Are you between the ages of 20-35? What do you think about the cost of housing in CT?

The Partnership for Strong Communities is a statewide housing policy organization working to create more housing options that workers, families, young professionals, and others can afford.


Please take a moment to complete this survey on younger professionals’ decisions on where to live. It is intended for people between 20-35 years old who currently live in Connecticut, used to live in Connecticut, or have considered moving to Connecticut.  Survey results will shape the future of public policy on housing and other issues related to retaining a solid workforce in Connecticut. Click here for survey.

You Should Know About The Pro Bono Partnership

The Pro Bono Partnership provides free, high-quality legal services to other 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve poor and disadvantaged populations, working primarily in the areas of health and human services, community development, affordable housing, and neighborhood revitalization, as well as arts, civic, and environmental or conservation work.
Client organizations benefit from free legal services on a wide-range of business-related matters such as:
Corporate structure and governance
Contracts
Employment law
Environmental law
Fundraising compliance
Intellectual property law
Real estate (including leases)
Regulatory compliance (e.g., registration, annual reporting, charitable solicitation, lobbying, pay-to-play)
Tax law and tax exempt status

The Partnership’s Nonprofit Crisis Management Initiative helps nonprofit organizations identify and proactively address legal problems they are likely to face as a result of the current recession, including:
Satisfying or modifying leases and other contractual obligations;
Reducing the size of the workforce and alternatives to RIFs;
Forming strategic alliances with other nonprofit organizations;
Restructuring debt and understanding restrictions on use of grant and endowment monies;
Deciding to file for bankruptcy or to dissolve the organization; and
Understanding the Board's fiduciary obligations in the current economic climate and what liability Board members may incur as a result of their decisions.

They also offer educational workshops and operate a legal helpline. For details click here  or call (860) 541-4951.

Literacy Volunteers of GNH is looking for a volunteer

If you are interested in supporting literacy by working on a newsletter, writing press releases, preparing flyers,  etc., contact Rosemary at rbialobrzeski@hotmail.com.

Vacation Scholarships for girls ages 9-12

Girls aged 9-12 are eligible to apply for several Whitney Museum scholarships for upcoming Vacation Programs (Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Election Day), funded by Community Foundation for GNH Women and Girls' Fund.  Details:  kl@eliwhitney.org.

Guidestar releases nonprofit compensation report

The recently released 10th annual edition of the GuideStar Nonprofit Compensation Report contains information on 149,608 individual positions at 99,590 tax-exempt organizations for fiscal year 2008.

It includes data on non-charitable organizations as well as public charities and private foundations. Highlights:

•Median compensation of females continued to lag behind that of males
•Females held 57% of CEO positions at organizations with expenses of greater than $1 million but only 38% at organizations with expenses of less than $1 million. Overall, women held 48 percent of the positions reported upon.

•The larger the organization, the larger the increases in compensation. Percent increases at all sizes of organizations were generally higher in 2008 than they were in 2007.

•Health and science organizations had the highest overall median salaries. Food, religion, and youth development organizations brought up the rear.

The Library has a subscription to GuideStar (thanks to the Community Foundation for GNH) which provides access to the full report as well as other research tools offered by GuideStar. Call Seth at 203-946-7001 for details.

Attention Children's Writers and Illustrators

Unpublished CT writers and illustrators of children’s books are invited to attend one of several free upcoming workshops on the submission guidelines for the 2011 Tassy Walden Awards. Please reserve your spot by calling 203-453-3890 or emailing donita@shorelinearts.org:


Oct. 13, 7pm—Barnes & Noble Booksellers 470 Universal Dr, North Haven
Oct. 14, 7pm—Barnes & Noble Booksellers 175 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury
Oct. 19, 7pm—Naugatuck Valley Community College 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury
Oct. 20, 6pm—New Haven Public Library 133 Elm St, New Haven

International Association of New Haven announces new grant cycle

Click here for Applications for the 2011 IANH grants. Information sessions for the 2011 IANH grants will be held Tuesday, Oct. 12, 4 pm and Thursday. Oct. 14, 1 pm,  at Yale Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), 421 Temple St, New Haven. 

