to network with outside agencies regarding student needs, and to promote opportunities provided by the organization. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Serves as an advisor for an adult student population, including all students, or potential students, enrolled in the vocational or academic programs.
• Identifies and maintains regular student contact time and availability, and communicates the same to the student population.  
• Tracks students’ grades and attendance, and initiates communication with students and the appropriate program director to address potential problems.  
• Maintains student records according to internal classifications, ensuring that all enrolled students provide the school with appropriate documentation.  Records and maintains documentation of all student counseling sessions. 
• Maintain high level of communication with students and program teachers, and follow through with both to resolve student issues, as needed.
• Coordinates with other student advisor(s) to maintain a referral network for student support services, and identifies new contacts and resources in response to students’ needs. 
• Administers admissions testing to all program applicants, and accurately grades test results according to school policy. 
• Analyzes program activities, costs, operations and forecast data (employment trends) to determine progress toward stated goals and objectives and reviews status with the Executive Director/President as appropriate.

• Represents Connect Center for Arts and Technology in all matters related to the Connecticut Department of Education licensing requirements.

• Represents Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology in all matters related to the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).

**Other duties may be assigned.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business Administration, Training and Development, Social Work, or a related field; minimum of 2 years experience in education, social or human services, vocational or post high school classroom / workshop/ presentation.  Windows-based PC skills and MS Office computer proficiency required.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Mathematical Skills

Comfortable applying common business accounting principles.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. 

Communication Skills

Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to read, analyze, and interpret common educational and/or management journals, reports, and business documents; ability to effectively convey information to diverse audiences, and adjust communication style accordingly; actively listens to the content and processes of communication so that collaboration can occur; ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from potential and current students, members of the business community, and other staff. 

Strategic Planning

Ability to apply common sense understanding to effectively carry out written or oral instructions in an expedient manner; capable of recognizing critical events or needs and adjusting deadlines accordingly; ability to deal with and analyze problems involving several concrete variables in and aside from standard situations; promotes the attitudes, conditions and environments that yield increased quality and content of individual and team performance. 

Leadership Skills 

Must display the ability to preserve student dignity, and maintain confidentiality, as appropriate; facilitates the development of skills and abilities of others; actively contributes to discussions; maintains a dynamic and pro-active approach in guiding others toward organizational and program objectives; acknowledges accomplishments of individuals and teams; solicits and generates creative solutions.

Adaptability

Capable of effectively adjusting and coping with change and uncertainty in new situations and environments; maintains accuracy and focus on detail in difficult situations; ability to manage multiple tasks and modify objectives as needed; seeks feedback and is open to coaching and criticism without being defensive.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands to handle, or feel.  The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms, and occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally, up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception. 

_____________________________________

Job Title:              Youth Program Manager

Department:         Youth Arts

Reports To:          Executive Director

FLSA Status:        Exempt

Prepared Date:     3/16/2012

SUMMARY

Oversees and coordinates programming, strategic and administrative issues of Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology operations, and formulates and administers supporting systems and resources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Other duties may be assigned.

       Leads the development and administration of programming and related long-range goals and objectives.

¨       Directs and coordinates the activities of studio operations, and delegates responsibility to further the attainment of goals and objectives.

¨       Reviews analyses of activities, costs, operations, and forecast data to determine progress toward stated goals and objectives.

¨       Confers with other organizational/ administrative personnel to review achievements and discuss required changes in goals or objectives resulting from current status and conditions.

¨       Serves as member of officer, management or ad hoc committees as needed. 

¨       Directs and assists others in planning recruitment, and informs marketing, public relations and programming efforts. 

¨       Represents the institution publicly on matters pertaining to student programs and activities, including personal participation in local, state or national organizations. 

¨       Provides other managers with current information on developments in arts, arts education, and funding or partnership opportunities. 

¨       Serves as an advisor for a youth student population

¨       Identifies and maintains regular students contact time and availability, and communicates the same to the student population.

