WKTV offered the following story about how the economic downturn has impacted two local non-profits, the Utica Zoo and Oneida County Historical Society, and what adjustments they are making in response. Click here for the video.
The Utica Zoo has lost significant funding and revenue over the past 6 8 weeks according to Executive Director Beth Irons. To deal with the problem, the Zoo has tried to get creative.
"We lost our snow leopard, rather than trying to think of something else we can put in that space the exhibit space was dismantled, the exhibits that are currently empty there is no active plan to bring in new animals," said Irons.
The Oneida County Historical Society lost about $20,000 in county funding in addition to several corporate sponsors recently. Creative changes and an spike in membership has boosted cost cutting measures.
"We've replaced our incandescent bulbs with compact florescent we've installed storm windows through a state grant we had received a few years ago and we have reduced our energy consumption significantly," said Brian Howard Executive Director of the Historical Society.
Andrew Marietta of The New York Council of Nonprofits says he is not seeing many efforts to collaborate among non profit groups in the Mohawk Valley.
"They are talking about it they are exploring opportunities but I think what they are finding is that these things are more complicated to put in place than first glance," Marietta said.
The Zoo found that out first hand as it tried to save on insurance costs by joining a medical group used by the Mid-York Library System but according to Irons, were told they didn't fit the requirements.
Howard says the Historical Society's cost cutting measures have been enough to avoid consolidation.
Howard and Irons say if the economy continues to worsen, they will likely need to probe further to see what costs could be cut and that may include consolidating services in the future.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Foundation elects 4 to board
The Rome Sentinel reported that The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties has elected four new members to its Board of Trustees. Newly elected are Lori Kaplan Felice of Rome, CA Kaplan Co.; Keith Fenstemacher of New Hartford, retired administrator of Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare; Joseph Hobika Sr. of Utica, attorney with Callanen, Foley & Hobika; and Mary Morse of Mohawk, owner of Kwik-Kut Manufacturing.
George Aney, John Livingston, Sheila Smith and William R. Stevens retired after serving collectively for a total of 34 years. A term for trustees is three years, which may be extended to a limit of three, three-year terms.
Returning as trustees are Chair-Elect Larry Bull of Herkimer, Don Carbone of Boonville, Rudy D’Amico of Marcy, Harrison Hummel III of Mohawk, Chair Georgiana Roberts Ide of New Hartford, Robert F. Julian of Utica, Linda Macartney of Clinton, Susan Matt of New Hartford, Dr. Theodore C. Max of Holland Patent, Albert Mazloom of Utica, Secretary-Treasurer Judith Vicks Sweet of Clinton and Richard Zick of Rome.
The Foundation has been improving lives and promoting philanthropy throughout Herkimer and Oneida counties since 1952. The Foundation has made more than 4,200 grants totaling over $29.5 million in support of causes ranging from education to health care, the arts to the environment. Grants are generated by the more than 260 funds that comprise the Foundation’s endowment, established and advanced by area individuals and families.
For more information, call 735-8212 or visit www.foundationhoc.org.
George Aney, John Livingston, Sheila Smith and William R. Stevens retired after serving collectively for a total of 34 years. A term for trustees is three years, which may be extended to a limit of three, three-year terms.
Returning as trustees are Chair-Elect Larry Bull of Herkimer, Don Carbone of Boonville, Rudy D’Amico of Marcy, Harrison Hummel III of Mohawk, Chair Georgiana Roberts Ide of New Hartford, Robert F. Julian of Utica, Linda Macartney of Clinton, Susan Matt of New Hartford, Dr. Theodore C. Max of Holland Patent, Albert Mazloom of Utica, Secretary-Treasurer Judith Vicks Sweet of Clinton and Richard Zick of Rome.
The Foundation has been improving lives and promoting philanthropy throughout Herkimer and Oneida counties since 1952. The Foundation has made more than 4,200 grants totaling over $29.5 million in support of causes ranging from education to health care, the arts to the environment. Grants are generated by the more than 260 funds that comprise the Foundation’s endowment, established and advanced by area individuals and families.
