Troop 766 On The Move!
The daisies and brownies of Girl Scouts Troop 766 spent the holiday break learning about the duties of the Birmingham Police and Fire Departments.
FUNdraising Good Times
Three tips for fundraising success
Proper planning can set you up for fundraising success. Visualize your success, feel it in your heart, and then make sure the prerequisites for fundraising success are in place before you start soliciting. Here are three tips to launch your 2014 fundraising in the right direction.
First, create a clear, concise, and compelling case for financial support that ties back to the organization’s strategic plan. Your case should be a short, and easy-to-read, forward-looking document that communicates what you are raising money for and how the funds will be used. It should communicate the projected impact of your organization and how a donor’s or funder’s support will make a difference in the lives of those you serve or advocate for. The “case” is used as the basis for verbal and written introductions and solicitations of time, services, goods, and money. It should drive the content of your marketing campaigns. Fundraising is a competitive endeavor — if you are not raising funds for your organization, someone else is raising money for theirs. It is important that your nonprofit can make the case for its impact, value and what makes it unique.
Second, complete a fundraising feasibility study or survey. You know the value of your nonprofit, but do your current and potential donors feel the same way? Are you sure that the fundraising priorities you set match the priorities of the giving community you seek to engage? Can you count on your donors for continuing – and increasing – support, or are they in the process of revising their giving priorities? A fundraising feasibility study or survey will provide you with information from those who have the finances and influence to impact your fundraising in a positive or negative way. This should be conducted by an outside firm for confidentiality. There are many reasons why people can’t or won’t personally share with you their true assessment of your nonprofit and their willingness or capacity to give. An outside firm can talk with current and potential donors and provide a confidential report. Such a report typically includes an assessment of how much your nonprofit could expect to raise, how your nonprofit is perceived by the giving community (including strengths and challenges), what would influence increased giving, and who could provide volunteer leadership and funding.
Third, develop a time-phased fundraising plan. This should be more than a spreadsheet. While spreadsheets can track activities your plan should be more robust. It should include roles and responsibilities for staff, board members and volunteers; the fundraising methods you will use and expected revenue (and costs!) for each; a gift chart; and milestones that hold all parties accountable for consistent progress.
Next: How to recruit fundraising volunteers. In the meantime, we invite you to assess your fundraising readiness for free at www.saadandshaw.com.
Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw
Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” They position nonprofits for fundraising success. Visit them at www.saadandshaw.com.
FBI Honors National Community Hero, Orrin C. Hudson, Birmingham Native
BLACKNEWS.COM — Acting Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Ricky Maxwell, FBI Atlanta, recently presented the FBI Director’s Award for Community Leadership for 2013 to Orrin Hudson for his exceptional insight and success in reaching disadvantaged youth in the metropolitan Atlanta area through the game of Chess. On April 4, 2014, FBI Director James B. Comey will host all of the FBI’s 56 selectees from around the country at a national ceremony to be held at FBI Headquarters with Mr. Hudson present as Atlanta FBI’s honoree.
Hudson, a motivational speaker and community activist, realized the need to become involved in finding a solution to curb teenage violence within his community. Mr. Hudson recounted that, much like today’s youth, he was destined for trouble until a teacher changed his life by introducing him to a chess board.
Hudson, who is also a former law enforcement officer with the State of Alabama, believes that prevention is better than detention and, since becoming involved, he has helped over 20,000 children develop the practical skills and techniques to overcome obstacles in life as illustrated through the best and most intellectual visual aid, the chessboard.
After moving to the Atlanta area in 2001, Hudson launched “Be Someone”, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit foundation that uses numerous tools, including the game of chess, to promote self-esteem, responsibility, and analytical thinking to underprivileged youths. He has touched numerous young lives and has been relentless in his pursuit of reaching more young people and introducing them to the game that changed his life. His teaching methods are designed to share something positive to inner city kids where the focus is discipline and patience required by the game of chess.
For more details about Orrin Hudson and his Be Someone organization, visit www.BeSomeone.org.
The Red Sock
By Shellie Layne
When I was a girl, too many years ago to count (and don’t try), my mom gave me a lesson on how to do laundry. Back then it was the appropriate thing for mothers to do for their daughters. Funny, I’m not so sure that with this generation of girls who don’t cook, clean, do laundry or anything At Home that it’s not still an appropriate lesson; but that my friends is another article for another time. Meanwhile, back at the ranch or back to my story; Mom taught me the basics of how to do laundry with the traditional three pile system; you know – whites, dark colors and light colors in three separate piles. Because I don’t have daughters I taught my son the laundry basics (and cooking basics) so he would be equipped with a minimal understanding of how to survive before and during marriage. What I learned from my mother At Home was transferrable to my son, and I’m happy to say his whites are white, and his lights and darks remain the correct shades and colors. Thanks Mom!
