Share Your Thoughts: Respond to the Monthly Question

by Michael Piraino, National CASA CEO

Thank you to everyone who responded to our first “Big Question” posted in February: “What are some of the trends you are seeing in child welfare as a result of the lingering economic downturn?” While your local experiences vary dramatically—for example, caseloads increase in one community while decreasing in another—we clearly heard your message that this is a time of churning for everyone: judges, child welfare providers and our CASA/GAL programs. All of this creates increased stress for families.

Your responses to these questions matter. Last week, for example, I shared them with congressional leaders, who appreciated the timely intelligence you provided from the front lines.

Each month, we will summarize your responses to our Big Question and post them on our website. On the State & Local Programs page (log in to access), you'll find February's summary and March's Big Question: "How does your program work to reduce disproportionality and ensure equitable outcomes for children?"

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Call for Photos from Kappa Alpha Theta and CASA/GAL Program Events

One or more of your photos may be featured in a multimedia presentation at the Awards of Excellence Banquet at the National CASA Conference on April 17, 2010. Send us high-resolution (300+ dpi) images from events you've done in collaboration with your Theta college or alumnae chapter. Please upload your images to our secure website by March 18, 2010, using the following naming convention for each photo: theta[your program ID#][photo#]. Procedure:

1. Go to https://files.nationalcasa.org.
2. Use the login thetaphotos.
3. Use the password casatheta.
4. Follow instructions on the screen to upload your photos.

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National CASA Conference Resource Development Track

Brush up your fundraising skills or take them to the next level with a robust schedule of fundraising workshops at the 2010 National CASA Conference on April 17 and 18. Choose from Building Your Case for Support: Telling the CASA Story; Harnessing the Power of Greek Philanthropy; Corporate Partnership Trends—How to Grow Corporate Relationships in Today’s Economy; Online Fundraising and other workshops.

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New Podcast on How New Technologies Help the CASA/GAL Network

In this podcast, we hear National CASA CEO Michael Piraino talk about how new technologies are helping members of our CASA/GAL network improve volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children.

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Coming Soon: New Forms of Fundraising

You may have noticed the explosion of online vote-based contests that award money to causes, such as the Pepsi Refresh Project or Chase Community Giving Challenge. This form of corporate philanthropy, which leverages social media, brings both potential opportunity and pitfalls for our member programs and brand identity. Watch this space for helpful new guidelines and protocols around fundraising promotion in this online arena.

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