The Farm Bill Budget Visualizer, a project of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, uses interactive “treemap” technology to share information about the budget of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, aka the 2008 Farm Bill. Treemapping uses nested rectangles to display data, allowing users to “see” the federal funding received by programs within the Bill, and to examine how funding has been allocated across a range of issues from public health to commodity grain production to conservation.

The Farm Bill is a multi-faceted piece of federal legislation with broad impact across U.S. food and agriculture systems. Farm Bill programs play a central role in shaping what food is available, how it is produced, food security, environment, equity, farmer livelihoods, and rural development, and also have significant international impacts. Because it plays these roles, the Farm Bill is also, importantly, a public health bill. The Farm Bill is reauthorized approximately every five years and is up for reauthorization in 2012.

The primary goal of the Budget Visualizer is to serve as an education aid that will improve understanding of the Bill, and that will help users identify and share information about issues of concern. The Visualizer and its underlying budgetary data (not otherwise available) will also be useful to advocates, policy-makers, researchers and the media.

The Farm Bill Budget Visualizer was inspired by food system advocate, Marjorie Roswell, who created a prototype in the lead-up to the 2008 farm bill.

http://www.jhsph.edu/clf/programs/visualizer/

Posted on: October 21, 2011

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

Inspire * Transform * Build * Sustain

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has been a visionary not-for-profit organization in the Greater Philadelphia Region since its founding in 1827. PHS organizes the annual Philadelphia International Flower Show, the world’s largest and longest-running indoor flower show, which brings 250,000 visitors and creates a $61 million economic impact to the city. PHS’s Philadelphia Green helps transform lives through revolutionary programs like City Harvest, which has grown and donated 64,300 lbs of fresh produce in three years—helping to feed 1,000 families each week of the growing season. PHS will also help lead the new Plant One Million, an ambitious program to plant one million trees in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Mission: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for accurate and timely recording and dispersal of all PHS receipts. Coordination of timesheet information, bank reconciliation, account analysis and preparation and distribution of financial statements and/or project costing reports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Handles receipts from multiple sources including lockbox, cash, and credit card vendors. Record receipts in an accurate and timely manner and forward all documentation to the appropriate internal managers.

Enter credit card payments into credit card system to ensure approval by credit card company.

Bi-weekly coordination of timesheet information.

Able to respond promptly to inquiries regarding receipts and applications.

Coordinate with other departments in retrieving A/R information to be recorded.

Serves as liaison with bank regarding lock box issues.

Reconciliation of cash account and preparation of monthly account analysis as assigned.

Serves as back-up to the other Accounting Assistant and other duties as assigned.

Back-up in basic clerical functions to accounts payable clerk.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

Some college experience

Minimum 3 years relevant experience

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Solomon a plus

Attention to detail

Communication

Customer focus

Able to work independently

Initiative

Problem solving techniques

Confidentiality

Please send a cover letter and resume to:

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
c/o Human Resources
100 N 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
FAX: (215) 988-8810
Email: hrphs@pennhort.org
To learn more about us, visit http://www.phsonline.org

Please no telephone or walk-in inquires. EOE. Only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Posted on: October 21, 2011

The Program Officer, in partnership with and reporting to the Senior Program Officer, assists with the growth and success of Targeted Solutions. The Program Officer coordinates Targeted Solutions’ special projects, such as and conducts regularly scheduled tasks such as affiliate management contracts and management contract annual evaluation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
ChildWare/ Shared Services

Facilitate data transfer for select ChildWare clients
Work onsite with providers to fully migrate data and ensure maximum utility of the system
Provide onsite guidance and technical assistance re: data entry and data migration
Serve as a resource for ChildWare users
Provide direct training to ChildWare users
Provide trouble-shooting assistance for users

Targeted Solutions
Assist in development and implementation of marketing strategies for Targeted Solutions

Maintain/update Targeted Solutions mailing list and website
Manage development and distribution of Targeted Solutions e-newsletter/ white papers
Develop content for TS website, white papers, reports, brochures, etc.
Represent Targeted Solutions at marketing and community events

Serve as administrative coordinator for individual TA projects

Respond to incoming TA requests, schedule meetings, follow-up with clients as necessary
Serve as primary contact for all administrative client matters such as invoicing, evaluations, contracts, etc.
Maintain/update Targeted Solutions client database, run reports, analyze trends in projects, clients, and evaluations
Manage project contract development and invoicing process
Administer client evaluations
Work with other components within PHMC (HR, Communications, IS, R&E, Accounting, Admin.) to facilitate the execution of consulting projects
Assist consultants with client management tasks as needed

