The Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy and the National Center for Charitable Statistics announces the upcoming release of Human Service Nonprofits and Government Collaboration: Findings from the 2010 National Survey of Nonprofit Government Contracting and Grants on Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 9:00 – 10:30 am at The Urban Institute, 2100 M Street NW, 5th Floor, Katharine Graham Conference Facility, Washington, DC 20037
Please join The Urban Institute for the release of findings from the first national survey documenting the extent of government contracting and grants with human service organizations and problems experienced by nonprofits that contract with governments at the local, state and national levels. There will be discussion of the impact of the recession on these nonprofits and the interaction of contracting problems, such as late payments, and the cutbacks organizations have made to keep their programs operating during the recession.
A panel of experts from the nonprofit and public sectors will talk about the realities on the ground, policy implications and the future of nonprofit-government relations. Additional information and a formal invitation from the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy will be forthcoming. Please contact Pho Palmer with questions at (202) 261-5397.
Teens looking for jobs have a new web site that will offer them tips on how to apply, interview and more.
There are a lot of rules for teens who work, so the State Labor Department has put together a new website that answers questions about work papers and hours.
Department spokeswoman Michelle Duffy says this is the time of the year the job market could pick up for teens.
“We’re hoping with the holiday season, October starts to pick up with retailers in particular starting to hire for the holiday season and then they start to really ramp it up in November and then December is the peak hiring time,” said Duffy.
Duffy says parents and kids are often calling the labor department to get information on that first job.
Morris Moorawnick Knew The Sports Landscape by Raymond Rolak
DETROIT– Longtime Detroit sports figure Morris Moorawnick — A celebrated statistician and professional scorekeeper, died recently at 83. He had been ailing from a series of strokes. He was very proud of his Russian-Polish-Jewish heritage and upbringing, and was a great ambassador of Judeo-Christian relations.
Moorawnick, a native Detroiter, was best known for keeping stats for the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings, starting in 1947. He worked for the Piston’s before they moved to Detroit from Fort Wayne in 1958. Prior to that, he was the sports statistician for Wayne State University. He also helped with the great Wayne State basketball teams of Coach Joel Mason in the 1950’s. He was shy of getting his degree by three credits as he was on a music scholarship at WSU in the early 50’s. He went on to become a professional baseball scorer, with a national reputation.
As a youth he was a professional pin-ball player, table tennis champion and master piano player. His father Jacek, would often call to him in Yiddish, “Morrie the Guntcher”, which loosely translates to ‘one who can play without tilting’.
He loved to show off his NBA Championship rings from the ‘Bad Boys’ days. Also, his Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Rings. Last year he was celebrated by American Legion Baseball for his longtime support. In fact, he went on tour showing off his championship rings. He was also honored at Comerica Park by the Ilitch Family for his contributions to amateur sports and excellence of sportsmanship.
Native Detroiter and former sports statistician Morris Moorawnick (center) being honored at Comerica Park last year. Detroit Tiger Manager, Jim Leyland personally congratulated 'Morrie' on his honors. Photo courtesy of ROLCO SPORTS NETWORK
Moorawnick worked for nearly every media outlet in the sports departments, including the Associated Press, the Detroit Times, the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press.
He lived to talk sports. “He was the greatest uncle,” said David Manning. “The highlight of my uncle’s life was being around the teams. The only thing better than that was eating all their food before the games.” He loved to eat and tried to keep a kosher table. He tried.
He prided his special friendship with hockey legend Gordy Howe and was a fixture at Olympia and Joe Louis Arena’s. He also travelled with and did stats for the University of Michigan baseball team. Morrie was well known in Ann Arbor and at Ray Fisher Baseball Stadium. He was known for his precise and small printing. He made keeping score of a baseball game an art. Moorawnick was chronicled in the 2009 book by James Robert Irwin, “Playing Ball with Legends: The Story of Don Lund”.
