The Color Run
Equi-Librium Therapy Center Page 10
Succession Planning:
Managing Leadership Transitions Center for NonproďŹ t Communication Page 32
Askinosie Launches School Lunch Programs in Phillipines & Tanzania Page 35
Event Coverage Evening of Hope Lost and Found Grief Center Page 13
SuperBowl-a-Thon CASA Page 18
Survivor in the Wild: 2013 Heart Ball American Heart Association Page 27
complete design & printing services • Design • Print • Mailing Services • Web Design • Corporate Identity • QR Codes • and much more!
Have you ever wondered who creates the beautiful ads and pages we feature in Springfield CARES magazine every month? Wonder no more. d.v. LaRue is the sister company to Springfield CARES. We not only create the ads and layouts for the magazine, we developed the companion website, www.goicare.com. We also offer a wide variety of creative and print services for the business community. Let us provide you with the same creative expertise and experience we use to develop the magazine each month.
We save our non profit clients an average of 20-40% on their design, printing and mailing. Let us help you with your next campaign!
Amy Michael Owner/d.v. LaRue Publisher/Springfield CARES
If you like what we do for Springfield CARES, you’ll love what we can do for you. dvLaRue Design and Printing offers special pricing to all Non Profits in the community. For Social Profit Members of Springfield CARES Magazine, these rates are even more discounted. Please contact us if we can help you with your Design and/or Printing needs.
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contents march 2013 3
Table of Contents
4
Membership Directory Springfield 3 members listing
5
Letters from the Editor and Publisher
7
Welcome Member American Red Cross
8
18 Holes of Fun in the Middle of Winter! Community Partnership
9
New Member Welcome Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC)
10
The Color Run Equi-Librium Therapy Center
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New Member Welcome Equi-Librium Therapy Center
12
Books for Bissett
13
Event Coverage: Evening of Hope Lost and Found Grief Center
16
Who CARES? News Round-up for local nonprofits
17
New Member Welcome Harmony House
18
Event Coverage: 2013 SuperBowl-a-Thon CASA
19
Welcome Back Member CASA
20
Integrity Home Care
23
New Member Welcome Women in Need of the Ozarks
25
Helping People with Disabilities Through Horses and Therapy Dynamic Strides Therapeutic Riding
27
Event Coverage: Heart Ball Women in Need of the Ozarks
29
Calendar of Events Charity Events for February
30
CARES Website Launch
32
Succession Planning: Managing Leadership Transitions The Center for Nonprofit Communication
35
Askinosie Launches School Lunch Programs
37
Games Fun Stuff
8
13
35 staff
advisory panel
Amy Michael Publisher
Gerry Catapang PT, DPT Ken Childers Peter Edwards CIA Rebbecca Fenton COTA/L Jeff Gossman Becky Overend Sharna Rittmaster Beverly Roberts Chris Shaefer Ross Stoops Cara Trask Mary Valloni
Phil Dellasega Creative Director Tom Mezzacapa Graphic Design Kaitlyn Schwers Editor Michelle DeWitt Graphic Design/ Web Maintenance
122 Park Central Square • Springfield, MO 65806
417.849.CARE • www.goicare.com
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Membership Directory Springfield CARES would like to introduce the following Members of the magazine. Members must have non-profit status and provide services to our community. If you are interested in becoming a member, please call Patrice Tice at 417861-2696 for more information.
Equi-Librium Therapy Center 8710 E State Hwy AD Rogersville, MO 65742 417-830-1409 www.etctherapy.org
Female Leaders in Philanthropy (FLiP)
Ambassadors For Children
320 N Jefferson Ave Springfield, MO 65806 417-863-7700 www.uwozarks.com/fl ip.asp
An Operating Agency of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks 500 W Battlefield, Suite B Springfield, MO 65807 417-708-0565 ext. 202
424 E Norton Rd Springfield, MO 65803 417-864-6698 www.ranchlife.org
Springfield, MO 65807 417-881-4668 www.cancer.org
GYN Cancers Alliance (GYNCA)
American Red Cross Southern Missouri Region
3023 S Fort, Suite B Springfield, MO 65807 417-869-2220 www.gynca.org
1545 N West Bypass Springfield, MO 65803 417-832-9500 www.redcross.org
3372 W Battlefield St Springfield, MO 65807 417-889-9136 Giving Help & Hope to Families Impacted by Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO) 330 N Jefferson Ave Springfield, MO 65806 417-862-3838 www.bcfo.org
ust e Tru od W In G
Bridges for Youth 1039 W Nichols Springfield, MO 65802 417-864-4167 www.bridgesforyouth.net
Center for Nonprofit Communication (CNC)
The Humane Society
DrNancy@womenspeak.com Twitter.com/womenspk www.Facebook.com/WomenSpk www.Womenspeak.com/connect4good
P.O. Box 4626 Springfield, MO 65808 417-234-7338 www.womeninneedoftheozarks.org
Youth of the Ozarks Thrift Store (YOTO) 2140 S Campbell Springfield, MO 65807 417-890-7283 www.yotothriftstore.org
The following persons or businesses have sponsored our members: Women Speak, William H Darr, Tom Slaight, ANPAC, Southwestern Womens Health, dvLaRue Design and Development
3161 W Norton Rd Springfield, MO 65803 417-833-2526 www.swh.org
Killuminati Foundation www.killuminatiFoundation.org
Lost & Found Grief Center 2840 E Chestnut Expressway, Suite C Springfield, MO 65802 417-865-9998 www.lostandfoundozarks.com
March of Dimes
Children’s Miracle Network
Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC)
330 N Jefferson Ave. Springfield, MO 65806 417-888-2020 www.commpartnership.org
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Harmony House
519 E Cherry St Springfield, MO 65806 417-837-7700 www.myharmonyhouse.org
1722 S Glenstone W110 Springfield, MO 65804 417-889-9397 www.marchofdimes.com
Community Partnership
Women Connect4Good
Harmony House
900 N Benton Ave Springfield, MO 65802 417-873-7443 www.npcomm.org 3525 S National Ave Suite 203 Springfield, MO 65807 417-269-5437 www.coxhealth.com/cmn
819 N Boonville Ave Springfield, MO 65802 417-863-7273 www.thevictimcenter.org
Women in Need (WIN) Good Samaritan Boys Ranch
American Cancer Society 3322 S Campbell Ave # G
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)
The Victim Center
215 S Barnes Ave Springfield, MO 65802 417-862-4314 www.oacac-caa.org
Pregnancy Care Center 1342 E Primrose Street Springfield, MO 65804-4224 www.pccchoices.com
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
United Way of the Ozarks
1111 S Glenstone Ave Springfield, MO 65804 417-864-6202 www.casaswmo.org
320 N Jefferson Ave Springfield, MO 65806 417-863-7700 www.uwozarks.com
Mission: Springfield CARES and GOiCARE.com provide online and print media to the public to create awareness of charitable giving and healthy living in the area as well as give acknowledgment to local businesses that give back to our community. It is our goal to promote local business, provide information and savings to consumers and support the work of the charities where we live.
