Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.
But whoever does the will of God remains forever. 1 Jn 2:17

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Highlights from CCUSA

CCUSA's O'Grady Leadership Institutes

Save the dates for CCUSA’s 2020 O’Grady Leadership Institutes, scheduled for May 11-15 at the beautiful Bethany Center near Tampa. The Advanced Leadership Institute (2.0) is for diocesan directors and other senior Catholic Charities leaders; the Leadership Institute (1.0) is for emerging leaders, administrators, and program directors. Space is limited! Registration will open in January, but interested persons may contact Scott Hurd to preregister and benefit from instructors such as CCUSA’s president Sr. Donna Markham and Harvard’s Rev. Bryan Hehir. As one recent participant observed, “The entire week was one of the best I’ve ever spent.”

2020 is just around the corner - Apply to the Challenge today

End the year on a high note and submit your entry for the CCUSA Innovation Challenge today. As an extra incentive, tomorrow is the last day to submit your entry for the drawing for the $50 Staff Coffee Break. Apply at CCUSAInnovates.org today! 

CCUSA Grant Opportunity: AmeriCorps VISTA 

CCUSA is taking applications for the AmeriCorps VISTA Family Strengthening program. The Family Strengthening program focuses on the foundational services that Catholic Charities provides, allowing it to be a broad-based program rather than a specific type of intervention. These VISTAs can do anything related to strengthening families, such as volunteer management or fundraising for your agency at large, program development for a fatherhood intervention, 2Generational model cohort, financial literacy program development, and much more! If you would like more information, please review the recorded webinar here. If you are interested in applying, request an application by emailing [email protected]. The application deadline is by COB on Friday, January 10. Should you have a questions or want to brainstorm an idea, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]. 

Register now for the 2020 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering

Catholic Charities USA is a significant supporter of the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Bearing Witness: Life and Justice for All” is this year’s theme, scheduled for January 25-28 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. This Gathering will bring together those working on issues impacting life and human dignity across the spectrum such as the death penalty, human trafficking, restorative justice, and issues impacting families like migration, violence, and poverty. Connect with current and emerging leaders, engage in dynamic and thought provoking plenary presentations, briefings, and workshops, and raise your voice in advocacy with members of Congress. To register or for more information visit here; act now for special initiatives for diverse leaders and young leaders.  

Children, Youth, and Family Section Steering Committee Member Recruitment

Catholic Charities USA is recruiting for additional members to join the Children, Youth and Family Section (CYFS) Steering Committee. The purpose, mission and vision of the CYFS Services Professional Interest Section is to provide information, formation and networking opportunities to staff and volunteers working with children, youth and families. If you are interested in becoming a steering committee member for this section please click here to request more information! Your participation on the committee will bring valuable expertise which will continue to enrich and build upon the knowledge of our network. The deadline for submission of applications is Friday, January 31, 2020.

Events and Webinars

Build Your Fundraising Plan Now!

Get the fundraising plan off your to-do list and into action with this four-week course that walks you through every step needed to create an effective and comprehensive fundraising strategy. You’ll learn how to assess where you are, look ahead to see where you want to be, create a comprehensive fundraising plan, and then receive an entire toolkit of sample materials and resources to help you execute on that plan.  Length of Course: Five weeks. Type of Course: Self-paced (during a five-week course run); Instructor-led. Dates: January 13 - February 9, 2020. Price: $325 (Alliance partners and CNPs receive a 20% discount. Use code: NONPROFITPARTNER). Register and learn more here.

Effective Staff Supervision  

Effective staff management is a powerful tool that should be added to every supervisor's toolbelt – and the Effective Staff Supervision course will do just that. This 8-week course begins by introducing you to the art and science behind effective supervision. The course will dive into more tactical issues such as effective hiring, monitoring and feedback strategies. It will also push you to flex your leadership capacity, understanding your unique style and how to use your strengths to build a cohesive, high-performing team. By the end of the eight weeks, you will have the strategies and knowledge needed to be a highly effective manager. Length of Course: Eight weeks. Type of Course: Self-paced (during eight-week course run); Instructor-led. Dates: January 27 - March 22, 2020. Price: $600 (Alliance partners and CNPs receive a 20% discount. Use code: NONPROFITPARTNER). Register and learn more here. 

Essential Communication Skills for Nonprofit Leaders

Effective communications is, without question, the most critical determinant of leadership success (especially for those in the nonprofit sector). This is how we develop and sustain key relationships that allow us to achieve a common purpose. But what makes a leader an effective communicator? In this three-week course, you will learn time-tested communications strategies that have helped thousands of executives become highly-successful leaders. Length of Course: Three weeks. Type of Course: Self-paced (during a three-week course run); Instructor-led. Dates: January 27- February 16, 2020. (Alliance partners and CNPs receive a 20% discount. Use code: NONPROFITPARTNER). Register and learn more here.  

Designing Nonprofit Programs for Long-term Sustainability

You will leave this course with knowledge of:

• Needs assessments, asset identification and other research findings that identify authentic community need;
• Mission-driven program design and outcomes (designing programs for impact);
• How to adequately allocate and advocate for resources (staffing, space, funding, etc.);
• The basics of effective program design, including program logistics; program marketing, paid and volunteer staffing, volunteer roles and evaluation; and
• Designing Inclusive programming.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to develop a logic model for a nonprofit organization.Length of Course: 5-weeks, Type of course: Self-paced (during five-week course run); Instructor-lead, Course access: Learner may access the course for up to 90 days, Dates: February 10, 2020 - March 16, 2020. Alliance partners and CNPs receive a 20% discount. Use code: NONPROFITPARTNER). Register and learn more here.

Grant Opportunities and Resources

Management & Administration Benchmarking Project Inventory

Since 2015, Catholic Charities of St. Louis has conducted several benchmarking projects in conjunction with the Taylor Community Consulting Program (TCCP) of the Olin School of Business at Washington University, CCUSA, and other Catholic Charities agencies. These benchmarking projects focus on programming and administrative services prevalent across the Catholic Charities network with the ultimate goal of providing measurable results and developing a protocol for additional benchmarking opportunities. View an inventory of past benchmarking projects in the ‘Resource Center’ of the CCUSA Members’ Portal or by viewing either the Management and Administration or the Research and Evaluation section pages: Click here.

Employment Opportunities

Catholic Charities job opportunities now listed on CCUSA website

Anyone can view the job opportunities by clicking on the "Careers" tag on the footer of the CCUSA webpage. To post a job opportunity, one must be a member and have access to the members' portal in order to fill out the submission form (click on "Careers" tag on members only portal homepage). If you have any questions about the new job opportunities submission form, please contact David Werning or Lily Stewart. Please click here to access job opportunities.

CCUSA Photo Gallery

Did you know that one of the benefits CCUSA provides to member agencies is access to a professional photo gallery? Visit our Flickr photo pages to explore our albums and photos. If you would like a high-resolution version for your agency's use, please email CCUSA with photo number.