ECEhire.com

Manage day-to-day administration of ECEhire.com
Review applications, contact candidates, schedule interviews
Facilitate background checks and clearances
Maintain candidate data on website
Respond to requests for interviews as needed
Manage communications with applicants and employers as needed

Market ECEhire.com

Maintain e-mail list and send E-blasts
Represent ECEhire.com at events
Maintain relationships with ECE higher education providers
Coordinate with SERK career advising staff to promote ECEhire.com
Field calls and inquiries

General

Contribute to fund development (funder research, writing, editing, and proposal submission) efforts for both internal or external clients as necessary
Other duties as assigned

SKILLS:

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Good written and oral communications skills
Strong technology skills
Experience with budgets

EXPERIENCE:
2 years work experience in nonprofit administration, fundraising, marketing, project management, or similar area of work preferred

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:
Bachelor’s Degree

Please forward your cover letter and resume to: targetedsolutions@phmc.org
Please include a two page writing sample with your resume

The Mayor’s Commission on Literacy is moving forward dynamically to create a system that engages all adults in Philadelphia in lifelong learning for their economic success, civic engagement, and personal development. The Adult Literacy Program Assistant Director is a member of a closely-knit staff team that will develop a learning management system for adult literacy in Philadelphia, establish standards, develop community partnerships, develop volunteerism, raise quality, evaluate, and extend services on a very large scale (500,000 + learners). This work will require significant knowledge of workforce education and the use of new learning technologies, including web-based and mobile learning. It will also require experience in change management, systems change, and community development. The Mayor’s Commission will assist the literacy and workforce development providers and public and private partners throughout Philadelphia with the tools, skills, capacity and knowledge they need to build communities of learners throughout the city, and to achieve the vision of Philadelphia becoming a national leader in literacy.

Required skills, credentials and experience: Bachelors’ required, Master’s degree preferred in social science, education, project management, or a closely related field. Knowledge of and experience with adult education or with the learner population for adult literacy, and extensive knowledge of workforce education systems and literacy in the context of workforce education are essential. Demonstrated ability to work with community-based organizations in Philadelphia; experience as a trainer of adult educators. Outstanding public speaking/presentation skills; outstanding written skills. Knowledge of adult literacy, workforce preparation, adult education providers, social service agencies and neighborhood resources in Philadelphia. Understanding of distance learning best practices, platforms, and use of social networking tools in adult education. Experience with program development in adult education and workforce development. Research and data-driven. Experience with change strategies. Experience in building learning communities. Experience with digital curriculum development and best practices in teaching using instructional technologies desired. Responsibilities will include:

 Help to build neighborhood-based learning communities;
 Research, compile, and develop curricula that incorporate practical applications that teach literacy, numeracy, digital skills, information literacy, and “soft” skills along with work skills in particular industry sectors;
 Provide technical assistance to build capacity in workforce education agencies and organizations, neighborhood-based organizations, and literacy organizations;
 Volunteer organization and training;
 Referral management;
 Budget management and compliance with guidelines set by funders and The Mayor’s Commission on Literacy;
 Provide timely information to the communications and to the field for all activities;
 Develop proposals for project activities and for funding;
 Represent the agency in appropriate forums;
 Participate in agency events and activities as appropriate, including evenings and weekends as needed;
 Participate in and support all team and other Mayor’s Commission activities;
 Provide support on request for mailings, phone coverage, or logistics of meetings as needed.
 Data analysis and reporting to the staff and board of the Commission, funders, and the field to inform program improvement make recommendations for future work, and on progress toward achieving goals.
 Model expert distance, face to face, and blended learning.

Program team members spend the majority of their time in the field. Reports to the Director of Adult Literacy Programs

Salary $50,000.