Letter from the Editor Dear Readers, Once again, we at Springfield CARES would like to introduce you to more of our new non-profit members. We’re excited to feature these members in future issues of the magazine. Specifically in this issue, we welcome the American Red Cross, Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC), Harmony House, Women in Need (WIN), Equi-Librium Therapy Center (ETC), and we are welcoming back the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA). Aside from introductions, you will also see some ads for events that our new members (and current members!) have coming up (such as the anticipated Color Run on April 6 for ETC and CASA’s Superhero 5k run). Check out these events and get to know these organizations better if you get a chance! In addition, this issue also features event photos from the Community Partnership of the Ozarks, CASA, Books for Bissett, and more. You’ll notice this month’s issue has an additional eight pages, so check it all out! This issue has a lot to see and read. Interested in what our membership package has to offer at Springfield CARES Magazine? Contact Membership Coordinator, Patrice Tice at patrice@goicare.com or call 417-861-2696. Happy reading,
Kaitlyn Schwers Contributing Editor
Letter from the Publisher Hello Springfield, It's been a busy month here at CARES and I am excited to introduce to you two new members of our CARES Family. Patrice Tice is our Membership Director and Kristal Gaines is the Director of Sales and Marketing. Between these two ladies we have grown 30% in one month! I am so excited to be able to offer more to our nonprofits in the community. If you have any interest in learning how the magazine works for nonprofits or from an advertising standpoint please contact them. If you're a nonprofit you can reach Patrice at 417-861-2696 for more information. If you're a business that believes in philanthropy and are looking for an opportunity to work with a nonprofit or share your business with the community please call Kristal at 417-849-2273 and she will be happy to meet with you. As we continue to grow we are always looking for volunteer photographers, freelance writers and great stories of hope. Please send any of these to our editor, Kaitlyn at editor@goicare.com. If you've attended an event and want to submit photos please send those on as well. We love to share those with our readers! As always, I feel privileged and honored to live in a place where there are so many people who care. I am constantly reminded, by working with our nonprofits, of the giving and generous spirit our our community. Through the pages of this month’s issue, you will see evidence of this through the event coverages and stories in our pages. We hope you enjoy reading about the great things that have happened and new events that are coming up as well as how you have made a difference in the lives of others. Kindly,
Amy Michael
Ron Penney CFP®, ChFC® Private Wealth Advisor
Helping you create the future you envision.
Penney, Murray & Associates Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
1342-E East Kingsley Springfield, Missouri 65804
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The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.
Springfield CARES welcomes new member What is your mission? The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. What kind of volunteer opportunities do you have? 97% of the work done by the Red Cross is done by a volunteer. We have opportunities from administrative office work and event committees to responding on disasters local and nationally. Specifically, who/how do you help the community? The Red Cross helps those who have been affected by disaster in our community. Home fires, tornados, floods or other disasters happen an average of 3 times every day throughout our 40 county regions. Volunteers are on call 24/7/365 to answer the call for help, bringing comfort, help and hope to people in their darkest hour. As a part of working to prepare our communities American Red Cross programs help people lead safer and healthier lives, from first-aid, CPR and AED training to swimming and lifeguarding. Could you tell a short story of someone you have helped? We respond to an average of three house fires on a daily basis. We have so many stories of people who have been helped because the Red Cross was there. I am attaching a story that is about a local military family that we provided assistance to: Brytain Geary was a US Army soldier stationed at Fort Hood, TX when he found out he had a brain tumor. He and his wife Marla, who worked for the Post Exchange on base, have a six month old daughter, Madilyn. Brytian has a dog, named Chief who was supplied to him through America’s Vet Dogs. Chief has lived with him for a year and alerts Brytian of on-coming seizures that he suffers as a side effect of the brain tumor. It has been a tough financial road for the Geary’s since his illness. Brytian was medically discharged from the Army and has medical bills that exceeded the Tri-Care cap. The military told them to save up at least 3 months’ worth of expenses to live on after he was medically separated from the Army but it was 6 months before they began getting his retirement pay. During that time they lived with family but even with their families help the medical bills were overwhelming them. They voluntarily let one of their vehicles go back to the dealer and continued to pay on the medical bills. The heat in Texas had a negative effect on Brytain’s health due to the metal plates attached to his skull during his brain surgery. Needing a better climate and wanting a good place to raise Madilyn, they decided to move. Knowing that they would need to be near a
redcross-ozarks.org
Veteran’s Medical Facility and wanting to be closer to Marla’s older daughter, who lives in Michigan, they chose Springfield, Missouri as their new home. It took all of their savings to move to Springfield, and when they rented a house it was without a refrigerator or stove. Upon moving in, a gas leak was discovered in the house so they had to eat out for a few weeks while they waited for the landlord to fix the leak. Now their savings was gone and Brytian was not yet getting his medical retirement pay from the Army while still waiting on VA disability pay to begin. In March, 2012, Brytian called USAA to ask for help with their finances and was referred to the American Red Cross for help. After calling the Red Cross, Military Casework Volunteer, Dawn Tomoson, helped them out with a local grant for service members that could be used for a stove and refrigerator. The gas leak had finally been fixed so when Dawn found the used appliances at C&C Appliance, Brytian and Marla were able to cook their own meals again. In April, they were still struggling with financial problems. Brytian called 877-272-7337, the American Red Cross Service to The Armed Forces (SAF) hotline, to see if they would qualify for any additional assistance. After providing the SAF team with their financial records, the Geary’s were granted a no-interest loan to help pay their rent and car payment. “If it wasn’t for the Red Cross we would still be suffering” said Brytain. The Geary’s have a positive outlook for the future. They expect the VA will begin paying them his disability payments soon, and Brytian plans to start attending college this fall with his GI Bill Any upcoming events? Currently we are promoting our Everyday Heroes event where we honor local people in our communities that have done something heroic or who live everyday making life easier for their neighbors. The event is on March 27, 2013 here in Springfield.
Membership Sponsored by: 7
18-holes of fun in the middle of winter!
