Blogs

RFP Released, Proposals will be accepted through Oct. 31

The American Association of Museums's (AAM) Center for the Future of Museums, EmcArts and MetLife Foundation announce the launch of a major new initiative designed to enable selected museums to design, research and prototype innovations, testing novel approaches to field-wide challenges in a laboratory-like setting. The initiative is entitled the Innovation Lab for Museums, and is now accepting proposals at www.aam-us.org and www.EmcArts.org. The deadline for proposals is October 31, 2011.

The first round of the Innovation Lab for Museums is generously funded by a $500,000 grant from MetLife Foundation, a long-time supporter of the nation's museum community.

The Innovation Lab for Museums will be an 18 to 24-month program for each of the participating institutions, utilizing the expertise of CFM and the proven experience of EmcArts in incubating organizational innovations in the arts field.  In this inaugural round of the Lab, three proposals will be accepted and preference will be given to projects focusing on innovation in the realms of:

• Youth Education: exploring how museums can play a key role in a rapidly changing educational landscape
• Demographic Transformation: how museums can close this gap and serve a broader, more representative sample of American society
• Participatory Experiences: how museums can meet the desire of audiences for participatory and social activities in museums.

Proposals will be judged on evidence that applicants have clearly defined a major challenge and begun to develop responses to that challenge, on each applicant's readiness for and ability to support innovative change, their current level of community engagement, the likely value of the innovation to the organization and the field, and the capacity of the applicant to share what they learn through participating in the Lab.

"The rapid pace of change in the 21^st century makes it imperative that museums experiment with new ways of operating," said Elizabeth Merritt, director of the Center for the Future of Museums. "Historically, the museum field has encouraged organizations to stick to tried-and-true standards and best practices.  AAM sees the Innovation Lab for Museums as a significant way to encourage and reward museums that are willing to take risks, try new things and pursue a new path for the rest of the field."

The Innovation Lab for Museums has four phases:

Phase 1 – Each museum identifies a dedicated Innovation Team, which then works with EmcArts to explore new approaches, define project goals and success measures, and conduct pertinent research over four months.

Phase 2 – Innovation Teams from all participating museums attend a 5-day Intensive Residential Retreat that serves as a "project accelerator," giving teams time to focus on key decisions about their projects.

Phase 3 – The Lab grants participants $40,000 in seed money to support the prototyping and evaluation of innovative strategies over six months, before full launch.

Phase 4 – The Innovation Team and each organization's leadership works to leverage lessons learned, embed them in the organization's ongoing approach, and share learning with the field.

The program will build on EmcArts' tested framework for fostering nonprofit innovation. Piloted in 2005 as the New Strategies Lab for Orchestras (funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), EmcArts' flagship program grew into the Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts (supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation), which has now been in operation for four years.  Reports from participants have confirmed the deep impact of the program, and external evaluation has established its unique value to the arts field. 

CFM and EmcArts foresee similar success for the Innovation Lab for Museums.

"The Innovation Lab for Museums will benefit not only the organizations accepted into the program, but the museum field as a whole," notes Richard Evans, President of EmcArts. "Successful innovations developed by participants may go mainstream, becoming leading practices of the future. And the cumulative experience of Lab participants will help museums break down internal barriers to innovation, creating organizational cultures that are perpetually ready for adaptive change."

Results from the Innovation Lab for Museums will be documented, summarized and shared with the museum community, ensuring it can guide museum planning and inform the development of standards and new practices.  The knowledge derived from this national program will benefit AAM members, the national museum community of over 17,500 museums, and the international museum community.

"MetLife Foundation has a longstanding commitment to promoting the vitality of our national museum community," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "We are proud to partner with these two organizations to find innovative ways to bring young people and community members from all different demographics to the rich landscape that is American museums." 

For questions or additional information, contact: Dewey Blanton, American Association of Museums, (202) 218.7704, DBlanton@aam-us.org; or Liz Dreyer, EmcArts, (212) 362.8541, LDreyer@EmcArts.org.

