Computer Lending Program

As Curt and I have mentioned previously, the Foundation has implemented a Computer Lending program for our grantees. We have two laptop computers and two LCD projectors that can be checked-out of the Lending Library. Several of your OCB colleagues have already used this new program. If you are interested in borrowing a computer and/or projector, please contact Cece Brown at 573-9500.

Just checking in

Hello Everyone
Well I will admit that it has been awhile since I have logged on to the blog but I also will say that I thoroughly enjoyed my first OCB Cluster Meeting at TOTAL ministries. Since I am new to Spartanburg these meetings are providing me an opportunity to learn more about the agencies and organizations in our city - well at least those in my cluster.

Rebecca - well not sure if you are the first one to spend all of your money -I am whittling away at it. Our grant was provided to solicit additional funding for our office through membership recruitment. So far I have had special remittance envelopes printed, had them inserted in two our newsletters and am now working on getting a prospect letter out. The first letter will go to those on our mailing list - since they are already familiar with our work I am hoping to have success there before venturing out to cold lists.

Looking forward to the next OCB cluster 2 meeting - hosted by Preservation Trust.
Angela

Training on Leadership Succession

The NeighborWorks Training Institute is hosting a full-day symposium called, Preparing for Success and Succession: Maximizing Opportunity at a Time of Leadership Change, on August 15, 2007 in Washington DC. According to the brochure, two-thirds of nonprofits will face a leadership transition over the next three years. This looks like a great training full of information that is important for all nonprofits to consider.

To register, go to www.nw.org/onlinereg

Our experience so far...

Hello OCB friends! Rebecca here from the Preservation Trust! Are we the first organization to spend our grant money? :) We applied for funds to bring back a consultant (Bruce Lyon with Swan Development) that we used in the past to formulate our Carlisle Street Initiative. This time around, we asked him to facilitate a strategic planning meeting with staff and board to help us determine what the next five years will hold for our organization (and what kind of staff or board help we will need to get us there!).
Bruce has incredible vision and spent the last two days helping the Trust figure out what we should and should not be focusing on. I realized that it truly helps to have a third party come in...he introduced ideas about our growth we would have never thought about! Although he is working on big picture ideas and deliverables, my immediate takeaways were regarding our board members, board structure, and their time committment. He stressed that the Trust really needs an proactive board to push us to the next level. Don't get me wrong--we have some fabulous board members, but they tend to "think" more than they "do." I am sure other bloggers can understand this position!
I also wanted to share that we held our planning meeting at The Showroom (Hub-Bub's building) and it was an amazing, creative location. The Showroom is available for private event and they have a non-profit rate.
I'll write again soon!
Rebecca

Finally ON

Hello Everyone
Angela here - from Upstate Forever. I am so glad to finally be on the blog. My email spam blocker evidently works too well but Curt was able to get through on my home email account today. Yeah.

First of all I want to apologize to other members of OCB Cluster #2 for my absence at the first meeting. It seems that the date finally selected worked for everyone but me. HOwever, I have June 1 and all other first Fridays now marked on my calendar so plan to be with all of you then.

The SCANPO conference was most appreciated and as usual, I came away with lots of good information, which I have yet had the time to revisit. Hope to get to that very soon so that I can share the info with others in our organization.
Dinner at Tronco's was wonderful - as I knew it would be. Since I lived in the Columbia area for the past 20 years, it had become a favorite of mine early on. Thanks to MBF for getting us all together that evening - and for dinner.

For those of you that are not aware, our OCB grant was written to assist Upstate Forever in Spartanburg to recruit new members. We have only been operating in Spartanburg for about three years and although we have a mailing list of nearly 2,400, only about 10% of those folks are contributing members/donors. We are working to change that and also to look outside that list for other interested Spartanburg County residents.

Have a great week.
Angela

The Charles Lea Center

Hello all!

I just wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that Charles Lea Center is now officially registered and blogging! The Center is very grateful to work with such a wonderful group of non profits and the Mary Black Foundation to complete our organizational capacity building grant. I am looking forward to hearing more about each agency and their grants as well as troubleshooting via this blog. Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy Spring Fling!!

Katie Brannan

SCANPO Member Benefits

I hope everyone enjoyed the SCANPO conference. I enjoyed having dinner with you! Did you know about these cost savings programs that SCANPO offers its members?

• Directors and Liability Insurance: discounted rates through Lighthouse Underwriters
• Telephone and Web Conferencing: great prices through ReadyTalk
• Nonprofit Unemployment Insurance Program: unemployment tax savings products for every size nonprofit
• Telecommunication Services: Exclusive rates on local, long-distance, and toll-free services, Internet access, conferencing, and other communication products through Spirit Telecom
• Office Supplies: discounted rates on supplies, furniture, technology, and printing through Staples Business Advantage

For more information, visit the Members only section at www.scanpo.org.

Molly