He cherished his ‘Black Bat’ trophies of which he had many. These were replica Hillerich and Bradsby, Louisville Slugger baseball bats with all the teammate’s names engraved in gold on them. They were given to national championship teams as a trophy. Lund, when he was coach of the 1962 NCAA baseball champions at Michigan included Moorawnick as an interregnal part of the team. Moorawnick also contributed to Detroit Pepsi, Detroit Edison Post-187, Detroit Adray, Detroit John F. Ivory, Detroit Stan Long Pontiac, Detroit Larco and Detroit I.T.M. national championship teams
He was known nationally for his knowledge of sports and immediate recall of trivial sports facts. “He was a walking encyclopedia of sports,” said longtime friend and former Detroit Tiger, Willie Horton. In 1959 he covered the NABF National Tournament in Altoona, PA and then hitch-hiked to Hastings, NE for the American Legion World Series. “I don’t know how he did it, but he was everywhere,” continued Horton. “He was a fixture at Northwestern Fields in Detroit.” Moorawnick never learned to drive.
During the summer to supplement his income, Moorawnick would provide room and board for visiting elite baseball players that played in the old Hearst, Free Press and Adray summer leagues including baseball great, Steve Garvey. When he still traveled, he was a fixture every year at the All-American Amateur Baseball Association Tournament in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Dearborn, Michigan sportsman Mike Adray used to host Moorawnick anonymously.
In his golden years Moorawnick enjoyed reading and tending to his tomato garden. He is survived by a sister, Marian and nieces and nephews. The family asks that memorial donations be made to one’s charity of choice in Morries name.
Author and scholar Danusha V. Goska came to CCSU to give her “Fiedorczyk” otherwise known as “Brute Polak” lecture, poking holes at stereotypes to a receptive audience Thursday night.
Particularly in the United States, stereotyping of different people is commonplace and unfortunately, socially acceptable, she said.
“In America, Poles have become the prototypical ethnicity associated with the working class. Prejudice against Poles is often commingled with contempt for working class people, and for manual labor itself.”
She discussed the toxic nature of stereotypes and pointed out that “If you think stereotypically, you will stereotype everyone, including yourself.”
Professor M.B. Biskupski, the S.A. Blejwas Chair of Polish American Studies introduced Goska, who teaches at William Paterson University. Biskupski has dedicated his academic career to “setting straight the misinformation about Poles,” according to CCSU media relations officer Janice Palmer.
Goska has written a book on the subject, titled “Bieganski,” which specifically addresses the issues associated with the interaction between people of different cultures, nationalities, ethnicities, and religions, but specifically Jewish, Christian and Muslim relations. This subject encompasses everything from stereotypes, racism, immigration, tolerance, and multiculturalism, the media’s treatment of the concept of ethnicity, the online spread of stereotypes and hate, and the Holocaust.
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The process of finding someone willing to publish one’s writing is never an easy feat, but for Goska, it seemed impossible. She began showing publishers “Bieganski” in 2002 and continuously received the same reaction: initial praise, promise of publication, and then a final backing-out. Each of the rejections in this series always employed the same reasoning; although compassionately moving, her words were to be written by some famous scholar, not an unknown Polish-[Roman] Catholic writer.
Finally in 2009, her long search ended when she found a pair courageous enough to take on the controversial book and set it out into the world. Antony Polonsky, Albert Abramson Chair of Holocaust Studies at Brandeis University, suggested Academic Studies Press, run by Igor and Kira Nemirovsky.
Before her speech, Goska told reporters, “I knew that somewhere out there were my fellow Poles and Polish Americans, and I vowed that I would reach them someday with a book that would serve them, serve my ancestors, and serve my own family. In the upcoming lecture at CCSU, I will finally reach my audience.”
It would be interesting to see the author address the role of the PNCC and other early Polonia organizations, such as the PNU (not necessarily Roman Catholic at the time, but inclusive of R.C., PNCC, Protestant, and Jewish Polish immigrants), in both fighting nativism and in building the underpinnings of the success found by future generations.
Bishop Hodur, of course, stressed the idea of cohesive community, education, literacy, representation, Trade Unionism, participative democracy, and self-sustaining communities.
