Don't you Dare Start 2014 Without a Plan....

As a Ministry Leader do you have your game plan ready to go for 2014?

Is every part, person and process in place to start the new year?

Is everyone on the same page and prepared to do their part?

Do you struggle to develop an effective ministry plan that actually moves your church forward?

Have you found the planning process cumbersome and confusing?

Have your past efforts to plan distracted you and your leadership team and produced limited success?

Everyone knows that ministries with an effective strategic planning process have a stronger opportunity to fulfill their calling.

What does a ministry look like when it has a well thought out plan?

Both the leaders and volunteers are more focused on goals. Both leaders and volunteers are on the same page when implementing the plan.

Everyone involved in the planning process are developed personally and collectively as a team.

Your leaders will make better-informed decisions...and make them quicker.

Your volunteer workforce will waste less time chasing the wrong opportunities or trying to start the wrong ministries.

Your ministry directors will follow through more consistently on what they say and mean to do.

Your leadership team will build confidence as your plan is implemented and successful. Everyone wins!

Your leadership team will better understand what is profitable for your ministry and what is not.

Your volunteers will be less distracted and more energized and motivated....

Call Chambers Consulting Group at 219.230.6338 for a Free Consultation Today, and allow us to "Take You Beyond Where You Are..."

Attention Michigan Organizations: Applications for Fiscal Year 2014 Funding Available in October

Approximately $6 million in funding, through the Competitive Grant Assistance Program (CGAP) will be awarded to 17 local units of government across Michigan. CGAP helps offset costs associated with mergers, consolidations, interlocal agreements, and cooperative efforts for local units and school districts.

“This program has been instrumental in helping municipalities implement innovative programs, incorporate best practices into their daily operations, and finalize collaborations and mergers,” said Governor Rick Snyder. “Treasury received strong interest from municipalities across Michigan, which demonstrates how serious many have become in supporting the good government goals of our state and getting the most out of local tax dollars.”

Call Chambers Consulting Group to get your organization funded.....

Chambers Consulting Group is Providing Personal and Professional Lifestyle Management

How would you like to receive personal assistance performed superiorly and with such a sophisticated elegance individuals like yourself should be given?

Business executive and high-profile individuals miss out on many simple things in their personal lives; a birthday celebration, graduation; or even movie night with the family. Reclaim your leisure time and balance your life with the help of a personal assistant!

Personal Assistants are more than just paper pushers. They are business savvy individuals capable of handling multiple tasks with a sharp precision, managing hectic schedules and can adjust to a lifestyle unfamiliar to their own. We will simplify your life by freeing up more hours in your day and reducing your stress level, allowing you to focus on what has made you successful.

Services:

• Schedule management
• Travel arrangements
• Meeting coordination
• Recruit, interview and supervision of staff (i.e. maids, cooks, baby sitters ect)
• Relocation services
• House sitting
• Running errands
• Liaising with clients, supplier and other staff or team members
• Screening telephone calls
• Dealing with correspondence and writing letters
• Carrying out specific projects and research
• Traveling with client if assistance is needed at location
• And much more

All our assistants will have had a background check and drug screening...They follow a strict confidentiality agreement and code of ethics policy. 

Free Virtual Assistance Give-a-Way!!!!

We will be providing FREE virtual assistance for one lucky non-profit organization! 

For a chance to win this service, please email us consultchambersgrp@ymail.com (in the subject line "Free Virtual Assistance for a Cause") with your organization name, what you're all about and why we should pick your organization! October 31st is the deadline!

Must be a 501(c)3 Corporation...

Virtual Assistance Expansion: What we Do?

What We Do?
Allow Chambers Consulting Group to handle all aspects of your administration; word-processing, bookkeeping, spread sheets, we partner with our clients and learn our clients business allowing us to support their growth. Here are just a few things we will do for you and your organization/companies:

• Appointment setting
• Calendar management
• Transcription and dictation
• Travel arrangement
• Billing
• Database development and management
• Printing and mailings
• Typing
• Fax and email services
• Answering service
• Create presentations
• Contact management
• And much more

Call Chambers Consulting Group, 219.230.6338; and allow us to Take you Beyond Where you Are....

5 Reasons Why Hiring a Virtual Assistant Is A Good Business Strategy

1. Cost Saving
We all like to save a dollar or two where we can. If you’re a business owner, I’m sure you pay lots of attention to how you invest your hard earned money, (I know I do!) – particularly when it comes to hiring the necessary support. When you factor in standard employee expenses such as super, tax, annual leave, and sickies – costs can go through the roof. Well, you’ll be pleased to know that when you hire a Virtual Assistant, you’ll probably end up saving more than you spend. Think of all the extra money and time you would have to put back into your business; as well as alleviating all the common stresses associated with having a full-time employee. Now, that’s what I call a smart business move.

2. Flexible and Versatile
One of the huge benefits of building a relationship with a Virtual Assistant is the flexibility of using one on an ‘as need basis’. For those who are familiar with how a VA works, you might already know that I don’t work to a standard 9-5 template – (Definitely a huge perk-most of the time). This means, on any given day, I could be doing a variety of different things like, ‘on the spot’ requests such as client’s pre-sale administration, creating projects from templates, creating a Facebook page, transcribing or creating an e-newsletter from scratch. Versatility is certainly a big part of the job. When you make the decision to work with a VA, it gives business owners the true freedom to prioritize on tasks that will generate money for them, rather than wasting time on menial tasks that don’t impact the bottom line.