About EmcArts

Recognized as the leading not-for-profit provider of innovation services to the arts sector nationwide, EmcArts (www.EmcArts.org) serves as an intermediary partner for arts funders, and as a re-granting agency and service organization for the arts field around innovation.  Our innovation programs support the development and implementation of mission-centered new strategies by arts organizations of all sizes.  The programs range from directly incubating specific innovation projects to introductory programs that enable new thinking and build a culture of innovation across local arts communities. EmcArts is a 501(c)(3) organization.

About the Center for the Future of Museums

The Center for the Future of Museums (CFM) helps museums explore the cultural, political and economic challenges facing society and devise strategies to shape a better tomorrow. CFM is a think-tank and research and design lab for fostering creativity and helping museums transcend traditional boundaries to serve society in new ways. For more information, visit www.futureofmuseums.org.

About AAM

The American Association of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. With more than 18,000 individual, 3,000 institutional and 300 corporate members, AAM is dedicated to ensuring that museums remain a vital part of the American landscape, connecting people with the greatest achievements of the human experience, past, present and future. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to carry on MetLife's longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement.

The Foundation is committed to building a secure future for individuals and communities worldwide. Through programs focusing on empowering older adults, preparing young people and building livable communities, MetLife Foundation increases access and opportunities for people of all ages.  Since it was established, MetLife Foundation has made more than $500 million in grants and $75 million in program related investments. For more information visit www.metlife.org

The Law of Online Lobbying and Election-related Activity is available as a free download. This is the first publication designed to translate laws and regulations into approachable and applicable guidance for nonprofits:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.afj.org%2Ffor-nonprofits-foundations%2Fresources-and-publications%2Fdigital_age_public_policy.pdf

The Rudd Center has just launched SPARK (Supporting Parent Advocates with Resources and Knowledge), a new website which offers advice, worksheets, definitions, studies, examples of successes, and lots of other information useful to parents who want to change the nutrition environment in their children’s schools.

Please check it out and let them know what you think.  And please forward to anyone you know who may be interested.

Moving Connecticut: A Day To Get Beyond Fossil Fuels
State-wide Action in New Haven, CT – Sat 9/24 @ 4pm – http://350CT.org/move

Our communities are ready for a clean energy future, and it’s time to rally the troops! On September 24 join people from across the state and a fast-growing coalition of civic organizations, faith communities, non-profits and businesses as we converge on New Haven with one common goal: moving past fossil fuels to a brighter future and a healthier planet. Many towns are hosting events in the morning, and then we’ll all come together on the New Haven Green at 4pm on 9/24 for a rally, critical mass bike ride, music, talkback with local/state political leaders, opportunities to get involved in your community, and a bike-powered outdoor screening of the movie Wall-E!

Around the globe glaciers are melting, crops are failing, and extreme weather is becoming the norm. Moving Connecticut is part of 350.org’s “Moving Planet” global day of action, and together with others around the world we will show our leaders on 9/24 that our state is ready to leave dirty energy behind and make the rapid, responsible transition to clean energy that our world needs. 9/24 Moving CT is about showing our numbers, showing our resolve, and showing that we are already making a real difference with solutions like cycling and sustainable transportation, saving energy, community gardens and local farming, tree plantings, and faith-based stewardship.

That’s why we need you. This is the chance for our grassroots movement to make a bold statement — one that will make waves here in Connecticut and inspire millions around the world. We need you to join us and reach out to your friends and to organizations to tell them 9/24 is not-to-be-missed! 350 Connecticut is a grassroots all-volunteer organization, and whether you can spend 10 minutes or 10 hours, your time will make a difference. Learn more, help out, or get in touch at http://350ct.org/move, or write us at organizers -at- 350CT -dot- org.

 

RSVP on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/movingct and Like our 350ct page: http://www.facebook.com/350ct
Sign up, get involved: http://www.350ct.org/signup/

From the Department of Social Services:

We have received approval from FNS to automatically mass reissue 25% of our SNAP households’ August benefits to help with food losses caused by Tropical Storm Irene.

