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NEW 23-MINUTE WEBINAR ADDED:
SHARE THE LOVE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND EVENTS

 
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With the 2016 Subaru Share the Love Event just 24 days away, we know that many of you are in full-on planning mode. To aid in your planning, we’ve launched the first webinar in our special Share the Love on-demand series that focuses on retailer relationship building and event coordination.

By partnering with local Subaru retailers during this time, you can reach new audiences in your community that have the potential to become new Subaru customers and life-long supporters of your organization. While retailer relationships are a good place to start your local activation events, most of you are already planning to host annual holiday events that bring together a large number of people from the community. Or, perhaps you’re participating in community events that other organizations are hosting. Either way, there are immense opportunities to incorporate the Share the Love Event messages into everything you do this holiday season.

In This 23-Minute Webinar You Will:

  • Hear from our Share the Love Ambassadors about how they have grown their relationship with their local Subaru retailer over time;
  • Take away ideas on how to incorporate Share the Love into your existing event plans; and
  • Learn successful practices in relationship building and management.

Contributing Share the Love Ambassadors:

  • Sue Aistrop, KleinLife, Philadelphia PA
  • Debbie Case and Luanne Hinkle, Meals on Wheels San Diego County, CA

WATCH THE WEBINAR NOW

 
DID YOU CATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOWN HALL ALL ABOUT THE NEW REVENUE SHARE MODEL?

On October 7, Ellie Hollander and the Meals on Wheels America team introduced the new and improved revenue share model for this year's Share the Love Event. Whether you were unable to attend or would like to share the information with colleagues, please find the links below to download the presentation slides or watch the recording.

WATCH THE RECORDING       DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

The online Share the Love Member Toolkit is designed to help you participate in the Subaru Share the Love Event every step along the way, and we will continue to add more tools and resources as they become available. If you have any questions throughout the process, please contact our Share the Love Coach Allison Nalley at allison@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 571-339-1620.

 
This holiday season, let's work together to increase Subaru's financial support for Meals on Wheels and the seniors you serve! 


WANT MORE “AMERICA, LET’S DO LUNCHTM” BILLBOARDS IN YOUR AREA?

TUNE IN TO OUR NEW ON-DEMAND WEBINAR AND FIND OUT HOW TO SECURE THEM!

“America, Let’s Do Lunch” billboards have been spotted all over the country, from big cities like Los Angeles, New York City and Minneapolis/St. Paul, to small towns in rural Maryland and beyond. Vendors who place billboards, digital signs, bus shelters, airport signage and other “out of home” media around the country fill their unpurchased space with public service announcement (PSA) ads. And, we can help you get them filled with the campaign’s volunteer recruitment message in your own community!

Our Securing More Billboard & Out-of-Home Media In Your Area webinar covers step-by-step instructions on this topic, and it is the first in an ongoing series of bite-sized on-demand tutorials detailing how to extend the “America, Let’s Do Lunch” campaign in your area. In this opening installment, you’ll find out how to:

  • Approach your local vendor
  • Determine if your location qualifies for a customized message
  • Order your billboards/signs
  • Revel in your successful out-of-home media placement!

Simply watch the webinar whenever it’s convenient for you and you’ll be securing “America, Let’s Do Lunch” billboards and signage in no time!


LET’S TELL CONGRESS THAT OUR #SENIORSCANTWAIT

We all recognize the critical support your programs provide to millions of vulnerable seniors. Unfortunately, there are tens of thousands of seniors waiting to receive Meals on Wheels and this number continues to grow as funding for senior nutrition programs fails to keep pace with the need. That’s why we’re bringing back the #SeniorsCantWait campaign to raise awareness about Meals on Wheels waiting lists and the need to increase funding for Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Programs in FY 2017.

Last year, your participation in this campaign was one of the reasons Congress passed a more than $20 million increase in funding for OAA Nutrition Programs in FY16. While we’ve made strides, it’s important that we keep this conversation going and show Congress why our #SeniorsCantWait for the nutritious meals, safety checks and friendly visits you provide each day.

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HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

  1. Simply start by filling out a brief survey with information on your program and your current waiting list. Once we have your responses, we’ll create custom social media images with your region/city, state, and the number of seniors on your waiting list. You can share these on social media and tweet them at your Members of Congress to urge lawmakers to invest further and encourage your community to do its part.
  2. Check out the #SeniorsCantWait Toolkit. Whether you have a waiting list or not, there are resources here for everyone. Use our sample social media posts and images, look up social media information for your Members of Congress or publicize your participation in the campaign with the template press release.
  3. Write to your Members of Congress and urge them to pass a nearly $14 million increase in funding for Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs in FY 2017. We make it quick and easy!