Free computer classes begin Sept. 28 at Gateway Community College, New Haven

Designed to teach basic skills to adults, classes are Tuesdays, Sept. 28-Nov. 16,  8 am-noon and Fridays, Oct. 1-Nov. 19, noon-4 pm. Seating is limited and registration is required: 
203-285-2161 or jhagans@gwcc.commnet.edu and yheyward@gwcc.commnet.edu.

Call for 10 Minute Plays by Connecticut Playwrights

PlayMakers Theatre seeks new 10 min. plays for Dec. 3 SHORTS Festival at Miller Library, Hamden. Deadline is Nov.1. Details:  www.playmakersct.webs.com

Call for projects for October 2 March for Environmental Justice in the Americas

New Haven/León Sister City Project invites submissions of artistic projects (fun, serious, challenging, humorous, etc) that call attention to climate change and environmental injustice. Possible themes of projects might include transportation, trash, food sustainability, carbon reduction, workers' rights, etc. Projects must be mobile or carry-able, and made mostly of recycled materials.  Messages of Projects should support education, action, policy change, and environmental justice. Projects will be displayed along the route of the March for Environmental Justice in the Americas to be held in New Haven on Oct. 2.
This March, held in honor of Gandhi's birthday and his 1930 Salt March to the Sea to push the British out of India, is approximately 2 miles long and starts at 10am at Long Wharf Drive near Amistad Pier and Leon's Restaurant,  ending at noon  at the Federal Building. It will make several stops around New Haven to promote awareness about climate change and environmental justice.
Details: New Haven/León Sister City Project,  203-562-1607 or www.newhavenleon.org

Computer training starts at New Haven Public Library

Free adult computer classes begin soon at the downtown branch, 133 Elm St.:

Sept. 27-Oct. 2: Basic Email
   Mon. 5-6 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm/Thur. 5-6 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm/Sat. 11-noon, 2-3 pm

Oct. 4-9: Basic Internet
   Mon. 5-6 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm/Thur. 5-6 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm/Sat. 11-noon, 2-3 pm

Oct. 11-16: Word Basics (create and edit Word documents)
   Mon. 5-6 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm/Thur. 5-6 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm/Sat. 11-noon, 2-3 pm

Oct. 18-23: Explore electronic resources (databases) offered by the Library
   Mon. 5-6 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm/Thur. 5-6 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm/Sat. 11-noon, 2-3 pm

Some previous computer experience (use of mouse, scrolling, etc.) required. Classes may be taken individually and may be repeated. Advance registration is required: call 203-903-IVES (4837). 

Computer classes are also offered at the Wilson Branch (946-2228) and Mitchell Branch (946-8117)--call them for details!

If I Had a Trillion Dollars youth video contest

The American Friends Service Committee and National Priorities Project are sponsoring a youth video project to help young people (13-23) enter the cost of war discussion. They would like young people to think about how they would spend $1 trillion on themselves, their families and/or their communities, and to share their ideas in a short (1-3 minute) video Submissions due by November 30, 2010. Read more

Click here for latest RFPs posted by Foundation Center

Teacher Assistant opening at Therapeutic Child Center at Family Services of Greater Waterbury

Seeking dedicated early childhood professional with hands-on experience working with young children, CDA preferred. Prefer experience with NAEYC accreditation and the CT Preschool Frameworks as well as bi-Lingual. Send resume and letter of interest to nwinslow@familyservicesgw.org or fax to (203) 756-8310.

C-Span Booknote will be filmed on Sept. 22 with Charles Euchner at New Haven Public Library

Sunday Job Opening at Blackstone Library in Branford

P/t circulation assistant position opening on Sunday, 12:30-4:15 pm, September–May, $15/hour. Requires high school diploma, excellent customer service and computer skills, ability to multitask and to lift up to forty pounds; college degree a plus. Possibility of working extra shifts at lower pay rate. Email cover letter and resume by Sept. 27 to Deirdre Santora, dsantora@blackstone.lioninc.org

New Canaan Library seeks two p/t technical assistants

Technology Assistants help maintain the library’s technology center and assist in computer troubleshooting for approximately 19 hours per week,  including ome evenings and weekends. Salary range $15-$20 per hour depending on qualifications and experience.

Applicant must have excellent computer skills including knowledge of LAN and wireless networks, Office Suite, Outlook, Web Browsers, Windows and Mac operating systems, scanners, digital and mobile devices, photo editing software, and various audio/visual equipment.

