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Minutes

American Association of Grants Professionals Meeting

September 28, 2006 ~ 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Guest Speakers: Patricia Shay, Coordinator of Discretionary Grants, NJ Department of Education

Jeanne Oswald, Deputy Executive Director, NJ Commission on Higher Education

Meeting summary:

Stacey Abate welcomed members and special guests and facilitated the meeting. She introduced Rosemary E. Jeffries, RSM, President of Georgian Court University. Sr. Rosemary thanked everyone for attending, and spoke about the history of importance of the role of grant writers in the educational environment. She also invited members to take a tour of the many historic buildings and gardens that make up the GCU campus.

Stacey presented a survey for the members to fill out to gather information and ideas on how to

improve and succeed in the grant writing process from the AAGP viewpoint. A point was made about leading the way to obtain a specific accreditation to grant writing professionals. (Similar to what a CFRE receives) Mentioned CD Publications/Federal Assistance Monitor &Aid for Education as great sources for information.

Dena Hartigan spoke about the need to be a member, and the election of officers which will be held in November. The roles of officers, terms, and voting ballot is planned to be posted on-line at the AAGP website.

Dana Wilson, spoke about her role as acting secretary, and web master of the group. She presented her web design/ideas to members and how to access it through various links within the site – Dana volunteered to update the site and offered her services for future web design and support.

Suggestions were made for members to join the Charity Channel to become part of a list serve group and discussed how to join a list serve group – Yahoo was mentioned as a better source to provide this service to the group.

Jeanne and Pat, guest speakers presented an overview of the grant writing process and how to present proposals for obtaining more grant funding through the state. Mentioned changing landscape in higher ED and the increasing number of competing demands for funds. State looks at the critical demands so it’s important to present a compelling case for funds. Homes for disabled, foster care, prisons, are a few examples that are competitors for grant funds. The state is looking for data to improve performance   and you must be able to prove the performance. State agency requires more collaborative relationship efforts – in a more diversified approach – Proposals should think outside the box and go even further to create more diversified partnerships (other than just local relationships…look beyond the neighborhood) The trend is for a shorter term, with expected results and you will have to continue your efforts to achieve those goals.  Get people partnered. Bidding for acceptance of grants should be within the right price – government looks for bids – find out how to get into the right bidding/price range for acceptance. If proposals have been not been successful, pay attention to the readers’ comments, and then re-write the proposal to address those comments. 

Speakers addressed topics including:

• Workforce needs to keep NJ competitive – be more diversified – big corporations look intentionally to hire highly educated employees – need for improving the graduates in all that applies to their education.
• Make  “blueprint for excellence’ as a guide
• Money has been put back into areas of technology – NJ just rec’d another 8 million for schools
• State grants has 18 million put aside for autism programs – and they are looking to expand, enhance, or create new autistic programs through grant funding
• New technology education – find requirements on website
• Non-Public participation
• College bound – special needs – English language for minority students
• Federal level grants opportunities
• Diversified partnerships

Other general topics discussed:

Family foundations – educational funding – sharing of resources – tips for grant writing at a federal level – create partnerships with professionals to mentor or assist in the grant writing process.

Invite guests to speak about bid proposals

A question and answer period was offered and several members requested information regarding the status of grant money available, non-public compliance, attempts to make contact to schools as they must be part of the planning process, be flexible and prepared, apprenticeship grants, funding for technical preparation, higher ed with k-12 collaboration, Even-Start & 21^st Century.

The next meeting date: November 30, 12:00 – 2:00 PM – Edison

September 28, 2006

Georgian Court University

Casino Ballroom

PLEASE INITIAL

Name                                      Organization                                                               Initial

Stacey Abate                            NJAAGP President

_                                              Georgian Court University                                             √        

Louis Alt                                  Elizabeth Board of Education                                        √      

Ross Basen, CFRE                   Georgian Court University                                             √        

Joanne Bergin                           Ocean Health Initiatives                                                           

Rebecca D. Breverman Jewish Federation of Ocean County                              √        

Susan Caruso Green                 Resource Development Network                                  √        

Brian Carter                             Lawrence Township Schools                                        √        

Linda Dandridge                       Girls Scout Council of Greater Essex and Hudson         √        

Carol Evans                              Pine Hill Schools                                                           √        

Bob Gordon                             Consulting Services Associates                         √        

Dena Hartigan                          NJAAGP State Representative                         √        

Helena Kosoff-Sullivan NJAGGP Vice President

_                                              Springfield Public Schools                                                        

Virginia Mayr Freeman NJAAGP Treasurer                                                                 

Lloyd Oxford                           Oxford & Associates                                                    √        

Tammy Peoples                        Cathedral Health Care Systems                                    

Pat Phillips                                Moorestown School District                                         √        

Shelley Samuels                        Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County           √        

Diane Scarangella                     Bergen County Tech.                                                    √        

Mary Emilie Steinacker Mullica Township School District                                  √        

Gina Suriano                             Ocean County College                                      √        

