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Happy New Year, Community Actioners!
What do we have in store for 2023? I'm pleased to announce that ICAA, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, has completed its Strategic Planning Process. As part of that engagement, we have updated our Mission, Purpose, and Values. You can find these reflected throughout our website and will see them in other ways in our marketing of the Community Action Network. We are really excited about this refresh - as we feel that it is an accurate and heartfelt representation of the work that we, as the Association, do for the Network and those that you serve in your communities. Drum roll please....
Vision (The guiding light and aspirations for the organization): Iowa Community Action is the premier force ensuring those with less achieve more.
Mission (Road Map to Achieving our Vision): Educating, advocating for, and connecting Community Action Agencies to amplify a unified voice in service of Iowans facing economic hardship.
Purpose (Our Why): Empowering the Community Action Network to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty.
Values (The behaviors we consistently demonstrate in our interactions with you, our stakeholders): Commitment, Competence, Creativity, Connection, Compassion
ICAA's focus over the next 1 - 3 years will be around four areas:
- Storytelling/Marketing: ICAA is recognized as a subject matter expert in the causes and conditions of poverty and Community Action Programming
- Revenue Diversification: ICAA and Network Agencies have developed strategies and skills to diversify revenue for more sustainable organizations
- Lobbying/Advocacy: ICAA is recognized as a subject matter expert in the causes and conditions of poverty and Community Action Programming
- Training: The Association is meeting the needs and expanding the capabilities of the network in training and technical assistance
We look forward to serving you, collaborating with you and celebrating with you in 2023!
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Embrace Iowa Update
Thank you to all who have donated to the Embrace Iowa Campaign thus far - we are taking donations through the end of January - so please tell your friends and community supporters that there is still time to donate!
Click here to read the most recent story about an Embrace Iowa recipient!
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ICAA Book Club - It's Time for a New Book!
We're excited to announce the next ICAA Book Club Book - The Persuaders: At the front lines of the fight for hearts, minds, and democracy by Anand Giridharadas.
If you would like to join the ICAA Book Club, click on this link to sign up to receive notifications about meeting times and books we're reading!
Our meeting dates will be Feb 9, Feb 23, Mar 9, and Mar 23 via Zoom from 12:30 - 1:30pm. It's always great conversation!
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"The Persuaders is the book we need right now. Giridharadas gets unmatched access to some of today's most important movement builders and then explains how they've gotten more people to buy into their movements without selling out. Persuading in a time of extremes is not easy, but Giridharadas proves it's possible. Readers will walk away more optimistic and more capable of forging coalitions in their own lives and in the world."
Heather McGhee - Author of The Sum of Us (another ICAA Book Club Read)
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ICAA's Virtual Lyceum Lounge
Mark your calendar for the 4th Tuesday each month from 12:30-1:30PM CST to check out ICAA's Lyceum Lounge. The next convening will be held January 24th. Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR) Director, San Wong, will talk about the mission of DHR and how the Dept. is engaging with the communities they serve, as well as some exciting things on the horizon for the Department.
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2023 ELITE Application Available
Apply by January 9th
ICAA is accepting applications for Emerging Leaders' Institute for Training & Excellence (ELITE). The 2023 cohort will meet monthly via Zoom, February - October.
The ELITE Curriculum is centered around eight core leadership and management training modules and brings new and emerging leaders together to discuss the role of each in carrying out the mission of Community Action.
- Leadership
- Public Administration
- Fiscal Integrity
- Human Resources
- Community Needs Assessment & Programming
- Advocacy
- Cultural Humility
- Managing and Measuring Organizational Performance
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Join the 2023-2024 High Impact Leadership Cohort
Updated Schedule!
ICAA offers an exceptional leadership series in partnership with SparkPoint, Inc., to help any Community Action leader, or aspiring leader, feel confident with organizational development and critical leadership skills. We will offer practical, easy-to-use materials and concepts that can be put to use in any Community Action Agency.
An excellent way to strengthen your organization, invest in developing high performing leaders and resilient advocates for Community Action’s mission.
The schedule has been revised so that the series will convene monthly April 2023 - March 2024 via Zoom. The four anchor courses include: Communication Leadership; Thought Leadership; Management; and Culture Leadership.
Deadline extended until March 24th!
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CAPLAW's New Resource Library
CAPLAW’s remodeled and revamped online resource library is a new, one-stop hub for the entirety of CAPLAW’s collection of resources, including publications, trainings, webinars, and more. In addition to a more streamlined user interface, the library includes a sophisticated and intuitive new search engine, making it easier than ever to navigate the library, narrow your search, and find the right resource to address your questions and concerns.
Click here to access the resource library.
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Community Action 101
For more than 50 years, Community Action has served as a dynamic and community-based force in addressing the causes and conditions of poverty throughout the USA. Join the Partnership’s CEO, Denise Harlow, as she grounds us in the history, model, and Promise of Community Action, and discusses current opportunities for the Community Action network.
Click here to register.
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Disaster Services Comprehensive Training
In March, ICAA will offer a four day comprehensive training on Disaster Services. This training is for both staff new to administering disaster programming and for those looking to receive a refresher heading into the new year!
Sessions will cover the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program, Iowa Disaster Case Management, navigating insurance, the FEMA process, and more!
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Iowa is 1 of 7 chosen for Federal Diaper Distribution Pilot Grant
In October, Iowa Community Action Association was one of seven states/territories awarded a competitive federal grant to provide regular diaper/diapering supply distribution and wrap-around services to families experiencing financial difficulty. ICAA is partnering with the Food Bank of Iowa, HACAP, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Operation Threshold, Sieda, and the Young Parents Network to administer this pilot program to 18 counties.
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Save the Date!
The 2023 ICAA Training Conference will be held July 26-27 at the West Des Moines Marriott. A pre-con will be held on July 25th with Wipfli presenting on the OMB Uniform Guidance. Registration Coming this Spring. Keep an eye on the conference webpage for updates.
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Orientation to Community Action
Zoom | 1/31 | 9:00-10:30am
Register here!
Welcome to the Iowa Community Action network! ICAA offers this webinar a few times each year for Community Action staff and board members, it provides:
- an opportunity to meet with peers from across the state;
- an overview on the mission and uniqueness of Community Action, and the national Community Action Theory of Change;
- an introduction to a few key national, regional, and state Community Action partners, and
- shares ways to access additional resources and support.
Be sure to share this invite with new(er) Community Action staff and board members!
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ICAA's Lyceum Lounge
12:30-1:30pm
Join here
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ICAA's Lyceum Lounge
12:30-1:30pm
Join here
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Disaster Services Comprehensive Training
1:00-3:30pm
Registration
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Click here to see ICAA's Events Calendar for all the latest trainings, network events, and more! | |
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ICAA is looking for a motivated, creative, people-person, to join our team as the ICAA VISTA Special Projects Coordinator. This person will work on the following projects:
- Develop 40 Stories of Impact;
- Expand the Embrace Iowa program; and
- Develop marketing strategies to support the Iowa Community Action network.
The term of service will be March 2023 - March 2024.
The VISTA Special Projects Coordinator will interview individuals and families served by Iowa Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and CAA staff, develop materials (quotes, graphics, videos, narratives), and implement training for CAAs on utilizing the materials to increase the public's awareness of poverty and the impact of programs offered by CAAs. The VISTA Special Projects Coordinator will also assess and catalog donor management best-practices by researching and implementing donor management databases.
Please help spread the word about this exciting opportunity.
If you – or someone you know – are interested click here to learn more and apply.
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