AWC Des Moines

Job Announcement: Executive Director for 1000 Friends of Iowa (part-time)

1000 Friends of Iowa is seeking an innovative, dedicated and experienced professional to serve as the organization's part-time Executive Director. We are a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the citizens of Iowa about the benefits of responsible land use. We are dedicated to sustainable land uses that revitalize our cities, restore rural communities, promote smart growth principles in planning and practice, and replenish farmland and natural areas.

Applicants should have experience and demonstrated leadership in community organizing, fundraising, and business and strategic planning. Knowledge of Iowa land use issues is important. Excellent communication skills are essential. The Executive Director will work out of the 1000 Friends office in Des Moines.

Principal duties include

• Support and carry out the mission of 1000 Friends of Iowa;
• Build the organization’s membership base;
• Develop and maintain a successful fundraising program that includes the solicitation of foundation grants;
• Continue the organization’s work with grassroots groups around the state;
• Manage the office, support staff, supplies, telecommunications, and equipment as appropriate;
• Manage the organization's funds, including the use of appropriate long range financial plans and cash flow projections; and
• Report monthly to the Executive Committee and quarterly to the Board on the organization's progress.

Secondary duties include

• Coordinate the publishing and editing of the Land Use Bulletin, the quarterly newsletter for 1000 Friends of Iowa;
• Form partnerships with a diverse range of organizations that share aspects of our concern over land use;
• Expand on the organization’s educational activities, including speakers bureau, public forums and workshops; and
• Develop a media outreach and public relations plan.

Salary is negotiable and based upon experience. Compensation will increase based upon the growth and development of 1000 Friends of Iowa. After an initial six-month review, salary will be adjusted on an annual basis. The position will include benefits, offers flexible hours, and has the potential to evolve into a full-time position.

 To be considered as a candidate for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to the Personnel Committee no later than May 21, 2009. In particular 1000 Friends of Iowa will be interested to learn about your

• experience with boards and nonprofit organizations;
• knowledge of land conservation, farmland protection, urban sprawl issues, land-use planning, and legislative policy formation;
• experience in fundraising, public outreach, and public relations; and
• experience in positions of high public exposure.

Please submit your materials to 1000 Friends of Iowa
3850 Merle Hay Rd #605
Des Moines IA 50310-1300
kfoi@1000friendsofiowa.org

Photos of March 2009 meeting now online

A photo gallery featuring attendees at Liz Nead's presentation is available at http://awcdsm.org/2009MarchGallery/index.htm, thanks to Peggy Fleming.

Clarion deadline extended to April 14

Last year's Clarion Awards entries were some of the best in the 36 years of the competition. In 2007, AWC streamlined the categories and enhanced the judging process. In 2008, the focus was on marketing.

"This year, we’re doing both," says awards committee chair Deborah Sullivan. "Our goal is to increase the number of entries per category in order to further enhance the awards’ credibility."

To achieve this goal, the committee has extended the final deadline to April 14th to help those who are struggling with time and money in this economy.

More information is available at the AWC Web site's Clarion Awards section.

Plymouth Church seeks part-time communications director

Plymouth Church has a job opening for a part-time Communications Director, approximately 25 hours of work per week.

The Director of Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy for Plymouth UCC.  This position consults with staff members, ministers, and boards to enhance their work with internal and external audiences and coordinates all communications of the church’s overall messages.

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in communications field or equivalent experience, knowledge of communications technology tools and vehicles, strong written and oral communications skills, and strong leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills.  A Christian background is desired as well as the ability to identify closely with the mission, values, vision and priorities of Plymouth Church.

To apply, or for more information, please contact Jennifer Hines, Plymouth Church Director of Administration, at 515-255-3149, ext. 19 or jhines@plymouthchurch.com

Panelists showcase benefits of AWC membership

Lori Day, second from left, explains how AWC makes her feel at home in a professional community, as panelists Kathy Towner, Cecelia Munzenmaier, and Julie Torstenson listen.

Members and guests listen to panelists at the Member Showcase meeting.
(Photos by Peggy Fleming)

Make a Powerful Noise for International Women's Day March 5

You’re invited to MAKE A POWERFUL NOISE for International Women’s Day!

On the evening of March 5, the Greater Des Moines chapter of the Association of Women in Communications invites you to view "A Powerful Noise," an acclaimed documentary which takes you inside the lives of three women to witness their daily challenges and significant victories over poverty and oppression.

Immediately following the film, a town hall discussion will be broadcast live from New York to participating theaters with renowned activists and experts including Madeleine Albright, Nicholas Kristof, Christy Turlington Burns, and CARE President & CEO Helene Gayle, to discuss how we can empower women around the world to fight global poverty.

You can play a part!

The movie will be shown locally on March 5th at Century 20 Jordan Creek, located at 101 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines at 6:30 pm.  Won’t you join us and encourage other women to attend?

