Naked as a jaybird
Like the proverbial emperor, state leaders are parading around in their birthday suits

By Rob Schofield

At some point in their upbringing, most American schoolchildren learn the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes" - Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale about a powerful leader who is duped by a couple of con artists into believing that an imaginary fashion creation is in fact the world's finest suit of clothes.

At first, many people say nothing about the scam. Not wanting to question the emperor or appear stupid, some of his sycophants and subjects pretend to see the nonexistent clothes and go along with the hoax - until, of course, a child with no knowledge of power or political correctness blurts out the painfully obvious truth: "He isn't wearing anything at all!"

Oh, for a passel of sharp-eyed and politically naïve children to observe and describe North Carolina's current budget debate.

As the convening of the 2011 session of the General Assembly on January 26 draws near, state leaders of both parties have taken to frequent displays of a kind of policy nudity that ought to leave them red-faced and hiding in the corner. Unfortunately, in this case, the obvious truth of their nakedness has yet to penetrate the consciousness of most mainstream news media reporters, pundits and other members Raleigh's class of political courtiers.

The issue, of course, is the state's $3.7 billion budget shortfall.

According to the new Republican leadership, most of the punditocracy, (and, by all appearances, Governor Perdue) the only way to close this shortfall is to impose huge and painful cuts to things like education, health care and human services. If you've paid any attention to news reports over the past couple of months, you've read and heard innumerable stories along these lines that speak of firing teachers, cutting employee pay, limiting health care for poor people.

Through it all, the central and very naked premise is that there is "no other option" - that "we can't raise taxes" because some of the newly elected conservative members said we shouldn't during their campaigns and because, well, because we just can't. Indeed, even keeping the taxes we have now (some of which are scheduled to expire this year) amounts to an unacceptable tax increase.

And that's pretty much been the extent of the discussion: the new emperors and the con men in the market fundamentalist think tanks that advise them have decreed what is so and, therefore, it is. Meanwhile, like a gaggle of intimidated or hypnotized subjects, Raleigh's political class stands by nodding wanly.

But they're not wearing anything!

Let's hope that at some point very soon, this bout of mass delusion/hypnosis is punctured and rapidly deflated. Here are couple of powerful reasons why it should occur: [Read more...]

The Marketing Association for Rehabilitation Centers, Inc. (MARC) has been named a Semifinalist in Lodestar Foundation's 2011 Collaboration Prize

20 semifinalists recognized for successful and innovative partnerships; Eight finalists to be selected and awarded a total of $250,000

PHOENIX, Ariz., January 3, 2011 -  MARC's collaborative MARC Custom Medical Products (MCMP) has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2011 Collaboration Prize created by The Lodestar Foundation, an organization dedicated to maximizing the growth and impact of philanthropy.  Each of the 20 semifinalists, chosen from over 800 submissions, represents a successful collaboration created between two or more nonprofit organizations.

"We are honored to be selected as a semifinalist for the 2011 Collaboration Prize and hope that our achievements encourage other nonprofits to work together to more effectively and efficiently deliver assistance to those in need," said Noel Watts, Executive Director and CEO of MARC.

"The pool of applicants for the 2011 Prize exceeded our expectations and provided an array of impressive and innovative collaborations from which to choose," said Jerry Hirsch, The Lodestar Foundation Chairman.  "The semifinalists, who successfully leveraged human and financial resources to achieve greater impact, will now serve as models of collaboration for others in the nonprofit sector - showcasing how working together can bring about extraordinary results."

About MARC Custom Medical Products

MCMP is a regional manufacturing collaborative among nine MARC member community rehabilitation programs located in western North Carolina that produces custom disposable surgical drapes and other medical devices.  The key developmental objective for MCMP was to create or retain of 250 manufacturing jobs that would support an integrated workforce of people with and without disabilities.  MCMP exceeded this goal by achieving 400 employment outcomes; of which 150 are filled by people with a disability.  Now in its fifth year, job creation for people with and without disabilities continues to increase along with sustainable sales from a reliable and growing customer base. 

About The 2011 Collaboration Prize

The collaboration must involve two or more nonprofit organizations.  Each collaboration will be judged on the extent to which it demonstrates improved effectiveness in achieving social good; more effectively uses human and financial resources; represents an innovative response to a specific challenge or opportunity; and exhibits characteristics that would demonstrate that the collaboration is a model for the field, sector, or community.

Out of these 20 semifinalists, the Selection Panel - a group chaired by Sterling Speirn, president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and comprised of elite philanthropists and leaders of major philanthropic foundations - will choose eight finalists who will receive $12,500 and the grand prize winner, to be chosen from among the eight, will receive an additional $150,000.  The finalists will be announced in early February 2011 and the grand prize winner will be announced in April 2011.  For more information and for a full list of the 20 semifinalists, please visit www.thecollaborationprize.org.

The Lodestar Foundation

The Lodestar Foundation is a grantmaking organization devoted to maximizing the growth and impact of philanthropy and provides funds nationally and internationally to organizations that support its mission. In support of this mission, Lodestar created the Collaboration Prize in 2009 to identify achievements in collaboration as models for inspiration and replication. True to the spirit of collaboration, the Lodestar Foundation has partnered with AIM Alliance, the Foundation Center, La Piana Consulting and other foundation and nonprofit leaders to support the 2011 Prize.  Please visit www.lodestarfoundation.org for more information.

About MARC

MARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose purpose is to serve people with disabilities through a 21 county region of western North Carolina about the size of Maryland.  MARC serves by developing and implementing programs among its 14 member community rehabilitation programs located throughout this service area.  www.marcinc.com

The shrinking table of budget options

By Chris Fitzsimon

The latest update about the plans by the new Republican legislative leadership to address the state's $3.7 billion budget shortfall is that there is no real update, despite more public statements and media appearances by top GOP leaders.

The headline of Thursday's News & Observer looked promising, "GOP leaders plan ways to cut billions." Maybe we would finally hear a few specifics about where the cuts would be made.

No such luck. The story was based interviews at the News & Observer with House Speaker to be Thom Tillis and Senator Phil Berger, the next President Pro Tem of the Senate.

The two ways to cut billions referred to in the headline were ending programs that don't work and letting agency heads make the cuts themselves.  But the budget shortfall is $3.7 billion. That's a lot of programs to end. As you have read here before, lawmakers could eliminate whole departments, not programs, and still not come close to filling the budget hole. [Read more...]

Register Today!

January 20, 2011

NCARF Directors Forum & Winter Training Day

Greensboro, NC

The 2011 Directors Forum will concentrate on NCARF's 2011 Legislative Agenda. Please plan to attend or send someone from your organization. We would like every NCARF member organization represented!

The NCARF Winter Training will feature a four-hour workshop and educational session presented by David Kemper of KemperStrategy on Business Development.  This session will feature a Skills Workshop offering attendees take-away knowledge on identifying your strengths and how to apply them, marketing, sales and prospecting for future business. 

The session will also discuss market trends and ideas and strategies on collaboration with other CRPs.  This session is an opportunity for any NCARF Member or CRP that is looking to develop new business or grow current business opportunities. Some pre-work will be required that will help the session have the maximum impact on your production revenues in 2011.

Winter Training Registration Form

Directors Forum Registration Form