Check Out COSA's
New Website!
We are excited to announce that COSA now has a website! We have a bit more we would like to do to get it in tip top shape, but could not resist sharing it now.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters
Masquerade Bowl
This Weekend!
It is not too late to participate
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County's annual Masquerade Bowl is just around the corner!
It's not too late to join the fun on either November 5th or 6th! Visit our web site to form a team today. You simply need three other friends, co-workers or family members to join you, though more are certainly welcome. Each bowler supports the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County by raising a minimum of $75.00. Then, to celebrate their success, team members get together on either the 5th
or 6th
, at noon or 2:00 pm, and Bowl For Kids' Sake! Can we count you in?
Visit the Masquerade Bowl home page to get more info, donate to the cause, or start your team today:
https://chd.myetap.org/fundraiser/BFKS2016/
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This year, Massachusetts voters have new options. You can vote early at any early voting location in your community, by mail, or at your polling place on Election Day. The early voting period began on
October 24th
and ends on
November 4th
.
When early voting in person at an early voting location for your municipality, the election officials will check you in, similar to the process used on Election Day. After voting, you will enclose your ballot into an envelope to be counted on Election Day.
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COSA Meeting
Northampton Refugee Resettlement Re-Cap
Kathryn Buckley-Brawner, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities spoke at our last COSA meeting and shared all of the preparations being made to welcome 51 refugees to Northampton this year.
They are engaging the community in every aspect, and making progress to ensure a positive transition for the arriving families. The greatest needs at this point are for employment and permanent housing. If you have any ability to help in these areas, or would like to see the many volunteer opportunities available, please visit the website
Welcomehomenorthampton.org
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Northampton Survival Center Food Drive @
Food Truck Friday
November 4th
This Friday,
Abandoned Building Brewery
is hosting their last Food Truck Friday and sponsoring a Food Drive for us. Non-perishable food items such as canned pineapple, canned corn or green beans, hearty soups, spaghetti sauce, or cereals would be great donations. Many thanks to Matt Tarlecki for the support and hosting such great events!
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Unleashing the Power of All of Us, For All of Us
A Lecture with Dr. Liz Gerber
The Smith College Design Thinking Initiative invites you to the second year of Speaking of Design, a series of guest lectures following the theme Design Change-Change Design.
On November 7th, we welcome Dr. Liz Gerber for her lecture "Unleashing the power of all of us, for all of us". The lecture will focus on Dr. Gerber's research on the role of technology and organization in the innovation process.
Dr. Liz Gerber is Associate Professor of Design at Northwestern University and faculty founder of Design for America, the award-winning network of campus studios using design thinking for community building.
Find more information on Dr. Liz Gerber.
and her work.
Monday, Nov. 7, 4:30 p.m., Graham Hall, Hillyer
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On November 7th, The Cooley Dickinson
Grand Rounds
presentation will be The Response to Sexual Assault: Clinicians Partnering with the Sexual Assault Team.
Moderated by: Becky Lockwood,
Center for Women and Community
.
Panelists are: Jenny Fleming, CNM Tapestry, Jen Suhl, Asst. DA, Luann Caputo, Northampton Police Detective, Mary Waltz-Watson RN, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
Participation will help you:
- Understand the importance of screening for patients with a history of sexual violence
- Outline the SANE forensic evidence collection protocol
- Make effective referrals to appropriate local providers
6:30-8pm in the Dakin Conference Room
A light supper will be provided
Contact
Donna if you have any questions
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Next COSA Meeting
Nov. 17
Over the last decade there has been a shift in the non-profit sector that will have an impact on the future of individual organizations and the sector as a whole. The shift relates to fundraising, capacity building and mission effectiveness in human service, policy, advocacy and other fields of practice.
These shifts are related to new ways that organizations are looking at themselves not as single entities but as a part of a larger ecosystem of social change. In this presentation/workshop, Marc Osten who has been pioneering these methods, will
help us ask tough questions about our work and present us with an experience and tool that can be applied to your work in fundraising, developing your board, recruiting and retaining staff and volunteers, handling partnerships, communications, future planning and more.
Marc is an activist, provocateur and capacity builder for all areas of the nonprofit sector, from the largest foundations to small minimally staffed organizations.
See more about Marc's work here.
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Are you already drowning in the to-do lists and endless tasks associated with year-end season? With fall in full swing and the new year just around the corner, closing out the fiscal year and keeping track of year-end tasks and procedures can be stressful and chaotic.
Consider the second annual edition of Abila's Year-End Survival Guide for the Nonprofit Accountant your personal flotation device, providing you with the tools needed to keep you afloat from now all the way through tax season! Inside the guide you'll find budget review and revision best practices, tips for closing the books on 2016, key insight into Form 990 submissions, and tips and updates on entering into year two of ACA compliance reporting. Plus, gain access to the quick reference Tax Form Timeline!
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 Introducing TechSoup Courses: Online Tech Education for
Nonprofits and Libraries
These expert-led online courses are tailored to the specific needs of nonprofits and libraries. Complete them at your own pace and when you're done, you'll earn a certificate.
Our first courses on tech planning and training topics are live now, with many more on the way. Take a look at TechSoup Courses and learn something new today.
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MNN 2nd Edition of Commonwealth Insights
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network has released its second edition of
Commonwealth Insights. This new report focuses on poverty geographically in Massachusetts and includes some striking findings.
In this
report, they've utilized recently released data from the American Community Survey (ACS) to take an in-depth look into poverty rates throughout Massachusetts, including poverty rates by county and for children. The data shows that while the statewide poverty rate is lower than average, there are wide variations by county and rates remain far too high for too many.
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SAVE THE DATE
P.V. Habitat for Humanity
Gingerbread Build!
Dec. 3rd
The Gingerbread Build is an annual fundraiser held by
Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity in which we come together for a friendly competition of building gingerbread houses! It's a great way for Habitat to celebrate our volunteers who throughout the year donate time, energy, and resources to carry out Habitat's mission of building strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership.
Teams can be made up of up to 4 people, and must register before the event by making a minimum $100 donation.
We encourage you raise more than the minimum
online
or face to face. All funds help Habitat build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter in Hampshire and Franklin Counties. More information on fundraising is available on the website.
Each team will be given the basic gingerbread house pieces and white icing (donated by River Valley Market). Teams bring their own decorations to create inspired and fun creations! There are no rules about what "extras" you bring to decorate - have fun! There are many award categories!
December 3rd, Eastworks Building, Easthampton
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The 2016 Millennial Impact Report:
Wave 2 Trends
The 2016 Millennial Impact Report Wave 2 reveals new trends related to millennial engagement with causes during the 2016 Presidential election cycle and investigates how organizations can motivate this generation to donate their time, money or skills to their causes during election years.
The second wave of data surveyed millennials from June through August 2016.
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Free Webinar
700 Volunteer Experts Spoke Up. Hear What They Said!
November 10
Our recent survey of over 700 volunteer managers, executive directors and other volunteer program professionals across the U.S. asked questions about volunteer background screening practices, processes and expectations for 2017. This webinar reveals key research results, insights on best practices and where opportunities lie to improve the quality of your screening program.
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