For more information, call 735-8212 or visit www.foundationhoc.org.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Standards for Common Sense: A Practical Guide to Basic Accountability Standards for New York Nonprofits
New York Council of Nonprofits published this updated edition with the support of Council Services Plus and the Dyson Foundation. This booklet, available to download for free here, is a practical guide for the average nonprofit seeking a reasonable understanding of what accountability standards are, who is promoting them, what related state laws say, and how to think about the choices presented. NYCON has selected eight of the most basic issues involving governance structure and practice, i.e. board size, board compensation, conflict of interest policies, board member independence, term limits, frequency of meetings, audit requirements and the creation of audit committees. The booklet outlines each issue, compares and discusses the standards set by laws or regulations and five different standards setting bodies - the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, the Standards for Excellence Institute, the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
In this 2nd Edition, NYCON has also added a section on Standards of Financial Accountability. This section explores guidelines for percentage of expenditures on program and fundraising activities along with the level of net assets relative to annual spending. Download your copy now.
In this 2nd Edition, NYCON has also added a section on Standards of Financial Accountability. This section explores guidelines for percentage of expenditures on program and fundraising activities along with the level of net assets relative to annual spending. Download your copy now.
Monday, May 25, 2009
5 Ways to Engage Your Legislators
The American Association of Museums offered the following helpful suggestion about ways to engage members of Congress:
1. Invite legislators and district staff to visit your museum. Legislators and their local staff are always looking for new ways to engage the communities they represent. And visiting a local museum is a great way to do that. It can be especially powerful to invite legislators and staff to an educational program at the museum, or for a behind-the-scenes tour of your collections or facilities. Click here to send a letter to your legislators inviting them to visit your museum - and don't forget to call the office to follow up on your request!
2. Ask for a meeting with the Member of Congress and the local staff. Getting to know your local Congressional staff members is an important step in year-round advocacy. "Field Staff are focused on how federal policy initiatives impact constituents and which issues they want the Representative to address. When I meet with constituents, I report back to my whole senior staff about what was discussed and what we could do to help," says Karen Gurmankin, who serves as a Field Representative for Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA). Click here to find detailed contact information for your legislators - including contact information for district offices throughout your state and con! gressional district!
3. Go where your legislators will be. It's likely that your legislators have several public events planned for the in-district work period. Check their website or call their office to find out more: Will the Representative be hosting a town-hall meeting? Will they be holding Open Office Hours in your neighborhood? Use our legislator search page to get all the information you need to make the call today!
4. Weigh-in on current issues. Even if you can't meet with your legislators in person next week, letting them know how federal legislative issues impact your museum can make a huge difference in their position on these issues. There are now eight different draft letters available in the Contact Congress section of AAM's advocacy website that you can use to communicate directly to your representatives in Congress - and it just takes a few clicks!
5. Develop your "elevator speech." Just like you would have this ready to go for a potential donor, it's important to be prepared to tell your elected officials about your museum - in just a minute or two. If you run into your Member of Congress at the grocery store or the post office and have just a minute of their time, what do you want them to most know about your museum? You can focus on how you are providing community service, how you are using federal grant dollars or a program that they can witness first-hand, or you can simply thank them for their past support on an issue you care about. It's always nice to be appreciated!
1. Invite legislators and district staff to visit your museum. Legislators and their local staff are always looking for new ways to engage the communities they represent. And visiting a local museum is a great way to do that. It can be especially powerful to invite legislators and staff to an educational program at the museum, or for a behind-the-scenes tour of your collections or facilities. Click here to send a letter to your legislators inviting them to visit your museum - and don't forget to call the office to follow up on your request!
2. Ask for a meeting with the Member of Congress and the local staff. Getting to know your local Congressional staff members is an important step in year-round advocacy. "Field Staff are focused on how federal policy initiatives impact constituents and which issues they want the Representative to address. When I meet with constituents, I report back to my whole senior staff about what was discussed and what we could do to help," says Karen Gurmankin, who serves as a Field Representative for Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA). Click here to find detailed contact information for your legislators - including contact information for district offices throughout your state and con! gressional district!
