2013 Intro Letter

Dear Friend of NCBI,

My name is Steven Goings (spiritual name: Quazar). I am an AmeriCorps volunteer serving at NCBI.  I look forward to serving you this year and engaging with you in the revitalization of the NCBI Monterey County community and programs.I know people don’t tend to read long emails so if you are pressed for time please just go directly to  join us on Facebook, and then read about our Giving Opportunities and our Immediate Volunteer Opportunities.

Thank you so much for your continued support of NCBI Monterey County.AmeriCorps:   On Sept 9th, 2013 NCBI Monterey County Chapter became one of 10 local non-profits selected to receive an AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) volunteer program coordinator.  I am that coordinator.  For $10,000 NCBI receives a full time employee for 10 months.  I am primarily responsible for developing a volunteer program for NCBI, to increase our capacity to serve the communities of Monterey County, and garner new resources through fundraising and the building of business partnerships.  I will also be taking over the administration of the chapter under the guidance and mentorship of our exquisite Chapter Director, Sue Parris.  My term ends on June 30th, 2014 and a new AmeriCorps volunteer will be recruited to take my place.  Needless to say, that is a short period of time to move the ball significantly down the field.  So obviously our success will depend on the engagement of the vast network of supporters NCBI has built over the last 20 years.  Supporters like you!

Facebook:   A great way to become more engaged with us is to join us on Facebook.  If you’re not on Facebook you get a pass, but if you are … please “like” us at https://www.facebook.com/NCBIMonteryCounty.Giving Opportunities: 

1. We recently sent out our annual Friends of NCBI fundraising letter, sharing with you significant accomplishment of the last year. If you are used to receiving a Friends letter and haven’t received one by now, please contact me, Steven Goings, at 831 277 1523 or at sgoings@csumb.edu. (If you are not used to receiving a Friends letter but would like to, let me know!)
2. Monterey County Gives:  Of 400 non-profits that applied we are one of the 93 selected for this year’s Monterey County Gives campaign.  Our Big Idea for this year was to hire an AmeriCorps Volunteer Program Coordinator.  We hope to raise the costs through Monterey County Gives. The giving begins on today, Thursday Nov 14th through Midnight December 31st at http://www.montereycountygives.com/.  We will receive an indeterminate match for every donation given through this campaign.  But here’s the deal: the non-profit that garners the most individual donations will receive an extra $1000.00 and we want to win!  So even if you give to other organizations or give to us through another means if you could just give the minimum of $10 at http://www.montereycountygives.com/ and tell your friends we can win this together!
3. Birdies for Charity:  Nov 1st to Feb 28th, 2014.  With more bang for your buck, the Birdies for Charity campaign is offering a 20% match and a chance to earn up to $50,000 through the Chevron Shoot-Out Qualifier!  To be eligible for the qualifier we have to receive $1,000 in donations from at least 15 donors by Dec 31st.  Donations can be made at www.attpbgolf.com/charity/birdies-for-charity. You can either make a flat donation ($20 minimum) or pledge one cent or more per birdie scored by PGA TOUR professionals during the competitive rounds of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Feb 6-9, 2014.  For example, if a donor pledges one cent and 1,800 birdies are scored, the donor will owe $18.00 (last year’s total birdies were 1,823) 

Immediate Volunteer Opportunities:

1. Fundraising Team:  Needless to say this would be a great time for any NCBI supporters with experience or interest in fundraising to lend their support.  From simply writing posts on Facebook and emailing friends to identifying or meeting with potential high value donors or businesses there are many ways to support NCBI!  Interested?  Give me a call at 831 277 1523 or email me at sgoings@csumb.edu. 
2. Board Member:  Board membership terms are for two years and include a monthly two-hour meeting.  We currently have 5 board members but need to double board membership to complete our work effectively. Contact me for a Board Membership Fact Sheet.
3. Website Designer:  Know someone with web design skills willing to volunteer their talents to help us join the 21st century?  Know where we can get the most cost effective, user friendly website?   Give me a call or email!  831 277 1523; sgoings@csumb.edu

New Faces:

1. Steven Goings:  (See attached resume) I am a native of Seaside, a 2010 graduate of CSUMB with a major in Social and Behavioral Sciences.  I started several clubs at CSUMB as a student, am a past president of the Monterey Peace and Justice Center and Secretary of the Monterey County Branch of the NAACP.  My purpose in life is to break down the barriers between people and support them in healing. 
2. New Board members:  Former NCBI student leader Cecilio Aviles and previous board member An McDowell were unanimously voted onto our Board of Directors and join sitting Board members, President Elena Loomis, Vice President Asya Guillory, Treasurer Ben Bruce and Secretary Jesse Tamayo.  Chapter Director Sue Parris and I couldn’t be happier!
3. Lucia Giroux:   CSUMB Service Learning student Lucia Giroux is assisting us in designing and organizing a community discussion at the Peace Resource Center on Sat Nov 16th from 11 to 1pm.  “What You Don’t Know About Seaside; Developing a Tour of Seaside – Together!”  Join us at the Peace Resource Center (particularly if you are a Seaside resident or worker) as NCBI leaders facilitate a conversation among CSUMB and Seaside community members about the uniquely multicultural history of Seaside.  Central to the discussion will be strengthening the relationship between Seaside and CSU Monterey Bay and development of a potential walking tour of Seaside for CSUMB students, staff, and faculty that will highlight Seaside’s diverse communities and rich contributions to Monterey Bay.   

Thank you.I hope to see you soon on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NCBIMonteryCounty.  And please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions or suggestions.

Steven Goings

NCBI Chapter Administrator

The National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) is an international non-profit, leadership training organization dedicated to ending discrimination and intolerance of every kind. This includes mistreatment based on nationality, race, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, age, physical difference or life circumstance. NCBI’s proactive approach develops leadership teams in an array of settings, including non-profit and government agencies, corporations, schools, universities and law enforcement agencies. These leaders work together, offering prevention-oriented programs to deal with prejudice and intergroup tension.

NCBI Monterey County is one of over 100 community and campus chapters in cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Since its beginning in 1993, NCBI Monterey Co. has reached over 20,000 individuals in hundreds of schools, businesses, government and non-profit agencies with Leadership, Welcoming Diversity and Conflict Resolution programs.