Urban Views Weekly January 6, 2016

Jan. 6, 2016

Scholar of the Week - Jordan Branch

Resolutions we all can live with!

Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

Building consensus and reaching agreement This is the second in a series focused on the prerequisites for fundraising success.

Agreement is the cornerstone upon which a healthy nonprofit is built.

Without agreement amongst an organization’s leadership, it is almost impossible to sustain successful fundraising.

You may be in a situation where there was agreement in the past, but changes in board membership, executive leadership, the economy, or needs of the community have eroded prior agreement. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. As we mentioned in part one of this series, it may be time for things to change.

Reaching and sustaining agreement is an ongoing process that impacts many aspects of your organization, including fundraising. For example, your case for support, fundraising priorities and strategies all depend on prior agreement. Without agreement, leadership may feel they are asked to “rubber stamp” decisions. They may consent in words, but not with actions.

You may find “simple” decisions, such as approving a grant submission, evolve into lengthy discussions that question the organization’s direction. These can emerge because time was not previously H allocated to full and open discussion.

Here’s a process we suggest for the new year. Both the board chair and the executive director can schedule individual conversations with

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board members, senior staff, and key volunteers. The purpose of these conversations is to learn their thoughts regarding current and proposed programming, strategic directions, fundraising, staffing, and – in general terms – their level of comfort with the nonprofit and how they want to be involved. Questions should be answered, dissent noted and addressed, and new ideas given proper consideration.

These individual conversations should be followed by a leadership meeting.

The board chair and executive director should communicate the work that lies ahead for the coming year and invite discussion. They can begin by laying out new ideas raised in individual conversations, or areas where they know there is dissent.

This may sound like “a lot of unnecessary work.” Others may feel it “opens up a can of worms.” We believe it is important to the very foundation of your nonprofit.

Some years, leaders may engage in long, animated discussions. Other years, leadership may nod in agreement, reaffirming prior commitments and wanting to get on with the work at hand.

Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) Sidewalk Construction Chesterfield County Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing

The Virginia Department of Transportation is proposing to construct a sidewalk along Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) between Mangowood Drive and 0.19 mile north of Happy Hill Road (Route 619) in Chesterfield County. This project will improve pedestrian accessibility.

Review project information and National Environmental Policy Act documentation at VDOT’s Richmond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest Drive in Colonial Heights, 23834-9002, 804-524-6000, 1-800367-7623, or TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions.

If your concerns cannot be satisfied, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Cynthia Crouch, EIT, PMP, project manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, Richmond District, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 or cynthia.crouch@vdot.virginia.gov on or prior to January 20, 2016. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of the date, time and place of the hearing will be posted.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this project or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above.

State Project: 0001-020-S53, P101, C501 Federal Project: HSIP-5A27 (401)

continues on page 8

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Scholar of the Week

By Janeal Downs

Ever since she was little, Jordan Branch has been going to the same pediatrician. “She’s been the only one I’ve ever gone to, so it’s like I have a relationship with her outside of just being my doctor,” Jordan said. “Just to have a bond with a pediatrician is really cool so I hope that I can do that too.”

Because she plays such an important role in her life, Jordan’s bond with her own doctor inspires her to one day be there for her own patients as a pediatrician.

Jordan Branch of Richmond Community

High School

GPA: 4.1 College of Interest: Virginia Commonwealth University Major Community Service: MARS and Chesterfield County Social Services Strong Interests: Health and working with children Favorite Activities: Volunteering and lifeguarding

November to May. She also volunteers with Chesterfield County Social Services, where her mother works. They worked with sponsors to get Christmas gifts for children in need. Jordan also works with children as a lifeguard. “Through lifeguarding I realized how much I enjoy being around kids,” Jordan said. “That helped me realize that I can do volunteer work and be around children.” She has even been on a swim team for ten years which has “instilled in me a strong work ethic, confidence in my abilities and sense of responsibility.”

She also mentors the younger swimmers on the team. Outside of working and volunteering, Jordan maintains a 4.1 in school and is in the National Honor Society, FBLA and the Environmental Club.

Jordan has always been interested in the health professions and the medical field.

