In this week’s Must Know
- Organizational Assistance from CAMEO
- The Goodies: This week’s highlight includes a “Shop Local and Micro Guide” for the holidays.
Organizational Assistance from CAMEO
Recently, Heather Gurewitz from West Company contacted CAMEO for some help with communications.
I noticed that we were having a drop in our email marketing responses. I spent an hour on the phone with Heidi. Her insight and her suggestions were invaluable. It was great to have someone who I could call that understands what we do and how we can do it better. I am so grateful for CAMEO’s resources.
Yep, that’s right CAMEO offers free organizational technical assistance and training services to qualifying organizations. CAMEO can work with members on a short-term basis to address a specific issue or help launch a larger effort. Some of the projects that we can help you with include:
- Plan or facilitate a board/staff retreat
- Design a strategic plan
- Assess your organization
- Assess needs and identify resources for leadership training
- Review or evolve your program design
- Find ideas for new services
- Upgrade your financial management skills
- Plan for collaborations with other organizations and agencies
- Train your staff on best practices for training, customer retention, credit analysis, communications
- Review your website
- Plan a press conference or implement other media strategies
We also put you in touch with other organizational assistance. Check out our latest guest blog post from Joanne Steele that explains what social marketing trainings a micro enterprise development organization or SBDC should offer that will have the greatest impact on your clients’ financial success.
This assistance is one of the many reasons you should join or renew your membership to CAMEO! and keep our network out in front on policies, funding and tools that support your program. Be part of the Voice of Micro-Business. Together, we build businesses that create local jobs and grow the Californian economy through Micro-business development.
The Goodies
New opportunities for trainings, conference information, funding, scholarships, and other information that have crossed our desks since the last Must Know: I have posted a running tab of current Goodies on the CAMEO website that lists items that were in past emails. Check it out to make sure you’re not missing anything, like grants whose deadlines are still alive!
Holiday Guide: Support Micro during the holidays! Find out how with our “Shop Local and Micro Guide“. If your organization is hosting a holiday fair or has compiled a list of businesses selling products for the season, then please let us know.
Holiday Treat for You!: The elves have an opportunity for three Micro Enterprise organizations to receive pro bono consulting services to help build program and organizational capacity. Feel free to contact Jason if you are interested at 319-341-4556 or jasonj@friedmanassociates.net.
Must Read: Sunday’s (Dec 2) front page story in The New York Times, “As Companies Seek Tax Deals, Governments Pay High Price,” vindicates our position that cities should invest in locally owned businesses.
AEO and FIELD Membership Discount: You save $100 on AEO membership and $100 on a one-year MicroTracker Premium Plan subscription – that’s a total value of $500 for only $300! Learn more about the AEO/FIELD Membership Bundle. This is a must-buy, if you are not already an AEO member!
Free Media Training: American Sustainable Business Council holds a free media training on December 18 about broadcast 12-1:30 p.m. PT. Learn more and find out how to register.
Free Webinar:: CFED hosts “Fundraising Resources for IDA Programs” on Friday, December 14,12:30-1:30 p.m. PST // 3:30-4:30 p.m. EST. Learn about CFED’s three “Tools for Success” fundraising resources to help you identify, cultivate and secure sustainable financial resources for your IDA program.
SBA Resource: Check out SBA’s new Small Business Learning Center.