The Community Partnership OPEN 2013
On January 27, 2013 at the Hickory Hills Country Club, The Community Partnership Open 2013 was the perfect opportunity for golf enthusiasts to pick up their clubs in the middle of winter while helping support the programs and services of Community Partnership of the Ozarks. Each of the 18-indoor miniature golf holes were designed around Community Partnership’s programs so that you learn exactly what they do on a daily basis. Golfers were definitely kept on their game. At one hole
8
you may be avoiding sand traps in hopes of making it up the stairs of financial freedom; at another you may be joining a National Night Out block party; and at others you may learn why the building blocks of early childhood could be the very things preventing you from getting a hole-in-one. Plus, there were dozens of great prizes and silent auction items up for bid. The Community Partnership Open is indoor golf like you have never experienced before.
photos: James Hanson
commpartnership.org
Springfield CARES welcomes new member What is your mission? Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation’s (OACAC) mission is to enrich the lives of families and individuals within our communities by providing opportunities, offering assistance and empowering people to make positive change. What kind of volunteer opportunities do you offer? Event Planning/Assistance Educational Speaking Fundraisers Transport to medical appointments Office Support/Filing Reading to Children Sort/Organize Storage Data Entry Assist with Poverty Simulations and REALL Simulations Assist with OACAC involvement in the Price Cutter Charity Championship Golf Tournament How can someone get involved? If you are interested in becoming an OACAC volunteer, please contact the Resource Development Office at 417.864.3448 or by email at awingo@oacac-caa.org Specifically, who/how do you help the community? Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) is a not-for-profit agency working toward alleviating the causes and conditions of poverty in the Ozarks. OACAC serves Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster Counties. OACAC offers seven programs: Family Planning, Foster Grandparents, Head Start, Housing, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), Neighborhood Centers and Weatherization. As part of a nationwide network of Community Action Agencies, OACAC focuses available local, state, private, and federal resources to assist low-income individuals and families to acquire useful skills and knowledge, gain access to new opportunities and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Could you tell a short story of someone you have helped? James Dever, age 22, looks like any other college student at first glance. But when you get to know his story, you realize how unlikely it is that he is now attending Ozarks Technical College (OTC) and working toward an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology. Seven years ago, James dropped out of high school in Blue Eye, Missouri at the age of 15. He was unmotivated and did worked at a string of minimum wage jobs, but never found a place to fit in. “I think I was tired of being stuck,” said James. “I knew I needed education to go on, but I did not care back then.”
In the spring of 2010, James attended a Job Club sponsored by the OACAC Stone County Neighborhood Center. Misti Clark, OACAC Family Resource Specialist, helped James learn how to prepare for a job interview, how to create a resume, how to fill out an application, and more. “This class gave me a lot of encouragement,” said James. In addition to encourpating in the classes. Another milestone James completed was earning his General Education Degree (GED). OACAC assisted James with gas money so he could attend Ozarks Technical Community College at Branson Meadows where he earned his degree in just three months. In the spring of 2011 James enrolled in classes at OTC in Branson where he focused on general education classes as well as automotive labs. OACAC continued to support James by providing gas money so he could attend his classes. The laptop computer he earned during Job Club was also indispensable in keeping up with his course work. In the fall of 2011, James transferred to Springfield OTC where he lives in an apartment provided by the Springfield Housing Authority. James attends classes and labs full time (50 hours per week). Ideally, James would like to continue his education and transfer to a university like University of Missouri or Southern Illinois to get a full engineering degree. OACAC Stone County Neighborhood Center helped James find a new purpose in life through encouragement, accountability, and a variety of financial resources. “James responded because OACAC held him accountable. He showed up because he would have to answer to somebody,” explained Misti Clark. Now James has learned to be accountable for his own decisions. “Thanks to OACAC and OTC I am well on my way to a new life,” James said. Any upcoming events? September 21 - OACAC Scavenger Hunt October 12- Ozark Mountain Monopoly If you could thank one person/business in the community that has shown that they CARE, who would it be and why? We are thankful to David O’Reilly and his commitment to the OACAC Head Start dental program. OACAC is required to provide preventative dental care and treatment to 1,400 children each year, and Mr. O’Reilly has been a strong supporter of this program for several years.
oacac-caa.org
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04.06.13
Are you ready? The Color Run 5k is going down in Springfield, MO on April 6, 2013! Who is excited? As the Springfield Color Run's Charity Partner, Equi-Librium Therapy Center will receive a portion of the proceeds to benefit its program and amazing riders! Equi-Librium Therapy Center gets to supply 200 volunteers to assist with painting Springfield "happy" on race day! Let's show The Color Run that Equi-Librium Therapy Center has the BEST volunteers around! Just think, throwing "color" on friends, family, and everyone else... It is going to be awesome! To register as a volunteer, contact etctherapy@gmail.com To register as a runner, check out http://thecolorrun.com/springfield-missouri/
Equi-Librium Therapy Center, a non-profit organization in Springfield, Missouri, has been dedicated to providing equine assisted therapies to both children and adults in Southwest Missouri since 1995. Equi-Librium Therapy Center offers equine assisted therapy services to client’s over two years of age, living with various disabilities through our Therapeutic Riding, Hippotherapy and Equine Facilitated Learning programs. Our programs use the horse and its movement, to assist with development of functional abilities that lead to enhanced participation in life experiences. Clients also benefit from the friendships developed with the horses, peers, and volunteers that make this program possible. Equi-Librium Therapy Center is a Premier Accredited Center through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and is a member of the American Hippotherapy Association. For more information see http://www.etctherapy.org
WWW
.THECOLOR RUN.COM
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Springfield CARES welcomes new member What is your mission? Provide exceptional, accredited, equine therapy services improving the quality of life for those in the Ozarks. What kind of volunteer opportunities do you have? ETC has several different types of opportunities for volunteers- side walking alongside our patients who are on horseback, horse handling, intern opportunities which include, volunteer coordinator, barn manager, photographer, and secretarial duties. Anyone interested in volunteering for ETC should go to our website www.etctherapy.org and click on volunteer handbook, fill out and contact us at (417) 830-1409. Specifically, who/how do you help the community? Equi-Librium Therapy Center (ETC) established in December of 2011 (formally known as Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks) has been serving children and adults with disabilities since 1995. ETC is a Premier Accredited Center through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) and a member of the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA). ETC provides accredited equine assisted therapy services including Therapeutic Riding, Hippotherapy and Equine Facilitated Learning. Last year, ETC served 67 children and adults ages two and up with developmental disabilities and/or physical disabilities in southwest Missouri.ETC serves five counties in southwest Missouri and one in North Central Arkansas. We have also signed a contract with the Wounded Warrior Project scholarship program that will allow us to provide equine therapy services for our veterans living in SW MO at no cost to them. ETC is the only PATH Intl. Accredited Center in the area. This year ETC moved into its own facility which was graciously donated by John and Carol Courtney. This is a two-year old facility with a 21,000 sq. foot enclosed indoor arena surrounded by 22 acres. Current plans are to add 14 horse stalls to house therapy horses with a tack room, wash bay, hay storage and horse runs as well as a viewing room with kitchen, classroom, therapy room equipped with necessary therapeutic equipment, staff offices, mechanical room, storage, and bathrooms. The barn, these additions, and the land are supported by private donations. Could you tell a short story of someone you have helped? Our son Monte is an 11-year-old enthusiastic and sneaky young man who has a long list of complicated diagnosis and challenges. To list a few, he has congenital hydrocephalus, is deaf-blind, and has very high and low tone throughout his body, making even the most basic skill difficult. We had tried many different types of therapy with him over the years, including nearly 7 years of traditional physical therapy, and a precious few short weeks of water therapy (the waiting list was so long we were only allowed to do a few weeks). In that time, he made very slow progress, constantly digressing due to breakthrough seizures, shunt revisions, and complications. It was with a bit of apprehension that we decided to try hippotherapy, just one of three equine therapy services provided by Equi-Librium Therapy Center (ETC) in Springfield, MO. We weren't sure he would be safe on a horse, didn't know if he would tolerate the stimuli, and didn't know if he could physically do it. We were pleasantly surprised at the confidence and expertise of Kent Crumpley and his team of therapists. They were very skilled in their abilities and knowledge of Monte's needs, and immediately calmed any of my fears. We were so impressed that we couldn't wait to begin.