3. Go where your legislators will be. It's likely that your legislators have several public events planned for the in-district work period. Check their website or call their office to find out more: Will the Representative be hosting a town-hall meeting? Will they be holding Open Office Hours in your neighborhood? Use our legislator search page to get all the information you need to make the call today!
4. Weigh-in on current issues. Even if you can't meet with your legislators in person next week, letting them know how federal legislative issues impact your museum can make a huge difference in their position on these issues. There are now eight different draft letters available in the Contact Congress section of AAM's advocacy website that you can use to communicate directly to your representatives in Congress - and it just takes a few clicks!
5. Develop your "elevator speech." Just like you would have this ready to go for a potential donor, it's important to be prepared to tell your elected officials about your museum - in just a minute or two. If you run into your Member of Congress at the grocery store or the post office and have just a minute of their time, what do you want them to most know about your museum? You can focus on how you are providing community service, how you are using federal grant dollars or a program that they can witness first-hand, or you can simply thank them for their past support on an issue you care about. It's always nice to be appreciated!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Utica Children's Museum Opens New Exhibit and More
The OD reported on the Children’s Museum recently installed lighted PlayDance Floor, which is part of an interactive exhibit that allows children to play games, make music and create light shows.
The LED-lit, pressure-sensitive light floor detects players’ location and movement during games and activities. Children can stomp on brightly colored “ants” and jump over the “dodge ball” or create music by dancing on LED piano keys. The floor was funded by a grant from The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.
With the light floor recently completed, Executive Director Marlene Brown is already looking ahead toward generating funding for the museum’s next big projects. The museum has applied for federal stimulus money to complete a project that would place solar panels and wind turbines on one-third of the museum’s roof. A green garden would cover another third and the final third would be left open as an observatory with tables, benches and telescopes. There are also plans to add bathrooms to the third floor, replace carpeting on the second floor and to create an observatory in the fifth floor. Read the full article here.
The LED-lit, pressure-sensitive light floor detects players’ location and movement during games and activities. Children can stomp on brightly colored “ants” and jump over the “dodge ball” or create music by dancing on LED piano keys. The floor was funded by a grant from The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.
With the light floor recently completed, Executive Director Marlene Brown is already looking ahead toward generating funding for the museum’s next big projects. The museum has applied for federal stimulus money to complete a project that would place solar panels and wind turbines on one-third of the museum’s roof. A green garden would cover another third and the final third would be left open as an observatory with tables, benches and telescopes. There are also plans to add bathrooms to the third floor, replace carpeting on the second floor and to create an observatory in the fifth floor. Read the full article here.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Business and Education Forum Set for May 21st
The Genesis Group
The Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley
(including chambers from Herkimer County, Clinton, New Hartford, Marcy, Camden, Boonville, Kuyahoora Valley, Rome, and Trenton), present a,
"BUSINESS AND EDUCATION FORUM"
Thursday May 21st - 7:30am at Hotel Utica
The forum will offer an opportunity for Business and Education representatives to discuss preparing for the workforce of the future, and other related topics.
Scheduled to participate include:
Education Panel
Moderator: Mr. John Swann
Director of Communications and Public Relations at SUNYIT
The Program is "FREE" and "Everyone" is invited to attend.
For reservations, contact Genesis Executive Director Ray Durso, Jr., by calling 315.792.7187 or by email, info@thegenesisgroup.org
The Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley
(including chambers from Herkimer County, Clinton, New Hartford, Marcy, Camden, Boonville, Kuyahoora Valley, Rome, and Trenton), present a,
"BUSINESS AND EDUCATION FORUM"
Thursday May 21st - 7:30am at Hotel Utica
The forum will offer an opportunity for Business and Education representatives to discuss preparing for the workforce of the future, and other related topics.
Scheduled to participate include:
Education Panel
- Dr. Ron Cantor
Mohawk Valley Community College, Rome Campus - Dr. Ann Marie Murray
Herkimer County Community College - Mr. Ken Slentz
West Canada Valley School District - Mark Vivaqua
Herkimer County BOCES - Susan Carlson & Jeanne Markley
Oneida County BOCES/School and Business Alliance
Business Panel
- Helen Rico
Rome Labs - Rick Sebastian
Human Technologies Corporation - Joseph Cavano
Turning Stone Casino Resort
Moderator: Mr. John Swann
Director of Communications and Public Relations at SUNYIT
The Program is "FREE" and "Everyone" is invited to attend.
