14 October 2005

Capacity Partnership Project comes to an end

The two-years that I worked for MEDA’s capacity building work, funded by the Compassion Capital Fund, and what we later called the Capacity Partnership Project, were filled with joy. I hope that we keep in touch.

My colleagues at MEDA were wonderful to work with and those client agencies in the field made all that traveling worth the effort of getting on another commercial aircraft for yet another long flight.

We were hoping that our project would have been funded for another 17-months and our feedback from DHHS on our application was very positive. We are told that because of geographic consideration, other intermediaries were funded instead. My contract with MEDA ended on Friday, October 14, 2005. But, this doesn’t have to be the end of our work together.

I would be delighted to hear from you if you’d like to consider contracting directly with me, or with MEDA, to continue your capacity building work. I know that many of the projects we had started with the 40 plus organizations are well worth continuing. If you are one of our CPP partners you know the value of planning and moving forward in any of the organizational development and capacity building areas. We can negotiate reasonable rates for your organization.

These are the areas in which I am particularly interested in serving your organizations:
  • Policy Governance® training, policy writing, implementation, technical assistance
  • Organizational Assessment and capacity development planning
  • Planning: strategic, business, resource development
  • Training, adult learning strategies
  • Program development, microenterprise, community economic development, workforce development
  • Program outcomes and impact evaluation

You may think of other areas we may work together. And, if you are aware of other organizations in need of these services, please contact me by leaving a comment by clicking the “comment” link below.

You may also see my consulting web site: capacitypartnership.com.

12 October 2005

Software for financial management

I have often been asked questions about financial managment software that is appropriate for various sizes and complexity nonprofit organizations. I have also had conversations with folks with a lot more experience in that field includind bookkeepers and auditors. Auditors are most likely to point out the limitations of the various software packages--both simple and complex. It usually goes back to QuickBooks from Intuit. I have used QuickBooks Pro 2005 for Mac in various version over many years with much success both for nonprofit organization bookkeeping and for my own business bookkeeping. There is also a QuickBooks Premier Non-Profit Edition 2005 that I was slow to learn the value of, but some of our clients and consultants are quite convinced. I know buinsesses that range size from $10,000 to $10 million who are satisfied with QuickBooks.

There seem to be plenty of other resources around Quickbooks including CPA firms and bookkeepers and third party publications--search QuickBooks in Amazon or Google.



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KCCD to host major community event in Los Angeles

Welcome back! This is a big deal from one of our client organizations in Los Angeles.

Korean Churches for Community Development



Invites you to
KCCD 4th NATIONAL LIGHTING THE COMMUNITY CONFERENCE
Building Blocks for Success: Investing in our Youth, Strengthening our Communities, & Securing Funding for our Future
Dates: October 20th- 22nd, 2005
Location: LA Korean United Methodist Church
7400 Osage Avenue Los Angeles, 90045

Among the expected dignitaries:
  • Rev. Andy Bales, President & CEO, Union Rescue Mission
  • Michael Balaoing, Vice President, Entertainment Industry Foundation
  • Elise Buik, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Los Angeles
  • Jim Carr, Senior Vice President, Fannie Mae Foundation
  • Sam Chan, Ph.D., Los Angeles Department of Mental Health
  • Dr. Judy Chen, UCLA Medical Center
  • David DeLuz, Chief CommunityLiaison, California Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
  • and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  • John Hill, Chief of Staff, Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke
  • Mary Chung Hiyashi, Commissioner, California Commission on Mental Health
  • Hyepin Im, President and CEO, KCCD
  • Sam Joo, Prevention Director, Asian American Drug Abuse Program
  • Sukhee Kang, Councilman, City of Irvine
  • Jin Kim, Executive Director, KCCD
  • Deborah Kidd-Chapman, Marketing and Outreach Manager, Maximus Access to Recovery
  • Henry Lozano, President's Advisory Commission on Durg Free Communities
  • Wil Marshall, Area Director, Economic Development Administration
  • Maggie Mireles, LA County Worksource Investment Board
  • Rev. Frank Stokes, Executive Director, Force of Hope Economic Development Corporation
  • Wayne Sugita, Chief Deputy Director, Los Angeles County Department of Healthy Services
  • Maurice Suh, Deputy Mayor, Home Land Security and Public Safety
  • Julie Sun, Manager, Strategic Initiatives of Freddie Mac
  • Mark Ridley Thomas, Assemblymember, California
  • Rev. DarEll Weist, President and CEO, 1010 Corporation
  • Rev. Mark Whitlock, Executive Director, COR AME Church
  • Steven Wing, Director of Government Relations, CVS/pharmacy
For more information and to attend yourself, click this link.

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1010 Development Event in Los Angeles

Welcome back! Here is an interesting event by one our our organizational clients using their geogrphical neighbors to maximize the impact of a fundraising event.


The pleasure of your company is requested at

A Very Special Exhibition

“Dressing A Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars”

An exclusive exhibition featuring over 100 costumes from all six films in the Star Wars saga, celebrating the art of Costume Designer, Trisha Biggar.

Sunday, October 23, 2005, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Benefiting: Children’s Learning Center, South Park Neighborhood Center,
Los Angeles Urban Foundation, 1010 Development Corporation,
Villa Flores, and Hope Village

At The FIDM Museum & Galleries
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/ FIDM
919 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90015

See RSVP or Call: Greta Silva 213-749-0212 ext.24, email: gretasilva -at- sbcglobal.net
Refreshments & Parking: FUMCLA Church parking lot
(SE Corner of Olympic & Flower)

Photographs but No Flashes or Tripods


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08 October 2005

A quote for today

Welcome back!

"People cannot discover new lands
until they have the courage to lose sight of the shore."

--Andre Gide

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