The 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change Feb 3–7

FYI, an upcoming LGBT equality conference.   The info below is from the Creating Change website:

http://www.thetaskforce.org/events/creating_change

Think Big and Live Large at Creating Change in Dallas, Texas! -The 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change

The 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change will be held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in beautiful downtown Dallas, Texas, Feb. 3 – 7, 2010. Produced by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Creating Change Conference (as it is affectionately known) is the nation’s pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement. Since 1988, Creating Change has been the opportunity for thousands of committed people to develop and hone their skills, celebrate victories, build community, and to be inspired by visionaries of our LGBT movement and allied movements for justice and equality.

The primary goal of the Creating Change Conference is to build our movement’s political power from the ground up to secure our overarching goal of full equality, social justice and dignity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the United States.

Please join us!
Upwards of 2000 people attend the Creating Change Conference from all over the United States, with a few attendees from other countries. Attendees include:

• people just like you who are creating change every day
• young and old activists
• organizers and activists of color
• paid and unpaid staff people at LGBT political or community organizations
• lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates and straight allies
• elected and appointed officials
• leaders of campus communities and local community centers.

Creating Change is an annual gathering of organizers and activists working to create a world in which our sexual orientations and gender expressions will be welcomed and celebrated. Please join us in Dallas, Feb. 3 – 7, 2010!

NGEC OFP’s Online Community ~ how we’re using Ning.com

Since last summer, NGEC’s Organizational Fellowship Program (OFP) members have been participating in an online learning community we started on Ning.com.

With 6 organizations based in California and 6 based in Minnesota in the OFP , NGEC wanted to experiment with ways to bridge the distances through an online accessible space for folks to stay in touch, share information, and conduct peer learning.  Although there were many options out there for social networking platforms (including things like Facebook or customizable platforms like, Elgg) Ning has turned out to be a good choice for us for several reasons:

• simple to use & set up — great for experimenting with minimal staff time/resources
• ability to have a private log-in social network — to protect users’ privacy & allow for more candid peer discussions about challenges
• free! — (well, sort of) Ning has sponsored ads on the sidebar, which most folks don’t seem to mind; you can buy a paid account to remove them.
• sufficient features & functionality – free, of course, doesn’t include all the bells & whistles and has limited customization, but it had just about everything we needed:  discussion forums, document sharing, blogs, groups, photos, etc. So for NGEC, the trade off for easy theming and set up was absolutely worth dealing with some of Ning’s limitations.

NGEC OFP Online Learning Community on Ning.com

Perhaps the most important benefit, however, was in being able to introduce a technology that could be useful to the 12 groups beyond the OFP’s 3 years.  It made more sense to build our groups’ technical capacity through an openly available online platform, rather than have folks start from scratch in learning a customized system just for their activities with NGEC.

Our hope was that by using Ning.com as the online community site for the NGEC program work & peer learning, that folks could then apply those new skills to create their own Ning social network for their organization, group, or campaigns.   One concrete impact of using Ning so far is that one of the 12 OFP partners in Minnesota, Mu Performing Arts, created and now runs their own Ning site for their taiko drumming program!

If you’d like to learn more about how nonprofits can use Ning.com, watch this free online seminar (or “webinar”) hosted by TechSoup.org Talks!  https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=4mne2fxs4r1c

And if you’re interested in NGEC’s work and our approach to “educational technology” for nonprofits, drop me an email (Gladys Malibiran, Educational Technology Coordinator)… or let us know in the comments how your group/nonprofit has used Ning or similar web 2.0/educational technology tools in your work.

Upcoming Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT) Training, March 2010

Sharing this online event that AAPIP NGEC friends and allies might want to check out in March!  Visit their website for complete information:

The Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT) is a multiracial organization that promotes the connection between fundraising, social justice and movement-building. GIFT believes that how groups are funded is as important to achieving their goals as how the money is spent, and that building community support is central to long-term social change. GIFT provides training, resources and analysis to strengthen organizations, with an emphasis on those focused on social justice and based in communities of color.