3. On-going Support
There’s not much a Virtual Assistant can’t do. (Ok, with the exception of a few things.) An interesting thing I’ve noticed over the years is the strong need for business owners to control the smallest of tasks. I’m not suggesting it’s right or wrong- but it’s certainly a wise business strategy to get comfortable with the idea of outsourcing. In fact, wouldn’t you rather be focusing on generating income for your business rather than doing the ‘little’ things that other’s could be doing for you? I can provide on-going support for all sorts of things including – researching upcoming industry events, revamping your existing systems, planning your next social media campaign and even arranging your next business trip. The sky really is the limit. And the bonus is, you get to decide on how much support you need. A half hour a day? A few hours a week? Two days a month? The choice is yours!

4. Access To A Variety of Different Technologies
I’m amazed at how much I learn on a daily basis. Sometimes, there’s nothing like keeping your brain stimulated and ticking at high speed. It’s not uncommon for a Virtual Assistant to be well versed and aware of current trends – particularly when it comes to working with new technology. As a business owner, having this resource at your disposal is invaluable. Not only does a VA bring years of business knowledge and expertise to the table, you get the added benefit of having your own personal tech advisor and mentor. And if we can’t assist, there’s a good chance we know someone who can.

5. Professional and Business Minded
A VA is well equipped to support you across a variety of different areas within your organisation. Having been a capable business owner for almost 10 years, I have no problem understanding the common issues facing businesses on a daily basis. Apart from the fact that we very rarely have to re-do things, you can rest assured that you’re dealing with a reliable and like-minded professional. For example, I can act as a great sounding board for your ideas, help you implement efficient administrative systems, provide on-going social media and marketing support; as well as offer sound business advice – (that’s providing you need it, of course!) Whatever support you need, the team and myself are always there to help.

Call Chambers Consulting Group, to handle your Back Office Needs Today!!!

Chambers Consulting Group is Expanding....

We're now providing Virtual Assistance Services to Small Business NonProfits and Executives...

Proposal Review Services

Take advantage of one-on-one proposal review services available at a reduced cost to offer more personalized feedback our consultants.

If you are interested in having us join your team and talking to us about how our proposal review services can fit your organization, please email Dr. Chambers, our Principal Consultant at consultchambersgrp@ymail.com or give us a call at 219.230.6338.

Don’t forget to book your proposal review service early!

Second Chance Act Adult Mentoring and Transitional Services for Successful Reentry Program

Second Chance Act

Adult Mentoring and Transitional Services for 

Successful Reentry Program

FY 2013 Competitive Grant Announcement

Eligibility:

Applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior). Applicants must adhere to all of the eligibility and

funding requirements of the Second Chance Act and any additional requirements that may be established through appropriations measures. BJA expects to make awards for applications submitted under this solicitation in FY 2013 and 

FY 2014, dependent on the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.

Deadline: Applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on March 21, 2013.

For more information: Click Here

FREE Webinar: 2013 Federal Grants Update: What Current & Potential Grantees NEED to Know...

When: Wednesday Feb. 27, 2013 at 1:00pm-2:30pm EST

If you're interested send us an email at: consultchambersgrp@ymail.com

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program

I posted earlier about an upcoming Pregnancy Assistance Funding Announcement, as it relates to any upcoming Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs, it is anticipated that the next Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program funding opportunity announcement will occur in late 2014 or early 2015.

Funding Opportunities

Click on the Grant Links

(All links have been pre-tested for accuracy)

  

The Department of Education announces the availability of $8,900,000 in competitive funding to support GEAR-UP

The GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a discretionary grant program that provides financial support for academic and related support services that eligible low-income students, including students with disabilities, need to enable them to obtain a secondary school diploma and prepare for and succeed in post-secondary education....  (Click Here for More Information)

Cisco Systems Offers Cash Grants to Support Education and Critical Needs in Local Communities 

 

The company's Community Impact program provides grants of up to $15,000 to nonprofits working to provide basic needs in underserved communities within a fifty-mile radius of a major Cisco office or facility... (Click Here for More Information)

Pregnancy Assistance Fund

Pregnancy Assistance Fund

FY2013 Funding Opportunity Announcement

The Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) announces the availability of Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) funds for competitively awarded grants for the development and implementation of programs for expectant and parenting teens, women, fathers, and their families. The Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) grant programs are designed to strengthen access to and completion of secondary and postsecondary education, improve health outcomes for mothers and children, improve pregnancy planning and spacing, and reduce the likelihood of repeat teen pregnancies. The PAF also seeks to increase parenting skills for mothers, fathers, and their families, decrease intimate partner violence, strengthen co-parenting relationships and marriage where appropriate, and raise awareness of available resources among expectant and parenting teens.

Eligibility for funding: Any state, including the District of Columbia, any commonwealth, possession, or other territory of the United States, and any federally-recognized Indian tribe is eligible to apply. An authorized representative from the state or tribe must apply for grant funds available through this announcement. OAH will accept only one application per state or tribe.

Applying: Application information can be found by entering the FOA number (AH-SP1-13-001) or CFDA number (93.500) on the Grants.gov search page: www.grants.gov/search/basic.do. All submissions must be received electronically. To ensure adequate time to successfully submit the application, the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends that applicants register immediately at www.grants.gov.

Non-binding letters of intent are due March 15, 2013 by 5 p.m. ET. Complete applications are due April 10, 2013 by 5 p.m. ET.

More information: 

A webinar for applicants is scheduled for: March 4, 2013 at 2 p.m. ET.o Join Here: http://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW4897907&p=PAF&t=co Call In: 888-889-6569 (Participant passcode: PAF)Eligible state and tribal entities can find more information on how to apply by accessing the complete grant announcement. Enter the FOA number (AH-SP1-13-001) or CFDA number (93.500) on the Grants.gov search page: www.grants.gov/search/basic.do.