BoogieDowner Job Listing: SoBRO Seeks Director of Development

I don't usually post job listings, however I do hope the most qualified candidate for this position is a Bronx resident or someone who has some association or history with our borough. Please do forward to anyone you might think suited for the position. If personally interested in the position, good luck. SoBRO is a leader in the Bronx non-profit world. The organization should provide a great working environment with potential for personal growth.

Gregory
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Director of Development - General Funds and Public
SoBRO
Posted: 06/02/11

Description
The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO) - one of the nation's oldest, largest and most successful inner city community development agencies- is seeking an individual to coordinate fundraising, special events and public relations activities in its Development Department.

The Development Director of General Funds and Public Relations will report to the Executive Vice President. Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:


Responsibilities:
Public/Government Constituency Relations:

•Developing and maintaining contacts with local, citywide, State and national government agencies including the Borough President, the Council members, City, State and federal agency officials and representatives. •Identifying speakers for South Bronx Leadership Forum; scheduling and organizing the forum breakfasts. •Organizing and scheduling tours of SoBRO’s projects for foundations, donors and potential contributors. Unrestricted Fundraising: •Designing the strategy and overseeing the implementation of fund solicitation from foundations, corporations, and individual and business donors. •Grant writing for corporate and foundation solicitations. •Board development and oversight of direct mail campaign. Special Events: •Planning, organizing, and organizing the Annual Gala, Annual Golf Outing, and other events as necessary.


Qualifications:
•Minimum of five years fundraising or related experience.

•Successful track record in foundation and corporate giving.

•Knowledge of the operations and organization of a not-for-profit organization.

•Bachelor degree required, graduate degree preferred.

•Must have excellent written and oral communication skills, be extremely organized and detail oriented.

•Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Office Suite and other commonly used office software.

Location: Office is accessible - just one quarter block from the #2 and #5 subway trains in the heart of the South Bronx’s commercial district. Salary: $65,000-$75,000


To Apply:
How to Apply: Interested parties should send their resume to Van-Nessa Brown, South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SOBRO) 555 Bergen Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10455, vbrown@sobro.org, Fax # (718) 292-3115. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE!! SoBRO provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities TTY/TDD: 1-800 662-1220 Voice Relay: 1-800-421-1220


About Organization:
Mission of Organization Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in the South Bronx by strengthening businesses and creating innovative economic, housing, educational and career development programs for youth and adults. SoBRO’s programs include spurring economic development, building affordable housing, adult education, workforce development, helping at-risk youth to succeed, and producing other positive outcomes for South Bronx residents and employers. Please visit www.sobro.org to learn more.

TAX LIEN ASSISTANCE OUTREACH SESSION SCHEDULED AT KOPPELL’S OFFICE ON JUNE 13, 2011

Here is some help available for property owners who are behind on tax payments and are at risk of having their tax debt sold to third parties. I believe the policy to sell tax debt to third parties was part of the recent bill passed by the NYC Council to collect tax funds due to NYC, without getting involved in costly or lengthy litigation. I also assumed the litigation would be used as a measure to prevent apartment buildings from falling to far into disrepair before aggressive litigation would be started by “parties” that can take possession and better provide livable housing stock for NYC residents.

In any event it looks like we will get to see how the bill is implemented and what the actual implications are for city tax rolls, property owners, renters and speculators purchasing these liens. Will the tax lien sale to private third parties spur an industry of private individuals or corporations seeking to acquire properties by securing tax leans and then aggressively perusing litigation to take possession of the property? Will NYC collect additional, much needed, tax revenue while savings on administrative expenses? Will housing stock in NYC be improved?

If any one has any insight on this issue please do inform us via a comment or separate email to BoogieDowner@gmail.com. For anyone who finds themselves on the list please do review the post sent by Councilman Koppel’s office.