John Susino                              Bergen County Technical Schools/Special Services                  

Cecelia Triano                          Saint Barnabas Health Care System                              √        

Bob Trivellini                            Millville Public Schools                                     √        

Frank Vogel                             Elsinboro schools                                                          √        

Carla Ward                              Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County              

Dana Wilson                             NJAAGP Secretary

_                                              National Educational Network, Inc.                              √        

Chris Woolley                          Lawrence Township Schools                                        √        

Jim Zaccari                               Oakwood School                                                                    

Contact: Dena Hartigan

State Representative

609.268.8400

denahartigan@comcast.net

New Jersey Chapter of the AAGP

June 27, 2006– Springfield School District

The meeting began at noon with lunch and listening to the teleconference, “ The Who, What, Why, When, and Wherfores of Grant Reviewing by Susan Kemp, Assisant Commission for the Division of Administration’s Bureau of financial Services, New York State’s Office of Children and Family Services.  After thirty minutes the group decided to request the teleconference be archived for the group and to begin our meeting.  Details to access the teleconference from your computer will be forwarded to you in an email from the Charity Channel for those in attendance at this meeting.

Attendance:

Bob Trivellini, Cherylyn Salerno, Helena Kosoff-Sullivan, Dena Hartigan, Linda Dandridge, Lou Alt, Mary Steinacker, Mike Rossi, Nancy Laurelli, Sona Spolakowski, Patty Weeks, Stacey Abate

Meeting Minutes:

·        The group reviewed the New Jersey Chapter Bylaws. 

·        Per the Bylaws there are four officers.  At the last meeting we had four persons volunteer to be the NJAAGP Officers for the first six months.  President is Stacey Abate, Vice-President is Helena Kosoff, and Treasurer is Virginia Mayr Freeman.  The Bylaws had to be signed by the Secretary at the meeting.  Since the original volunteer was unable to attend the meeting, a new volunteer was accepted as Secretary.  Nancy Laurelli signed as the new volunteer Secretary. 

·        There also needed to be a new position created, the AAGP Advisory Network Representative.   Mary Steinacker agreed to volunteer for the position for the first six months.

·        To join the NJAAGP, one must also be a National AAGP member.  Annual dues are $125 for the national and $25 for the local.  We have approximately 30 members to date and are hoping to continue to grow.  Information on membership can be obtained from our State Representative, Dena Hartigan at 609.268.8400 or denahartigan@comcast.net

·        Discussion followed on how we might “spread the word” about the new organization.  Many offered potential list serves and/or space at booths at upcoming conferences including the School Boards/NJEA Booth with Mike Rossi.  We want to make sure that this is not just Grant Professionals in the Education Field, but also reach out to other disciplines and agencies.  Please get specific information on list serves and conferences to Dena Hartigan.

·        Future meeting dates were set as follows:

o       September 28, 2006 at Lawrence Township in Mercer County (central New Jersey) from noon to 2:00 p.m.

o       November 8-11, 2006 8^th Annual National AAGP Conference in Nashville, Tennessee

o       November 30, 2006 at Georgian Court College, Lakewood in Ocean Coutny from noon to 2:00 p.m.

o       January 25, 2007 investigate holding our own teleconference so weather does not effect attendance

o       April 19, 2007 potential workshops and recruitment in Atlantic City

o       June 28, 2007 location and time TBA

Details regarding these meetings will be forwarded at future date.

·        Discussed potential workshop topics.  One idea that was shared by others included setting up collaborative relationships to apply for funding.  Another was how to write a HIPP grant, which is a very easy and basic grant for newcomers.  Please get your ideas of what you would like to learn or what you would be willing to share as a presenter to Dena for review at the next meeting.

·        If you are attending the National Conference in Nashville, please let Dena know.  Postcards were distributed with an outline of the schedule for November 8-11, 2006.  The cost is $375 if you register before August and $400 after August for the workshops.  Travel and hotel are additional costs.  More information is available at www.grantprofessionals.org 

·        Many had announcements of organizations looking for grant writers.  We discussed having a web page for members to list the grant writing opportunities or sending out information through our listserve.

o       Warren County Technical School – details from Dena

o       Healthcare Clinic – Long Branch – details from Stacy

o       Church – Monmouth County – details from Stacy

·        Another area discussed for our webpage or listserve was members being able to list what their needs were.  Other members could then share potential grant funders or make a connection for a collaborative application to address similar needs.  This has to be developed further.

·        Dena passed the meeting to Stacy Abate, NJAAGP President to set up agendas and to hold all future meetings.

·        Stacy thanked everyone for coming.  We should spread the word about the September 28^th meeting.  The greater our numbers, the better chance we have for networking and collaboration to make each of us stronger in our profession.

If you have website related questions or suggestions, please contact Dana Y. Wilson (dwilson@neni.us) or Nancy Laurelli (nancy.laurelli@millvillenj.gov) This website was created on September 8, 2006 by the National Education Network, Inc.  The web address was changed on January 22, 2009.  Last update 01/13/2010