Monte was so tight that they started him out by stretching his adductors over a small barrel before he was even able to sit on the horse. When he began he could only hold his head up for a few minutes at a time, and either curled over the horse almost in a ball or rode with his head completely extended. We saw progress immediately! He loved the sensations of riding a very special horse named "Little Joe," and would get really excited upon entering the arena. He and I both felt confident and comfortable with the entire staff and their safety precautions and abilities. Within a few short weeks he was sitting taller and taller, and able to hold his head with more confidence. These skills transferred into more miracles at home as well. With his leg muscles strengthened and stretched, he began weight bearing for longer and longer periods of time, holding his head up almost all day, and even wanting to walk! We were also able to discontinue the Botox injections in his legs that had previously been a quarterly necessity. The last 4 years have been rather tumultuous for Monte, he has endured several intensive surgeries to keep him healthy and progressing. Monte's doctors have been so impressed with the changes in Monte's body through Hippotherapy that they insist that he continue riding as soon as he is healed enough to participate. They are happy to write the orders for hippotherapy, and thrilled that we have such a great program that he can participate in. Even though Monte has been a complicated patient, the staff at ETC has been carefully helping him heal, recover, and progress. Although it isn't convenient to drive the two hours round-trip weekly to participate in hippotherapy, we feel the sacrifice is more than worth it. We are so proud of Monte and the progress he has made. He is so much stronger and more capable! He runs in his walker with his peers at recess and in PE, holds his head with confidence in all situations, is able to support his weight in transfers and walking small distances, and has much more abilities and flexibility in his legs and core. We've also discontinued the weekly traditional P.T. sessions, we find that Monte progresses much faster in a few weeks of Hippotherapy than in months of traditional P.T. We love Kent Crumpley's team, and can't wait for the next session to begin! Signed, a very happy parent, Claire Fogelquist Any upcoming events? The Color Run will be coming to Springfield for the first time on April 6, 2013. The Color Run is the original 5K run/walk of its kind and helps supports not for profit organizations all around the world. ETC is very excited to have been chosen by the Color Run and we look forward to all the excitement they will bring to downtown Springfield on April 6. If you could thank one person/business in the community that has shown that they CARE, who would it be and why? John and Carol Courtney for their generous donation to Equi-Librium Therapy Center.
etctherapy.org 11
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www.lostandfoundozarks.com
Thank you for providing Help, Hope and Healing. Because of your generosity, grieving hearts will be mended, children will find hope and families will heal.
Photography by Phil Dellasega
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12th Annual GYN Cancers Alliance
Spring Luncheon Fashion Show, Silent Auction and Tote Bag Raffle
Monday, April 22, 2013 Ramada Oasis Convention Center
Spring Wine Tasting benefiting GYNCA GYN Cancers Alliance, serving local women battling gynecologic cancers
417-883-9000 1455 East Independence Springfield, MO 65804
Presenting Sponsor
Sunday, April 7, 2013 2-5pm Teal Sponsors: Robert and Becky Bach Bonnie Atteberry h Dr. John & Susan Mihalevich
Fashion Show Sponsors: Harem & Company Town & County Krickets Ashby’s
$20 donation includes Etched Riedel wine glass, sample over 120 exclusive wines and enjoy delicious food samplings, courtesy of Florentina’s. Unique silent auction is always a big hit! GYNCA receives 10% of all regular-priced wine sales during event! Reserve ahead by calling 869-2220 or email jan@gynca.org
For information on events, call 869-2220, email jan@gynca.org or go to www.gynca.org/events Sponsor | CARES Magazine
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Sponsor | Dr. Nancy O’Reilly PsD
Sponsor | Dr. Nancy O’Reilly PsD
What’s going on in your area? Springfield CARES offers a round-up of news from your local non-profit organizations.
Goddard Schools raises over $300 for local Ronald McDonald House Last month, Goddard Schools celebrated 25 years. Their "25 Cents for 25 Years" fundraising drive resulted in $89.56 collected for the benefit of the Ronald McDonald House Partnership. Additionally, children created a total of 287 cards at the school. With Goddard Systems, Inc. donating $1.00 for each card, Goddard Schools has raised $376.56. The funds raised will go directly to the local Ronald McDonald House. Goddard Schools would like to thank you for your generosity and to all of their children who are learning about the importance of giving back to the community. As a "thank you" for the children's efforts, Goddard Schools invited Ronald McDonald to visit the Junior Kindergarten and older preschool classrooms with a magic show, story, and song. Younger children received a greeting from Ronald, and a local McDonald's donated Happy Meal toys to take home. Goddard Schools enjoyed introducing children to service and will continue connecting to the community. The next service event is Bowl for Kids Sake, for the benefit of Big Brothers Big Sisters on Saturday, March 9.
Everyday Heroes 2013 coming up in March The American Red Cross and KY3 will be sponsoring Everyday Heroes 2013 in Springfield on Wednesday, March 27 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ramada Oasis Hotel and Convention Center. Lunch will be served, and all proceeds from the event will benefit the Red Cross. Everyday Heroes is a tribute to those who have shown courage during disasters, volunteered during a time of need, or saved a life. The Red Cross has asked for nominations for Heroes and will be presenting them during the event. A table of ten guests may be sponsored for $300. Visit redcross.org for more details. 16
Springfield Community Land Trust, the City of Springfield and Community Partnership of the Ozarks team up to create new affordable housing program Springfield Community Land Trust, the City of Springfield and Community Partnership of the Ozarks are happy to announce the formation of a new affordable housing program in Springfield. Community land trusts sell homes to people who are credit-worthy with low to moderate incomes. While buyers own the house, the land beneath their home belongs to the community land trust and the homeowner holds rights to the land by paying a small fee through a leasehold agreement. When homeowners sell their homes, the resale price is based on a formula designed to provide a fair and reasonable rate of return on the investment, homeowners regain their initial investment plus a fair share of the appreciation of their homes, while at the same time keeping the home’s price within reach for future income qualified buyers. The stable and secure housing made possible by community land trusts enables many individuals and families to invest in their own future, improve their financial status and positively contribute to the economic development of the community. To learn more visit www.springfieldclt.org.