The sponsoring organization, CARE, is announcing a new challenge to see which organization can make the most POWERFUL NOISE for International Women's Day.

If you are willing to attend this event, simply email Leslie Garman by FRIDAY that “YES, I’ll help MAKE A POWERFUL NOISE for International Women’s Day!”

The organization that drives the greatest number of people to the theaters by Friday, February 20th, will receive:

- A CARE tote bag filled with microfinance items made by CARE program participants for each of the local groups who reported their plans

- A feature profile of the organization's involvement in the event in all of CARE's major communications, including the "I Am Powerful" magazine, the CARE Connections e-newsletter, and on CARE's Web site

- If the winning organization generates 1,000 ticket purchases across all local chapters and affiliates, the organization will receive a special mention and thanks at the town hall meeting being broadcast live into all 450 participating theaters on the night of March 5! The winning organization will also be listed on the event program.

FYI, tickets are on sale now. To learn more about the film, or for theatre and ticket information, visit www.apowerfulnoise.org. Also, visit http://www.apowerfulnoise.org/guides.html to download a step-by-step planning guide for how local women's groups can participate in this exciting event.

REMEMBER – email Leslie Garman   “YES I’ll help MAKE A POWERFUL NOISE for International Women’s Day!” before Friday!  More details soon!

 

Free Drake seminar 2/14 presents ideas on retooling communications careers

With lay-offs prevalent throughout the communications industry, Drake University is offering media professionals the opportunity to explore reinvention strategies for their careers. Communications professionals are invited to a panel discussion on Saturday, Feb. 14, on the Drake campus.

Hosted by Drake's School of Journalism and Mass Communication, "Reinvention Strategies for Media Professionals" will begin with a networking coffee at 9 a.m. outside room 106 of Meredith Hall, 2805 University Ave. The panel discussion will follow from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.

The panelists represent a variety of disciplines and will share their stories of career reinvention and offer tips for other seeking new job opportunities. The panelists are

    * Polly Carver-Kimm, public information officer for the Iowa Department of Public Health, and former news director of the Des Moines Radio Group and co-host of the KIOA "Maxwell and Polly" morning show.
    * Claire Celsi, public relations account supervisor for The Integer Group and an expert in social and new media.
    * Louis Laurent, longtime Des Moines advertising professional and owner and president of ZLR Ignition marketing and advertising agency.
    * Patricia Prijatel, director of the E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies, who writes, edits and blogs on health care issues.

"The Drake journalism school is responding to the economic upheaval in the local media community," said Kathleen Richardson, director of the school. "We are eager to give back to area professionals, because alumni and others have always been so generous to us and our students."

The panel discussion is the first in the series of classes and other events this spring aimed not only at graduating seniors who will soon be job-hunting, but also at professionals who want to update their skills.

The series will continue on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a hands-on "Journalist's Guide to New Media" workshop, which will focus on how to use the latest online tools, get the most out of social media and how to create a blog.

The workshop will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Meredith Hall. Registration is $50 and includes a coffee reception and lunch. Seats are limited.

For more information, contact Patricia Prijatel at patricia.prijatel@drake.edu. The workshop is sponsored by the E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies at the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

National Membership Campaign: Save $50!

Join AWC between January 15th and April 15th and your membership application fee will be waived. Take advantage of the $50 savings and join the only communications organization that promotes the advancement of women in all facets of communications. To join now or to find out more information, go to www.womcom.org or email Brooke Ruddy ruddyb@firstfederaliowa.com

Original Design Soft Sculptures by Peggy Fleming

At the holiday party, Peggy Fleming shared some of her needle felted Santas. If you missed the party, you can see some of her award-winning designs at http://www.pleasantridgecollection.com/

Peggy also offers classes in needle felting and teddy bear making.

Chrysalis invites AWC to support its newest event, Girl Power

Planned for spring of 2009, Girl Power is intended to inspire girls to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and to provide information for parents and other girl mentors to better help girls grow to be strong confident women.

The first planning meeting for Girl Power will be held January 26th (Monday) from 11:30 am – 12:45 pm at the Chrysalis Foundation office (300 East Locust Street, Ste. 150, Des Moines). 

GirlPower will be an expansion of a program sponsored and created by the Des Moines Junior League and now gifted to the Chrysalis Foundation to continue and expand. It will continue to provide career exploration for girls, but it will also offer other “tracks” pertinent to girls, such as body image and technology safety. GirlPower will also offer other tracks for moms or other mentors to help them learn how they can help their daughters/mentees grow and become strong and confident women.  Several speakers will be engaged to help us share the information.

Interested?  Call or email Leslie Garman at Chrysalis:  (515) 255-1853 or lgarman@chrysalisfdn.org