In her junior year of high school, she had the opportunity to do a health sciences program at Virginia Commonwealth University. She said this program was another influence for her to go into the Jordan named her mother and older sister ™ eek W e h t f o medical field. In her last year of high her biggest supporters. With her older sister school, VCU is one of her top choices excelling academically, “it isn’t a competition for college because the MCV hospital type of thing but if she can do it, I can do it.” is readily available. Because she and her parents have always Jordan said her family has been a really strong base in her life talked about the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, that and they always push her to do well. “Growing up in a female and a college in South Carolina are her other top choices. dominated, opinionated and very vocal household has proven to be difficult but also beneficial,” Jordan wrote in an essay. She While she is still in high school, Jordan prepares for a career has learned to speak up for herself and to be her own person. in the medical field through volunteer work, one of her She describes herself as strong minded, outgoing and favorite things to do. She is currently a mentor through the a caring person.

MARS program where she mentors first grade students from

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ViewPoints

By Dr. T

How “new” will the New Year be?

As we begin a new year, we reflect on the year that has just ended and the year we face ahead, with both a sense of hope and of trepidation. How “new” will this New Year be? There are still so many issues we face as a nation that look and feel like festering sores, open wounds, with a continuing discontent and confrontational dissonance inside our political discourse, that it remains difficult to see how this year will be any different from the last. Just under the surface are so many questions that defy the logic of “reasonable people” as to why the year ahead looks more likely to continue in the same vein than to move the culture in a positive direction away from the social, political and cultural deficit that has us caught up in a cycle of violence and unrest with no end in sight.

force, and it is truly the only energy that has, historically, ignited social or political reform?

The seeds for change rest within our individual communities. It is the “kitchen table” dialogues held in private homes, confrontation and conviction of congregations in communities of faith, civic gatherings, and the call for the accountability of public officials that will, ultimately, galvanize the people to demand change, to reform and rebuild in a nation that has a crisis of both conscience and national identity. The crisis we face is so acute that it has begun to infect our ability to believe in the “American Dream” or the platitudes of Life, Liberty and Justice for All.

For generations, our vision of this great nation has embraced belief in our foundational principles, even when the “lived experience” for so many Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. The universal acknowledgement of implicit bias, institutional and citizens did not support that belief. Prayer and faith can only carry us so far.

Founder and Artistic Director structural racism, a renewed will for criminal justice reform from The truth is we know what we know and the time has come to take action, The Conciliation Project and the top down, and sensible gun law reform are the pillars that must to respond, to make the changes we need to make. If we do not “ACT”, the Associate Professor be raised up as a response to the culture of fear and dysfunction in dis-ease and infection will so destroy the fabric of the “American Dream” Virginia Commonwealth University which we currently live. And yet, it is difficult to see how we turn that the frayed threads will no longer hold it together…and the promise of the conversation into actionable policy and practice. How much data DrT@Margins2theCenter.com this great experiment will erupt into a “new civil war” whose enemy will be do we need to collect? How many bodies, how many unarmed Black www.theconciliationproject.org denial, complacency, and benign neglect. We will no longer be able to merely survive, holding on by our fingernails. We will have to take responsibility people have to be shot by inadequately “trained” law enforcement, or for our own destruction. How new will this New Year be? What’s your plan, your “new” so-called prosecutors impaneling grand jury(s) that are shills to hide said prosecutors’ real course of ACTION? motif as defenders of the broken criminal justice system, before there is a sufficient enough outcry from the citizenry to make the CHANGES that are necessary? How long before we Up Next Week: Why No Charges? Hardly Ever! become sick and tired of being sick and tired? How long before all citizens, Black, white, and Correction: Executive Order 9066 was issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, not others, recognize that the collective energy of “we the people” is a most powerful and potent President Eisenhower as stated in the December 30, 2015 column.

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll A New Year brings the usual New Year’s resolutions, from losing weight to going into business for yourself.

How about You? Did you make a resolution for 2016?

Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

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Urban Views Weekly | January 6, 2016

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Healthy New Ye Start Small

When you’re just getting started, getting healthy can seem like an almost unattainable task. It often takes changes — and sometimes major changes — to everything from daily routines to eating habits.

It can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Change the little things Living a healthier life isn’t something that just happens. It takes work, and it isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean it has to be hard. Take stock of your daily routine and see what you can tweak to make it healthier.

Can you start biking or walking to work a few days a week? If not, think about other ways to be more active during the day.

Are there any lunch spots within walking distance? Take off on foot instead of jumping in the car to travel those few blocks. Does your workplace have stairs? Use those a few days per week, instead of jumping on the elevator.

