www.womensgivingalliance.org

2007 Issue 4 December 2007

Members’ Forum Examines Traditions of American GivingOver 75 members of the Women’s Giving Alliance (WGA) attended the 2007 Members’ Forum and luncheon on October 31st at the UNF University Center. President Joan Van Vleck’s opening remarks focused on a new strategic framework for WGA grantmaking which includes grants that will provide creative solu-tions to critical needs and measurable outcomes. These grants will impact and shape the community’s agenda and produce systemic change.

Nina Waters, WGA member and President of The Community Foun-dation, discussed in depth the Four Traditions of American Giving.

• Giving as Relief: the principle of compassion which often provides short term, immediate relief and solutions

• Giving as Improvement: the principle of progress and human potential which can have a more lasting effect and encourage self responsibility

• Giving as Social Reform: the principle of justice, policy and legal reform and includes grants which deal with the root causes of problems and provide the most comprehensive, innovative and lasting impact in solving social problems

• Giving as Civic Engagement: the principle of community develop-ment corporations, coalitions and participation that fosters and builds a sense of community

The Strategic Plan adopted last year encourages the WGA giving model to move towards Giving as Social Reform and Civic Engagement. WGA will continue to award grants in the “Giving as Improvement and Relief” tradition but we have begun to identify and recognize programs that address Examples of Social Reform. These grants include: Girls in the Juvenile Justice, Aging Out of the Dependency System, and a new approach to addressing Infant Mortality.

A facilitator at each table then led a discussion asking members to share personal experiences of giving time or money to orga-nizations that promote social reform and/or civic engagement as well as the challenges and benefits of grantmaking as social

reform and civic engagement.

Discussion participants identified many common threads. Members shared personal experiences with agencies and organization that address Social Reform or Civic Engagement including World Affairs and JCCI studies.

Group discussion continued on the challenges of Social Reform and Civic Engagement grantmaking. Concerns included: the complexity and vastness of the issues; the difficulty in evaluating and measuring the success of the organiza-tions coping with the problems; the huge costs associated with accomplishing change; the demand by funders and the community to see immediate results; the political ramifications of the task at hand; the need for a vision and long range plan within an extended time frame; and the future of the projects when they are returned to community control.

Forum participants agreed that the benefits and opportunities of grantmaking as social reform and civic engagement were great. These traditions of giving offer the following advantages: an opportunity for a great and longer impact on the community; the opportunity to select

partners in giving and establish long term relationships with other not-for-profits; an example of strategic philanthropy in action with pooled resources; and an opportunity to affect real change in our community and bring divergent groups together for successful outcomes.

The group discussion was followed by an excellent presentation of the 2007 Grants Committee Recommendations by Co-Chairs Susan West and Scott McGehee. Membership ratified the recommendations made by the Grants Committee, and approved by the Steering Committee, for $246,350 for 2007.

by Sally Dann

Left to Right, Kathryn Pearson Peyton, Susan Ryzewic, andShirley Webb

Left to Right, Linda Moseley, Muffet Corse and Lindsay Helms.

Joan Van Vleck, President

Notes from Joan LOOKING BEHIND THE SCENESYour Committee Co-Chairs and Officers comprise the Operating Committee. This volunteer leader-ship group is critical in making things happen in WGA. Each Committee plays a part in the implementation of the 2007 Strategic Plan, which has moved us into a more robust role as a community change agent in our community. Highlights of committee action are:

Communication Committee: created a new website (www.womensgivingalliance.org); revised the newsletter; im-proved our press coverage; established new e-mail format for communicating with members; developed format and proofed copy for all WGA written communication; and provided a structured method for Committee Chairs to communicate with members.

Education Committee: planned and implemented the Bou-tiques…small groups visiting current grantees and viewing our grants in action first-hand; and initiated the ‘Get Smart’ series… a format that allows members to listen and interact with community experts on topics of concern to WGA.

Finance Committee: continued to study ways for the WGA to oper-ate more efficiently; and forecasts future needs of the organization.

Grants Committee: 36 talented and committed women worked in a new three-team framework (research, evaluation, and deci-sion-making), and were guided by the strategic grant goals:

1) Apply creative solutions to critical needs of women and girls2) Produce lasting and measurable impact3) Shape the community’s agenda and produce systemic change

The three new 2007 grant initiatives focus on addressing root causes and helping us look at reforming dysfunctional systems in our community. Congratulations on bringing critical thinking to a new level for our grants process.

Membership Committee: used a revised method to recruit new members bringing our membership to 215 members. Women on this committee are the ones behind the scenes who call for member events and hand-address invitations. This group also plans and executes our annual social, giving us the opportunity to relax and enjoy each other.

Each of our above committees played a role in our recent, suc-cessful Member’s Forum.

Thank you to all the committee co-chairs and their members for helping raise the bar for WGA. Your volunteer efforts have enabled us to explore and move into new strategic paths that will continue to make improvements for women and girls in Northeast Florida. BRAVO!

Save the DateWednesday, January 16, 2008 -

WGA Annual Meeting

Dr. Lucretia Murphy speaking on: “The Ripple Effect of Transformation: Changing Communities by Investing in Women and Girls”

Marriott Southpoint 11:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Bring a friend!

Membership has a Record YearWe are excited to announce a record number of members—215 members! Thank you to all who renewed your membership and the 43 new members who have joined this year. Our grantmaking pool is $246,350 for 2007! Thank you for those of you who shared WGA with a friend or family member. The best way to get new members is to ask someone!

