Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Registration Now Open!




Registration Now Open for the 2013 CAPLAW National Training Conference!

Join us for the 2013 CAPLAW National Training Conference in our hometown of Boston from June 19 - 21. This year's conference will once again feature an expert faculty of attorneys, accountants, government officials and nonprofit managers who will be ready to answer your questions and give you the tools you need to resolve the legal, financial and management challenges you encounter every day.

An Emphasis on Team Building

Boards, CEOs, CFOs, and other members of senior staff must work together effectively to build and maintain stable, healthy organizations. We encourage you to bring team members from your organization's senior staff to explore new ways to move forward in challenging times and to build sustainable organizations.

Monday, February 25, 2013

CAAs Urge, “Raise your voice to Congress and the President with the Stop Sequestration”


CAAs Urge, “Raise your voice to Congress and the President with the Stop Sequestration”

CSBG is the glue that allows community action to operate anti-poverty programs, like Head Start, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program. On March 1st, the federal government will slash funding to domestic programs like CSBG, putting these programs in jeopardy. 

Read the letter from John Drew, President of Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. in Boston, MA, urging Congress and the President with the Stop Sequestration. You can also sign the capworks.org Stop Sequestration Petition.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Registration Open: Managing the Changing Face, Risk and Cost of Discrimination


Managing the Changing Face, Risk and Cost of Discrimination
Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 2 p.m.- 3 p.m. EST

Register for the next session in CAPLAW's free webinar series Conquering Employment Law Conundrums!

About the Webinar:

The face of discrimination has changed markedly since the passage of landmark workplace civil rights protections nearly 50 years ago, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These days, the EEOC’s charge inventory consists increasingly of disability, age, and retaliation matters, protected categories that can now cover a majority of the American workforce. The cost of defending EEOC matters has steadily increased, perhaps to the point where employers think they can no longer fight when they’re right. And worse, non-profits have increasingly landed on the EEOC’s radar. This webinar will help participants sort out which EEOC matters pose real risk and which ones do not, based on the EEOC’s recently released 2012-2016 strategic plan. Once armed with the ability to triage risk, employers can make more strategic decisions about when to bear the certain expense of retaining outside counsel or alternatively, when to realize the incredible cost-savings of D-I-Y participation in the EEOC’s administrative process.


Presenter: Merrily Archer, Esq., EEO Legal Solutions
Level: Advanced
Format: Webinar
Fee: Free!


Space is limited. Register today!

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/983212814

Register

Monday, February 4, 2013

CEDA Seeks Director of Energy and Conservation


Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) Seeks Director of  Energy and Conservation

Description:  CEDA’s Weatherization Program is the nation’s largest Home Energy Conservation program in the nation.  We are looking for a Director to maintain responsibility for the leadership and direction of all aspects of CEDA’s Weatherization Assistance Program, to exceed compliance requirements set by industry standard, local, state and federal regulations and funding source requirements including:  the WX grant application, budgeting, production, reporting, and contractor, client and community relations.  Administers and coordinates the Weatherization Program with other CEDA programs and services, external agencies, community groups and funding sources.

Accountabilities: 
·   Lead efforts to submit annual grant application, develop annual program budget, operational plans and objectives.
·   Manage all program operations to achieve production and quality objectives to exceed compliance requirements set by industry standard, local, state and federal regulations and funding source requirements:
·         Establish effective processes to provide services, manage operations, control and approve payments and expenditures;
·         Manage annual program close-out process;
·         Negotiate and manage agency contracts with vendors and approved contractors;
·         Coordinate with CEDA’s Procurement Department regarding Weatherization material specifications to ensure the highest quality at the lowest cost, timely purchase orders for materials, and that a perpetual inventory system is developed and maintained;
·         Lead and initiate process improvements to enhance program operations. 

·   Lead efforts to establish and maintain positive external relationships and provide effective client service with funding sources, regulatory agencies, contractors, vendors, clients and the community:
·         Investigate, respond to and resolve all consumer complaints;
·         Coordinate and conduct community assessments with agency Program Directors;
·         Work with Energy Services and other CEDA/non-CEDA programs on activities concerning energy.

·   Lead and manage the staffing, development and performance of all department employees:
·         Ensure that all employees are technically qualified;
·         Establish and maintain training and technical assistance as needed;
·         Establish and maintain appropriate professional and industry association memberships and participation in workshops and conferences;
·         Encourage management and staff to achieve quality work early in the process.  

·   Ensure program compliance and reporting requirements are met:
·         Ensure that applicant filing system maintains all completed and verified required forms;
·         Ensure quality control of assessment and the contracting process to reduce and minimize callbacks, corrections and adverse findings;
·         Develop appropriate reports for the President/CEO, Vice President of Programs, Board of Directors, other CEDA Programs and funding source organizations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
The ideal candidate should have the following skills and abilities:
·         Proven track record managing multiple simultaneous construction projects;
·         Demonstrable success leading and managing a team of over fifty (50) employees;
·         Demonstrable success in complex program administration in a decentralized, technology-driven environment;
·         Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills proven in a wide range of settings with people of all backgrounds;
·         Proficiency coordinating and collaborating with other internal departments as well as various external agencies, community groups and funding sources with a demonstrated ability to build partnerships, alliances and coalitions;
·         Proficiency developing and implementing creative, innovative solutions to technological (e.g. building science), business and/or program challenges;
·         Demonstrated skill developing management and staff subordinates as well as contractors in a team-based and collaborative environment;
·         Ability to adapt to often rapid change.