Duties include maintaining public and staff PCs, troubleshooting hardware and software problems, assisting the public and staff with technology questions and resolving problems, setting up or operating audiovisual equipment (projectors, microphones, conference phone, Wii devices, etc), running reports, working on other technology projects, tasks and assignments as required.

Applicant must have strong interpersonal skills, exhibit strong problem-solving ability, and enjoy working with both technology and the public.

Email resume and cover letter to Jeffrey Zaino, Systems Librarian, at jzaino@newcanaanlibrary.org

UConn's Being the Change leadership development program starts Oct. 13

Click here for information about UConn's six-month leadership program that meets alternating Wednesdays in Hartford Oct. 13, 2010-March 20, 2011.

Projects at Project Storefronts

Upcoming at Project Storefronts at 71 Orange St, New Haven

Through Oct.  24:
Tuesdays 6-9pm--Open Crafting in the main room
Thursdays 6-9pm--Elm City Handmade Meet-Up for Market Strategies and Craft Swap
Fridays 6-9pm--“Books and Beer” hosted by Detritus
Saturdays 11am-5pm--Art and Craft workshops by Upcycle Arts, weaving and silk screening

September events:
Sept 18, 6-9pm--Exhibition: “Between Light and Dark” at Crosby Street Gallery
Sept 24-Oct. 3--Exhibitions and activities during Citywide Open Studios
Sept 24, 4-8pm--Project Storefronts Mini-Fest featuring art and design projects, hula hooping for fitness, weavingdemonstrations, more

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Technical Assistance with a Twist is back!

The Community Foundation for GNH is offering another Technical Assistance with a Twist:
Building Your Development Program from Where You Are.

Program is designed for organizations that meet following criteria:

• annual operating budget is below $2,000,000
• CEO/ED is chief development staff member and there is no dedicated development/fundraising staff
• organizations has at least one paid staff member to participate
• service area is Community Foundation's 20 town area

Development professional Barbara Strauss will be available to provide services to selected nonprofits, including technical assistance and capacity building through workshops and professional 1:1 coaching and mentoring. There is no cost to participate.  Details: Sharon Cappetta.

Limited number of tickets to political debates in Hartford available at Main Library

SORRY! All tickets are taken! Contact the library at 203-946-8125 to obtain tickets to debates to be held on Oct. 4 (senatorial) and Oct. 5 (gubernatorial) at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford.

Click here for information about Turbo Award for CT nonprofits

 

Strive New Haven at Main Library Thursdays 3-4pm

STRIVE-New Haven helps GNH residents prepare for and find jobs.  STRIVE will be at the downtown branch on Thursdays from 3-4 pm to register individuals for the three-week employment program, and answer any questions. http://www.strivenewhaven.com/.

Click here for latest RFPs posted by Foundation Center

Qualified Women Candidates Sought for Top CT Appointments

Women currently hold 37% of state appointed positions, despite the fact that they represent 51% of CT’s population.   When asked about this disparity, governors typically respond that they do not know enough qualified women candidates. CONNGAP, the Connecticut Governmental Appointment Project,  is designed to change that.  This non-partisan political parity effort is coordinated by the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women with the goal of increasing the number of women working in appointed, high-level policy positions in our state.


CONNGAP will collect and submit a dossier of qualified women candidates for the approximately 70 paid appointments that will be made by our new governor following November’s election.

Please help get the word out about this project and encourage interested women to submit their credentials by October 15. Details available at http://www.ctpcsw.com/.

Last minute change at this weekend's CT Folk Festival at Edgerton Park, New Haven

Saturday, Sept. 11, 5-10 pm: Country/folk star Kathy Mattea will sub for Nanci Griffith, who has canceled due to illness. More info at http://www.ctfolk.org/

New City Librarian for New Haven Free Public Library

Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., and the Library's Board of Directors announce the appointment of Christopher J. Korenowsky to the position of City Librarian effective October 4, 2010. Current librarian, James Welbourne will retire as of October 1.

Christopher Korenowsky received his Masters of Library and Informational Sciences from Kent State University. He has worked for twenty years in the Columbus (Ohio) Metropolitan Library system, most recently as Director of Professional Development for the Ohio Library Council.  He currently serves on the Learning Roundtable Board of the American Library Association.

