Ask an Advisor Questions

Question	Core Competency	Date
This is my first time planning to start an empowerment girls meet with no experience with running a group but I definitely have the desire to the job. My question is do I need to go to school in order to start my own empowerment group? Do I need any kind of psychology degree?	Building Leadership	Tue, 08/23/2016
leadership in schools the effective styles	Building Leadership	Tue, 08/16/2016
how do i connect to a group called (to live again) to form a group in my community?	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Mon, 08/15/2016
Dear Sir or Madam, I found your website searching information of the position connected with cross-cultural competencies. I was dealing for years with international trade, have contacts with people from Asia, Far East, South America, Caribbean. Also worked in India. Had relations with represents of many religions - muslims, sighs, jains. I do believe my experience could be just in a nice job. Unfortunatelly, as I like far from Warsaw (in Silesia), but there is not such an opening here. Could you give me any suggestion, please? With kind regards from Poland, Grazyna Kowolik	Enhancing Cultural Competence	Sun, 08/07/2016
What if a volunteer and boss have disagreement and boss fires volunteer with no reason	Increasing Participation and Membership Advocating for Change	Tue, 08/02/2016
Good Afternoon, I am a faculty member in an undergraduate social work program and I need an instrument/assessment tool, etc. to measure the multicultural competencies of undergraduate students. Are you aware of a multicultural assessment tool? Thank you.	Enhancing Cultural Competence	Tue, 07/26/2016
Hello! My name is Amanda Winters and I work with the Illinois Board of Higher Education. We are getting ready to launch some regional work to more fully connect education and workforce pipelines. We are planning on utilizing elements of collective impact within our approach. I am very interested to see if you have a list of speakers that we could draw from to support our efforts. Folks who have done this work in diverse communities and can help our partners with some nitty gritty assessment and planning. We have some limited funds to support technical assistance, so we would really like to hone in on some targeted expertise. Just let me know and thanks!	Improving Organizational Management and Development	Mon, 07/25/2016
I find this to be very very educative , i am in Kenya and doing conservation work, if we can be helped to organised our program to receive funding	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Writing a Grant Application for Funding	Sun, 07/24/2016
Greetings, Paul said this would be a good place to submit my question for an Advisor to answer: I am the new Project Evaluation Associate at CHASS Center in Detroit, MI. I saw information on your toolbox when searching for more information on group facilitation. I was wondering if you have any cost/benefit analysis information available that I would be able to give my supervisor and our executive board meetings here at CHASS?	Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Wed, 07/20/2016
Hello Advisor, My name is Frank Wieman and I live in Lorain, Ohio. I am in the process of starting a non profit foundation with as main objective "share the power of sports for underprivileged children!". Because I believe sport can help children to improve themselves both physical as mental. They can learn life long skills. That's why I am very enthusiastic about this. I am new to the non profit sector and encountered the Community Toolbox. This looks very sophisticated and well maintained! At the other hand I have difficulties about where to start, it looks overwhelming to me. Here does my question appear. Please can you tell me how I can use the Community Toolbox or where to start? Do I need everything? If not, what do I need? If you would like to have an idea what our foundation is about please visit www.spsuc.org . Thank you very much for your time!	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Mon, 07/18/2016
I was wondering the steps process in changing one of my classes?		Sun, 07/17/2016
Hi, My name is Maria, and I work for a national general contractor as a project manager. My husband also works for the same general contractor as a union carpenter. My husband suffers from addiction and we have found the work environment to be very dangerous for him. It also seems to be recognized nationally that many people who work in the construction industry, from workers to management, suffer from addiction. However with this knowledge I have not been able to find resources at the Union in which my husband is a member that help support his recovery during his return to work, and I know no resources are offered from the employers. How can I help those that I work with in their recovery journey? How can we get information to those suffering that help is available? What resources and information is available that I can bring to either my employer or the Unions to help initiate programs to help their employees and members?	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Advocating for Change	Sat, 07/16/2016