A great event. Had a wonderful time with the great folks from Little Falls and St. Johnsville. The food was beyond excellent and Tony’s Polka Band kept the tempo. I also won a bottle of wine in the raffle – hurray! Its a Fredonia produced by Heritage Wine Cellars, a small craft winery in North East, PA
From the Texas Workforce Commission: TWC Reminds UI Claimants that Filing is Free, Warns Against Fee-for-Filing Scams
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) warns Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants to be aware of unscrupulous business operators who may try to charge a fee to file unemployment claims. Filing for unemployment benefits through TWC, as always, is free.
Claimants who sign on for so-called “fee-for-filing” scams could later discover unemployment claims were never filed on their behalf. They also may have given their Social Security numbers to someone they believed to be a TWC employee.
Claimants should always seek online UI information through Texas Workforce or by using the e-mail form found on TWC’s website.
TWC wants to ensure that UI benefits go to only those who qualify and to ensure that no one is taken advantage of by someone illegally posing as a TWC staff member or by unscrupulous business operators.
UI claimants also are reminded that TWC unemployment staff never perform home visits, ask for Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) or use text messages to contact claimants. Claimants should only give personal information when filing for benefits online at www.texasworkforce.org or when speaking to an unemployment benefit customer service representative on the Tele-Center phone filing system.
It is critical that UI claimants do not pay for a government service that is free.
The UI program, funded through employer taxes, provides temporary, partial-income replacement to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. TWC administers and oversees the collection of taxes from employers and the payment of UI benefits to qualified claimants.
The New York State Labor Department warns job seekers of a growing number of online employment scams that promise high pay for little work.
Scammers are using social-media sites such as Facebook and e-mails designed to lure desperate job seekers. The Labor Department was notified of the scam by several people searching for employment that used its Facebook page.
Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardner said the idea that these predators would target such vulnerable people in such difficult economic times is appalling.
“These ‘jobs’ are not endorsed by the Department of Labor,” she said in a press release. “If you want real jobs, we have them for you. I encourage all unemployed New Yorkers to use our new Job Bank and visit a local One-Stop Career Center.”
Labor Department Press Officer Michelle Duffy said the scam artists target people in different ways.
Some ask the victim to pay a fee for an interview that may never take place. Others will ask for personal information before they will provide additional details about the fictitious job, to use that information for identity theft.
The Labor Department released the information today because Sundays and Mondays are the busiest days for the unemployed to go online to certify for benefits and look for jobs.
The Labor Department offered some tips to avoid becoming a victim.
Don’t open any unsolicited e-mails or unscanned attachments, even if the attachments are from people you usually communicate with.
Don’t “friend” recklessly, and be especially wary of unsolicited invitations in your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Never provide personal information, except to a completely trusted and secure site.
Remember the old saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Finally, if you feel you’ve been a victim, contact your local law-enforcement agency.
State and local government employees are compensated by an average of 3.75 percent less than private sector workers when education and other factors are taken into account, with a public employee compensation “penalty” of 7.55 percent for state government employees and 1.84 percent for local government employees, according to a study released Sept. 15 by the Economic Policy Institute.
“Comparisons controlling for education, experience, hours of work, organizational size, gender, race, ethnicity and disability, reveal no significant overpayment but a slight undercompensation of public employees when compared to private employee compensation costs on a per hour basis,” according to the report titled “Debunking the Myth of the Overcompensated Public Employee: the Evidence.” EPI, a Washington-based nonprofit, describes its mission as seeking to “broaden the discussion about economic policy to include the interests of low- and middle-income workers.”
Creating an accurate comparison is important, EPI said, because 37 states are struggling with substantial budget deficits and governors in several of those states—including Indiana, Minnesota, and New Jersey—have identified excessive public employee compensation as a major cause of their state’s fiscal woes.
Differing Education Levels a Factor
Part of the perceived pay gap in favor of state and local employees is due to differing education levels, the report said.
On average, it said, state and local public sector employees are more highly educated than private sector employees, with 54 percent of full-time public employees holding at least a four-year degree, compared to 35 percent of full-time private sector employees. However, state and local governments pay college-educated employees on average 25 percent less than private employers, with the greatest differential for professional employees, lawyers, and doctors, the report said.