Recently my simple task of laundry was anything but simple…. It was epic, colossal, unimaginable; it was horrible, horrendous, a complete catastrophe; it was a laundry nightmare! Now that you are on the edge of your seat holding your breath in anticipation, experiencing heart palpitations while enduring the suspense (or maybe not), waiting to find out what happened, here it is…. It was almost like the cowboy movies of yesteryear when the hero prances into town wearing all white and the villain trots boldly on to the dusty streets passing by the vacant hotels and the busy saloons adorned in menacing black clothes and a tall black hat. Well, in my story the villain was one red sock cowardly hiding inconspicuously between my garments ready to completely ruin my organized pile of white. And much to my chagrin it did just that. The red sock culprit produced a lovely girly pink hue in every blouse, dress shirt, tee shirt, and towel and now my collection of underwear is all pink except for those that were sitting happily, giggling in my dresser drawer waiting for their turn to be worn.
Okay, so my clothes were clean…BUT, THEY WERE PINK!
This episode in the At Home adventures of Shellie Layne (I like that!) made me think about how when we maintain a poor or ungrateful attitude, are stressed, depressed, discontent and in despair our emotions are like that infamous red sock; they bleed over into everything we do at home, at work and into our relationships. Everything we come in contact with is changed forever like my unsuspecting load of white clothes. Whatever the “red sock” is in your load, an albatross of un-forgiveness, pain, anger, bitterness, envy; shall I go on? Find its hiding place, separate it and give it the care and attention it needs before it bleeds over into more delicate and precious areas of your life.
Finally, as you might have imagined my laundry escapade was quite daunting and there was absolutely nothing I could do to change my whites back to their original color; however, I have decided to check out the advertised color block laundry sheets. I thought because of my decades of doing laundry and my proclaimed “At Home” savvy I would never need such a silly product – after all, who would dare get a red sock mixed with an all white load of laundry? Silly me!
“I don’t have all the answers but, I know the One who does.”
Email me at www.athomewithshellie1@Yahoo.com or find me on Facebook and http://www.athomewithshellie.com/ . Follow me on Twitter.
Happy “Sweet 60th” Birthday
Happy “Sweet 60th” Birthday to Maria R. Davis (Ree Ree)
from her Family.
A celebration was held December 28, 2013 at Gracie Grove’s Venue in Homewood, AL.
God Bless You Maria!
The Fagan Family
Mrs. Helen Alexander Fagan celebrated her 90th Birthday on November 12, 2013. Mrs. Fagan
is the proud mother of 16 children who grew up in Bessemer, Ala. All graduated from
college. Mr. and Mrs. Fagan worked diligently hoping for a better life for their children. Mr. Dan Fagan, Jr. worked for Hinkle Roofing. Mrs. Helen Fagan worked at Canaan Baptist Church Kindergarten, Bessemer for 35 years and she still volunteers at the church’s school, and still drives.
Thirteen of their 16 children finished Tuskegee, one UAT, one Clark and one Lawson State.
Those that finished Tuskegee are: Rosalind, Dan III, Wilma, Phoebe, Barry, Ovetta, Jeffrey, Wilamenia, Myrna, Tawanda, Stephen, Cary (Twin) and
Gary (Twin). Mary Lyn finished Clark Atlanta, Beverly, Lawson State and Harold, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
Seven of the Sixteen children were present at their monthly family meeting on Saturday December 28, 2013.
Pastor William J. Perry Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Mason City
Pastor William J. Perry made his transition from earth to glory on January 1, 2014.
He was pastor of First Baptist Church Mason City for more than 27 years.
He is survived by his wife Minister Elizabeth Perry, seven children, a host of grandchildren, relatives and loving friends.
He was very active in the community and the City of Birmingham serving on various boards and with numerous organizations.
Funeral Service: Saturday, January 11, 2014 – Noon
Sixth Avenue Baptist Church – 1101 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. SW
Birmingham, Alabama 35211 with burial in Elmwood Cemetery.
IBHS Provides Winter Weather Resources for Residents Facing Freezing Temperatures
TAMPA – As another arctic cold front with frigid temperatures makes its way through the Midwest and into the Northeast and Southeast regions of the country, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) provides severe winter weather guidance for home and business owners in those areas. Find out how you can reduce damage to your property from freezing weather by visiting http://www.disastersafety.org/freezing_weather.
“Heavy snow and freezing temperatures can burst pipes, cause roofs to collapse and lead to interior fires as people use various alternative heating sources to stay warm,” said Julie Rochman, president and CEO of IBHS.