Upcoming Webinar:
Create a Culture of Fundraising at Your Organization
March 16, 2010 (10am Pacific/11am Mountain/12pm Central/1pm Eastern)

Tired of working in isolation, feeling like you’re the sole person responsible for raising your organization’s budget? Heard about creating a culture of fundraising, but unsure of what it actually means in practice? Then this is the webinar for you!

Join fundraising consultant Rona Fernandez as she takes you through concrete steps to build a culture of fundraising within your organization. Learn about how to create buy-in, demystify the process of fundraising for non-development staff, and bring the FUN back to fundraising! Fundraising doesn’t have to be something your force onto your coworkers, but instead CAN be a regular part of how your organization functions.

http://www.grassrootsfundraising.org/article.php/webinars

CONNECT! Regional Guide to Nonprofits Serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in DC

AAPIP’s  “Cherry Blossom Giving Circle” in Washington DC have a new resource guide!

more info & download  available on their website >

CONNECT! – Regional Guide to Nonprofits Serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

AAPIP’s Metropolitan Washington, DC/Baltimore Chapter, in conjunction with the Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, published the first guide for funders on nonprofits serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our region.

For more information on API-serving 501(c)3’s in the area, or to download the catalogue, click on the image to the right or email DCaapipdirectory@gmail.com.

Vietnamese American environmental justice activism in post-Katrina New Orleans

interesting article via New American Media about the Vietnamese American community activism in post-Katrina New Orleans

“Vietnamese Americans Battle Landfill in New Orleans”
ColorLines, News feature, by Kari Lydersen, Posted: Dec 24, 2009

~ ~ ~

Other links of interest:   “A Village Called Versailles”

A Village Called Versailles - documentary

A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES

Winner of the Documentary Feature Audience Award at the 2009 New Orleans Film Festival

A Village Called Versailles is a feature documentary about Versailles, an isolated community in eastern New Orleans  settled in the late 70’s/early 80’s by Vietnamese “boat people”. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Versailles residents impressively rise to the challenges by returning and rebuilding before any other flooded neighborhood in New Orleans, only to have their homes threatened by a new government-imposed toxic landfill just two miles away. Formerly content to stay within their own “village” and below the public radar, the Vietnamese community rallies to oppose the landfill and become an effective force in local politics. A Village Called Versailles recounts the empowering story of how this group of people, who has already suffered so much in their lifetime, turns a devastating disaster into a catalyst for change and a chance for a better future.

Directed by S. Leo Chiang. USA. 2008. 68 min.

Asian Pacific Community Fund seeks nominations for 2010 Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy

Visit the Asian Pacific Community Fund’s website for full details: http://apcf.org/index.php/news

2nd Annual 2010 Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Recognition Awards!

The Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF) in partnership with Asian Americans/ Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) is seeking nominations for young individuals and organizations that have exemplified outstanding support for the Asian Pacific Islander community through their leadership and philanthropic efforts.

Two individuals and two organizations will receive awards. All nominees will be recognized. The awards will be presented at the 2nd Annual Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Recognition Awards to be held in early March. Completed nomination packages must be received by 5:00 P.M., Monday, January 25, 2010.

Apply online, or send all forms by mail to:

ATTN: ELP Recognition Awards, 1145 Wilshire Blvd. 1st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017, or by fax to: (213) 624-6406.

For more information about the Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Recognition Awards, contact Kristina Ramos, Marketing Associate of the Asian Pacific Community Fund, at (213) 624-6400 x4

More information available at  Asian Pacific Community Fund’s website http://apcf.org/index.php/news

Freedom Inc ~ Kabzuag Vaj

NGEC just wrapped up our final 2009 peer learning call with the  OFP cohort and our  special guest speaker, Kabzuag Vaj of Freedom Incorporated.  The OFP participants asked great questions and heard engaging examples of Freedom Inc’s work around what cultural change means  for them and what kinds of decisions and strategies have shaped who they are as a social justice organization.