¨       Tracks students’ grades and attendance, and initiates communication with students and the appropriate Teaching Artist to address potential problems.

¨       Maintains student records, ensuring that all enrolled students provide the school with appropriate documentation.  Records and maintains documentation of all student counseling sessions and progress with the School District.

¨       Maintain high level of communication with students and Teaching Artists, and follow through with both to resolve student issues as needed.

¨       Coordinates with school counselors and support services to maintain a referral network, and identifies new contacts and resources in response to students’ needs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has direct supervisory responsibility for Teaching Artists.  

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in non-profit administration and youth development, with recent experience at a senior administrator’s level; Master’s Degree preferred; demonstrated experience in program management, and departmental policy development.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Mathematical Skills.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as commissions, proportions, percentages, area, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic accounting for budgeting and cost projections. 

Communication Skills.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret advanced professional journals, financial reports, and business documents.  Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from executive and board level associates, community leaders, and other professional affiliates.  Capable of structuring the delivery of information to the needs of the audience, which may include board members, funders, directors, managers, staff and business associates. 

Strategic Planning.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and develop sound recommendations. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of information, objectives or instructions, and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.  Capable of maintaining the vision of broad organizational goals, while undertaking and completing short-term objectives.  Welcomes and seeks out opportunities to expand on current scope of skills and experience. 

Leadership Skills.

Communicates with clarity, and actively listens and contributes to discussions.  Guides others toward organization objectives, and acknowledges accomplishments of individuals and teams.  Ability to solicit and generate creative solutions.  Ability to develop and implement universal processes to monitor and assess outcomes.

Adaptability.

Effectively targets presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience.  Capable of effectively adjusting and coping with change and uncertainty in new situations and environments.  Maintains balance and effectiveness in unsettling conditions and circumstances.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, or feel, and is frequently required to talk or hear.  The employee regularly is required to sit, walk, stand, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, climb or crouch.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

_______________________________________________

Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology, ConnCAT, is a 501(c)3 organization established in 2010 in New Haven, CT

If interested, please contact:

• Stephanie Mallard – steph1998@sbcglobal.net
• Erik Clemons- eclemons@conncat.org

IRIS- Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (www.irisct.org) has immediate openings in its employment services department, which helps refugees—people who have fled persecution in their home countries and resettled in Greater New Haven—become self-sufficient through employment as soon as possible following their arrival in the US.

Two positions are currently open:  a FT Employment Services Coordinator and PT Employer Outreach Specialist.  Full job descriptions will be available, but responsibilities will include:

• Work with clients, other staff members, and community members to help refugee clients adjust to the US and become financially self-sufficient.
• Job development:  network, cultivate relationships with employers, and identify job openings suitable for refugees, most of whom have limited English, and many of whom have minimal education and/or physical work restrictions
• Pre-employment training: prepare refugees for work by providing specialized English classes and job skills training
• Work one-on-one with clients to identify employment opportunities, access trainings, and secure and retain jobs.
• Provide job counseling and life skills coaching to clients
• Manage grants related to employment services, including data management, and preparing narrative and statistical reports
• Supervise a team of volunteers and interns recruited to assist with employment services

 Candidates must have relevant work experience, preferably in the business sector, and strong writing and communication skills. Awareness and sensitivity to multicultural issues required. Must be fluent in English. Proficiency in other languages desired, especially Arabic, Spanish, French, Swahili, or Tigrinya.  Must have a demonstrated commitment to the mission of IRIS.  Must drive clients in own vehicle throughout state and be able to work occasional evenings.  The ideal candidate must be well organized and able to handle shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment. 


To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Kelly Hebrank, Deputy Director, at khebrank@irisct.org.