This position is Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation position. To apply for this position: Submit all of the following documents electronically 1. A detailed cover letter expressing specifically how your education, experience and skills can help the Mayor’s Commission carry out its ambitious agenda. 2. Attach a detailed résumé. 3. Provide names, titles and contact information including daytime phone and email address of three references, and indicate for each one the nature of the person’s relationship to you. Ideally, references should include one recent or current supervisor; a recent or current professional colleague; and a subordinate. 4. Provide examples of your range of professional work. You may provide URLs for materials that are currently available online. Send all documents to: Dr. Judith Renyi at RenyiJ@FreeLibrary.org

Submit applications immediately. Review of candidates is immediate. For more information contact: Judith Renyi Email: renyij@freelibrary.org The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Minorities are encouraged to apply.

This report from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation synthesizes findings from two studies about the education, training, and skills employers seek in hiring or promoting employees and those workers believe are important, such as interpersonal, collaborative, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

http://www.thoughtfullearning.com/sites/default/files/downloads/Life%20in%20the%2021st%20Century%20Workforce.pdf

This paper from the Center for American Progress and the Walmart Foundation estimates the recession’s impact on food insecurity and the national and state-by-state cost of hunger from hunger- induced illnesses, including depression; poor educational outcomes and reduced lifetime earnings, and private charity to help feed families.

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/10/pdf/hunger_paper.pdf

This report from the Wallace Foundation describes an initiative to address weak financial management, made worse by difficult government reimbursement policies, by supporting financial training for nonprofits with strong afterschool programs and a re-examination of state contracting practices.

http://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/after-school/financial-management-for-nonprofits/Documents/Fiscal-Fitness-for-Non-profits.pdf

The North Philly Community Justice Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 12th from 9am to 2pm at the Christian Love Worship Cathedral, 813-815 W. Lehigh Avenue in Philadelphia.

Registration is free and breakfast and lunch will be provided.

The event will feature resources on supporting families with a loved one who is incarcerated, preventing youth involvement in the juvenile justice system, finding employment as an ex-offender, and other issues.  A panel discussion on “Stop and Frisk” policies is also on the agenda.

Registration is free by emailing SCPA@fight.org or calling 215-525-0460 x410.

On Saturday, November 12th from 5pm to 8pm, Youth Service, Inc. and Opportunities-PA will host the Philadelphia Virtual 10K Walk for Homeless Youth at Drinker’s West, located at 3900 Chestnut Street in University City.

Held in partnership with the National Walk to Save Homeless Youth, this event will feature an appearance by Miss Pennsylvania USA, Amber-Joi Watkins, and speakers and activities focusing on the subject of youth homelessness. There is no entrance fee, but donations are encouraged at the event.

For more information, go here.

http://hosted.uwsepa.org/newsletter/ysiflyer.pdf

To register, call 215-222-3262 or email mharrington@ysiphila.org.

Warwick Family Services and CORA Services will sponsor an all-day workshop on Trauma Art Narrative Therapy on Thursday, December 1st from 8am to 4pm at Neshaminy-Warwick Presbyterian Church, 1401 Meetinghouse Road in Warminster.

The cost is $100 by November 16th and $125 thereafter.

For more details, go here.

http://hosted.uwsepa.org/newsletter/trauma.pdf

The Latino Mental Health Coalition will sponsors its first annual Mental Health Symposium on Saturday, November 19th from 8am to 4pm at Thomas Edison High School, 151 West Luzerne Street in Philadelphia.

The symposium consists of workshops that will describe the use of new methods for clinical service delivery involving coaching, mastering, and peer learning.

For more details, go here.

http://hosted.uwsepa.org/newsletter/latino.pdf

Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour training certification course which teaches participants a five-step action plan to assess a situation, select and implement interventions and secure appropriate care for an individual experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. The certification program introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact and overviews common treatments.

The Consortium will offer a training in Mental Health First Aid on Friday, November 11th and Friday, November 18th from from 9am to 4:30pm at 3801 Market Street, Suite 201 in Philadelphia. The training is open to staff, neighbors, family members, community organizations and anyone who has contact with the public.

The Consortium will also provide the course at other locations for groups of 15 minimum to a maximum of 25.

For more information, call Lana A. Watkins at 215-596-8100 ext.1042

Two reports released last week show a disconnect between what nonprofits provide to their workers and what employees say is essential to their job satisfaction, according to a report in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Seventy percent of workers in two surveys said their jobs were either disappointing or only somewhat fulfilling. That might be a reason 25 percent of workers said they were considering looking for a job outside the nonprofit world.

The surveys gathered data from about 3,500 nonprofit workers in the New York and Washington metropolitan areas and were conducted by the staffing firm Professionals for NonProfits.

