CSBG Carryover again

I thought we had put this one to bed, but perhaps not. My staff tell me that in his workshop at the conference last week Chuck Templin said unequivocally that caps would not be permitted to carry over unexpended CSBG funds after SEPTEMBER 2009. Since our contracts run through December I don't even know how they expect to enforce that. Chuck is starting to get on my nerves a little. I am sure he means well. But I think he is not well informed.

Invitation to Online Briefing on Economic Crisis

The Coalition on Human Needs is presenting an online briefing on:
The Economic Crisis
How we got into this mess.What we as a nation and as advocates can do about it.
Thursday, October 30, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. eastern time

Register for webcast at: : www.bostonconferencing.com/chn

Financial meltdown, credit crunch, the burst housing bubble, rising unemployment . . . the economic situation is tumultuous and scary. Between the finance jargon and the finger-pointing about blame, it is pretty hard to understand what's going on and, most important, how to evaluate the solutions being proposed. This webcast is for people who care about rebuilding our economy in a way that includes low- and moderate-income people, both protecting them and recognizing that the only sustainable prosperity is shared prosperity.
You'll learn from experts what you need to know about the current crisis in the economy and in housing, and what Congress and a new Administration may do about it.

Presenters: - Jared Bernstein, Economic Policy Institute Author of Crunch: Why Do I Feel So Squeezed? (And Other Unsolved Economic Mysteries). Jared is famous for plain-English explanations and wit. His quotes and advice are widely sought out by press, candidates, and public officials.

- Barry Zigas, Consumer Federation of America Barry is Housing Policy Director at the Consumer Federation of America, and is a leading expert on low-income housing policy, with previous experience at Fannie Mae and the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

- Deborah Weinstein, Coalition on Human Needs Debbie is Executive Director of CHN. She will discuss what Congress is considering and offer practical suggestions about how you can help shape the agenda.

We're trying something new: This event will be webcast live from the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, DC. DC-based advocates will attend. Advocates outside of DC can tune in and watch on their computers. We will leave plenty of time for questions, taking them both from those in the room and from participants watching from undisclosed locations all around the country.

For online participation, click here to register.
Please forward this invite to your networks and encourage others to join us too!

This event is presented by the Coalition on Human Needs. Co-Sponsors (list in formation): AFSCME, American Association of University Women (AAUW), American Friends Service Committee, Beyond the Boundaries - Archdiocese of Baltimore, Building Changes, Catholic Charities USA, Child Welfare League of America, CLASP, Community Action Partnership, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Family Economic Initiative, Generations United, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Lutheran Services in America, National Association for State Community Service Programs (NASCSP), National Center for Law and Economic Justice, National Employment Law Project, National Head Start Association, National Jobs for All Coalition, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Research Center for Women & Families, National Women's Law Center, NEA, NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, RESULTS, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy, The United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society, US Action, Voices for America's Children, Washington Office of Public Policy and the Office of Community Actions - Women's Division United Methodist Church, Wider Opportunities for Women, Workforce Professionals Training Institute and YWCA USA.

Tech Soup

Tech Soup (techsoup.com) is a company dedicated to serving non-profits and their software needs. They provide computer software at greatly reduced prices. We saved a bundle of money when we purchased Norton anti-virus software.

Energy Assistance/Family Development

When using family development as a component of EAP, how do you select applicants for family development? JobSource now has staff trained and would like to start family development. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.
Cindy

HeatSmart?

We are looking at changing some of the items we provide to Energy Education participants and
I wanted to know if anyone has had any dealings with “The HeatSmart Campaign”. They
advocate turning the heat down at night and using their washable wool blankets to keep warm. Does anyone have experience with distributing wool blankets and if so, how were
they received by our clientele.

Americorps

I'm looking for input from anyone who may have hosted an Americorps member in the past. I'm curious about the administrative paperwork burden of managing the member. Also, has anyone served as a host site for multiple Americorps members in the community?

Finally, there is a financial match required to host an Americorps member. Normally this cannot be federal resources, unless you are given permission by the federal source. Has anyone received permission to use CSBG funds for this purpose?

"Affirmative Action Plan"

We are in the process of doing a major overhaul to our Personnel Policies. We have been advised by Legal Counsel that we do not (and should not) have an "Affirmative Action Plan" because we are not required to. (Mind you that we are below 100 employees and I understand that this makes a difference.) But, I notice that the CAR review asks for it.

Has anyone else been advised of this and if so, what do you include in your Personnel policies?