About Freedom Inc :  Freedom, Inc.’s mission is to inspire and educate individuals through leadership development and community organizing that will bring about social, political, cultural, and economic change to low-income communities.  Their projects include advocacy & services for victims of domestic violence, as well as weekly youth groups where girls and boys learn about & discuss leadership, healthy relationships, academic & community issues, and anti-oppression principles & tactics.

Freedom Inc was founded in 2000 by a group of young Southeast Asian girls in Wisconsin who came together to talk about community issues. As stories were shared, they realized that many forms of oppression were taking place within and amongst their community, which consists of low-income Hmong and other Southeast Asians.  They reflected on the violence within many of their own families, & realized that those incidences related to larger systemic issues of poverty, racial profiling, immigration, & other forms of violence that continually impact their community.

Freedom Inc: http://www.myspace.com/freedomincorporated

image from www.capitalcityhues.com

Kabzuag Vaj is a long-time advocate for Hmong women, girls, and families.  She is a co-founder and current Executive Director of Freedom Inc. As part of her position, she also works on program development and advocacy for families experiencing domestic violence. Formerly, she worked at the Hmong American Women Association. More recently, she has been part of a team of Hmong women activist/advocates working to address root causes of abusive international marriages. Kabzuag has participated in several groups including INCITE! Radical Women of Color Working to End Violence, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Advisory Board of Creative Intervention-San Francisco and the Madison Equal Opportunity Commission. She earned a B.A. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kabzuag has studied and lived in Thailand. A Hmong refugee, she and her family have been active community members in Madison for more than 25 years.

“Measuring Racial-Ethnic Diversity in California’s Nonprofit Sector” – Urban Institute Report

Recently published report from the Urban Institute.  Good to see that AAPI perspectives were involved in the creation of this report (namely, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Alliance and APALC)  as well as those of AAPIP & NGEC’s key allies, NAKASEC and SEARAC.

Get the full report at the links below.

Measuring Racial-Ethnic Diversity in California’s Nonprofit Sector

http://www.urban.org/publications/411977.html

Abstract

Decisionmakers in California and across the country are facing critical challenges related to diversity. But until now, there has not been a comprehensive picture of how California’s nonprofit sector has responded to this demographic transition. This report, based on a representative sample of California’s 501(c)(3) organizations, documents the extent to which California’s nonprofit boards, staff, and executive leadership are racially and ethnically diverse. It analyzes diversity by an organization’s size, type, funding patterns, and geographic location within the state, and examines how California nonprofits with diverse leadership have been affected by the current economic downturn. The report also presents three models for measuring diversity using different definitions of organizational diversity.

This report is also available as a summary policy brief.

The text below is an excerpt from the complete document. Read the full report in PDF format.

Executive Summary

Racial and ethnic minorities are fast becoming a larger share of the U.S. population, and California is on the forefront of this change. Already, “minorities” account for the majority of California’s population. Non-Hispanic whites are the largest racial-ethnic group in the state, but one in three Californians is Latino, one in eight is Asian American, and one in sixteen is African American. About 1 percent is Native American or Pacific Islander. And while California as a whole is diverse, there is enormous variation in the patterns of racial-ethnic diversity among the state’s regions. Some regions, such as the North Coast and Sacramento, have a majority non-Hispanic white population, while in the Los Angeles area, nearly two-thirds of the residents are people of color.

To learn whether California’s nonprofit organizations reflect this demographic picture, researchers in the Urban Institute’s Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy conducted a statewide, representative survey to assess the diversity of nonprofit boards, executive directors, and staff in California’s nonprofit sector. The survey addressed five questions:

• What proportion of California’s nonprofits can be categorized as racially and ethnically diverse?
• What percentage of board members, executive directors, and staff in the sector are people of color, and what percentage are members of specific racial-ethnic communities?
• How does the number and proportion of racially-ethnically diverse organizations vary by the size of the organization, field of activity, or location in the state?
• Is there a gender difference in the leadership of organizations led by people of color?
• What effects, if any, is the current economy having on nonprofit organizations in terms of demand for services and funding, and are the effects correlated with the racial or ethnic diversity of organizational leadership?