We’d love to hear about what you’re up to, so reach out to the Advocacy Team at advocacy@mealsonwheelsamerica.org with any campaign updates. We may even feature it in next month’s Wheels in Motion!


WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

 
Greater Randolph Area Services Program, Converse, TX   
Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation, Gillespie, IL 
Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames, IA  
PLOWS Council on Aging, Palos Heights, IL   
Westlake Meals on Wheels, Westlake, OH

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

ARE ROBOT PETS THE FUTURE OF SENIOR COMPANIONSHIP?

Scientists have long known that owning a pet can offer a variety of health benefits, from lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels and feelings of loneliness, to boosting opportunities to exercise and socialize. A recent CNN.com article explores the growing popularity of robot pet companions, and in particular, their ability to offer benefits to senior adults similar to that of a living animal. Could this be the future of our pet programs? Read more here.

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Meals on Wheels America partner Hasbro is one of the toy companies on the cutting edge of robot companion development. Its Joy for All brand launched a new life-like robotic dog this month, a companion pet pup to accompany the brand's companion pet cat already on the market. Both products are designed specifically to bring companionship and comfort to aging adults.

In September, a robot cat was ceremoniously delivered to one of Member Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island’s homebound clients. This was the first special delivery in a series of upcoming events commemorating Hasbro’s support of the Meals on Wheels network. Read more here and keep a look out for a follow up story in November’s edition of Wheels in Motion

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS INDUCTS NEW DIRECTOR

The formal induction of John Wider into the position of Vice Chair of the Meals on Wheels America Board of Directors, during the Annual Meeting of the Membership at Conference last month, created a vacancy in his former position as Director. Per the bylaws, the Governance Committee has the responsibility to recommend to the Board a qualified person to fill a vacancy when it occurs. Given the pressing matters facing the Association and our Members from for-profit competition and the need to expand Meals on Wheels services in the healthcare space, the Committee felt it was essential to fill the vacancy with a respected leader who knows and understands the national Meals on Wheels network and the issues facing us all.

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Therefore, the Committee has recommended, and the Board has agreed – consistent with our bylaws – to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the original term until 2017 with Vinsen Faris, Chief Executive Officer of Meals on Wheels San Antonio. As we all know, Vinsen, whose former service on the Board ended in August, is a highly competent executive and a true champion for the Meals on Wheels network. His familiarity with the Board and matters facing Members will enable him to have an immediate and meaningful impact without having to take the time to get up to speed. 

“It would be a disservice to the Membership if we didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to extend Vinsen’s engagement with the Board and the Association, as a whole. As we all know, Vinsen brings an unparalleled level of skill, knowledge and commitment to everything we do, and we are pleased that he has agreed to continue his service.”
Ashley McCumber, Chair of the Board

 
Please join us as we welcome Vinsen Faris back to the Board! Questions? Email governance@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.


MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA FEATURED AS A PAY FOR SUCCESS PIONEER

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In July, we announced that Meals on Wheels America received $250,000 from the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) as part of a federal effort powered by the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Social Innovation Fund to address entrenched social problems. The funds will allow Meals on Wheels America, in partnership with Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland and Quantified Ventures, to structure a replicable Pay for Success (PFS) project in Baltimore, MD to provide nutritious meal delivery, in-home safety checks, socialization, and case management services to vulnerable older adults at risk of acute care utilization.

This month, our groundbreaking initiative was featured on NFF’s Voice from PFS Pioneers blog. Read it now and sign up for our upcoming Leadership Academy webinar Emerging Trends in Social Investing to stay ahead of this innovative revenue opportunity. 


SHARING MEANS CARING FOR OUR HOMEBOUND VETS

The Home Depot Foundation’s Celebration of Service is coming to a close on Veterans Day (November 11). That means you have just a few weeks to use your social media to earn dollars that will support Meals on Wheels’ veterans home repair efforts.

The Home Depot Foundation will donate $1 to five national nonprofits, including Meals on Wheels America, for any reaction - like, love, wow, comment or share - to this spotlight post on Facebook (as well as any #ServiceSelfie Facebook post) through November 11!

So, comment, react and share now!

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Team Depot will also donate an additional $1 to the same charities (up to $500,000 total) for every use of the hashtag #ServiceSelfie on Twitter and Instagram as well as for every like and retweet of #ServiceSelfie posts from @TeamDepot! And you can create your own posts to raise funds, too. Snap a photo of yourself doing good, or simply share a few words of encouragement for our veterans and post it on your Twitter and Instagram accounts with the hashtag #ServiceSelfie.

