On October 23, PEJE unveiled its inaugural podcast, in which Executive Director Josh Elkin expands on his comments in the concurrently released Views from Josh Elkin. Please help us expand this service by completing a brief survey. |
Get the Right People On Your Board
There is still time to register for Getting the Right People on Your Board, a highly interactive, one-day conference designed to help your school teams of professionals and volunteers find the hard-working, enthusiastic, and capable trustees you need to get your Board where you want it to go in the next three years. Board leaders responsible for new member recruitment should attend with a Board or professional partner. Explore and learn how to seek and find the human resource talent necessary to move your school forward.
Thank you to PARDeS, RAVSAK, SSDSA, and the Yeshiva University Institute for University-School Partnership for cosponsoring the conference.
Paramus, NJ
Sunday, Nov. 16 Register by Nov. 7
Los Angeles, CA
Sunday, Jan. 11 Register by Dec. 31
Thank you to Janine and Peter Lowy for sponsoring the two recent Strategic Financial Modeling Tool trainings. We express gratitude to SSS for sponsoring the lunches
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There Are Still Opportunities to Purchase the Admission Tracker
The newly revised Admission Tracker, a service of the Day School Peer Yardstick® Suite of Tools, will help your school organize the admission process and meet enrollment goals using a simple interface that is designed to support best practices in admission. This annual service, provided by PEJE and Measuring Success, is user-friendly and accessed online, helping your admission staff easily collect and report data throughout the year.
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IRA Rollover Reinstated
Development professionals, take note: As part of the financial rescue package, the U.S. Congress has voted to extend retroactively the IRA charitable rollover provision from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. This action reinstates the rollover as enacted by the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
The IRA charitable rollover permits individuals over age 70 ½ to make tax-free charitable gifts of up to $100,000 per year directly from their individual retirement accounts to qualified charities.
Note that as in the rollover rules for 2006 and 2007, distributions will not qualify if made to donor advised funds, supporting organizations, split-interest trusts or in exchange for gift annuities.
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Three Day Schools Selected as No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools
Congratulations to Heschel West Day School (Agoura, CA), Hillel School of Tampa (Tampa, FL), and Torah Day School of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA), as they join the ranks of previous Jewish day schools designated as U.S. Department of Education No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools. Applications for 2008-2009 are now available.
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November CoP Calls: Current Economic Realities
 The PEJE Communities of Practice (CoPs)
invite you to join your colleagues in related disciplines to learn best practices and exchange advice during the following conference calls. CoP membership is not required, and you'll get a chance to sample the learning, networking, and support that come with CoP membership.
Oct. 28 - Admission Call
Widening the Circle: Engaging Interfaith Families in Jewish Day Schools
Nov. 3 - Diverse Learning Call
Putting the Puzzle Together: Components of an Effective Reading Program for Struggling Readers
Nov. 5 - Financial Management Call
Managing Risk in a Tough Economy: What we can Learn from Independent Schools in New Orleans
Nov 6 - Development Call
Fundraising During a Difficult Economy
Nov. 10 - Leadership Call
What the Head of School Needs from the President
Nov. 13 - Professional Development
Do Standards Bear Out as Means to Improving Teaching?
Nov 18 - Development Call
It's Not Business as Usual: Resiliency and Creativity in Tumultuous Times
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Get a Fresh Perspective with the Leadership Line
Since PEJE began the Leadership Line last year, day school leaders have received helpful, actionable advice on a variety of concerns and challenges. The Leadership Line is a one-hour phone call with a PEJE coach with broad and extensive expertise. To date, over 100 heads of school, board members, and development and admission officers have dialed in regarding topics from board development to head support/evaluation to student recruitment/retention; in some cases, two or more leaders have participated. Leadership Line callers say they've appreciated the practical advice and the opportunity to bring a fresh, expert perspective back to their schools.
To arrange your no-cost call, contact the Leadership Line.
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New AVI CHAI Grant Available
AVI CHAI has just announced a Request for Proposals for Day School Cooperation and Cost Savings. The Foundation will award grants of up to $100,000 per year, for up to two years, for up to three cooperative ventures among schools across North America. This grant program is an attempt to stimulate lay and professional leaders to experiment in ways that could yield greater economies of scale and thus lower costs. The deadline for proposals is January 15, 2009. For more information, visit www.avichai.org.