What happens to data once it is analyzed	Evaluating the Initiative	Fri, 07/15/2016
Hello, I run a non-profit in Nepal that provides educational and social services to orphans in Nepal through an after-school program. In addition to academic support, we do health checkups and nutrition, mental health therapy, etc. I’m currently searching for a database that we can track our program and evaluation outcomes. Something that would help me see their grades, health records, behavioral evaluations over time, etc. I’m having a hard time finding something that would cover all the bases, so I can see a snapshot of each child but also how our program is doing over time (e.g. an entire class’ grades over the year, behavioral changes over time, etc.). Do any of you know of any kind of software that might work for this? Right now I’ve got everything in spreadsheets and I’m realizing quickly, that it’s not a good long-term solution. Thank you so much for your help, Jehan	Evaluating the Initiative	Tue, 07/05/2016
how to conduct community organization meeting? what are the ways of establishing a good relationship with the community?	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Fri, 07/01/2016
Hi I'm interested in making this my career--to create shared value by using the community toolbox to decide on a community solution and then apply it through a community partnership or buying a small business and applying that solution strategy to the current business strategy. creating shared value http://www.isc.hbs.edu/creating-shared-value/Pages/default.aspx How do you recommend that I get started? Do you have suggestions for the ideal outcome or plan? I'm thinking it may be best to pick a community to start in and then find the problem and then find a business that would be a good fit to apply it. Thanks, Matt https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattshark32	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing Strategic and Action Plans Building Leadership Developing an Intervention Increasing Participation and Membership Enhancing Cultural Competence Advocating for Change Influencing Policy Development Evaluating the Initiative Implementing a Social Marketing Effort Writing a Grant Application for Funding Improving Organizational Management and Development Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Thu, 06/30/2016
If I am interested in purchasing community resource data. What is the best way to approach a helpline organization (i.e. 311, 211), and how? Thank you.		Thu, 06/30/2016
I am looking for Focus Group Moderator training preferably offered by a university or non-profit. I am aware of the training offered by RIVA and the Burke Institute but these two options are cost prohibitive. Thank you,		Thu, 06/30/2016
I am looking to take my Support Group Facilitators to a Bible based training conference. Could you recommend one located in the US Midwest? I have been to Celebrate Recovery in CA. Looking for a broader range of groups. Thank You, Denny		Wed, 06/29/2016
Our NAMI Northeast Kansas/Leavenworth group is a 501c3 corporation. We are currently going through our re-Affiliation process with both our state and national NAMI organizations. We are required to have our by-laws reviewed by an attorney or legal representative before we can complete our process. Is there any organization that could do this for a minimal charge? We are 100% based upon donations, and do not have funding to support this effort. I will be donating the funds needed to accomplish this, if the amount is small enough. Thank you,		Sun, 06/26/2016
Hi , Thanks for running this great site and contributing to the well-being of community. My question is: What is the best software system to use for faith-based organisations? Thanks.		Sun, 06/26/2016
Hello, I would like to acknowledge a friend who has dedicated his time through the years cleaning-up roadside litter. I would like to put a thank you article in the newspaper. Please help with the wording. Thank you.	Implementing a Social Marketing Effort	Thu, 06/23/2016
I am a psychologist with over 16 years experience in mental health. I would like to receive general advice on where to start on a community initiative to decrease domestic violence in the African immigrant communities in Atlanta, Ga. October is Domestic awareness month and would like to start the conversation about the effects of abuse on families and communities. To involve African churches in reducing the stigma of mental health through prevention methods.	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing Strategic and Action Plans Developing an Intervention	Wed, 06/22/2016
Our Head Start program has to update our community needs assessment once every 3 years. The person that previously did our 12 county area has decided not to continue. Do you know of agencies who assist with that kind of project? Thanks. Steph	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Wed, 06/22/2016
Hi, I am with a non-profit. We are recognizing our top achievers for an award ceremony. I have to invite and tell them there is a $50 fee for the award ceremony. Please help with the wording of this .		Tue, 06/14/2016