Springfield CARES welcomes new member Harmony House
What is your mission? Harmony House, formerly known as the Family Violence Center, was established as a not-for-profit in 1976. Our mission is to provide shelter, advocacy, and education to survivors of domestic violence while promoting the principle that all individuals have the right to a life free of abuse. Our mission is supported by four agency goals: • To provide short-term emergency protective shelter for survivors of domestic violence; • To help survivors of domestic violence break the cycle of abuse through programs of education, support, referral, and advocacy; • To disseminate information to the community that promotes understanding about the factors involved in domestic violence, its prevalence, causes, patterns, and prevention; • To advocate for changes that will provide the opportunity for a lifestyle free of domestic violence for all people. Specifically, who/how do you help the community? Harmony House helps survivors of domestic violence transition to abuse free lives. Harmony House is the second largest shelter in the state of Missouri, and we serve 550-560 women and children per year in the shelter. We have 110 beds at Harmony House, which means throughout 2012 we provided 34,275 safe bed nights for individuals surviving domestic violence. Our SAFEline staff answered over 1,683 hotline calls, and our Outreach Program was able to assist and educate over 1,414 people in the community. Domestic Violence and abuse is definitely a community problem, and was identified as one of the red flag issues of the Community Focus Report of 2011. In Greene County alone last year the rate of domestic violence continues to grow, with a 2012 report from the Circuit Clerk’s office that 3,598 orders of protection (adult abuse Ex Parte). Harmony House encourages community engagement. We promote awareness all around the Springfield area by presenting educational workshops about domestic violence issues and prevention efforts by expert staff from Harmony House. We also provide speakers for schools, churches, and civic organizations to educate the community about domestic violence and abuse. Harmony House provides in-service programs and professional training workshops to law enforcement personnel, health care providers and also social service agencies. Could you tell a short story of someone you have helped? Feel free to change names if necessary. The scene is all too common for those who experience domestic violence. However, it is a perfect example of the importance of Harmony House’s mission on a daily basis for many women & children. Nancy, as we will call this survivor, became a victim of violence in her teens with a string of abusive boyfriends and then eventually marrying an abuser. Nancy found herself as the main bread-winner of the family, and with two small children, ages three & five, she was working full time and sometimes with double-shifts. When Nancy came home one evening, dead-tired from a double-shift, her abuser, still lounging on the sofa, demanded that she fix him something to eat. When Nancy didn’t reply but turned to walk away, the abuser grabbed her by the neck as he attempted to “teach her a lesson.”
Things went black as she sunk to the floor; her mind was taking her the end of her life, all while her two small children witnessed the whole disturbing event. Fortunately, Nancy came back to a conscious reality, but still being abused with kicks to the stomach. Miraculously, Nancy was able to get herself up from the floor, gather the two children, and flee to the neighbor’s house. The neighbor and friend pleaded for Nancy to reach out to Harmony House and seek secure shelter from her abuser. Nancy knew that it was the only way she was going to survive, to keep her children from harm, and to break the cycle of abuse. Nancy began a program of recovery while at the shelter. First, she recognized that the abuse was not her fault, and that she and her children deserved so much more. She obtained her GED, and through the assistance of the case managers, counselors, volunteers, and others, Nancy was able to go on to college with a desire to become a nurse. Nancy is now living a survivor’s life and as an RN has the ability to help many people. Any upcoming events? On Sunday, May, 5, 2013, Harmony House is partnering with Denny’s Harley-Davidson for the first annual Leather & Smoke Bike Ride and Barbecue to benefit Harmony House, Family Violence Prevention Center. The event will start at 8:30 a.m. with coffee, donuts, bagels, etc. with registration from 9-10:00 a.m. Registration fee is $25 per rider, which includes the ride and a great barbecue prepared by Enoch’s BBQ and Southern Classics as riders return from a two hour beautiful ride in the Ozarks. Additional items will be available, such as t-shirts for sale and a raffle for great prizes. For more information, call the Development Office at Harmony House at 417-837-7700, ext. 202. A rain date will be May 12 . If you could thank one person/business in the community that has shown that they CARE, who would it be and why? Rick Yanch, whose daughter was murdered as a result of domestic violence, is turning tragedy into hope. Rick was instrumental in negotiating the donation of his daughter’s house and property to Harmony House. In addition, Rick donated $50,000 to help with the operational costs of the first ever off-site transitional housing program of Harmony House. Thank you to Rick Yanch and all of our generous donors who help us provide hope to survivors of domestic violence. The entire community of Springfield has been overwhelmingly supportive and instrumental to the success of Harmony House. There are way too many businesses, organizations and individuals to attempt to list them here. Thank you, Springfield, for assisting us in this important community awareness, and to help us with our mission that everyone deserves the right to a life free of abuse!
myharmonyhouse.org 17
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n o h T a l w o B Super 速
The Springfield West Side Optimist group teamed up with CASA of Southwest Missouri to hold the first ever Super Bowling event for CASA! This fundraiser benefited and supported the child victims of abuse and neglect that CASA serves right here in Greene County every day.
photos: James Hanson
The event was January 26th at Enterprise Lanes, with all proceeds to benefit CASA. The evening was full of bowling, wacky bowling, food, and prize opportunities!
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Springfield CARES welcomes back member What is your mission? CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Southwest Missouri advocates for timely placement of abused and neglected children in safe permanent homes and for the highest quality of care while they are under the court’s jurisdiction.
If you could thank one person/business in the community that has shown that they CARE, who would it be and why?
What kind of volunteer opportunities do you have? Our main volunteer opportunity is to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate. More details are available on our website: casaswmo.org.
The one person we would like to thank is the CASA volunteer who stepped up to help an abused and neglected child.
