F/T Facilities Director for YWCA New Britain

Responsible for plan, operation, and supervision of building and grounds operation; manage capital projects and facility repair; maintenance of physical plant and associated utilities to comply with agency standards and government regulation; supervision of dept. staff, subcontractors and budget. Minimum five years experience, similar setting, with increasing responsibility. Send resume to: Executive Director, YWCA, 22 Glen Street, P. O. Box 2545, New Britain CT 06050-2545 or email rsharp@ywcanewbritain.org by Oct. 12

Elmseed offers business start-up loans

Want to start or expand a small business? Elmseed (www.elmseed.org) is a nonprofit organization that offers small loans to start or expand a small business in the New Haven area. To learn more, come to an upcoming Elmseed information session: Oct 7 & 8, 7-8 pm and Oct. 11, 2-3 pm, at the Elmseed office, 129 Church St, Suite 415, NewHaven. RSVP 687-4590 or info@elmseed.org.

A great 501(c)3 youth leadership development organization is in urgent need of the following items:

• 40 stackable chairs/conference/training
• 12-14 foldable tables (the tables can 5 and 6 feet long)
• 6 Office Desk Chairs
• 4 desktops computers with Windows XP professional; Monitors optional

If you can help, please contact Lee Cruz, Community Foundation for GNH, 777-7074

Foundation Triples its Support for Basic Needs to Address Economic Downturn

Recognizing that 2008 will present a more difficult fund-raising climate, Community Foundation for GNH will increase its matching grant program (“Making a Good Gift Better”) for basic needs providers from $75,000 to $225,000. The Foundation will match all contributions to qualifying agencies, not just new and additional contributions as in prior years.

Nonprofits with operating budgets under $3 million that provide food, shelter, clothing, fuel or assistance with utility payments to residents of Greater New Haven are eligible to apply. Deadline for applications is 5 pm, Oct. 10, 2008.

Complete details at www.cfgnh.org or contact Lee Cruz, Director of Community Outreach, lcruz@cfgnh.org or (203) 777-7074.

Coming in October: AFP Essentials of Fundraising–Educational Workshops

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) CT Chapter and the CT Association of Nonprofits will offer a 5-part series of 3-hour classes, Essentials of Fundraising, a program developed by AFP International that is designed for novice to intermediate development personnel, executive directors, board members, volunteers, and others interested in learning more about fundraising.

All courses are taught by AFP members. Courses meet Wednesdays 9 am-noon at CT Association of Nonprofits, 90 Brainard Road, Hartford. Registration ends Oct. 7.
Details: (860)525-5080 or www.ctnonprofits.org/pages/trainng/trainingcatalogue.asp

Oct. 8--Starting a development program.Instructor: Ned Hogan, CFRE. Focus on information and skills needed to establish an integrated fundraising program. Participants will learn to identify potential funding sources and methods for assessing an institution's readiness, defining its case, developing resources, and establishing basic policies and procedures needed to manage a solid fundraising program.

Oct. 15--Annual giving. Instructor: Via Garafola. Participants will learn how to discover core constituencies and turn them into continuous annual donors.

Oct. 22--Corporate and foundation grantseeking. Instructor: Diane Gedeon-Martin. Participants will learn how to fund their unique activities and develop effective grantwriting and reporting skills. They will also learn how to identify foundations willing to fund their organization's projects and programs.

Oct. 29--Board and volunteer development. Instructor: Cathi Coridan. Participants will learn how to work with and energize volunteers to help their organization raise money efficiently and effectively; how to recruit the best board and volunteer fundraisers; evaluate their current team.

Nov. 5--Individual major gift fundraising. Instructor: Abbie von Schlegell. Participants will learn how to engage donors so that their annual giving reaches maximum financial capacity. Development officers, staff, and board members of nonprofits will consider a framework for developing a successful individual major gifts program, with necessary attitudes, skills, insight, and knowledge.

Take one, two or all five of the classes; discounts apply for those who register for all classes.
Individuals who complete the series will be invited to a graduation ceremony at the AFP Connecticut Philanthropy Day Conference Nov. 13 at the Trumbull Marriott; they will also qualify for a conference discount.

Parenting Support Program Begins Oct. 2 at Yale-New Haven Hospital

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS MOTHEREAD® free weekly workshops help parents develop the habit of reading with their kids. Transportation and free childcare are available if needed. Participants receive a free set of children's books and snacks are provided at the workshops. Details: Rene Visser, 688-8474.

Bringing Baby Home program starts Oct. 2 at Women and Family Life Center

Thursdays, Oct. 2-Nov. 6, 7-9pm

The transition to parenthood is a journey taking you from one point in your life to another with peaks and valleys along the way. Most new parents experience an adverse impact on their relationship in the first year after the birth of their baby. If you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, this 6-week program will help you to successfully navigate the transition to parenthood.