I come from a country where it is legal to marry 11 year old (very young) girls. How do i bring change to my community and country	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing Strategic and Action Plans Building Leadership Developing an Intervention Increasing Participation and Membership Enhancing Cultural Competence Advocating for Change Influencing Policy Development Evaluating the Initiative Implementing a Social Marketing Effort Writing a Grant Application for Funding Improving Organizational Management and Development Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Mon, 06/13/2016
I run a small NGO in UK called East Africa Children's Project. I have just come back from Tanzania where we have a partnership with community based NGO. I would very much like to start up a mushroom project. We are sending a community worker for a mushroom course. I understand you have had experience in setting up a mushroom project. If you could give us some advise of how to set up the project it would benefit many people in rural Tanzania. Many thanks Piet Lagaay CEO	Developing an Intervention	Sun, 06/12/2016
I want to help kids and teens in my community, by reading and writing, so I want know were I will get books for them to read and write. can you please help me.		Thu, 06/09/2016
My parents are 73 & 76. They are in fair health but are in a house that is too big for them and they can't afford. Credit cards various are maxed out and they will likely need to declare bankruptcy. That will leave them with ~ $3000/month to live on. Is there a program by which a house could be purchased for my parents, to live in until they die and then that house would revert in ownership to my towns affordable housing trust? I live in Falmouth, MA. Thank you, J		Wed, 06/08/2016
I would like to know if you have to prepare a schedule when preparing a sample budget of 3 years for the IRS to get your 501(c) (3).		Mon, 06/06/2016
Hello, my name is Rebecca Miller. I recently graduated from the University of Akron with a Master's Degree in Social Work. I writing to you because I have recently gained employment at OneEighty, a non profit in Wooster, Ohio. My position is new to both the agency and myself. The title is the coordinated community response specialist. This is in regard to sexual assault and domestic violence. I would like to connect with other individuals or communities who have tackled this or a similar position. If your organization has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. Finally, any handouts or information would also be greatly appreciated.		Mon, 06/06/2016
1. how to create an action plan table? 2.students base line target want to be from 50 to 65?	Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Mon, 06/06/2016
Greetings to you, Sir. I am pleased to learn of your esteemed institution, and would like to introduce myself as a voluntary social work in Malaysia, and a Founder of Friends N Fans International Club's school of virtuous thoughts (a virtual face book group), aimed primarily to promote thought ethics and moral leadership online programs free-of-charge to help individuals and face book friends towards personal development. In this connection, I wish to seek your assistance to be a counselor for my above-mentioned group. Please visit my face book "Benny Francis" ( benwilan@rocketmail.com). This is a private mission towards world peace; love for humanity and happiness for mankind. Thank you for your kind co-operation.		Sun, 06/05/2016
Project title: Trees for Sustainable Economic Development (TSED) main objectives: Fruits and forest tree plantation (develop orchards, fruit processing houses and develop Huts Target communities: Small farmers Implementing partners: Local men/women organization and some Govt. departments Project period: 3 years The question asked by the donor is What criteria will you use to measure the achievements of your project and how the grant oversight will be made during project life. Would you please develop the M&E criteria as asked above	Developing Strategic and Action Plans Evaluating the Initiative Writing a Grant Application for Funding Improving Organizational Management and Development	Sat, 06/04/2016
What organizations or groups are working to strengthen small neighborhood businesses in California?		Wed, 06/01/2016
Hi, I have been tasked to provide "something for caregivers" on a military installation. As of now there has been a flyer distributed advertising a "Caregivers Support Group" for the past 6 months but nobody shows to the meetings. Before researching additional community needs and designing a new intervention, what are the first steps I should take to find out why nobody is participating... whether it be a marketing need, the time of day, need for child care, etc. I have looked through the entire community toolkit website and feel overwhelmed about where to start. Any help will be sincerely appreciated!!! :)	Increasing Participation and Membership	Wed, 06/01/2016
Hello, how do you suggest I cite the community tool box in a written report? Thanks, Gabi		Tue, 05/31/2016