Hot Off the Press...Congratulations to Rosanne R. Hartwell Women’s Center for their award at the Florida Association of Community Colleges (FACC) Convention in November. Their “Bridging the Digital Divide for Displaced Homemakers” program won the Innovators Exemplary Practice Award. WGA has given support to this pro-gram for the last two years. Learn more in the next newsletter.

Steering Committee MembersJoan Van Vleck, PresidentLindsay Helms, VPGail Sterman, SecretaryLee Ann Buchanan, Treasurer & FinanceSandy Cook, NominatingJana Ertrachter, CommunicationsMary Pietan, CommunicationsAfesa Adams, EducationPam Gerrish, EducationKatherine Graci, FinanceScott McGehee, GrantsSusan West, GrantsLinda Hossenlopp, MembershipMarion Tischler, MembershipNina Waters, Staff Liaison, The Community Foundation

Joan W. Newton, Board Liaison, The Community FoundationMembers At Large:Martha BakerMargaret CorseBeth McCagueBarbara HarrellCarla MarlierRoxie MerrillLinda MoseleySharon SimmonsLisa Weatherby

The Community Foundation Support Staff:Saunie McLaughlinCheryl RiddickJeneen Sanders

Who’s Better Off?Salima’s Success StoryTutor/Student Pair Speak at the Women’s Center of Jacksonville Educational Boutique Luncheon; Notes written by Nadia, Salima’s tutor

Salima, a woman in her 30’s, has been my student since the middle of September. With only a third grade education, she has attended many other different programs at the public library and FCCJ in hopes of learning how to read. None worked for her. They all involved using a computer, which she despises and classes in a group setting, which meant Salima was not getting the needed individual attention. Her frustration led to a low tolerance for repetition of concepts and an anger problem.

The ‘Expanded Horizons’ program coordinator paired Salima with me on a trial basis to see if we would be a good match; we were. Since our first meeting, she has come to every session on time and I have never had any problems with her in terms of anger. I am always bragging about what a wonderful student she is because of her dedication to the class and to completing her homework.

When she first started coming, Salima did not know the letter sounds of the alphabet, and now she can read any sentence in her homework. Salima said, “I am so grateful to the Women’s Center and my tutor for helping me. I wish she [Nadia] wasn’t leaving”.

I expected Salima to be the ‘difficult’ client, but because of her hard work and dedication, she has become my star pupil. Even with all of her hard work, success would not have been possible without the caring and individu-alized reading program provided by the Women’s Center of Jacksonville.

Volunteer NeedsJacksonville Women’s Business Center will be seeking mentors between now and January for two programs: Marketing Matters and ATHENA PowerLink. Please contact Pat Blanchard, Client Services Coordinator at 924-1100 ext. 252 for further information.

Women’s Center of JacksonvilleThere are many volunteer opportunities with Expanded Horizons Women’s Literacy Program. They include tutors, trainer, computer training assistant, library assistant, special event volunteers, and others. Contact: Shannie Komives 722-3000 x233 or Jewell Elkins

Please visit the Women’s Center website at: www.womenscenterofjax.org and download the volunteer application.

If you know of other volunteer opportunities available with our grantees, please contact Jana at jertrachter@ertrachtergroup.com.

We will have a list of opportunities in each newsletter.

New Communications E-mail Tool

In our efforts to enhance timely communications with our members, we will periodically send you e-mail messages.

These e-mails have been designed for quick, easy access to important information about the Women’s Giving Alliance.

The e-mail format has been designed to be consistent with our branding efforts. We are trying to be careful with the number of e-mail messages sent. So if you receive an e-mail from the Women’s Giving Alliance, please open it! We hope you find them helpful and useful in keeping connected to our organization. If you do not wish to receive these timely messages, please e-mail Jeneen at: jsanders@jaxcf.org to have your name removed from the distribution list.

Left to Right, Salima Lewis and her tutor, Nadia Itani

Left to Right, Sharon Kretschmar, Angela Richman, and Sharón Simmons

121 West Forsyth St, Suite 900Jacksonville, FL 32202ph 904.356.4483 fax 904.356.7910

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 1678Jacksonville, FL

www.womensgivingalliance.org

To inspire the women of Northeast Florida to be strategic philanthropists

and to improve the lives of women and girls through collective giving.

Our Mission

Events Calendar for December 2007 - March 2008 D E C E M B E R 12 WGA Operating Committee Meeting from 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. at WJCT. Lunch provided

2008

J A N U A R Y16 WGA Annual Meeting 11:30-1:30 at Marriott Southpoint with Dr. Lucretia Murphy speaking on “The Ripple Effect of Transformation: Changing Communities by Investing in Women and Girls”

30 WGA Steering Committee meeting 11:30-1:00 p.m. at WJCT. Lunch provided F E B R U A R Y13 WGA Operating Committee meeting 11:30-1:00 p.m. at WJCT. Brown Bag lunch

M A R C H6 WGA ‘2008 Social’ 6:00 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Cultural Center, Ponte Vedra Beach.

12 WGA Steering Committee meeting 11:30-1:00 p.m. at WJCT. Lunch provided

14 Girl Scouts of Gateway Council presents the 20th Annual Women of Distinction Luncheon 11:30 a.m. at Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Nina Waters will be honored.

Best Wishes for a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!