Minimum Requirements:
·         BA/BS Degree, Public Administration, Business, Construction, Engineering, Architecture or related discipline;
·         Five (5) or more years of managing multiple simultaneous construction projects; and
·         Five (5) or more years of leading and managing a team of over ten (10) employees.

Preferred:
·         MS/MBA/MA Degree or licensed professional (Professional Engineer, Registered Architect or related);
·         Energy and/or environmental certifications (Certified Energy Manager, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, etc.);
·         Minimum 10 years’ experience in Weatherization, Energy Efficiency, Energy Conservation and/or sustainability programs or relevant social service operations with a minimum of 7 years of successful managerial experience;
     Five (5) or more years of leading and managing a team of over fifty (50) employees;
·         In addition, the candidate must possess or acquire the following proficiencies:
o    Must be certified by the State of Illinois or become certified after participating in training given by the State of Illinois and CEDA within six months of employment;
o    Possess or acquire detailed knowledge of all the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) rules, regulations, procedures and grant award requirements regarding the Weatherization Assistance Program;
o    Possess or develop knowledge of requirements for the Illinois Low Income Home Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other private sector, state and federal programs in the areas of Housing and Energy which have relevance to the effective operation of the Weatherization Program;
o    Knowledge of federal legislation, regulations, procedures and Office of Management and Budget circulars related to Weatherization Assistance or related to Weatherization Assistance or related programs.

Travel:            Extensive throughout Cook County service area, including City of Chicago and to Springfield and other Illinois locations to attend training and funding source meetings. Nation-wide travel to attend and participate in Weatherization-related conferences.  Automobile with valid driver’s license and insurance required.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. Interested applicants should forward their cover letter, resume and salary requirements to the email address below.  Closing date for resumes is February 15, 2013.


Human Resources Dept.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Register for a Free Upcoming Webinar


The Exemplary CAAs’ Toolbox: New CAPLAW Resources for Success 

How can I find the right attorney to work with our CAA? How can our organization adopt policies and procedures to make sure we meet compliance and ethical standards? How can we create an effective procurement policy? Where can I learn more about immigrant eligibility for public benefits? Join us for the free upcoming webinar The Exemplary CAAs’ Toolbox: New CAPLAW Resources for Success where we will walk through recently released CAPLAW training resources that will answer these questions and provide vital insight on building a well-governed and effective Community Action Agency.

Participants will get an in-depth look at new CAPLAW resources including:

  • New Exemplary Legal Policies and Practices Guidebook;
  • New Introduction to Procurement interactive training module;
  • New Pro Bono Referrals and Serving Diverse Populations resource sections;
  • Newly redesigned www.caplaw.org;
  • And new model policies and procedures.

When: November 13, 2012, 2 -3 p.m. Eastern time
Presenters: Eleanor Evans, Esq., Allison Ma’luf, Esq., and Cara Loffredo, CAPLAW
Format: Webinar
Fee: Free!






Wednesday, September 26, 2012

New Resource Launched


CAPLAW is excited to announce a variety of new resources and training opportunities now available at caplaw.org! Read the lasted issue of the CAPLAW Update newsletter, test your knowledge with newly developed training modules, and view webinars On Demand!

New Resource Sections Available
Stop by the newly redesigned caplaw.org and check out the new resource sections, Pro Bono Referrals and Serving Diverse Populations!

New Training Module: Introduction to Procurement for Community Action Agencies
Introducing CAPLAW's new interactive training module, Introduction to Procurement for CAAs! The module contains 12 chapters on topics ranging from the guiding principle of procurement to creating your own procurement policy and procedure. The module also contains quizzes throughout to test your knowledge on the information you just learned. You can also download module attachments referred to throughout the module.

Fall 2012 CAPLAW Update Newsletter
Read the latest issue of the CAPLAW Update newsletter, a continuing series of reports on current legal and financial issues of interest to Community Action Agencies.

New Model Policies Available
CAPLAW has added to its library of model policies for your organization to use. Topics ranging from Head Start to Conflicts of Interest, to Information technology. 

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Registration Open for Free Whistleblower Policies Webinar



Essential Governance Policies Webinar Series: Whistleblower Policies

Did you know that most fraud is discovered through hotlines and whistleblower reports? In this webinar, you will learn about legal requirements for whistleblower policies and how to create and implement effective policies for your CAA.

August 8, 2012, 2 - 3:30 p.m. eastern time
Presented by: Anita Lichtblau, Esq., CAPLAW
Fee: Free!

Space is limited. Register today! 
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/613462462