With just a few clicks, you can support the senior veteran home repair efforts of your fellow Members in Austin, TX; San Francisco, CA; and Kissimmee, FL. Together, We Can Deliver.™

 


RECENTLY RELEASED PARTNERSHIP GUIDE WITH FEEDING AMERICA

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Feeding America food banks and Meals on Wheels programs share a common goal of ensuring seniors have access to the food they need to stay healthy. To try to replicate these beneficial partnerships in communities across the country, we partnered with Feeding America to capture successful examples and best practices in a comprehensive report. We found that there are seven specific collaboration models that have been proven effective and are great examples for your own local involvement. Learn more by downloading our one-page summary guide or dive in with the full partnership guide.

ACCESS THE ONE-PAGE PARTNERSHIP SUMMARY
ACCESS THE FULL PARTNERSHIP GUIDE

Questions? Contact the Meals on Wheels America Research Team at research@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES & BENEFITS

BRAND CORNER: DOWNLOAD THE MEMBER BADGE TO MAKE A VALUABLE CONNECTION TO THE NATIONWIDE MEALS ON WHEELS MOVEMENT

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With the increasing visibility of Meals on Wheels through nationwide initiatives like our “America, Let’s Do Lunch™” PSA campaign, the Meals on Wheels America Member Badge is more valuable than ever. Displaying the Member Badge also makes your program eligible to receive funding through Meals on Wheels America, like the upcoming Subaru Share the Love Event Revenue Share.

Download the 2017 Member Badge today so that you can start planning for the switch in the new year. You can even download the 2016 Member Badge at the same time and use it until December 31.

Visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/memberbadge now.

If you’ve previously download the 2016 Member Badge, there’s no need to sign the electronic License Agreement again. You should have received an email earlier this month with a direct link to download. If you didn’t receive it, please email brand@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Visit the Brand Resource Center at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/brand to learn more about the Member Badge and the national branding.


NEW IN THE MEMBER STORE: BRAND JACKETS AND LUNCH FLAG LAPEL PINS

At Conference and beyond, we heard your requests loud and clear. By popular demand, the Meals on Wheels America Member store now carries the colorful “America, Let’s Do Lunch™” flag lapel pins and stylish Meals on Wheels brand jackets.

Further engage your community and inspire new volunteers with lunch flag lapel pins that you can order in batches of 100 that include a mix of all four colors: pink, green, yellow and blue! You’ll also find vibrant campaign items from koozies to keychains and t-shirts in the America, Let’s Do Lunch shop to round out your volunteer recruitment promotional items.

As cooler temperatures settle in, pick up branded Meals on Wheels America jackets for you and your staff. These stylish numbers will keep you warm while also getting the word out about senior hunger and isolation. Want to wear your own organization’s logo? No problem! Check out the Member Store and email our merchandise vendor with your customization request.

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FREE SAVINGS EVALUATION MADE AVAILABLE BY UST

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Our partner Unemployment Services Trust (UST) is providing a free savings evaluation to help determine whether your organization should exercise its 501(c)(3) unemployment tax exemption. If your program qualifies for this, UST will also provide your organization with a complimentary two-year savings projection.

If you have 10 or more employees, simply submit this online form by November 15, 2016. Be sure to use priority code 2016MOW-E to expedite the process. Questions? Contact UST directly at 888-249-4788 or info@chooseust.org.


DRIVING EFFECTIVE TEAMS THROUGH STRENGTHS-BASED LEADERSHIP, OCTOBER 25

One of the keys to effective leadership is the ability to build strong teams. Not everyone on your team has to be good at everything. Your program’s effectiveness can be enhanced by identifying and honing individual strengths of your team members to produce the best work possible. Join the Meals on Wheels Leadership Academy on Tuesday, October 25 at 3:30 p.m. EDT to learn how you can identify and channel your strengths in your current role and balance responsibilities based on your team’s collective interests. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of how to identify roles that make your team stronger and meet strategic goals. This webinar will also provide you with a credit towards your Academy certificate!

In this webinar you will:

  • Learn how to identify your team’s strengths;
  • Gain an understanding of key strategies you can use to uncover and support the kind of team members you have; and
  • Discuss how and when to reconfigure roles for your team. 

Webinar: Driving Effective Teams Through Strengths-Based Leadership
Date:
 Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Time:
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EDT
Presenter: Kishshana Palmer of Kishshana & Co
Competency:
Organizational Planning
Track: Management
Credits:
1
Fee:
 $25
REGISTER NOW


THE LEADERSHIP KALEIDOSCOPE – ADAPTING TO A DIVERSE WORKFORCE, NOVEMBER 1

Today’s leaders are experiencing the most diverse workforce in our country’s history. And, as the leader of a nonprofit organization, that leadership extends beyond just our employees and has significant implications with your volunteers and donors, as well. Join presenter Blake Babcock, President of Mobile Meals in Akron on Tuesday, November 1 at 3:30 p.m. EDT for this Leadership Academy webinar that will explore how you can navigate today’s environment and succeed in leading your diverse group of stakeholders into the future.