For reservations, contact Genesis Executive Director Ray Durso, Jr., by calling 315.792.7187 or by email, info@thegenesisgroup.org
Guest view: You’re all invited to a party in the park
The OD featured a guest viewpoint by Michael Bosak, president of the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica, about Utica's plethora of magnificent architecture, arts, restaurants and citizens. Ask any visitor to this city, and the message is nearly the same.
Yet sometimes the city doesn’t entirely appreciate the gifts and the assets that it has. It would be hard to imagine Utica without Union Station, the Stanley, Old Main, Hotel Utica or the Swan Fountain — but all of these and many others were nearly lost but for the intervention of the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.
Despite these efforts, far too many “landmark” structures are now gone for the sake of enterprise, expediency or because of neglect. Among those are Old City Hall, Vice President James Sherman’s home, Sen. Horatio Seymour’s house, No. 2 Rutger Park, the Saturday Globe Building, (where the first color newspaper in the country was printed), and on and on.
The most significant historic district in Utica is Rutger Park. The architects involved in the design, planning, landscaping and construction of these mansions were among the most important of their times. It was built at what was then the outer edge of the city, the frontier, so to speak. Essentially, the city grew up to and around it, with the centerpiece being No. 3 Rutger Park.
The Miller-Conkling-Kernan House, as it is sometimes called, was (and is) the most historic address in Utica. Originally constructed in 1830, two years before Utica was incorporated as a city, this house was visited by U.S. presidents, bishops, judges, governors, statesmen, abolitionists, inventors, politicians and others of national prominence. It was owned by some of the most powerful and influential individuals in the country, and it was the premiere location for entertaining in Utica.
In June 2008, The Landmarks Society purchased No. 1 and No. 3 Rutger Park with the assistance of The Community Foundation of Oneida and Herkimer Counties (Dr. Ted and Melva Max Fund), The Preservation League of New York State and the city of Utica. The purpose was to preserve and restore these architectural and historic gems and to develop a heritage tourism destination.
It is the first step in what is hoped will be a regional marketing approach to draw people to the best that the area has to offer in arts, entertainment, architecture and history. However, the effort and cost to preserve and restore these mansions will be great and the road long.
Yet sometimes the city doesn’t entirely appreciate the gifts and the assets that it has. It would be hard to imagine Utica without Union Station, the Stanley, Old Main, Hotel Utica or the Swan Fountain — but all of these and many others were nearly lost but for the intervention of the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.
Despite these efforts, far too many “landmark” structures are now gone for the sake of enterprise, expediency or because of neglect. Among those are Old City Hall, Vice President James Sherman’s home, Sen. Horatio Seymour’s house, No. 2 Rutger Park, the Saturday Globe Building, (where the first color newspaper in the country was printed), and on and on.
The most significant historic district in Utica is Rutger Park. The architects involved in the design, planning, landscaping and construction of these mansions were among the most important of their times. It was built at what was then the outer edge of the city, the frontier, so to speak. Essentially, the city grew up to and around it, with the centerpiece being No. 3 Rutger Park.
The Miller-Conkling-Kernan House, as it is sometimes called, was (and is) the most historic address in Utica. Originally constructed in 1830, two years before Utica was incorporated as a city, this house was visited by U.S. presidents, bishops, judges, governors, statesmen, abolitionists, inventors, politicians and others of national prominence. It was owned by some of the most powerful and influential individuals in the country, and it was the premiere location for entertaining in Utica.
In June 2008, The Landmarks Society purchased No. 1 and No. 3 Rutger Park with the assistance of The Community Foundation of Oneida and Herkimer Counties (Dr. Ted and Melva Max Fund), The Preservation League of New York State and the city of Utica. The purpose was to preserve and restore these architectural and historic gems and to develop a heritage tourism destination.
It is the first step in what is hoped will be a regional marketing approach to draw people to the best that the area has to offer in arts, entertainment, architecture and history. However, the effort and cost to preserve and restore these mansions will be great and the road long.
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