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MyJewishLearning.com
 With no holidays to celebrate during Mar Cheshvan, contemplating the Jewish affinity for humor could help boost your spirits--it goes back further than you might think. After all, Sarah's reaction upon hearing that she would have a son was to laugh. Considered by some to be a coping mechanism, Jewish comedy's modern form began in the 19th century, with the shtetl humor of Chelm, schlemiels, and Sholem Aleichem. In America, Jews were over represented in Vaudeville, honed their craft in the Borsht Belt, and helped usher in the golden ages of Hollywood and Broadway comedies. Today, American comedy and Jewish comedy are arguably indistinguishable, as the popularity of Jewish comedians such as Jon Stewart and the profusion of Jewish humor in the Simpsons attest. Test your knowledge of Jews and comedy. |
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| October 2008 · Tishrei 5769
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Day School Growth and Excellence:
Advice for a Tumultuous Economy
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Given the current economic situation, PEJE has asked four experts for thoughts and advice on different aspects of fundraising and financial management. Read below for insights from Barbara Maduell, senior consultant at the Collins Group; David Saginaw, managing director of development at United Jewish Communities; Terry Moore, director of consultants at Independent School Management; and Steven Lorch, head of school at the Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan. We've also included the best of some recent articles, publications, and websites that contain more information.
Should fundraising be conducted differently in an economic downturn? If so, how? If not, why?
Barbara:The current economic climate is an opportunity for you to sharpen "best practices" and keep your school well positioned for fundraising success. Here are five strategies for a fiscally healthy and forward-thinking development effort this year:
- Make sure you are investing in communicating with your donors, and conveying the urgency and relevance of supporting your mission--especially now. From the perspective of current students and alumni, show and tell personal stories about how your day school is preparing the next generation of ethical, resilient, collaborative, adaptive, and globally-engaged leaders.
- Keep your current donors close. Encourage trustees and professional leadership to take the time to meet with major donors personally in order to reinforce the intersection of their values and your school's. Remember that donors give not only because your institution has needs, but because you meet needs that are important to them. Remind donors at all giving levels that their contribution is making an impact every day.
- Review your fundraising constituency goals as needed. Look at sources of wealth and your local economic climate. Should this be the year to revise goals upward for specific high net worth grandparents and community members?
- Be creative and flexible about multi-year campaign efforts. Ask donors to consider longer pledge periods or back-loading payment plans.
- Acknowledge people's concerns, but don't assume everyone shares yours. While donors may be looking at the organizations they support more carefully, be confident that many people have the capacity to invest in your program. They'll do so if they understand the short- and long-term benefits to your community's children.
Helpful links:
President of NAIS Pat Bassett gives some context on the economic crisis on his blog.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy has a list of articles and suggestions for charities in turbulent times.
The NAIS website shares some thoughts and links for financial sustainability.
The National Business Officers Association's Fall Newsletter is dedicated to the situation.
Steven Lorch discusses Moral Complexity and Financial Aid.
The Resource Alliance's recent newsletter has an article on how to "recession-proof your fundraising."
Author and fundraising expert Marc Pittman writes about How to Fundraise in a Recession.
The organization Step by Step Fundraising covers some Mistakes to Avoid.
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Related Resources
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Heschel Hazon Hike in Israel
Would your student like an outdoor adventure to be part of their bar\bat mitzvah? Do they care about the environment? Hiking in the Galilee on behalf of Israel's environment adds a physical challenge to their spiritual journey. This is a wonderful family experience which the whole community can support.
Legacy Heritage Fellowship
When your school communicates with alumni, pass this message on to them: The Legacy Heritage Fellowship is open to college graduates interested in a career in government, international relations, public policy, Middle East policy, Israel advocacy, politics, the media, etc. Fellows are placed in a year-long, paid fellowship with major organizations, think tanks, NGOs, and media settings supporting pro-Israel policy. The program creates future leaders and opinion-makers dedicated to helping Israel.
InterfaithFamily.com
The best place to look for interfaith families is outside the established Jewish community. Through InterfaithFamily.com's Connections in Your Area system, list your school for free to interest more prospective families in your school. For more information on InterfaithFamily.com, contact Robin Schwartz by e-mail or at (617) 581-6862.
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Partnership for Excellence
in Jewish Education
88 Broad Street, 6th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
617.367.0001 tel · 617.367.0029 fax
email PEJE · http://www.peje.org
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