Specifically, how/who do you help the community? We give children in foster care a voice in their future and ensure their needs are met until they find their forever home. Could you tell a short story of someone you have helped? Five Greene County siblings were severely abused both physically and sexually, and they were being neglected. The four-year-old was still in diapers when they were removed from their home. A relative family took in all five so they could stay together. The CASA worked closely with the family and the school to obtain special tutoring and counseling. Three of the children had special needs, and they sorely tested the foster parents who were willing to adopt them if the parents could not ultimately get the kids back. Two of the older children had to testify against the perpetrator, and the CASA was with them in court for support. They were permanently removed from their parents, and the relative family is in the process of adopting them all. The CASA worked with the relative family throughout the case to give support and referrals and continually encouraged them. Without this support, the family might have given up on the adoption as it certainly affected and strained their family. Because of the time and dedication spent with this family, the CASA on the case will most likely be a lifelong friend. Any upcoming events? April 13: Superhero 5K Run and 1K Family Walk
casaswmo.org 19
The Killuminati Foundation 501c3 non-profit
Offering ng no non-routine on-routine vet assistance to dogs in need
http://www.projectpuppy.org/ Add us to Facebook: Killumina Killuminati Vet-Help 22
Springfield CARES welcomes new member What is your mission? The mission of WIN is to assist working women during a temporary financial crisis to help them make ends meet after a set back. Our services are designed to give women a “hand up,” not a hand out, and to keep recipients gainfully employed. WIN fills a gap in the community because these women do not fit traditional income guidelines for public assistance because they are working. With a little help, the women we help will remain productive, contributing members of our community. What kind of volunteer opportunities do you have? How can someone get involved? WIN holds many fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for the women we assist. We have a group of highly creative WINNERS, a large networking group of supporters who meet regularly to plan various fund raising events and serve on committees to make individual events a success. Volunteers are matched with their specific interests and expertise to assist in fund raising events. Specifically, who/how do you help the community? Our community has a wide variety of women with needs; therefore, the list of WIN recipients is very diverse. We have helped women who are young and some not so young. Again, WIN assists women with a temporary problem but who are otherwise maintaining employment and meeting their financial obligations. These women have come to a tough place in their lives for a multitude of reasons—medical illness, divorce, or having too many challenges at one time. These women are all working full-time and trying to make it on their own, without public assistance. WIN provides a one time financial assistance—for example, rental assistance, utility assistance, car repairs, etc. Applicants apply through the WIN www.womeninneedoftheozarks.org.
website
at
The Awards Committee is responsible for screening, interviewing and selecting the applicants to assist. If an applicant does not meet our criteria, they are referred to local social service organizations that may be able to assist them with their needs. By providing services to keep women employed, WIN helps the local economy and workforce—and diverts women from relying on governmental assistance programs.
Could you tell me a short story of someone you have helped? A testimony: I am a single mother of two daughters; I just graduated from college in May and have worked all of my life. Upon graduating in May, I took a minimum wage job so that I could attempt to pay my bills. A single parent cannot take care of a family on minimum wage so I began to fall behind on my rent. I finally found a better paying job on the last day of July, but I did not receive pay for this position until August 31st. By this time I had fallen behind on not only rent, but other bills as well. I felt as if I would never get ahead and began to worry about becoming homeless, I really didn’t know what I was going to do. It was at this time I learned of the organization called WIN. They helped me pay the rent that I was behind on and really saved me and my children from an imminent eviction. I am very thankful for this organization. Without them, I would never have been able to catch up on my rent. This is a wonderful organization that can meet the needs of women like me, working women who occasionally need a little help. —K.E. Any upcoming events? Fashionista Fling April 25th at the Twin Oaks Country Club. Cocktails begin at 5:30 P.M. If you could thank one person/business in the community that has shown they CARE, who would it be and why? Carrie Quesenberry, Past President’s Council and one of the founders of Women in Need has been instrumental to the success of our organization. Her boundless energy and creativity has truly been the cornerstone of WIN and she is an inspiration to us all. The Springfield Business Journal has long been a loyal supporter of WIN, and we are so thankful for their help in spreading awareness of Women in Need and supporting our fundraising campaigns. We are also very appreciative of Matt Netzer and Alan Pierson, organizers of the Imagine Concert. Last year’s event was highly successful and was a sold out show.
womeninneeddoftheozarks.org 23
Superhero
5k
Family & Fun Walk
Every child needs a hero, but abused children need superheroes!
April 13, 2013 1111 S. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65804 5K begins at 8 am Walk begins at 9 am Costume Contest Award Ceremony Kid’s Zone ! un f ore m t ke i a ey m h t t u Cape and tights optional, b
For more information: Call 417.864.6202 ext 262 Visit www.CASAswmo.org 24
Helping People with Disabilities by Kaitlyn Schwers Through Horses and Therapy Over two years ago, Marge Cheesman took her love horses and education in equine therapy to the next level. In June 2010, she created Dynamic Strides, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Republic, MO that specializes in therapeutic riding and hippotherapy for people with disabilities. The organization runs on donations to make therapy affordable to every client. Now serving as Executive Director of Dynamic Strides, Marge discusses how the program works and why it works. Can you tell me a little bit about what Dynamic Strides is? Dynamic Strides is a therapeutic horseback riding program. We specialize in hippotherapy, which is the use of the movement of the horse to provide therapy for people with various disabilities. How did Dynamic Strides come about? I’ve been a therapeutic riding instructor since 2004. I went back to school to go into occupational therapy because I saw a lot more that I could do with a degree in therapy to help people with various disabilities using the horses. What kinds of people come here for therapeutic riding? Children, adults? Typically, we work with children. We’re not limited to working with children—that just seems to be the way it has worked out so far. We’d be happy and willing to work with adults, but it can take a little more help from side walkers. We work with people who are dealing with many different issues – some examples are autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, chromosomal abnormalities, and developmental delay. Also people with emotional problems, with behavioral problems, all kinds of issues. How often do the riders come for this therapy? Typically, we’ll have a fall session, a spring session, and a summer session. Each one of those runs for eight to ten weeks. The riders come once a week and they receive a one-hour, one-on-one with a licensed physical, occupational or speech therapist, who has had additional training in hippotherapy. We can also provide therapeutic riding, which is a recreational activity with a riding instructor. If it’s with a riding instructor, a lot of programs do that in a group. They’ll put three, four, five, up to six riders with one instructor per hour. We don’t do that here. We believe that each rider needs and deserves our individual attention.