“There are steps you can take now to better withstand the effects of severe winter weather that will help avoid costly repairs and headaches later.”
IBHS FREEZING WEATHER GUIDANCE
Install Weather Stripping and Seals
One thing you can do now to prevent freezing temperatures from entering your home or business is to install weather stripping and seals. This offers two major benefits – it will keep severe winter weather out of your home or business and seal your property shut, as well as greatly increase energy efficiency by limiting drafts and reducing the amount of cold air that enters. Inspect the following areas of your home or business for leaks to determine possible areas to seal.
• Windows and doors
• Vents and fans
• Plumbing
• Air conditioners
• Electrical and gas lines
• Mail chutes
Learn how to install weather stripping and caulking at http://www.disastersafety.org/disastersafety/installing-weather-stripping-seals.
Stay Safe and Warm
Alternative heating sources can help you stay warm during the cold weather, especially during power outages, which often occur due to heavy snow and ice, as well as high winds during winter storms. It’s important to prepare a plan now before a possible outage. Check IBHS’ guidance before selecting, installing or using an alternative heating source such as a wood stove, space heater or fireplace: http://www.disastersafety.org/wp-content/uploads/alternative-heating.pdf.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are one of the biggest risks when the temperature drops, which can result in more than $5,000 in water damage, according to IBHS research. Follow the recommendations below to prevent costly water damage.
• Provide a reliable back-up power source to ensure continuous power to the building.
• Insulate all attic penetrations where cold air can get inside the building.
• Ensure proper seals on all doors and windows.
• Seal all wall cracks and penetrations, including domestic and fire protection lines, electrical conduit, and other utility service lines.
• Install insulation and/or heat trace tape with a reliable power source on wet sprinkler system piping. This includes main lines coming up from underground, passing through a wall, as well as sprinkler branch lines.
• Place a monitored automatic excess flow switch on the main incoming domestic water line to provide early detection of a broken pipe or valve when the building is unoccupied.
IBHS’ Freezing Weather page on DisasterSafety.org provides guidance on how to protect your home against other winter weather-related hazards such as roof collapse and ice dams due to large amounts of snow and ice.
Follow IBHS on Twitter at @DisasterSafety and on Facebook for how-to projects to make your home more resistant to a variety of natural hazards.
Alabama experiences significant H1N1 influenza activity this season
While the flu season is just getting started in much of the country, activity is already high in Alabama, along with Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Reports from Alabama’s network of providers who report influenza-like illness and send influenza samples for testing to the Department of Public Health indicate the geographic spread of influenza in
Alabama is widespread for the third week in a row.
Influenza type A, H1N1 (also known as 2009 H1N1, the pandemic strain, or pH1N1) has been the predominant strain circulating virus so far this season. One characteristic of pH1N1 is that, similar to the pandemic of 2009, young and middle-aged adults seem to have a greater chance of severe influenza.
Flu is a very contagious respiratory illness. Some of the symptoms of influenza can be fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. Influenza can be a serious disease for anyone, even children, pregnant women and previously healthy young adults.
An annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The flu vaccine this year includes protection against H1N1. Flu vaccines are available as shots and nasal spray. Physicians, nurses and pharmacists can advise patients which type of flu vaccine is right for them.
In addition to taking the flu vaccine, other measures can reduce or prevent the spread of influenza. These include staying at home when sick, covering the mouth and nose with a tissue/cloth when coughing or sneezing, and washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently.
Dr. Karen Landers, Assistant State Health Officer, said, “Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. It’s not too late to get a flu shot to protect against this serious disease. People become protected about two weeks after receiving the vaccine.” There are no reports of influenza vaccine shortages this season.
Contact your private provider, pharmacy or local county health department to receive an influenza vaccination. For more information contact the Immunization Division of the Alabama Department of Public Health at (334) 206-5023 or toll free at 800-469-4599.
2013 Alabama Asthma Burden Document issued
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways, and it is a major health burden in Alabama. There is no cure for asthma; however, through medication use and reduction of asthma triggers, asthma can be controlled.
The Alabama Asthma Program, established in 2009, monitors the burden of asthma via a comprehensive surveillance system. This system assists in understanding the reach of asthma from a statewide perspective.
The program announces the release of the 2013 Alabama Asthma Burden Document. This report outlines the burden of asthma in Alabama for adults and children based on available data.
“We remain committed to working with public and private partners to preserve and protect the public’s health and to assure conditions in which people can be healthy,” Jonathan R. Edwards, program manager, said.
This document is available electronically on the program’s website at http://www.adph.org/asthma/index.asp?id=3968.