Gregory
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TAX LIEN ASSISTANCE OUTREACH SESSION SCHEDULED AT KOPPELL’S OFFICE ON JUNE 13, 2011

Council Member Oliver Koppell has scheduled a tax lien assistance outreach session at his district office, 3636 Waldo Avenue, Riverdale on Monday, June 13, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for constituents whose tax liens are on the list to be sold.
This sale is the transfer of the lien to a single authorized buyer who hires a collection agency. It is not a sale of the property, but if the taxes and/or charges are not paid or resolved, the lien holder can begin a foreclosure proceeding in court.

A representative from the NYC Department of Finance will be available at the June 13th session in Koppell’s office to meet one-on-one with homeowners with tax liens to help them avoid the Lien Sale by discussing eligibility for exemptions from the sale or ways of resolving the lien.

In order to prevent the sale of a lien on property, the debt must be resolved by August 1, 2011 through one of the following methods:

Pay your outstanding debt in full;
Enter into a payment agreement;
Apply to receive an exemption that will exclude the property from the Lien Sale;
Dispute the charges by filing a formal dispute with DEP or Finance.

Individuals in Koppell’s district who have been sent a legal claim against their property for unpaid taxes, or whose property was on a published lien sale list, are encouraged to attend this outreach session to obtain advice and to take the necessary steps to prevent the sale of their lien The Finance representative will provide assistance in developing payment agreements, resolving billing disputes and helping complete Exemptions applications for those who qualify.

Koppell said, “My office has sent out invitations to this session to those of my constituents whose tax liens are in danger of being sold. I strongly urge these individuals to come to the session in order to obtain the help they need to avoid the sale, which can have serious consequences in the future.”

If you plan to attend, it is necessary to RSVP to Drew Gabriel in Koppell’s district office, (718) 549-7300 or dgabriel@council.nyc.gov to schedule an appointment.

Picture the Homeless and Hunter College Launch Bronx Vacant Property Count

Here are two organizations that are joining forces to help quantify vacant lots and properties throughout NYC. After compiling the list and understanding what forces are at play, they plan on passing legislation that will help convert suitable vacant or abandoned properties and lots into affordable housing. Their basic question seems to be; why are people homeless when so many homes are vacant and buildable lots rampant in low income neighborhoods? Please do review the press release posted below and please do feel free to use the contact information listed below to find out more or possible join their grass roots community organization.

Gregory
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BRONX VACANT PROPERTIES COUNT
Picture the Homeless and Hunter College launch unprecedented survey that will reveal the extent of vacant property in NYC

Fordham, Bronx.—In a borough that was notorious worldwide for vacant buildings, Picture the Homeless (PTH) and Hunter College’s Center for Community Planning and Development (HCCCPD) have announced the first-ever count of vacant buildings and lots throughout the five boroughs. The survey, to be launched in June 2011, is the first of its kind and is unprecedented in scope. At 11:00am in front of a vacant building and lot at 2247 Walton Avenue that symbolize the many found in the Bronx, Picture the Homeless members and the Bronx community speak out about the importance of a vacant property count.

Picture the Homeless member Alease Lowe states, “My family moved to the Bronx when I was eight. I became homeless at the age of 21. At that time I didn’t know of any organization that could help a person in my situation. I was placed in a shelter in Staten Island which, as you can imagine, was a hassle. With all of the vacant buildings found in the Bronx, I could have had an actual place to live. There should be no reason why there are so many homeless people in New York City when there are so many homes without people!”

Councilwoman Helen D. Foster whose district has one of the highest rates of vacancy in the Bronx states, “I commend Picture The Homeless for your leadership in the project of locating all of the vacant buildings and lots in the City and making the City accountable to turn them into permanent, affordable housing for low and moderate income tenants as an alternative to warehousing people in shelters.”

Letitia Ledan states, “I have been a resident of the Bronx for ten years. The Vacant Property Count in our Borough will be an important step in creating housing for all homeless New Yorkers. I have been a Picture the Homeless member for 4years and along with this action we will continue to fight for the rights of homeless people and the availability of proper affordable housing.”