Why is this type of therapy usually successful for people with disabilities? Or maybe, how does it work? Hippotherapy can be an effective treatment to help people who have problems with muscle tone, limited movement of joints, attention, arousal, coordination, balance and postural control. The horse and the barn environment are motivational in several aspects – developing relationships, gaining control, enhancing mobility and providing opportunities for risk taking. How many volunteers are involved with working these sessions and making this work? A lot—it takes a lot of help, and everybody here is a volunteer. We are trying to provide this for people who can’t necessarily afford therapy. Many insurances don’t recognize hippotherapy as a valuable therapy, so it usually isn’t paid for by insurance. So, we’re trying to make it affordable and attainable. Therefore, the therapists and everyone here are volunteering and donating their time. For each rider we have one person who is leading or driving the horse. In addition, each rider will typically have two people assisting - one on each side, called “side walkers.” Sometimes the therapist is a side walker and sometimes the therapist stands back and directs. How has Dynamic Strides progressed as a nonprofit? It’s growing and growing. I’m hoping that we can continue and keep growing and keep things the way they are with the economy the way it is. We may need to do some fundraising. Is there anything else you’d like to add about Dynamic Strides? Number one, we’re here to serve people and help them. As long as we can do that and feel like we are making a difference, we’re going to keep doing it. The other is it takes a lot of people and so if anyone who reads this or sees this or hears about us is interested in helping, we’re always looking for volunteers. It’s really rewarding. I’ve heard a lot of volunteers who come out here say, “This is just awesome.” What we try to do is keep the same volunteer with the same rider week after week, so they form a bond and they get to know that rider. They can help us to see differences in them. Volunteering out here is a fun thing.
Learn more about Dynamic Strides or make a donation at dynamicstrides.org.
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YOU’RE INVITED TO THE 18TH ANNUAL
Breakfast of Hope BENEFITING THE VICTIM CENTER WHEN & WHERE Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 7:30 a.m. in University Plaza’s Grand Ballroom (333 S John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield, 65806).
WHO Join a cross-section of the community, from banks and realtors to hospitals, law firms, and colleges to positively impact the community and support The Victim Center. Anyone is invited, and all attendees receive a plated breakfast during a 1-hour program.
COST A single attendee is $40. Table sponsorships are $320 for 8 people and $400 for 10 people. Higher sponsorship levels are available for those who wish to underwrite the event. For more information, call 417-863-7273.
WHAT IS THE VICTIM CENTER? The Victim Center is a grassroots, nonprofit agency in Springfield that provides free-of-charge counseling, crisis intervention, prevention education, court support, and advocacy to men, women, and children victims of violent or sexual crime(s). For more information, visit our website at thevictimcenter.org.
RSVP You can RSVP for this event by contacting Brandi Bartel at 417-863-7273. Sponsor | Dr. Nancy O’Reilly PsD 28
c a l e n d a r march 1 | 6-10pm
16 | 8am
1-10 | 1-5pm
23 | 8am
First Friday Art Walk Downtown Springfield. The first friday of each month, join the galleries of the Downtown Arts District for a multifaceted evening of art, music, food and fun in more than 25 participating venues.
Discovery Center, Chinese New Year: Year of the Snake. Visitors can learn how the New Year celebration is similar to and different from our own U.S. New Year Celebration. Hands on activities that will enhance the understanding of Chinese culture. GA applies.
7-16 | varies
Big Brothers Big Sisters, join us for the 28th Annual Bowl for Kids Sake benefiting BBBS of the Ozarks. Whether you come out to bowl in session or stay home and become a virtual bowler, you will help kids get a chance to strike it big in life! For sign up and more information visit www.bbbsozarks.kintera.org
9 | 10am-6pm
Spa Day to Benefit Elaine Diamond Benefit Fund and Kerigan Boswells’s Medical Funds At the First Unitarian Universalist Church on 2434 E Battlefield Springfield MO. Pamper yourself with a few hours of relaxation and rejuvenation. Pre-register, paypal payment to diamondbenefit@gmail.com and mention the name the tickets will be under. Or mail a check to Elaine Diamond Benefit Fun c/o Jessica Solberg, 3825 W. Sexton St, Battlefield, Mo 65619
Ozark Rotary’s Race at the River 5K, OCC Ozark, MO. Contact Kaite McElvaine at drkatie@myvisionclinic.com for more information
Pitter Pat 5K/10K/Mile at O’Reilly Center at the Drury Campus, Springfield MO. Contact Megan Johnson at meaganjohnson24@gmail.com or Jessie Tindall at 417-837-5394 for more information.
30 | 8am
Highline Run for Scouting half/5K at CNH Reman, West Willard Rd, Willard MO. Contact the Boys Scouts of America at 417-881-5529 for more information.
30 | 8am
Laci’s Hope 5K/10K at Panera Bread on S. Campbell, Springfield MO. Contact Jamie Bolin at bolin95@gmail.com or 417-838-1348 for more information.
30 | 9am
JDRF Eggshell Shuffle 5K at the Ferrell Duncan Clinic 1001 E. Primrose, Springfield MO. Contact Jennifer Conter-Jones at jcotner-jones@jdrf.org for more information.
16 | 8am
5K Dash for Down Syndrome Elite Mercedez Benz, 3655 S. Campbell. Contact Joe Lomosi at jlomosi@hotmail.com for more information If you have a charitable event you would like to add, please email us at events@goicare.com
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Our website is brand new and offers many exciting new tools! If you are a volunteer, you can create a Volunteer Profile and choose your schedule, share your skills and choose which non profits you would like to work with most! The “Social Profits” (our term for our non profit members) will get a notice that you have chosen to work with them and will reach out to you when they need your skill. You can also find information on events and can even filter the event by type, date and Non Profit. If you would like a subscription delivered to your door, please sign up and we will add you to our next mailing. It is only 20.00 per year! You can sign up for weekly newsletters that will keep you up to date on what is going on in the community as well. Visit goicare.com to view our past issues online. You can also check for Gift Cards for a Cause, an exciting new program that helps us continue to serve the community and share CARES while saving money on things you buy already. It’s a win win! Do you have a story to tell? Email the editor and we would love to share it! Thank you for being a part of such a caring community! Sincerely, Amy Michael Publisher CARES Magazine
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Succession Planning:
by Dan Prater The Center for Nonprofit Communication at Drury University dprater@drury.edu
Between 1977 and 1997, charitable organizations doubled from 406K to 835K. Today, many of the baby boomers responsible for this nonprofit growth are approaching retirement age. A December 2012 New York Times article reports more than 200,000 boomers in the U.S. are exiting the labor force each month through retirement.
So it would seem a necessity to have a succession plan in place. Yet a 2009 study conducted by the Kansas City Fed discovered 68 percent of nonprofit organizations do not have a leadership succession plan. When asked why they did not have a plan, some said succession planning was simply not a priority. Others believed their organization was too small to implement such a plan.
Three national studies in the past decade have revealed that up to 75 percent of all nonprofit executives planned to leave their positions during the next five to seven years. Additionally, 10 to 15 percent of all nonprofits hire a new executive director each year.
Types of Plans
The departure of an organization's top executive presents many challenges and opportunities. Preparing for this transition properly must be a priority for nonprofits.
1. Strategic Leader Development: The idea is simple. Recruit and hire men and women with great potential, then invest greatly into them. Every current and incoming employee should be viewed as a potential leader.