The study provides valuable baseline information on how racially and ethnically diverse California’s nonprofit sector is in terms of leadership and staffing. However, it does not address questions pertaining to such issues as the relationship between diversity and quality of service, why some organizations are more diverse than others, or how diversity can be promoted in the sector.

Finally, we discuss several major implementation challenges, specifically, participation of and possible untoward impact on other payers and the new roles, responsibilities, and capabilities for providers and government. We also summarize some of the pointed skepticism that some have leveled at the ACO concept and consider whether this is another example of a concept advanced more by wishful thinking than by empirically based policy analysis.

December 2009 ~ new AAPIP Job Announcements!

AAPIP is hiring!  Follow the links for more detailed information.

Founded in 1990, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) is a national membership and advocacy organization dedicated to improving Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities through philanthropy. AAPIP also seeks to advance traditional philanthropy by making it more inclusive, just, equitable, and accountable. AAPIP members include foundations, staff and trustees of grantmaking organizations, and nonprofit organizations in eight regional chapters in the United States. AAPIP engages AAPI communities and philanthropy to address unmet needs; serves as a resource for and about AAPI communities; supports and facilitates giving by and to AAPI communities; and incubates new ideas and approaches for social justice philanthropy.

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Membership Services Manager, AAPIP, San Francisco

Summary:
Located in the San Francisco national office, the Membership Services Manager is responsible for establishing, implementing, maintaining and evaluating the organizations membership programs to contribute to the organizations mission and goals in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. AAPIP is expanding its membership strategy to encompass a network of members, giving circle volunteers/donors, and nonprofits/grantees; refining program strategies and activities accordingly.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop, implement and maintain an effective strategic membership retention and recruitment plan for each membership level to meet membership goals.
• Analyze and prepare accurate and complete membership data for reporting and strategic implications.
• Organize effective membership programs including annual membership; meeting/programs and leadership retreat within established timeframes and budget.
• Effectively develop and support existing chapters and grow new regional chapters in accordance with organization strategy.
• Effectively develop and implement national and regional programs and projects to meet organization mission and goals.
• Effectively develop and implement fundraising plan for institutional members to meet established goals.
• Develop clear, complete and concise recruitment and retention materials.
• Maintain complete and accurate databases and records including but not limited to integrated donor and membership database, current membership data and records, and current national and chapter email list servers and website pages related to membership.
• Promptly responds to requests for information about membership and follows up as appropriate including processing membership forms.
• Effectively coordinates program activities, such as annual membership meetings and events for the national office, chapters, and other funds during all phases of the event from planning to implementation.
• Provides chapter co-chair support.
• Write clear, complete and effective grant proposals and reports.
• Supports the Director, Strategic Communications in planning and implementation of Council on Foundations and AAPIP annual meeting and leadership retreat activities as well as activities for other philanthropic conferences and other affinity groups. With Research Director, develops and submits program proposals for these events.
• Prepare thorough and well-supported annual budget for assigned area of responsibility and monitor allocation of resources according to budgetary limitations.
• Identify, develop and implement opportunities for additional or improved services and procedures to ensure program services are delivered in accordance with policy and organization mission and goals and to meet membership and communication needs.
• Actively participate in the development of organizational goals. Develop, recommend, and administer organization policy and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

May select and direct the work of consultants and volunteers.

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of activities related to membership, development, preferably in a philanthropy or community service organization as evidenced by a minimum of 3 years related experience..
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen effectively, to select and use appropriate communication methods, and to present ideas and information effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to routine and non-routine inquiries or issues from members, the media and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities to conclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve problems that balance multiple needs and interests.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to changing and sometimes ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound and accurate judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to workload.
• Demonstrated ability for accuracy and thoroughness in completing work.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to view every action and decision in terms of organization impact and to understand and anticipate organization needs.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain desired work results without direct authority in working with consultants, volunteers, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to complete objectives and projects with periodic review by manager at key milestones.
• Intermediate proficiency with MS Office applications.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably in Marketing or related field.
Minimum three years of experience in membership or marketing is required, preferably in a philanthropy or community service organization.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None

Work Environment:
Work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee works primarily in an office environment. Position requires travel up to 20% of time on the job.