“In the wake of the Great Recession, New York City has been forced to cope with huge increases in the homeless population while the system has struggled to keep up, all while thousands of vacant buildings go unused each night across the City,” said Council Member Annabel Palma, Chair of the Council’s Committee on General Welfare. “These vacant buildings offer the perfect opportunity for the City to increase its stock of affordable housing while appropriately addressing the issue of homelessness. Instead of talking about the costs of a vacant lot survey, we should be talking about the benefits that this survey would bring, not only helping to rehabilitate neighborhoods that have been devastated by the bad economy, but also offering a real opportunity to get families out of the shelter and into affordable and permanent housing.

Bronx resident and Picture the Homeless member Darlene Bryant states, “I lost my home in 2010 due to a corrupt super that used certain city legislation to force me out. As a homeless woman, this count means a lot to me and those have been through homelessness. Counting all of these vacant buildings will lead to possible renovations of the empty buildings we pass everyday in our neighborhoods.”

“I congratulate Picture the Homeless on the start of their important survey. I hope that the data they find will help both the Bronx and the City as a whole to take better advantage of our available housing resources,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

The survey is the latest development in Picture the Homeless’s multi-year campaign to document the extent of vacant property in NYC. PTH argues that vacancy inflates the cost of housing in the city and is a root cause of homelessness. Preliminary findings, available on Vacant NYC (www.vacantnyc.crowdmap.com), maps over 11,000 vacant buildings and lots, city wide: most of which were provided by city agency data.

Contact: Adrian Paling, or Kendall Jackman, Housing Campaign Leader, Picture the Homeless (NYC), office: 646 314 6423, cell: (917) 744-5325, email: adrian@picturethehomeless.org, Homeless activists & other speakers will be available for interview on-site.

NYC Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and NYC Finance Chair Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. Propose DOE Cost Saving Measures Totaling $75,295,000

NYC Council Speaker Quinn and Finance Chair Domenic M Jr. issued the following proposal outlining $75,295,000 in NYC Department of Education budget cuts. The proposed cost saving measures are an effort to eliminate unnecessary spending and avoid teacher lay offs. Everyone is making big money related to education except the people who matter most. We should never forget teachers are our front line in education. Most shocking to me is the $1.5 billion figure listed below allocated for bus contracts in the DOE 2012 budget.

Gregory
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Joint Statement by Speaker Christine C. Quinn and
Council Finance Chair Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.
Re: Department of Education Budget and Proposed Teacher Layoffs

We have grave concerns about a budget that allows for teacher layoffs and the immensely damaging effects they would have on our education system. Make no mistake – we will do everything in our power to prevent teacher layoffs.

The City has spent years of effort at improving our school system and working to ensure every child is provided with a valuable learning experience. Losing teachers would result in, among other things, larger class sizes and a substantial deterioration of the system's ability to provide children with the quality education they deserve.

It is vital that the City look at other options for cuts and savings within the Department of Education's (DOE) budget. Ensuring this happens is a top focus of our budgetary negotiations and it will remain a priority throughout the coming weeks.

Towards that end, the Council has begun to examine DOE's budget line by line and has identified significant areas where cuts can and should be considered. To date, our alternative cuts total more than $75 million that could be used toward saving teachers and preventing layoffs.

Our priority in the Council is clear: we remain committed to finding every possible means of preventing teacher layoffs. We will continue to identify and push for other cuts to be made in order to save our teachers.

Amount Description
$4,000,000 : Retrain teachers and reduce teacher recruitment contracts - The Department of Education spends $8 million annually recruiting unlicensed teachers. Retraining existing teaching staff for license specialties would save $4 million.

$280,000 : Reduce spending for DOE's Press Office – There are currently 13 positions in the DOE's Press Office. Reducing headcount by (3) positions could generate approximately $280,000 in savings.

$375,000 : Reduce headcount in the Office of Community Engagement and/or merge with the Office of Public Affairs. – There are currently 7 positions in the Office of Community Engagement and 7 positions in the Office of Public Affairs. Merging these offices and or eliminating 2 positions in each could generate approximately $375,000 in savings.

$940,000 : Reduce headcount in the Office of Family Information and Action- There is currently 49 positions in the Office of Family Information and Action. Eliminating 10positions could generate approximately $940,000 in savings.