I am a huge advocate for child mentor programs. I believe we need to lead our youth to make great changes and it starts with us. Please let me know if you think this could be a successful campaign to get people involved with the youth population to create a better tomorrow.	Advocating for Change	Mon, 05/30/2016
Hi, I am writing from the University of Puerto Rico at the municipality of Carolina, Puerto Rico. We want to start a pilot program at one public high school at Carolina regarding gender violence prevention. We don't have a budget for an evaluation, but want to do some kind of evaluation of our own. I was wondering if you could help me identify: 1.the best research techniques for high school students (pre/post test or focus groups or both?) 2. Is there any research instrument validated regarding gender violence prevention for high school students that we can use as reference? Are they available in Spanish? 3. Since we don't want the students to feel is just another class, I think that if we use a pre/post test technique, they will feel is "another test" and will be unwilling to complete or answer it with concentration and honesty. Since we will be offering more than one workshop, my concern is that if for the first one they see we are going to give them "tests", this could make them uninterested to take the other workshops. Any advice will be more than appreciated. Thanks in advance.		Thu, 05/26/2016
Start up requirement/courage to be a consultant		Wed, 05/25/2016
Major issues affecting the poor and marginalized communities		Wed, 05/25/2016
Looking for help to pay the cost of replacing a single wide mobile home Roof!	Writing a Grant Application for Funding	Tue, 05/24/2016
I am looking for a sample community accountability contract that elected officials/candidates could be required to support/sign concerning issues affecting my community before supporting an elected official.	Advocating for Change	Mon, 05/23/2016
I would like to know how I can build a relationship with your organization? I am the founder of a non-profit helping abused Latina women, I am also working on my EdD and will be seeking funding for my dissertation project as well as for my non-profit. I look forward to your response and developing a relationship with your organization, blessings Ana Serrano	Implementing a Social Marketing Effort Writing a Grant Application for Funding Improving Organizational Management and Development Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Sat, 05/21/2016
we would enjoy educating our community, help them become more aware of suicide. Survivors of suicide tools to help them heal would be so great. Thank you so much for any information we can use.	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Increasing Participation and Membership	Sat, 05/14/2016
refused help by tec soup (software) because we are non profit -cemetery. Need help for this group to understand we are registers. Unfortunately to qualify for our donation program you organization must have 501(c)(3) status. Since your organization is a 501(c)(13) it would not be able qualify for our program. Deadwood Cemetery Deadwood Oregon deadwoodcem.org thanks you for any and all help		Sat, 05/14/2016
Hi I work for a community based housing provider in Australia. I want to ask our tenants when they enter housing and during their time with us questions about how the provision of safe and secure tenure housing enables the following: Quality of life; Ability to access services; Stability to enable education and look at work possibilities Community connections; Reduced stress and positive impact on health. I was perhaps thinking of using a self efficacy approach that the provision of housing increases the tenants ability/confidence/security. Ideally want to ask about 5/6 questions we can track over time and by different tenant types age/location/etc. Do you know of any self-efficacy questions that cover these items or are similar so we can adapt? Thank you so much		Fri, 05/13/2016
What do I need to do to become an advocate to help mothers who have lost their children to the DSS or other government agency?	Advocating for Change	Fri, 05/13/2016
Good morning, I am working to organize a statewide community peer-to-peer mental health advocacy and education organization here in New Mexico. There is interest and passion in the success of our group. We are thinking about using an association/collaborative of local chapters model. Can you please offer web resources that we can review to see how such a model is working for others?	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Increasing Participation and Membership Advocating for Change	Fri, 05/13/2016
Dear Advisor, I am a PhD Candidate and instructor at the University of Toronto (Canada). I am designing an undergraduate course on Community Service Learning and Health Policy for the Fall Semester. One of the key areas that need to be included in community service delivery and program evaluation. I am wondering if I could use some of your resources for lectures and in-class activities, and whether or not you could suggest a list of references that I could provide for students. Thanking you in advance for your time and support, J. Cristian Rangel	Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing an Intervention	Thu, 05/12/2016