In this webinar you will:

  • Learn how to effectively lead across cultures and generations;
  • Gain an understanding of how to build a diverse and powerful tribe that’s mission-focused; and
  • Hear how you can utilize social media to relate to a diverse workforce and current and potential supporters.

Webinar: The Leadership Kaleidoscope - Adapting to a Diverse Workforce
Date:
 Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Time:
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EDT
Presenter: Blake Babcock, President of Mobile Meals in Akron
Competency:
Relationship Building
Track: Communications
Credits:
1
Fee:
 $25
REGISTER NOW


EMERGING TRENDS IN SOCIAL INVESTING – FUTURE REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES, NOVEMBER 15

The healthcare and social services arena is open for Meals on Wheels programs to access new sources of revenue. Back by popular demand, the Founder and President of Qualified Ventures Eric Letsinger will explore how emerging models like Pay for Success and Social Impact Bonds can be used to increase the capacity of your organization’s operations and help you deliver positive health and social outcomes. These innovative transactions can help Meals on Wheels programs access new sources of capital that allow you to focus on service delivery and spend less time in endless cycles of fundraising. Register for this Leadership Academy webinar on November 15 at 3:30 p.m. EST and you’ll walk away with a better understanding of how to tap into these cutting-edge funding opportunities for your program.

In this webinar, you will:

  • Receive an overview of Pay for Success and Social Impact bonds;
  • Learn how these opportunities relate to the challenges faced by Meal on Wheels programs; and
  • Hear examples of how Qualified Ventures is already connecting Meals on Wheels programs to these opportunities.

Webinar: Emerging Trends in Social Investing – Future Revenue Opportunities
Date:
 Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Time:
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Presenter: Eric Letsinger, Founder and President of Qualified Ventures
Competency:
Fiscal Responsibility
Track: Financial Management
Credits:
1
Fee:
 $25
REGISTER NOW


FOOD IS MEDICINE, NOVEMBER 17

For years, Harvard Law School's Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation (CHLPI) has worked with food and nutrition services providers to make the case that food is medicine and should be an important part of our nation’s healthcare. Join us for this free NRCNA webinar on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 3:30 p.m. EST to hear from Jean Terranova of Community Servings and Katie Garfield of CHLPI on how to work with healthcare payers, providers and policy leaders to establish reimbursement for medically-tailored food in public and private insurance programs.

In this webinar, you will:

  • Learn about the history of Community Servings and similarly aligned agencies in the national Food is Medicine Coalition;
  • Discuss research that demonstrates the impact of food and nutrition services on healthcare;
  • Explore opportunities for reimbursement of food and nutrition services through public and private healthcare systems; and
  • Learn how to leverage relationships with healthcare payers, providers and policy leaders to explore integrating their services into the healthcare sector.

Webinar: Food is Medicine
Date:
 Thursday, November 17, 2016
Time:
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Presenters: Jean Terranova of Community Servings and Katie Garfield of CHLPI
Competency:
Business Acumen
Track: Thought Leadership  
Credits:
1
Fee:
 FREE 
REGISTER NOW


DEVELOPING AN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY FOR BOARDS, VOLUNTEERS AND NON-FUNDRAISING STAFF – DECEMBER 1

The term “culture of philanthropy” has evolved into an increasingly popular value that is shaping today’s society. As this trend gains momentum, it presents a powerful opportunity for your program to further leverage its network to fundraise. Join presenter Barbara Tesner, of BLT Philanthropic Services, on Thursday, December 1 at 3:30 p.m. EST for this Leadership Academy webinar to learn how you can more effectively collaborate with board members, staff and volunteers to foster a fundraising culture. 

In this webinar, you will:

  • Receive an overview of the core values associated with a “culture of philanthropy;”
  • Hear how this concept can be applied to your program, depending on development structure, strategic plan and leadership; and
  • Learn examples of proven techniques that will help you receive the buy-in, ownership and commitment you need from your network to achieve this culture.

Webinar: Developing an Organizational Culture of Philanthropy for Boards, Volunteers and Non-Fundraising Staff
Date:
 Thursday, December 1, 2016
Time:
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST
Presenter:  Barbara Tesner, BLT Philanthropic Services
Competency:
Organizational Planning
Track: Management
Credits:
1
Fee:
 $25
REGISTER NOW


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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

 
Did you know that we have an online discussion group where Members just like you are actively collaborating with their peers on crucial topics? Contribute and learn about these topics by joining our LinkedIn Discussion Group here. A few of the most recent conversations in the group include:

  • Best practices and products for transporting various meals;
  • How and when to recognize donors; and
  • Recommendations on emergency preparedness for inclement weather conditions.