April 19, 2012
2:00 p.m. ET

Did you know that Google gives out free advertising dollars to non-profit organizations? Did you also know that qualifying organizations could receive $10K or as much as $40K each month from Google to use for advertising and promoting their good cause? If you were not aware of these opportunities or Google Grants, then we want to share our experience and best practices for this generous program. We want to give non-profit organizations the tips of how to apply to Google Grants and how to qualify for the top level, $40K worth of free advertising spend every month. Our experts will review all the details to capitalize on the opportunities from Google Grants in our webinar, How to Make the Most of Google Grants & Free Ad Dollars, on Thursday April 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Online marketing experts, Diana Hand, Marketing Manager with GuideStar, and Lauren Kade, Junior Account Manager with Search Mojo, will review who is eligible for Google Grants, what you must know before applying and how to jump from the $10K to $40K per month spend levels. Google Grants are an excellent opportunity for non-profit organizations to use free advertising dollars from Google to promote their charity, to find new donors, pledges, donations and volunteers. This webinar will give you helpful information to make the most of Google Grants. This opportunity should not be missed!

Register: http://www.search-mojo.com/lp/webinar-part2.php?t=How%20to%20Make%20the%20Most%20of%20Google%20Grants%20and%20Free%20Ad%20Dollars&utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Ads&utm_campaign=NonprofitWebinar

From: http://artsinterstices.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/6-questions-for-arts-managers-to-think-with-agility/

• At any given point, could a funder walk up to someone working in your box office or classroom or studio and say “tell me what you’re trying to accomplish this season with my money” ?
• Have you integrated aspects of project management into your grantwriter’s set of responsibilities?
• Is your grantwriter considered the “spinmaster” in your organization?
• Do some of your staff seem resentful of having to “kowtow to funders”?
• Are grantwriters included in long-range programming and brainstorming meetings?
• Are programming staff assigned to write portions of your final reports?

From: http://artsinterstices.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/6-questions-for-arts-managers-to-think-with-agility/

More Ats ideas resources,opportunities, idea and stories: http://gnhcommunity.ning.com/group/arts-convening

Visual.ly Create is the fastest, smartest and most beautiful approach to data visualization yet. Simply connect and click to produce an infographic in seconds at http://visual.ly/

Let Your Customers Become Mayor and Rule Your World!

'Phone and GPS-based social networks like Foursquare and Facebook Places  have millions of users that join them to “check-in” into their favorite hangouts for fun & rewards. The more they check in, the more points & badges they accumulate. Foursquare's notable badge of honor is "Mayor." Businesses can then use this reward system to provide frequent users with their own incentives. A coffee shop may reward the Mayor of their shop with a free cup of coffee, for example.

If you’re an owner or manager of a “venue” business that largely depends on walk-ins (restaurant, cafe, boutique, theater, gym, etc), location based networks are a must-seek!

Speaking of venues, I am now a new member of New Haven’sThe Grove – a coworking/shared office space on 71 Orange St, come by, say hi and don’t forget to check in :)

I write weekly tips in my company's newsletter for small business owners, managers and professionals. If you're interested in signing up for those, message me!

Are you an individual who has the passion and professional experience to fulfi ll the role  of State Child Advocate? If so, we are seeking applicants with extensive experience in advocating on behalf of children and families to be the Child Advocate at the Offi ce of the Child Advocate, State of Connecticut.

 
Connecticut established the Offi ce of the Child Advocate (OCA) in 1995. Its mission is to  oversee the protection and care of the state’s most vulnerable and youngest citizens and  advocate for their well-being. OCA currently employs five staff and has an annual budget of $720,571.

Information about the position here.

The State Historic Preservation Office of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development is seeking grant applicants for its “Our Places, Our Stories” initiative – a program designed to raise awareness for the rich cultural assets of our ethnic nationalities.  This effort is being launched in partnership with ethnic historical and cultural organizations throughout the state. Phase I will document the historical links between the people of various ethnic communities and the cultural landscapes they created:  neighborhoods, buildings, shops, sites and events. The first phase of the initiative will document the state’s assets, followed by a second phase that will market them as a visitor experience.

For more information http://www.ct.gov/ecd/lib/ecd/press_releases/2012/state_launches_our_places_our_stories.pdf