Most who have a history in the nonprofit sector have witnessed directors who stayed well beyond their effectiveness, no longer able to provide leadership. But because the person had devoted so many years of service to the cause, he was allowed to remain in the position. The board felt an obligation to honor his past accomplishments and overlook his current underperformance.
Provide them with training opportunities and hands-on experience to prepare them for leadership roles.
Or in a different scenario, a dynamic leader left abruptly, leaving the organization with an uncertain future and no one in place to take the helm.
Leadership development will not work unless those in leadership, including the executive director and board members, make it a priority and are willing to invest sufficient resources.
Nonprofit leaders—especially founders or those with extended longevity— become inextricably linked to an organization. The community and donors place trust and resources into the nonprofit, sometimes based on the credibility and success of that one person. For those organizations, the idea of replacing the well-known leader with someone new can be a tenuous proposition—one that is often avoided.
Why Plan? Most nonprofit organizations have a small staff, limiting their ability to internally replace an administrative position. In the leader's absence, all of the agency's stakeholders—board, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners—are faced with an uncertain future. 32
There are three basic types of succession plans:
The departure of an organization's top executive presents many challenges and opportunities. Preparing for this transition properly must be a priority for nonprofits.
2. Emergency Succession Planning: This plan focuses on the potential that the top leader could be gone suddenly, with no advance warning. The departure could be permanent or long-term temporary (longer than three months). Similar to a crisis plan, it clarifies who would be in charge (staff or board member), the duties of this person, how long the acting director would stay in the position, and how a new leader would be selected. 3. Departure-Defined Succession Planning: This plan works for leaders who establish a definite departure date, which is usually two to three years out. With such advance planning, board members can work with the current director
Managing Leadership Transitions
throughout the transition, clarifying the position's duties and securing the best replacement. Succession plans require honesty from everyone involved in the process, especially the outgoing leader. Some leaders hold information that no one else knows. Financial information, system processes, and donor contacts may not be known by other staff members (or even board members) within the organization. Withholding the institutional information may be an intentional act, believing that the information makes him or her indispensable. But good leaders will provide all their organizational insights to others in order for the next leader to have a thorough understanding of the job responsibilities.
Who is Involved? Good leadership succession planning requires involvement from the board of directors, the outgoing leader, and key staff members. Board members are often reluctant to openly discuss succession plans, fearing they will appear disloyal to the leader. In addition, nonprofit leaders may fear being replaced and develop an entitlement mentality - feeling the organization "owes" them for all they have accomplished through the years. Board members are ultimately responsible for the success of the organization. They are pivotal in developing and keeping the best leaders to run the nonprofit, helping ensure a healthy future. Sometimes, this means making tough decisions regarding the organization's leader.
Board member duties include providing annual reviews of the director, understanding the complexities of the executive director position, and leveraging the necessary resources to develop new leaders. In some leadership transitions, board members must temporarily assume extra duties during the absence of a director. This might involve financial oversight, fundraising, and human resources. The outgoing leader can be very influential in the future of the organization. By mentoring and encouraging emerging leaders, the outgoing executive can leave the organization in a healthy position to continue accomplishing its mission. An outgoing leader has the choice of paving the way for the new leader, or in an attempt to make himself look irreplaceable, he might create a difficult path for the new person. Key staff may not be as active in the recruiting of a new leader as board members. But these members have the important task of ensuring program services run smoothly throughout the transition. And once a new leader is in place, key staff can be supportive through orientation and training Succession planning should not be done as a stop-gap measure. It should be included in the organization's broad strategic planning and considered a key to sustainability. Remember, if the work of your nonprofit organization is important and needed, you must take the necessary steps to ensure it will have strong leadership 10 or 15 years from now.
www.NPcomm.org
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TABLEYA: $10 per packet
Askinosie launches school lunch program for students in Philippines and Tanzania:
Tableya is a traditional Filipino hot chocolate drink, made from roasted cocoa beans that are ground and packed into ‘tablets.’ Simply mix with hot water and sugar to taste. Askinosie Chocolate’s Tableya is produced and packaged by the PTA at Malagos Elementary School in Davao, Philippines. The profit from each package of Tableya provides 70-meals to Malagos Elementary students. PREMIUM KYELA RICE: $16.50 per 2.2lbs
Local chocolate factory now selling Tableya and Kyela Rice
Kyela Rice is a sweet, medium-grain white rice harvested by the PTA of the Mwaya Secondary School of Kyela, Tanzania. Each bag of rice sold provides 220-meals to students.
By: Caleb Zimmerschied
Great for making Champorado, a Filipino chocolate rice pudding.
After 20 years as a criminal defense lawyer, Shawn Askinosie found himself tired of high-profile felony cases. It was time for a career change. Askinosie already enjoyed baking as a hobby. While using premium baking chocolate, he realized that he had no idea how chocolate was made or where it came from. He began researching and experimenting with making his own chocolate. In 2005, he found himself in the Amazon taking a master class on cacao. A year later, he returned to Springfield and founded Askinosie Chocolate. On Jan. 3, Askinosie was named the top business leader of 2013 by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade and was presented the Good Food Award on Jan. 18 in San Francisco. Askinosie Chocolate isn’t only a small business success story– they also strive to give back. According to their mission statement, “Our goal is to make great chocolate, but our mission is to positively impact the lives of those around us in order to leave the world a better place than when we found it.” Through Askinosie Chocolate University’s School Lunch Program, as of Jan. 9, packets of Tableya, a traditional Filipino chocolate drink from Davao, Philippines, are being sold for the second time. They are also introducing a new product, Premium Kyela Rice, which is harvested from Kyela, Tanzania. 100% of the profits from these products will fund meals for students from these areas, many of whom would otherwise suffer from malnourishment. The rice and cocoa is harvested by Parent-Teacher Association groups from the respective areas.
askinosie.com
“It may sound complicated, but it isn’t,” said Shawn Askinosie. “Simply put, we are providing each PTA access to a market to sell their quality product and fund their student lunch programs, which we helped create.” Convoy of Hope, an international non-profit based in Springfield that has global feeding initiatives, has partnered with Askinosie Chocolate to assist with project oversight. Convoy of Hope offers support in the implementation and monitoring of these programs. “My favorite part of Askinosie Chocolate’s sustainable model,” said Kevin Rose, director of Children’s Feeding Initiatives at Convoy of Hope, “is that it’s bringing the people that we ultimately want to serve to the table and letting them have a voice in their children’s health and educational wellbeing.” The school lunch program at Malagos, Philippines, where the Tableya cocoa is harvested, has already proven successful. 185,000 meals were served to M a l a g o s
students from Tableya’s first sale season. Teachers have cited that 90% of the student body is showing an increase in weight, 84% have shown an increase in height, and 86% have an increase in arm circumference.
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