Bringing Baby Home is based on the research of Dr. John Gottman. The facilitator, Nina Sutton, holds a Master's degree in Psychology and Education from Teacher's College, Columbia University. She is currently the first and only certified educator in Connecticut and Westchester County, NY, to teach John Gottman's Bringing Baby Home program for new and expectant parents.

Please contact the Women and Family Life Center for full details: 458-6699.

Important resource for overseas voters

The Overseas Vote Foundation is a one-stop shopping center for the forms for voters who live overseas: https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/

Connecticut's Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program

This program is designed to help borrowers gain the skills they need to be able to earn more money to become more financially stable. The program offers:
• Customized Employment Services
• Job Training Scholarships
• Job Placement Assistance
• Financial Literacy
• Credit Counseling
• Referrals to other needed services

CT residents are eligible for this program if they meet the following requirements:
• they are 60 days or more past due on their mortgage
• their mortgage is for primary residence in Connecticut
• their household income is less than $120,000
• they are referred by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), or can demonstrate an imminent need for services

For information: 1-866-683-1682 or www.workplace.org/mortgage.asp

Auditions for New Haven Chorale Extended

The New Haven Chorale will hold auditions for all voice parts by appointment. Auditions will be held at ACES, Educational Center for the Arts, 55 Audubon St, New Haven. For information or to schedule an audition appointment, please call 288-7051 or 453-8818.

P/T position at Junta, New Haven

JUNTA is looking for someone to work with their after-school children's program from 3-5:30pm, Monday-Thursday. This person will work with children on storytelling, drama, music, or creative writing. $10/hour. Details: sandra@juntainc.org.

Arts Council seeks nominations for 2008 Arts Awards

The Arts Council of GNH is currently seeking nominations for the 2008 Arts Awards. This year, the annual awards luncheon will celebrate “Ground Breakers” in the community—visual, performing and literary artists, arts educators, arts organizations, advocates and administrators—whose creative, colorful thoughts enrich our community in countless ways. This year’s Arts Awards will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, at the New Haven Lawn Club.

Deadline for nominations is Friday, Sept. 19. Nomination forms are available at www.newhavenarts.org (“Upcoming Events” under “News and Events”) or at the Arts Council offices at 70 Audubon St., New Haven. For more information, please call (203) 772-2788.

P/T Clerical Position at Guilford Library

Position involves carrying out clerical and statistical procedures associated with any or all library departments, working with the public and answering both directional and informational queries at the Circulation, Children’s and Reference Desks. Duties may include checking the status of library materials, registering users, assisting with children’s programs, responding to patrons’ requests for assistance, and other activities as directed.

Successful candidate must have a strong customer service orientation, must enjoy interaction with the public of all ages, be attentive to detail and able to lift up to 50 pounds. High school diploma or GED required. Must have ability to read, write and learn basic computer systems.

Average 24 hours/week, including some nights, Saturdays, and Sundays. $11.94 pr hour, no benefits. Applications due by 4pm Sept. 19. Details: www.ci.guilford.ct.us or call 453-8282.

Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton and All That: The State of Women in Politics

In this historic year, America has seen its first viable female candidate for the Democratic nominee for President and the first female GOP selection for Vice-Presidential candidate. The “female issue” has dominated the 2008 election story and everyone seems to have an opinion—do you?

Join the Women & Family Life Center at 7pm on Thursday, September 25, for A Woman’s Place in Politics: An Intergenerational Discussion, featuring a panel of bipartisan, non-sitting politicians who represent the generational divide:
Nan Birdwhistell, served as 3-time first selectwoman from Woodbridge from 1991-1997 (first woman, first Democrat and youngest person to be elected CEO in Woodbridge ), currently an attorney with Murtha Cullina, LLP
Kate Mulligan, past President of Young Republicans in Massachusetts
Jennifer Pacquette, Hartford area regional president of Young Democrats, currently an associate with Camilliere, Cloud & Kennedy
Janet Poss, State Representative (D) from 1991 to 1994, and was a member of the Guilford Board of Selectmen from 1983-1987 and 1999-2005;
Lenny Winkler, served as State Representative (R) from Groton from 1988 2006 where she served as Assistant Minority Leader and the Ranking House member of the Bonding Subcommittee of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee; currently a nurse in the Emergency Room of Lawrence and Memorial Hospitals Pequot Health Center .

The session will be moderated by Ellen Scalettar, a former State Representative and current Director of Policy, Research and Legislation for Connecticut Senate Democrats.

Historically, women play an important role in every Presidential election – this year is no different. The WFLC series also includes Politics, Women & The Media (Oct. 22) and What Happened: The Post-Election World and What The Future Holds (Nov. 13).

Fee: $20 discussion or $50 series/Students & Seniors 65+ $15 discussion or $40 series. Contact the Women & Family Life Center at 458-6699 for information and to register.