• All Connecticut households who received SNAP when Tropical Storm Irene hit the state automatically received these additional benefits. 
• These benefits were automatically added to SNAP household’s EBT accounts and are available today. 
• JP Morgan is updating their telephone message for SNAP clients who call in to check their accounts to inform them that we’ve added these benefits to their accounts.

While this 25% automatic mass SNAP benefit reissuance will help many households with food losses, some SNAP households may have lost food purchased with SNAP valued at more than 25% of their August benefits. 

• These households can request additional individual replacement SNAP benefits above the 25% already provided. 
• The amount of the individual request must be based on the value of food purchased with SNAP that was lost due to the storm.
• The amount of the 25% mass reissuance, plus the individual replacement request, cannot be more than their August benefit amount.

2-1-1 Infoline will be the point of contact for reports of food losses and the return of Request Forms.  Effective immediately, please refer any requests for individual SNAP replacement benefits to 2-1-1 Infoline. 

• Households must report food losses to 2-1-1 Infoline no later than 4:30 pm on September 19, 2011. 
• Households must return a completed Request Form that 2-1-1 Infoline will provide to them within 10 days of the date that they reported the food loss.
• 2-1-1 is the point of return for all Request Forms. 
• Households will be directed to return Request Forms to 2-1-1 Infoline (2-1-1 will provide a prepaid return envelope).
• If a household returns a Request Form to you in error, please date stamp the form and forward it to 2-1-1 Infoline at

2-1-1 Infoline

• 2-1-1 Infoline will log reports of food losses and subsequent receipt of Request Forms.
• 2-1-1 Infoline will forward Request Forms to the C.O. Central Processing Unit (CPU). 
• The CPU will process these Request Forms, issuing individual replacement benefits to eligible households and denying requests from ineligible households.

http://nccsweb.urban.org/communityplatform/ct

The Connecticut Nonprofit Strategy Platform is an open resource to assist nonprofits, elected officials and public policy makers, philanthropic funders and all Connecticut citizens to:

• Get Data: Provides the capacity to map Connecticut state agency, municipal and nonprofit resources against social/economic needs and trends, and assess the financial strength of assets and gaps in service.
• Communicate: Provides an effective communication tool for strategic planning and the sharing and storage of data/documents for statewide agency collaboration.
• Act: Through shared data and communication, coordinated action happens.

The Platform is supported by a grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority .

http://nccsweb.urban.org/communityplatform/ct

Church on the Rock's School of Life Enrichment is about to start a new semester of classes. Space is limited but classes are open to the public.

Zumba, Martial Arts, Knitting, Writing a Business Plan, and much more.....

http://www.morningglorycda.com/My_Church.html for details

Cleanups%20List.pdf

The City and the Urban Resources Initiative (URI) are collaborating in an effort to clean up city parks. If you think you can help check out the options on the attached flyer for dates, times and locations. 

Greetings, everybody. In the wake of the hurricane, I feel there is a great opportunity to help bring together those in our community. One such tool for fostering community growth is SHARE Haven. SHARE Haven is The Greater New Haven area's Time Bank. With time banking, people offer their services and skills to one another, recording their time to be used as a currency with others in the network. With so many people without power and/or internet at the moment, it makes for some interesting challenges and opportunities for the network. If you currently have internet, I suggest signing up at http://community.timebanks.org/index.php and posting some offers and requests for yourself, and neighbors without internet, to your profile. Additionally, if internet is inconvenient at the moment, please call me, Adam Wascholl, at 860-216-7291 and I'll do my best to match you up with somebody complementing your offer/request. In addition to the SHARE Haven site, you can sign up for the Google Group (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sharehaven) which will also be used to help connect people. Hopefully, we'll be able to learn a thing or two from this situation, and help strengthen the tools used to connect one another.

No power,  no water at your house?