$2,000,000 : Better leveraging of superintendents and school support organization staff - There are currently 60 network teams organized in to 6 clusters. There are 12-14 employees in each Network Team and 5 employees in each Cluster. In addition, there are still 40 superintendents. The DOE could better align job responsibilities of superintendents and network leaders. Elimination of 10 positions classified as "superintendents" with an average salary of $200K would generate $2 million savings.

$35,000,000 : Reduce over-estimated spending: DOE budgeted spending increases in several areas appear to be excessive and have not been justified by DOE with any projections or documentation, including a 29% increase in Carter cases ($246 m in FY 12), a 39% increase in Contract School payments ($451 m in FY 12), and a 20% increase in Special Education pre-kindergarten spending ($825 m in FY 12). Reducing the projected growth to historical levels would NOT in any way affect the services but could immediately free up tens of millions of dollars to help avert teacher layoffs.

$7,500,000 : Reduce Pupil Transportation Spending: Busing Contracts climb to $1.5 billion in Fiscal 2012, an 8% increase from the Fiscal 2011 Adopted Budget. Tightening the budget projections and scheduling just a 1% cut would produce savings of $15 million. The CTL savings would be $7.5 million.

$3,000,000 : Reduce contract spending for legal services - The DOE's office of legal services currently has 133 positions. The DOE spent $9.9 million in legal service contracts in Fiscal 2010, and currently has a $13.3 million legal services contract budget in Fiscal 2011. Reducing legal service contracts and or reducing headcount in the Office of Legal Services could generate some savings. Cut contracts to FY 10 level.

$13,200,000 : Reduce technology spending – IT contracts total $50.6 million in the FY 2012 Executive Budget, up 76% from the FY 2011 Adopted Budget. IT contracts include those associated with operating learning systems, such iZone. School of One, under iZone, currently has a $2.7 million contract. If the DOE increases FY 11 technology spending by 30%, still a significant increase in spending, it would save $13.2 million.

$9,000,000 : Reduce contract spending for professional development – In FY'11, the DOE spent $90 million on professional development contracts. If they were to use in-house training and reduce spending in this area by 10%, it would generate a savings of $9 million.

$75,295,000 TOTAL

LGBT Activist and Political Allies Organize Bronx Rally Advocating Same Sex Marriages

As the battle for same sex marriage rages in the Bronx, LGBT activist rally with Bronx elected officials on Friday June 3rd at 2pm. The rally will take place at the Bronx Courthouse steps located at 851 Grand Concourse. Please do comment and let me know were the Bronx stands on this issue? In addition, is it justified to call the rally on May 15th by State Senator Rev. Diaz Jr. a “hate” rally as described in the press release below?

Gregory
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Bronx Rainbow Independent Democratic Association (BRIDA), in collaboration with
MENY (Marriage Equality New York) Announce the Bronx Supports Marriage

Press Contact: Dirk McCall, mcdirk@gmail.com, 917-921-8308

Who: BRIDA, MENY, the Empire State Pride Agenda, HRC, Freedom to Marry, Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC, Bronx for Change, local LGBT activists and allies, and State Senators Jose Marco Serrano, Gustavo Rivera, Jeff Klein and Adriano Espaillat, as well as Assemblymembers Jeffrey Dinowitz and Jose Rivera and NYC Councilmember Maria del Carmen Arroyo.

What: Bronx leaders and activists speaking up for marriage equality, both as a result of the majority sentiment in the Bronx being for marriage equality for all people and in response to the hate march by the Rev. Ruben Diaz on May 15.

When: Friday, June 3, 2 p.m.

Where: Bronx Courthouse Steps, 851 Grand Concourse, at 161st Street

Why: Because All New Yorkers deserve the right to marry the person they love.

Street Re-Naming for Renowned Bronx Art-Deco Sculptor Carl Paul Jennewein

Here is local news on a street re-naming honoring Mr. Carl Paul Jennewein. It's good to see our borough's political leadership honoring Bronx residents that have made a contribution to the arts.