Among the other findings were that four out of 10 workers in both cities said that the factors they ranked as most essential are not on display at their nonprofits:—“respect, trust, and support by management” as well as a sense that their organization has “a compelling mission.” About half of all workers said they felt recognition and reward for their hard work and outstanding performance were essential. And yet 60 percent of workers in Washington and 65 percent in New York said hard work was not valued at their organization.

The pay cuts that many nonprofit workers have taken during the economic downturn may be exacting a cost in employee satisfaction: about half of workers in both surveys said a salary reduction would be a reason to leave and a more important motivation for departure than a change in work expectations or job description.

Gayle Brandel, president of Professionals for NonProfits, said employers should be concerned about the financial challenge posed by worker unhappiness.

“The cost of employee disengagement and poor performance is very high, as is the cost of turnover,” she says. “Given the increased competition for talent in the sector and the limited resources of nonprofits, these costs hit the bottom line and so the price an organization pays for disengaged staff can be staggering.”

The survey pointed to some deep dysfunction at many nonprofits. For instance, just under half of workers said they felt it was essential that office politics not get in the way of their work. Yet three out of four employees said internal politics hampered their abilities to function in their jobs.

In other cases, the survey suggested that no matter how much employees may appreciate some of the perks of nonprofit life, they do not rate them as essential as issues like pay and trust.

For example, only 12 percent of workers cited child care or parental leave as essential, while 17 percent of workers said they valued flexible work schedules.

Even so, many employers offer those perks; 30 percent offer leaves and 49 percent offer flexible schedules.

For more details on the surveys, go here.

http://www.nonprofitstaffing.com/Salary-Surveys-%281%29.aspx

The Social Research Social Justice Conference (SRSJ) provides students within the Lehigh Valley a forum for sharing innovative, excellent research addressing some of the most challenging issues of social justice in both contemporary and historical contexts. Now in its eight consecutive year, SRSJ provides important opportunities for students from campuses across the Lehigh Valley to come together in critical conversations about the social justice issues that matter to them most. We encourage collaborative exploration among students, faculty, and community members of the role of academic research and creative work in the creation of more just and human societies.

We encourage the submission of proposals to present research papers, poster sessions, media, arts and cultural productions, performances, and exhibits dealing with all aspects of social life – institutions, communities, movements, identities – and connected to issues of social justice. The conference has an interdisciplinary focus, with panels converging student work from varying disciplines and areas, such as women and gender studies, history, political science, media and communication, sociology and anthropology, education, religion, theater, art, African-American studies, public health, nursing, environmental studies, international affairs, psychology and other pertinent fields that explore social justice.

Deadline: Students interested in presenting their work should submit an abstract of no more than 250 words by February 10, 2012. Your abstract must explain how your work connects to social justice. Make sure to include your name, institutional affiliation, faculty mentor, email address, and a title of the work to be
presented at the conference.

You may submit abstracts electronically to srsj@muhlenberg.edu, by fax at 484-664-3993, or by hard copy to co-directors Amy Corbin or Kate Ranieri in the Department of Media and Communication at Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104. Questions may be directed to: Amy Corbin (484) 664-3740 or Kate Ranieri (484) 664-3484 or by e-mail to srsj@muhlenberg.edu.

Feel free to visit our FAQs if you have general questions at http:///www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/mediacom/SRSJ/ or contact us directly: Amy Corbin (484) 664-3740 or Kate Ranieri (484) 664-3483, or by e-mail to srsj@muhlenberg.edu.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Monday, November 14, 2011, 7:00 PM (15 minutes later than usual)
The Free Library of Philadelphia, 19th and Vine Streets, 4th Floor
Contact wbrainerd3@gmail.com

John Dernbach, Professor of Law at Widener University in Harrisburg, will speak.  Sustainable development recasts the role of environment in human affairs—from something that can be used and degraded to something that must be protected and restored in order to sustain human well-being and quality of life.  The United States, which has 5% percent of the world’s population but consumes one quarter to one third of the world’s energy and resources, will play a key role in global efforts to achieve sustainability.   Dernbach edited the only comprehensive nongovernmental assessments of U.S. efforts.  These are Stumbling Toward Sustainability (2002) and Agenda for a Sustainable America (January 2009).

November 15, 2011
Presented by Word & Deed Network and CityLights Ministry

Do you….

