Thursday, October 26,
2006
Workshop Sessions D
- 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
W13D - Information Technology in the CAA World (IT&M)
Chris Macy, Central Missouri Community Action
The need for technology systems is demonstrated everyday.
Technology assist with efficiency, data analysis and communication.
But technology can also provide some difficult and expensive
barriers. With limited funds, Community Action Agencies often
struggle to navigate the plethora of systems that are available
from the marketplace. This session will provide an in-depth
evaluation of technology systems and processes and include a
detailed view of best practices for small departments. It will
also explore the concept of open-source software developed for
CAAs by CAAs.
W14D - Innovative Ideas in Practice (B&L)
Roger Collins, Bucks County Opportunity Council and Megan
Sherve, South Central Community Action Programs, Inc.
Rallying resources, recruiting partners, motivating volunteers;
these are all functions that take a lot of energy. How have
your efforts paid off? Hear from two Community Action Agency
executives that have instituted a new approach to community
involvement and the end of poverty. By adopting the concepts
of the CAAP sponsored Circles-PA, these two agencies have begun
a journey that looks at developing financial resources and volunteer
involvement to institute an exciting project to effect poverty
within their communities.
W15D - Avoiding Legal Action: How's and why's of the
legal liability audit (F&HR)
Vince Champion and Shawn Lochinger, Rhoads & Sinon LLP
Legislators, funders and state charity regulators are calling
for increased accountability. The legal liability audit process
provides oversight to ensure an agency is operating responsibly
and in accordance with legal requirements. This session will
answer how the legal liability audit process, when implemented
properly, can reduce the risk of CAAs. Learn what to expect,
what to prepare for and how to address the findings.
W16D - Living in a Culture of Poverty (E&T)
Dr. Natalie Ferry, Penn State Extension
What is like to live in a culture of poverty? How do individuals
that have grown up in poverty (generational) differ from those
individuals that suddenly find themselves in poverty (situational)?
This session will provide an understanding of these differences
as well as how the bridge from poverty to middle class can present
culture issues. Through a series of activities, the audience
will experience strategies that assist persons to be more successful
in the middle class workplace and community.
W17D - Natural Allies - CAAs & the Faith Community
(P&P)
Elaine Burns, Community Action Commission; Chris Epp, Harrisburg
Discipleship Center; Dr. Debra Heath-Thornton, Messiah College;
Kathy Presnar, Lawrence County Community Action Partnership;
Pam Thiry, Feed My Sheep Outreach and John Thompson, Firm Foundation
CAAs and the faith-based community have long shared common
causes and common goals, yet have not always worked together
effectively. This session will demonstrate how two CAAs have
moved beyond the common cause to a strategic alliance with the
faith community, organizing resources and sharing the work/risk
involved. Hear from the two agencies and their partners how
they mobilized their collective power to effectively help people
and change lives with their community.