Gregory
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What: Street Re-Naming for Carl Paul Jennewein
When: Thursday, June 2, 2011
Time: 5pm
Where: Van Nest Avenue between Melville Street and Van Buren Street

Bronx, New York – Councilman Joel Rivera will gather with the community for the unveiling of a new street sign honoring Carl Paul Jennewein on Van Nest Avenue.

Renowned art deco sculptor, Carl Paul Jennewein began learning techniques under artisans at the Art Museum Stuttgart from the age of 13 in his hometown of Stuttgart, Germany. In 1907, Mr. Jennewein arrived in New York and in 1928 made the Van Nest section of the Bronx his studio for the next 50 years until his passing. One of his best known pieces amongst his work is the polychromed figures in the pediment of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In New York City, some of his well-known pieces include the two pythons that flanked the entrance of the Brooklyn Public Library and “Industries of the British Commonwealth” at Rockefeller Center.

9th Bronx International Film Festival Scheduled for June 16th - 19th at Lehman Stages

Here is information on the 9th annual Bronx International Film Festival. The event is organized by The Bronx Stage & Film Company. It takes place from June 16th through June 19th at Lehman Stages. The post below and their web site should be more than helpful in finding great films to view. I hope everyone finds time to enjoy the festival.

Gregory
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Save the Date for the Bronx International Film Festival June 16 - 19

(Bronx, NY) The Bronx Stage & Film Company presents the 9th Bronx International Film Festival (BXFF) on June 16 - 19 at Lehman Stages (Lovinger Theatre)/Lehman College showcasing new narrative and documentary films and filmmakers from around the world. Visit http://bronxfilmfestival.com for developing festival information. The reservation and information line is 718.907.0079. You can also find the Bronx International Film Festival on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BronxFilm and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bronxfilm.

Lehman Stages is conveniently located on the CUNY campus of Lehman College at 250 Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx, NY 10468 near the #4 and D lines and just minutes away from Westchester and the GW Bridge.

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Background on the Bronx International Film Festival

A century ago The Bronx was home to two well-known silent film studios, The Edison Studios on Decatur Avenue & Oliver Place (a few blocks from the location of the Film Festival) and Biograph Studios a.k.a. The Gold Medal Studios at 807 E. 175th Street.

Edison Studios’ notable contributions to cinema included one of the first horror films, “Frankenstein,” released in 1910, and the first serial film, "What Happened to Mary" released in 1912. The 14-minute “Frankenstein,” starring Charles Ogle, took an entire week to film. This was a highly unusual schedule for the time. Silent movies were usually filmed in one day. "What Happened to Mary" began a series of 12 episodes starring Mary Fuller. The silent film studio closed in 1918, but the Terry Brothers reopened the space in 1935 to start Terrytoons, employing Bronx artists to hand paint the first animated color cartoon films.

Biograph Studios launched many silent film careers including director, D.W. Griffith; cameraman Billy Bitzer; and actors Mary Pickford, Lillian and Dorothy Gish, Harry Carey, Lionel Barrymore. Some twenty years after the sound stage closed, Martin Poll restored Biograph Studios and reopened it as the Gold Medal Studios (the largest film studio outside of Hollywood) where TV’s “The Naked City,” “Car 54 Where are You?” and movies like “Odds Against Tomorrow,” “A Face in the Crowd,” “The Fugitive Kind,” “Pretty Boy Floyd,” and “Butterfield 8” were filmed. Mr. Poll worked to simplify NYC filming permits and had the distinction of being sworn in as the Commissioner of Motion Picture Arts (precursor to the NYC Film Commissioner) on July 21, 1959 by then Bronx Borough President Lyons.

The Bronx International Film Festival was established to honor and revitalize the history of film in The Bronx and provide a new opportunity for filmmakers to submit work and a hub for audiences to appreciate it. The Festival places special emphasis on film submissions with an urban appeal; however, all filmmakers with a visual story to share are encouraged to participate. BXFF showcases short and feature narrative, documentary, animation and experimental submissions from all over the world.

The Bronx International Film Festival is made possible with public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Bronx Council on the Arts and the support of Lehman Stages.