These steps might not seem like much, but they add up over the days and weeks.

Some workplaces offer gym facilities for employees. If your employer does, take advantage of it, even if it’s just walking on the treadmill for a few minutes a day.

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Urban Views Weekly | January 6, 2016

Set attainable goals The easiest way to start being healthier is to just start, and the New Year is a great time to do it. But, you don’t have to start out the year with a massive weight loss or muscle mass goal weighing you down.

That’s the quickest way to find yourself frustrated before the calendar even flips to February. Instead, break those goals down, focus on the steps it’ll take to get there and start taking a few of those each day. Instead of coming straight off the couch and trying to run 5 miles on January 1, start with a 1- to 2- mile jog and walk around the neighborhood.

Don’t try to start out bench pressing a few hundred pounds. Do a few reps that are comfortable for your level, and work up from there. Realize it takes time for your body to adjust to a healthier lifestyle, and it could take a while depending on the point from which you’re starting.

Get More Sleep

Along with exercise, sleep is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle. But, it’s often the last thing that comes to mind. It helps everything from your brain to your heart — and can also help regulate weight gain.

It keeps your brain working Sleep helps your brain work properly, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). While you’re

sleeping, your brain is preparing for the next day by forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information. Without rest, it doesn’t have time to do that daily prep work.

Studies show that a good night’s sleep improves learning and can help enhance learning and problem-solving skills. Sleep also helps you be more attentive, creative and clear. Studies have shown sleep deficiency can alter activity in some parts of the brain, which can affect emotional behavior

ear’s Resolutions

By Bernard Freeman

findings extended across other demographics, as well. Sleep helps maintain a healthy balance of hormones, which is why you feel hungrier when you don’t get enough sleep.

Sleep also affects how your body reacts to insulin, and sleep deficiency results in a higher-than-normal blood sugar level, which may increase your risk for diabetes. A lack of sleep also can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to sicknesses.

Be Active

This is the big one. All the best intentions and diets in the world won’t get you anywhere if you’re not being physically active. Being active is a key component in becoming healthy.

and even basic skills over time. Prolonged lack of sleep also can lead to depression.

Your body needs it When you sleep, your body heals and repairs itself, and ongoing sleep deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.

Sleep deficiency also increases the risk of obesity.

For example, one study of teenagers showed that with each hour of sleep lost, the odds of becoming obese increased. Similar

If you think about it from a unique perspective, it doesn’t have to be something terrible and daunting.

Get some data A good place to start is with a step tracker — such as a Fitbit, JawBone, Apple Watch or Pebble — which will help hold you accountable and provide some valuable data as you move forward. The rule of thumb is to aim for 10,000 steps per day, which averages out to approximately 5 miles of walking.

That might seem like a lot, but factor in all the steps around your house and workplace, and you’d be surprised how many steps you already take on an average day.

That’s where a step tracker comes in. This will help you figure out how many steps per day you’re taking and what changes in your routine you might need to make to increase that amount.

Start walking Next up, you need to start increasing that step amount. Without trying, many people average around 5,000 to 6,000 steps per day, but some with more sedentary schedules could take as few as 1,000 or 2,000 steps. That’s OK. Just start working to increase the number. Go for an afternoon walk around your neighborhood, take stairs when possible, walk your dog, park further away when going to a store, and even spend your breaks at work walking around and being active. The benefits are tremendous, and just reaching a consistent step count has been shown to keep your heart healthy, regulate cholesterol, lower blood pressure and strengthen your bones. Not bad for something you can do for free.

Get a bike Some people hang up their bicycles when they get a driver’s license and never look back. But biking can be a simple and fun way to stay active — and it can provide a nice break from jogging or walking every day. continues on page 9

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The Deal

By Nathaniel Sillin

Five Ways to be Charitable on a Budget If you’ve ever wondered if you can be charitable with only a few extra dollars in your wallet or a little bit of free time, the answer is yes. You just have to get a little creative.

travel opportunities that allow you to help while seeing the world.

In the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s latest analysis of charitable giving, it appears people who earned less were giving more.

Based on state-by-state tax data, the nonprofit industry trade publication reported that between 2006 to 2012, Americans earning more than $200,000 gave a smaller percentage of their income to charity while those earning less than $100,000 actually gave more during the same period.

Wherever you stand on the income scale, stretching charitable dollars or time should begin with a little planning. Here are five steps to consider.