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 the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position requires extended periods of sitting and working at a computer. Position requires clear vision at 20 inches or less and ability to adjust focus. Position also requires occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.
To apply & more info, go to > Membership Services Manager, AAPIP, San Francisco

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2010 Meeting and Events Coordinator, AAPIP, San Francisco

Summary:
Located in the San Francisco national office, the 2010 Meeting and Events Coordinator directly reports to the Director, Philanthropic Advocacy and is responsible for coordinating in the: 1) standardizing systems and protocols for all meetings and events 2) end to end management and ownership of all program elements in order to create positive meeting and event experiences that meets meeting or event goals for all stakeholders. This is a one-year staff position with full benefits.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

Coordinate the development, implementation and maintenance of systems and protocols for planning meeting and events. Coordinate the preparation and management of work plan aligned with meeting purpose, programmatic considerations/needs, and audience on a proactive and timely basis.

Coordinate the development and management of timeline, budget/pro-forma, and group reporting within established requirements.

Coordinate the maintenance of financial accountability for programs including adherence to standard terms and conditions of vendor/consultant contract, and billing guidelines.

Act as the on-site point person for assigned programs.

Provide complete and accurate program feedback to all stakeholders through summary and distribution of program debrief notes.

Create and maintain meeting profiles for assigned programs.

Coordinate the negotiation and management of vendor contracts related to a particular event, including, air, hotel ensuring best available pricing and timely payment to vendors.

Manage supplier partners and internal support areas to ensure quality and timely delivery of services.

Coordinate meeting/event related travelEssential Skills and Qualifications:

Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate successful events and meetings as evidenced by a minimum of 2 years experience as a meeting and event planner.

Demonstrated ability to ensure that meeting and event activities are planned and implemented consistent with mission, vision and values of the organization.

Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization and with external vendors, suppliers and others.

Demonstrated ability to develop and monitor meeting and event budgets.

Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing and to represent the organization to internal and external audiences.

Demonstrated ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.

Demonstrated ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to conclusion.

Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve problems that balance multiple needs and interests.

Demonstrated ability to use sound and accurate judgment.

Demonstrated ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to workload.

Demonstrated ability to view every action and decision in terms of organization and constituent impact and to understand and anticipate organization and constituent needs.

Demonstrated ability to obtain desired work results without direct authority in working with peers, consultants, vendors and others.

Demonstrated ability to complete objectives and projects with periodic review by supervisor at key milestones.

Intermediate proficiency with MS Office applications.Education/Experience:

Bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Minimum 2 years experience as a meeting and events, preferably in a philanthropic or affinity organization.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None

Work Environment:
Work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works primarily in an office environment. Position requires extended periods of sitting and working at a computer. Position also requires travel up to 15% of time on the job.

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 the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Position requires extended periods of sitting and working at a computer. Position requires clear vision at 20 inches or less and ability to adjust focus. Position requires occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

To apply & more info, go to >  2010 Meeting and Events Coordinator, AAPIP, San Francisco

2010 Funding Outlook for Minnesota Grantmakers and Nonprofits

Save the Date: January 29, 2010

(info via http://www.mcf.org/mcf/whatsnew/calendar.htm )

Location: Neighborhood House at Wellstone Center

Further details and registration will be available in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned via the MCF website >

Join your nonprofit and philanthropic colleagues for an important public briefing and discussion on the outlook for private, corporate and community/public grantmaking in 2010 and other trends that will impact funders, the nonprofit sector and the state economy as a whole:

• Briefing on 2010 MCF Outlook Report
• Tools, Case Studies, Discussions
• Breakouts by Topic: Arts, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, and Social Justice