Desire to see the Body of Christ working together in unity for the sake of the community?

Want to know how urban and suburban churches and organizations can work together?

Need fresh, practical ideas on how to collaborate with others in engaging your community in evangelism, compassion and justice?

Then this workshop is for you!

This workshop will send you home with:

_ A new way to understand the urban-suburban landscape
– Do’s and Dont’s of partnership
– Practical models of partnership

– Renewed energy for community ministry

When: Tuesday, November 15th, at 2011

What Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where: Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University, 6 E Lancaster Ave, Wynnewood PA 19096
Registration Cost: Registration/door registration is $65 (Includes lunch, parking and light morning refreshments. For more information call 484-384-2988.

Here is the link:     http://www.columbiasc.edu/SeviceLearningLeadershipSocialChange/

We look forward to submissions from your students.

Ned Scott Laff, Ph.D.
Director for General Education and Service-Learning
Director for the Center for Engaged Learning
Columbia College
nslaff@columbiasc.edu

Joyce Fields, Ph.D.
Professor of Child and Family Studies
Program Coordinator
Columbia College
jfields@columbiasc.edu

Powered by volunteers, the Campaign for Working Families is dedicated to assisting low-income families increase their economic security by providing free tax preparation and asset-building services during tax season. Each year upwards of 600 volunteers train to serve at 11 tax sites conveniently located across the city.

Join the Campaign this tax season!

Become a Volunteer Resource Builder and connect hardworking families to quality financial services, saving options, wealth building resources and public benefits.  Or become a Volunteer Tax Preparer and connect families to valuable tax credits without charging outrageous fees.  No experience is necessary; all volunteers will be trained and certified.

Don’t miss your chance to get involved, have some fun and give back to the Philadelphia community in a lasting way!  Sign up to join the Campaign at http://www.cwfphilly.org.  For more information and to schedule a presentation to your staff, students, colleagues or community, please contact David Wengert at taxvolunteer@uac.org or 215-851-1759.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Careers in Nursing program is designed to help alleviate the nursing shortage and increase the diversity of nursing professionals. Through grants to schools of nursing, the program will provide scholarships to college graduates without nursing degrees who are enrolled in accelerated baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs.

Through the program, funds to support up to four hundred scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded to selected schools of nursing annually over a three-year period. A school of nursing may apply for between five and thirty scholarships a year, to be awarded to students from underrepresented groups in nursing or who are economically disadvantaged. Preference will be given to schools which can demonstrate that the availability of scholarship funds will expand enrollment in their accelerated nursing programs.

To be eligible, applicant institutions must offer an entry-level accelerated baccalaureate nursing program or master’s nursing program for non-nursing college graduates, and be accredited by a nursing accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is committed to programs that embrace racial, ethnic, and economic diversity. Applications should address the applicant organization’s past achievements and future plans to recruit and retain a diverse student body.

Optional informational applicant Web conferences will be held on November 3 and December 1, 2011.

Visit the RWJF Web site for the complete call for applications, the application form, and Web conference registration information.

http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=21377

The Women’s Sports Foundation created its GoGirlGo! program to give girls access to physical activity. GoGirlGo! grants support sports/physical activity programs seeking to add new or expand program participation opportunities for an underserved population of girls, particularly economically disadvantaged girls and/or girls from populations with high incidences of health-risk behaviors. These programs must combine athletic instruction with the delivery of the GoGirlGo! curriculum by qualified adults.

The GoGirlGo! Pennsylvania Grant program is designed to recognize deserving nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the state that seek to enhance the lives of girls between the ages of 8 and 13 through sports and physical activity. Programs must deliver a minimum eight-week sports/physical activity program, with preference given to organizations working consistently with girls throughout the year.

With support from the Hershey Company, the Pennsylvania program will award a total of $40,000 in grants. The maximum grant amount is $10,000. Award funds may be used for athletic equipment, supplies, facility rental, league/tournament fees, travel, coaching, scholarships, and/or program administration expenses. Funds may only be used for girls’ sports/physical activity programs.

Visit the Women’s Sports Foundation Web site for the complete Pennsylvania GoGirlGo! Request for Proposals, application form, and an FAQ. GoGirlGo! RFPs for other communities will be available in 2012.

http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/sitecore/content/home/programs/grants/gogirlgo-grant.aspx