•

•

Check your finances first. Helping others is a worthwhile lifetime habit. However, before you start writing checks or handing out cash to various individuals or groups, check your budget to determine whether you actually have extra money to spare for charitable donations in any form. If you itemize, check the IRS rules (www.irs.gov) on charitable giving or consult with a qualified tax professional to see if there are charitable giving options that fit your circumstances.

Screen charities you’re considering. It’s never been easier to evaluate a potential charity or nonprofit organization.

Leading online databases like CharityNavigator.org, CharityWatch.org and Guidestar.org provide extensive data on thousands of national, state and local charities and nonprofit organizations. The Better Business Bureau also operates Give.org, a national charity database that accredits and notes complaints. The U.S. Federal Trade

Commission’s Charity Scams website offers breaking news on illegal fundraising activities and best practices for evaluating charities and nonprofits year-round. What else can you do? Play reporter. Even if an organization checks out through these reputable sources, do an online search of news media just to make sure no unsavory developments have occurred that might discourage your donation.

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Research what’s needed. If the charity in question accepts physical items or volunteer work, see if you’re interested in providing help that way. Check with the charity either online or by phone to determine what they will and will not accept – donating the wrong items simply wastes staff and volunteer time. If you would like to volunteer, ask about opportunities and make sure that volunteer assignment fits you before you commit. Remember, charities really count on their volunteers and your enthusiasm for an assignment can help them keep their turnover to a minimum. Some organizations may also have travel-based service missions that can provide charitable

Learn more by reading chapter one of our book Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.

Next week: Commitment.

Copyright 2016– Mel and Pearl Shaw Happy New Year! For more fundraising tips and suggestions visit www.saadandshaw.com 8

Urban Views Weekly | January 6, 2016

Ask if your employer will match your donation. Even if your cash donation is modest, some employers can make your contribution go farther if they have a matching gifts program. Check with your human resources department or benefits manager. Also, many nonprofits, universities and charitable organizations keep their own online databases of employer matching gift programs.

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Go micro. If you can only find a few dollars to give, don’t let that discourage you. Organize like-minded friends and family members to pool funds, attend events or volunteer time for a cause, or consider a particular nonprofit’s organized crowdfunding (https://www.councilofnonprofits. org/tools-resources/crowdfunding-nonprofits) efforts that will allow you to make an impact with only a few dollars.

Still short on cash and want to help? Pick up the phone or email the charity and ask if they accept small items or in-kind services. Some ideas might include gift cards (including ones with unused balances), office supplies, stamps, catering for events or board meetings or help with writing, fundraising or technology.

Bottom line: Making a difference in the world doesn’t always require big bucks, but big know-how helps. Check your finances first, research charities you’re interested in and investigate how small donations of time, money and physical items can make an impact.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs.

To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney.

Let’s talk about growing your business.

From FUNdraising pg 2

What’s most important is that every attempt is made to understand minority opinions and objections. When people feel their concerns are not addressed they can make it difficult to reach future decisions, or they may remove themselves from the organization, taking with them their wisdom and relationships.

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From Resolutions pg 7

Check around your town to see if there are any bicycle clubs, or even just some bicycle lanes or parks that are designed for riders. This will provide a safe environment to go for a ride.

Bike riding is easier on your legs, ankles and feet than going for a run. Plus, it has been proven to burn a comparable amount of calories, so there’s no real drop-off. It’s also fun to feel the wind on your face and feel the satisfaction of driving under your own power.

Eat Right

We’ve all been there — jumping into a new diet, dropping a few pounds, then gaining them all back (and maybe a few more) a few months later.

The problem? Diets are typically a part-time solution to a full-time problem. Most diets just have you change up your eating habits for a certain period of time and might not provide any long-term instructions to keep the weight off.

The answer: Stop focusing on diets and losing weight.

with fast food: If you eat it three to four times per week, cut that down to one to two times per week. You can still splurge and enjoy that Whopper or Big Mac (or espresso), but not as often. A good rule of thumb: If it’s something you do a lot, start by cutting it in half. You’ll still get enough to fulfill the urge, but it’ll be a good way to start weaning your body off some of your less healthy habits.

Change your habits for good From there, keep working yourself into better eating habits. Do some research and choose meals that are both healthy and fit what you actually like to eat. It’s not all about counting calories, but it’s not a bad idea to start keeping an eye on how much unhealthy food you take in.