A. If you have a water tank you have upwards of 50 gallons of potable water in your basement.

1. Turn of the pilot so the water heater does not burn out.

2. Open a facet at the highest level of your home so air can get into the system

3. Take water from your water tank through the faucet at the bottom of the tank, once you drain it do not for get to shut the Faucet off.

4. Remember, no hot water until you start the water heater up again.

B. Auto parts stores sell DC to AC converters for your vehicle. Purchase the best one available, it will come with instructions. You should be able to run a well pump with the generated electricity or keep a few lights on. WILL not sever as a generator for the house. PLEASE BE MINDFUL of where the EXHAUST of the vehicle is going.

Sample of this item: http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-PV150-Portable-Inverter/dp/B0000AI0OE/ref=sr_1_6?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1314628737&sr=1-6

FIRST BE SAFE.

Not In Our Town National Week of Action: Communities Stand Together Against Hate

Location: Nationwide
Date: September 18–24
More Information: www.niot.org

Communities nationwide are using a new PBS documentary, Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness, to find ways to prevent hate crimes and anti-immigrant violence.

The film tells the story of residents of a Long Island village taking action after a local immigrant is killed in a hate crime attack by seven teenagers. While starkly revealing the trauma of hate, the film provides a blueprint for people who want to do something before intolerance turns to violence.  As part of Not In Our Town National Week of Action, September 18–24, communities throughout the country will host screenings, events, and discussions on hate crime prevention, working to develop new ways to make their towns safer.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.niot.org.

The Greater New Haven Green Fund is now accepting grant proposals for environmental projects related to pollution reduction and environmental justice. The Fund will distribute $50,000 this fall through three grant levels:  

• Major Grants of $3,000-10,000,  
• Small Grants of $500-3,000, and  
• Micro Grants of up to $500

Nonprofit organizations and community groups working to improve the environmental quality of life in the New Haven region are invited to apply. Please visit GNHgreenfund.org to learn more.

The submission deadline for Major Grants and Small Grants is October 1st, 5 P.M. Micro Grants will be considered on a rolling basis at the Green Fund's regular board meetings.

The Green Fund was established during the formation of the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority.  New Haven and adjacent communities bear the burden of the operation of the Authority's facilities, and the fund seeks to offset resulting impacts on air, land, and water. The Green Fund has also received funds under a community benefits agreement with PSE & G, the operators of the New Haven Harbor Generating Station, to support (a) community-based education about air quality and the adverse health effects from air pollution and (b) environmental justice initiatives to improve air quality in lower Fair Haven and the New Haven Port area.

Press inquiries may be made to Chris Ozyck, President, Greater New Haven Green Fund, at 203-627-0178 or Lynne Bonnett, Treasurer, Greater New Haven Green Fund, at 203-468-7035 or email info@GNHgreenfund.org .

For further information or to download application forms and guidelines, visit www.GNHgreenfund.org.

Applicants are asked to send completed grant requests to:

Greater New Haven Green Fund

C/0 The Grove

71 Orange St.

New Haven, CT 06510

Immigrants and refugees will receive help in studying for the U.S. Citizenship Test.  Curriculum includes lessons on U.S. history, civics, and government, and will prepare participants to take the citizenship exam.

Wednesday evenings (beginning August 17th), 6-8 pm

NH Public Library, 133 Elm Street.

Classes are free and open to all.  Please spread the word!

This program is a collaboration between IRIS- Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, and the New Haven Free Public Library.  For questions, call the library at 946-8130 x 381.

IRIS is looking to fill the FT position of Refugee Education and Youth Services Program Coordinator.

Summary

IRIS- Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (www.irisct.org) welcomes and resettles approximately 200 refugees each year-- people fleeing persecution in their home countries who are invited to come to the United States. They come seeking safety, freedom, peace, and opportunities. IRIS is responsible for welcoming them warmly, helping them learn about their new home, and helping them become self-sufficient. IRIS seeks a Refugee Education and Youth Services Coordinator who will be responsible for ensuring that the refugee children and youth (from birth to age 18) participate in relevant educational and enrichment programs.

