What Nonprofit Employers Need to Know in a Tough Economy (Wed., March 11, 9:30am - 11am)
The economic downturn forces non-profit employers with already limited budgets to face even greater challenges, including possible staff reductions. David Weinstein from Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP will discuss Illinois and federal law governing non-profit employers' labor-related rights and obligations. This is some of the information your organization should know to survive and thrive in these difficult times. Hosted by Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP. Fee: $35. Advance registration required. Online registration available at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/272613394


Managing Nonprofit Organizations Like a Business (Thurs day, March 12 from 8:30 to 10:30 AM )
This workshop explores what the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is and how one association developed and implemented its own BSC. By attending this session you will learn: "What the BSC can do for your organization," how you can assess whether your organization is ready to adopt the BSC approach," and describe the steps necessary to develop and adopt a BSC." Become familiar with some of the pitfalls, and gain understanding about how the BSC can align your organization's strategy from the strategic plan down to the individual employee. This free workshop will be held at the Illinois CPA Society, Suite 900, at 550 W. Jackson Blvd. For more information, please visit www.icpas.org/calendar/EventDetail.aspx?ccode=S503

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General Fundraising Support
(submitted by Sharmila Rao Thakkar, MPH, MPA, Senior Program Officer, The Siragusa Foundation, Chicago, Il, www.siragusa.org )

Totally free, personalized fundraising consulting is now available for nonprofits 24/7 from anywhere in the U.S. and around the world.

"Nonprofit fundraisers may ask anything they want -- like How can I find donors? or How can I get my board to give more and to ask others to give? It's absolutely one-on-one attention. They won't be getting boilerplate answers," says Dr. Stephen L. Goldstein, creator of the hotline and president of The Nonprofit Institute, Educational Marketing Services.

"Nonprofits always have a hard time raising money. But many are really struggling in today's bad economy. They need immediate professional advice tailored to their specific needs. But most nonprofits cannot afford to hire an expert to give them quick answers to their pressing questions. So, www.fundraisershotline.com gives them personal access to an experienced professional to be their sounding-board to increase their fundraising success," Goldstein adds.

That's what's so unique about the hotline. It's quick, efficient, direct -- and free, of course. Getting answers from the hotline is simple. Go to www.fundraisershotline.com, fill out the short user form, ask a question, then send it to Dr. Goldstein. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. Every question is answered personally and within 24 hours.

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Renewal and Innovation Amidst the Storm "Navigating Toward Opportunity in the New Economy", posted by Ebony Scott of Public Allies, Chicago

What: Business Meeting
Host: Public Allies Chicago
Start Time: Wednesday, March 25 at 9:00am
End Time: Wednesday, March 25 at 12:00pm
Where: Mercy Home for Boys and Girls

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=54163551233&aref=21201897

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From Caroline Kim Oh, Executive Director of iMentor.org, http://www.imentor.org  

Learn about iMentor Interactive
On Tuesday, March 10th iMentor is offering Chicago-area mentoring programs the opportunity to meet with iMi staff face to face for platform demonstration and information session about our Request for Proposal process.

Through funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, we are able to offer eligible organizations one year of iMentor Interactive for up to 200 users (~$6,000). Any organization interested in e-Mentoring and program management is encouraged to attend to learn more about ways in which technology can increase staff capacity and help build meaningful relationships between your mentors and mentees.

Meeting Time & Location
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 3:00pm
HSBC
71 S Wacker Drive
Suite 2700
Chicago, Illinois 60606

RSVP: Lauren Andrews, lauren@imentor.org
*Please RSVP as soon as possible as space is limited.

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Tutor/Mentor Program Leaders and Trainers are encouraged to post links and articles about upcoming events at: http://www.tutormentorconnection.org/tabid/645/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/376/Default.aspx

You are also encouraged to join the Tutor/Mentor Connection group at http://tutormentorconnection.ning.com where you can post information on conferences and other training and networking sites. 

Note: For Profit advertising posts to the T/MC sites will not be accepted unless they show benefit to volunteer-based tutoring and/or mentoring programs.

On-Line Volunteer Recruitment Resources for Programs throughout the USA.Are  you listed in these volunteer search engines?  These are no-costs ways non profits can attract volunteers.  These are also resources for volunteers and donors to use to shop for volunteer opportunities and places where they want to provide financial support.

* ServeIllinois - http://www.serve.illinois.gov/
* ServeNet - http://www.ServeNet.org
* VolunteerMatch - http://www.volunteermatch.org
* ChicagoVolunteer.net - http://www.chicagovolunteer.net
* Idealist - http://www.idealist.org
* Chicago Program Links - http://tinyurl.com/2k227y

Visit the LINKS Library at http://www.tutormentorconnection.org to find additional resources for building and sustaining volunteer-based tutoring, mentoring, education to career and service learning programs.

Notice to Chicago area tutor/mentor programs: Please check the Chicago Program Links and Program Locator at http://www.tutormentorprogramlocator.net/programlocator/prgloc.asp to make sure  information about your organization is  up-to-date. Email the Tutor/Mentor Connection if you need help

See photos from past conferences at http://www.tutormentorconference.org/pictures.asp 

* Lawyers Lend A Hand to YouthBarristers Ball - This Saturday. Visit http://www.lawyerslendahand.net for details.

* The Spring 2009 Conference will be held at the Northwestern University School of Law on May 28 and 29.  The workshop schedule is filling up and will be posted soon. If you'd like to be involved, join in at http://tutormentorconnection.ning.com/group/tutormentorconferenceplanningcommittee

* The Fall 2009  Leadership and Networking conference will be held at the Norris University Center  Northwestern University campus in Evanston, on November 18 and 19.
This is the earliest we have had a date and location for the November conference so we hope we're able to attract a larger group of participants....and some sponsor dollars!

* Innovate 2 Uplift blog article: http://www.innovate2uplift.net/2009/02/raisin-the-buzz-at-the-table-with-dan-bassill/

* Role of Interns from University of Michigan and IIT. Students from different universities have been helping to create presentations that communicate the ideas of the Tutor/Mentor Connection in more effective ways. Here's a link to a strategy map visualization:http://tutormentorexchange.net/images/flash/strategymap.swf created by students from the University of Michigan during their one week internship in Chicago. Visit http://tutormentorconnection.ning.com/groups to learn more about this work.

* Submit your own links and articles to http://www.tutormentorconnection.org

 

by Daniel F. Bassill

Pass on this information and connect your network to the Tutor/Mentor Connection in strategies that help you maximize your own efforts to help kids in Chicago and other cities move through school and into jobs and careers.

If you would like to know more email tutormentor2@earthlink.net or call 312-492-9614.