At the same time, it said, the public sector also “appears to set a floor on compensation,” compensating state and local government employees with high school educations better on average than their peers in the private sector. “This result is due in part because the earnings floor has collapsed in the private sector,” the report said.
The report focused on education levels rather than job categories in comparing compensation, explaining that it is too difficult to compare job categories due to differences in private and public sector jobs.
“Even private and public teaching is significantly different. Public schools accept all students, while private schools are sometimes highly selective and may exclude or remove any poor performers, special needs, or disruptive students. Consequently, comparing workers of similar ‘human capital’ or personal productive characteristics and labor market skills is considered the best alternative, and well accepted by labor economists,” the report said.
Better Benefits, Less Pay in Public Sector
Compared to private sector employees, state and local government employees receive a higher portion of their compensation in the form of employer-provided benefits, and the mix of benefits is different than in the private sector, the report found.
Among other benefits, state and local employees’ health insurance and retirement benefits are more generous on average than what is found in the private sector. However, public employees on average receive less supplemental pay and vacation time, the report said.
“Some benefits are more generous in the public sector, but it is a serious error to imagine that comparability requires that each and every element of compensation is the same. What is important when considering both the employer-provided benefits and direct pay is whether state and local government workers have a total compensation package that costs what they would receive if employed in the private sector,” the report said.
The report, written for EPI by Jeffrey Keefe, an associate professor of labor and employment relations at Rutgers University’s School of Management and Labor Relations, relied on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The sample size for earnings estimates was 44,280 total observations and 8,737 public employee observations, according to the report.
Polka Fest to benefit Holy Spirit Polish National Catholic Church, 1 – 5 p.m. today, Saturday, September 18th, at the East Herkimer Fish & Game Club, Pine Grove Road, East Herkimer. Featuring Bill and Ed’s Polka Band. Admission $8.
Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Basket Raffle 4-7 p.m. September 25th, Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church, 17 Sheridan St., Heights, Wilkes-Barre. Open salad bar, dessert and beverage included. Adults pay $8; $4 for children 12 and younger at the door.
From One Story: Applications for Sirenland 2011 are now open, from September 15th to October 31st.
Join writers Dani Shapiro, Jim Shepard, and Peter Cameron, along with One Story magazine March 27-April 2, 2011 for the Sirenland Writers Conference. Experience advanced fiction and memoir workshops in an intimate, supportive environment at one of the most beautiful five star luxury hotels in the world – Le Sirenuse – in Positano, Italy.
Participation in this conference is limited to ensure individual attention and create a close, friendly community. Each day features an intensive, small group workshop with acclaimed writers Dani Shapiro, Jim Shepard, and Peter Cameron, as well as private time for writing, and excursions to nearby Pompeii and the Isle of Capri. Evenings will include talks about publishing and living the writer’s life, with Dani Shapiro, Jim Shepard, Peter Cameron, screenwriter Michael Maren and Hannah Tinti (co-founder and editor-in-chief of One Story), distinguished visiting authors, student and instructor readings, and fantastic meals overlooking the Islands of Li Galli, formerly called the “Island of the Sirens.”
To apply writers must submit a brief statement of purpose (about 250 words) and a writing sample (no more than 7,000 words). All applications will be taken online. Because this workshop will be limited, we encourage you to submit right away. The final deadline will be October 31st, 2010.
St. Stanislaus R.C. Shrine in Cleveland is holding its annual Polish Festival, one of the largest Polish Festivals in the Midwest, October 1st through 3rd at the St. Stanislaus Social Center, 6601 Baxter Ave., Cleveland. The festival features delicious Polish food, live music, and dancing. See the flyer below for details.
Join writers Dani Shapiro, Jim Shepard, and Peter Cameron, along with One Story magazine March 27-April 2, 2011 for the Sirenland Writers Conference. Experience advanced fiction and memoir workshops in an intimate, supportive environment at one of the most beautiful five star luxury hotels in the world – 