United Way of the Southern Tier Kickoff

The Evening Tribune reported that around 40 area business owners, executives and government officials came out to show their support for the United Way of the Southern Tier at the group’s annual kickoff dinner Tuesday thanking leaders in the community for support.

Stephen Hughes, vice-president of resource development for the United Way of the Southern Tier, spoke to the group about the need for assistance locally.
“I don’t have to tell anyone in this room the difficult climate we are in,” Hughes said.

The United Way hopes to raise $316,500 locally this year, according to agency officials, and the major sponsors of the campaign this year are Steuben Trust Company and Five Star Bank.
Jeffrey Kenefick, president of Five Star Bank, said donations are needed to help support the group.

“Without everyone here, the United Way, this great organization, would not be here,” Kenefick said.

The keynote speaker at the dinner was was Mary LaRowe, chief executive officer of St. James Mercy Health Systems.

“We have each others’ back in the community,” she said. “This is our community, and if there’s ever been a time for your donation to count, that time is now.”

Money raised for the United Way of the Southern Tier — including $4.5 million raised in the last year — fund several programs throughout the region, LaRowe said.

A new program sponsored by the organization is the Finger Lakes Region 211 help line, which offers a toll-free number to receive non-emergency assistance from non-profit organizations, health care providers and government agencies.

Another important program, the Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope program, which gives those needing help time to sit down with a financial planner for help with taxes, debt reduction and saving. Funds also are disbursed to area agencies, like the Hornell Area Concern For Youth, in forms of community investment grants.

The United Way of the Southern Tier was formed in 1993 by the merger of the South East Steuben United Way, Central Steuben United Way, the Hornell Area United Way and the United Way of Chemung County. This year, according to the United Way’s Web site, the goal was set at $4.5 million at the group’s annual kickoff event at Wings of Eagles Discovery Center at the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport.

For more information on the United Way of the Southern Tier, visit www.uwst.org.

Economic woes take toll on nonprofits

The Corning Leader reported that just as in other parts of the U.S., job losses and hard economic times are forcing more local residents to go without health insurance.

That’s putting a straining on nonprofit groups such as the Health Ministry of the Southern Tier, which offers free medical services to residents of Steuben, Chemung and Schuyler counties.

“There are 22,000 residents in Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung counties without health insurance,” said Ray Defendorf, community relations contact with the health ministry. “Using our current volunteers, we’re reaching about 4.5 percent of the 22,000. We’re putting our finger in the dike. We’re dependent on volunteers stepping forth.”

In 2008, the health ministry saw 2,700 patient visits at its facilities in Corning, Elmira, Bath and Watkins Glen, which represented a 24 percent increase from 2007. Read more here.

Robert Egger To Present October 13th

“Grabbing the Future by the Face: Purpose and Power in 21st Century Non-profit Organizations”

A presentation by
Robert Egger
Founder and President, DC Central Kitchen
Author, Begging for Change
Founder, V3 Campaign
www.robertegger.org

For the fourth year in a row, Robert Egger, founder and president of DC Central Kitchen, has been recognized among The Top 50 Most Powerful and Influential Leaders in the Sector (PDF) by the Nonprofit Times. As in previous years, Robert was one of the only leaders of a direct service organization to be included on the list. Recently, he has focused on launching the V3 Campaign effort to make the voice of the social enterprise and non-profit movement heard, its value realized, and its votes counted in every election.

Agency and program directors, board members, funders, elected officials, and anyone concerned with the future of non-profit service delivery in Tompkins County – make time in your busy schedules for this event!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Country Club of Ithaca
189 Pleasant Grove Road

9:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Presentation + Q&A

RSVP requested by October 2 to Isabella Corina, 257-1133 or imc@triadfoundation.org

There is no charge for this event which is sponsored by
Challenge Industries and the Triad Foundation

STNED Quarterly Meeting - Tanglewood Nature Center

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday September 17th from 9:00-10:30 am

The Southern Tier Nonprofit Executive Directors Group (STNED) is a network of nonprofit executive and management professionals in the Southern Tier/Finger Lakes Region of New York State that provides education, peer support and the sharing of ideas to strengthen leadership and promote the collaborative utilization of resources.

The STNED group will have its 3rd quarter meeting on Thursday September 17th from 9:00 - 10:30 am at the Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum, 443 Coleman Avenue Elmira, NY 14903. www.tanglewoodnaturecenter.com. All nonprofit executive and management personnel from throughout the Southern Tier are invited to participate. There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be provided.

Based on input from previous surveys and the 2nd quarterly meeting, the presentation and discussion at this meeting will focus on the nonprofit sector use of social media tools, presented by Sean Lukasik of Creative Agent.
Agenda

1. Welcome, introduction and brief tour of the Tanglewood Nature Center
2. What is Social Media: Facebook , Twitter, Linked In…..
3. “How the heck do I even get onto Facebook/Twitter?”
4. Applications and pros/cons
5. Goals of using social media

If you plan on attending the meeting, please RSVP by September 15th by clicking on stned@ihsnet.org, and include your name, organization and contact information. Feel free to include any questions you may have concerning STNED or social media.

For more information about the Southern Tier Nonprofit Executive Directors group, go to www.ihsnet.org and click on STNED in the left column.

We hope that you can join us for this educational and enjoyable opportunity to meet with your colleagues on the 17th.

How to Talk to Your Board about Fundraising Workshop

“How to Talk to Your Board About Fundraising” (details below) with Burke Keegan Targeted to non-profit Board members, chief executives and directors of development

Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca
Fee: $35

“Board Basics” (details on September 7) with Elena Flash, Attorney; Duane Shoen, CPA; Laura Branca; David Campbell; Kirby Edmonds; and Burke Keegan
Targeted to new and ongoing members of non-profit boards, and to staff who interact with board members
Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:45 – 11:45 am
Women’s Community Building Auditorium 100 W Seneca St, Ithaca
Fee: $25

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR BOARD ABOUT FUNDRAISING
When you say the word FUNDRAISING does your Board go blank? Rustle through papers? Change the subject? Does "FUNDRAISING" somehow fall off of the agenda? Get left for last and, "gosh, there's no time, we'll take this up next month?" Come to this fast-paced two-hour workshop and learn how to present FUNDRAISING to a reluctant, frightened or seemingly uncommitted Board. Topics will include convincing your Board that it IS their responsibility, creating a campaign that gently includes them and gives them success, and developing relationships with Board members that give them confidence that you will work closely with them, lead them through the process, and treat the donors that they deliver with respect and gratitude.

Sign up at registration@hsctc.org or at 607-273-8686.