Responsibilities include:

-Enroll all new refugee children in school and ensure they have school supplies and uniforms.

-Orient refugee parents and children to the educational system in the U.S. 

-Support and mediate the relationships between parents, childcare providers, school systems, teachers, and administrators by assisting parents in building effective relationships.

-Coordinate after-school activities and tutoring, and in-school tutoring sessions.  Supervise paid and volunteer tutors.  Purchase necessary snacks, supplies, and equipment.

-Help students and families understand the schooling options they are eligible for, including magnet schools.

-Supervise the IRIS Early Learning Program, an onsite childcare program for children ages 1-4 whose parents are in the IRIS English class.

-Maintain IRIS’s relationship with current community partners.  Through networking, outreach, and research, find and implement ways to improve IRIS’s Education and Youth Services Program by forming relationships with other community agencies.

-Work with Volunteer Coordinator to train and coordinate volunteers to serve as tutors and to provide transportation and language interpretation for activities, as necessary.

Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent professional experience.

- Experience working with immigrants or in social services strongly preferred.

- Strong commitment to serving immigrants is required.

- Driver's license and ability to drive clients in personal vehicle.

- Ability to handle multiple projects concurrently and meet deadlines.

- Strong attention to detail.

- Excellent organizational and time management skills.

- Strong work ethic; initiative and ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.

- Good interpersonal skills including the ability to work with diverse groups of individuals.

- Excellent, effective written, verbal, and presentation skills.

- Computer and internet proficient with solid understanding of computer systems and applications.

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

Application closing date: August 31, 2011

TELLING YOUR PROGRAM’S STORY

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/library/pdf/success_story_workbook.pdf

"The purpose of this workbook is to help public health program administrators understand what a “success story” is, why it is important to tell success stories, and how to develop success stories. This document is intended to be used by program managers/coordinators in order to provide steps they can use to systematically collect and create success stories that highlight their program achievements."

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/library/pdf/success_story_workbook.pdf

Three Full Scholarships Available

Due to multiple philanthropic support, (three) full scholarships are remaining for next week’s Facing Change Executive Director Summer Retreat for Greater New Haven area nonprofits. If you are an Executive Director of a Greater New Haven nonprofit and would like to apply for the scholarship please contact Linda Friedman at linda.friedman@uconn.edu or 860-486-9318.

Individual days can be attended if a director cannot make the complete retreat. Please forward if you know of a colleague who may have interest.

Wed. August 3:          Leadership and Planning in Times of Scarce Resources

Thurs. August 4:         Effectively Communicating in Times of Change

Fri. August 5:              Building Strategic Alliances in Stressed Environments

Fri. November 4:        Three months later: Assess, Adjust, and Move Forward

Special Panel updates:

Social Enterprise—New Forms of Income (Thursday, August 4)

Change comes in many forms…specifically in the field of Social Enterprise, the newest revenue producing strategy for the sector.  Learn from a panel of peers who already engage in social enterprise ventures as well as resource experts in this exciting new field. With:

• Tod Van Kirk, Director of Organizational Development, Vista Ventures
• Michelle Cote, Board Member of ReSet
• Kelly Ramirez, Executive Director of Social Venture Partners of RI

Shared Services—The New Norm (Friday, August 5)

Money tight? Find efficiency, greater impact and revenue through the practice of shared services. This panel will provide examples and strategies for those wanting to create back office integration as a means of saving money. With:

• Deb Heinrich, Nonprofit Liaison to Governor Malloy
• Ron Cretaro, Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits

New Life Corporation is a small 501(c)(3) organization based in New Haven Connecticut. Its mission is to improve the economic security of low and moderate-income families living in Greater New Haven through a combination of financial education and asset-building services. We currently have two opportunities for the Greater New Haven area, that being of a Financial Services Program Manager and a staff Grant Writer to work with our development team.

Please see the links below if you are interested, or know of individuals whom may be.

Financial Services Program Manger & Grant Writing RFP