“Christopher has had experience in long range planning, policy development, instructional design and development, branding, fundraising and capital campaigns,” said Library Board President Elsie Chapman. “His experience and keen vision for the role libraries must play in the future plus his high energy, enthusiasm and proven ability make him a superb choice for New Haven’s seventh City Librarian.”

Brian Driscoll Talks about the Phoenix Press Wind Turbine

The large turnout at last night's discussion reflected the public interest in the wind turbine spinning along I-95 in New Haven. Comments from the audience: wind energy is a growing and exciting option for business and even residential energy production, with government subsidies that are minute compared to oil, nuclear, coal, and other industries; green energy is a business selling point; the technology continues to improve; projects like Cape Wind are likely to generate a considerable amount of eco-tourism for the area.

Read more about wind energy at Kidwind.com and North American Windpower

Nominations Due by Sept. 17 for Arts Council of GNH 2010 Arts Awards

The 2010 Arts Awards honor those whose dreams are practice, who choose passion and possibility over profit and probability. The public is invited to submit nominations for visual and performing artists, writers, directors, educators, administrators, and supporters who enrich and inspire our community through creative expression. Awards will be given at annual Awards Luncheon on Dec. 2. Click here for details. 

Author Charles Euchner offers business writing tips at next Subway Seminar

Euchner will be at the library twice this month, first on Sept. 16 with a preview and tips from his forthcoming The Writing Code, and then on  Sept. 22 to discuss his recently released NOBODY TURN ME AROUND: A People's History of the 1963 March on Washington. A timely reminder of the event that much preceeded  Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin...  Click here for more about Charles Euchner

Artist entrepreneurs offered workshop Oct. 6

New Haven's Department of Cultural Affairs and Office of Economic Development and the Arts Council of GNH will offer an Entrepreneurial Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 6th in the Ninth Square storefronts' common area. This workshop will help all artists to assess the feasibility of developing a small business. Details: www.newhavenarts.org or call 203-772-2788.

Elm City Dance Collective Intern

Elm City Dance Collective (http://www.elmcitydance.org/) seeks intern Sept/Oct. 2010-June 2011 to assist  with administrative duties, community and cultural development, public relations and event management.
Requirements: 10-15 hrs per week, flexible schedule, including bi-weekly staff meetings. Dance experience, writing and research skills preferred.  Intern may attend weekly Contemporary Dance Technique class at no charge. Please send resume to elmcitydance@gmail.com.

Family Caregivers note: Fearless Caregiver Conference Nov. 4

This conference is sponsored by Fearless Caregiver Magazine and Agency on Aging of South Central CT. Free tickets are available to family caregivers at http://www.fearlesscaregiver.com/. Lunch is included.

Go Local for International Coastal Cleanup

September is International Coastal Cleanup month. For a complete listing of International Coastal Cleanup events, including one near you, click here.

Greater New Haven Community Chorus rehearsals begin Sept. 9

The Greater New Haven Community Chorus is a mixed-voice (SATB) chorus that welcomes singers of all abilities from our diverse region. No auditions are required.

The December 2010 concert features Vivaldi’s Gloria, plus selections from Handel’s Messiah. The Spring 2011 concert will celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day (1911-2011) with choral works by noted women composers.

Rehearsals for the 2010-2011 season begin Sept. 9 and are held each Thursday evening from 7:30-10 pm at the Center Church Parish House, 311 Temple St., New Haven (enter through side door on the right). Interested singers may attend up to three rehearsals as a guest prior to joining the chorus. Registration is open through Oct. 7. Details: www.GNHCC.org or 203-624-1979.

Click here for new grant opportunities listed by Foundation Center

$5000 grants to be awarded to schools

Bob's Discount Furniture is currently running a contest to provide funding for cultural arts programs. Click here for details.

Chamber's Small Business Academy Starts Sept. 16

The Small Business Academy presents a 7-session business training course to start your own small business or get your current business on track. Classes are held 7 consecutive Thursdays starting Sept. 16, 6-8pm, at Yale's Rosenfeld Hall, 109 Grove St., New Haven. One-time materials fee of $45. Registration is required:
203-782-4342 or ptommaselli@gnhcc.com.