By permanently changing your eating habits, you can not only lose (and keep off) weight, but also provide stable nutrition for your body.

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Moderation, moderation, moderation Oftentimes, it’s just as much about how much you eat as what you eat. For example, sodas can contain a lot of empty calories and sugar,

Ease into it You don’t have to fully drop everything you love and start eating bare salads and egg whites to “eat healthy.”

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so one wise approach to healthy eating is to reduce your soda intake. You don’t have to quit them for good, but make an effort to moderate your intake. The same applies to food (of all types). Eat enough to fill you up, then stop.

Don’t pack your plate. Instead, start with smaller-than-usual portions and see how you feel after cleaning the plate. You may find that less food can be just as filling, if you take your time eating.

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If you want to sell your home quickly, there’s no supersecret formula. While every neighborhood and property is unique, following these simple, tried-and-true steps will make it much more likely to see a “sold” sign in your front yard as soon as possible.

STAGING Staging your home is sometimes thought of as an elaborate process that involves redecorating and renting beautiful furniture to make your interior look its best, but it doesn’t always have to be that intense.

In its simplest terms, staging is about presenting your home in the most appealing way possible.

The goal is to get buyers to imagine putting their own things in your home, so basic steps like clearing out clutter and removing your personal photos can help their imagination go to work.

PHOTOGRAPHY For most buyers, the first impression of your house won’t be made in person. It will be made through photos of your home they see online or in print ads.

That’s why it’s critical to have good, quality photographs of your home. In some markets, especially for high-end houses, that might mean having a professional photographer shoot images of your home when it’s staged at its best. For most homes, though, a good, thoughtful realtor or their assistant could do the job. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

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Let your friends, family and neighbors know that your home is on the market. You can share photos with your Facebook friends and do personal networking to help raise awareness about your home’s strong points that potential buyers might enjoy. You never know where the buyer might come from, so spread the word far and wide.

PRICING The most important step is to price your home correctly at the outset, and a good real estate agent can help you with that. Price it too low and you’ll leave money on the table. Price it too high, though, and your home will take longer to sell — or won’t sell at all — because savvy buyers won’t take it seriously.

To hit the pricing bull’s eye, you’ve got to know what is comparable in your market. A good realtor will be able to pull data about recent comps, typically from the last six months, for sales of homes that are similar to yours. The closer your price is to homes that are actually selling, the more likely you are to get a quick sale.

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OPEN HOUSES It’s a good idea to schedule some open houses to let potential buyers and local real estate agents tour your home.

You should make your house look its best, obviously, but also take steps to make your house seem comfortable, cozy and homey when people arrive.

Make sure the house smells good, perhaps by baking some fresh cookies or treats for visitors who walk in.

The key is to find someone who knows enough about both photography and real estate to show your property in its best light, inside and out. The more clear, well-lit pictures that show off the beauty and features of your home, the more buyers are likely to take the next step and schedule a showing.

FIX IT UP Finally, you’ve got to pay attention to details to make sure your home is in tip-top shape cosmetically. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend a lot of money. A little paint and elbow grease can go a long way toward sprucing up most homes.

THE REALTOR Picking the right realtor is absolutely key to selling your house quickly. Not only should you feel good about them personally — knowing you can communicate well with them, trust them and feel good about them listing your home — but you should find an agent who will work their hardest to market and sell your home quickly.

You’ll want to make sure the gardens, flower beds and other landscaping are neat, clean and free of weeds. You should also make a checklist of simple handyman tasks to complete, like replacing burned-out light bulbs, making sure doors and hinges shut properly and don’t squeak, and removing stains from your carpet.

Ask them about their background, how many similar homes to yours they have sold in recent years and what sets them apart as a realtor. You should also look for examples of the agent’s listings and make sure they’ll quickly add your home to the MLS with good photos and descriptions of your property.

SPREAD THE WORD While your real estate agent will take the lead in selling your house, there are also some steps you can do personally to help get the word out about your home.

Your realtor will be able to help you figure out what needs to be done. They should have the experience and insight to see your home through the eyes of potential buyers, letting you know any steps you can take to improve your chances of a quick sale.

In the end, selling a house quickly takes a lot of work and some specialized knowledge.

But it’s made much easier when you find the right realtor and take some initiative to find your buyer as fast as possible.

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Urban Views Weekly | January 6, 2016

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Urban Views Weekly | January 6, 2016

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