Moving ahead in Unity
Check this page for updates monitoring the integration process of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, Jewish Community Center and Bureau of Jewish Education into one entity.
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Three Jewish agencies intertwine as one
1/31/11
By Richard Salit Journal Staff Writer
PROVIDENCE — In Judaism, a special candle is lit to mark the end of the Sabbath, the revered day of rest at the end of the week. Called the Habdalah, it is typically three candles braided into one and represents the start of a new week, or metaphysically, what has been and what is to come. On Sunday, the Habdalah and its lone bright flame took on added meaning during a celebration of the merger of three long-established Jewish organizations into one, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. “The Habdalah candle symbolizes what this is all about,” Richard Licht, chairman of the board for the new organization and the new director of the state Department of Administration, said while holding up one of the blue-and-white candles. Licht was addressing an audience at the Jewish Community Center, on the city’s East Side, of nearly 200 people, including a contingent of Rhode Island’s most powerful politicians. Among them was the entire Congressional delegation — U.S. Senators Jack Reed andSheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives James R. Langevin and David N. Cicilline — as well as former Gov. Bruce Sundlun, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts and state Sen. Joshua Miller. The celebration marked the consolidation, at the beginning of the year, of the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island and the Bureau of Jewish Education. Merger efforts began nearly five years ago, but gained momentum the past couple years as the recession dealt a blow to nonprofit organizations across the nation. Similar mergers of Jewish groups have been undertaken and contemplated across the country. But officials with the new alliance emphasize that issues preceding the downturn in the economy drove the merger — namely a shrinking population of supporters and a lack of growth in revenues, according to spokeswoman Christine Parker. “We weren’t offering the right things to the right people. We knew we needed to re-energize,” she said. It made sense for the three organizations to pool resources, work cooperatively and develop shared goals, Parker said. “It was a natural to bring the people together. It makes it much more productive and efficient and seamless,” she said. Since the three organizations had already trimmed their staffs in the lean years preceding the merger, no layoffs are planned in the near future, Parker said. One of the most visible signs of the merger greeted those who arrived at the JCC for the ceremony — the renovated lobby. Now, brighter and more spacious, it is more welcoming for people to gather and to meet with staff to get answers to questions. And right off the lobby are new prominent offices to improve outreach for various services, including Shalom Family and its education mission and the Jewish concierge who, like a hotel concierge, can answer questions and connect people to the services they require. Yesterday, the lobby filled with patrons prior to the ceremony as a stereo played traditional Jewish music. Some took advantage of a special open house to tour the facility, first built about 40 years ago. Children were welcome to treat themselves to free candy or to visit the children’s room, where they could join a special “tea.” Max Schwartz, 8, and others created their own tea, by ripping open tea bags and mixing the leaves with fruits, vanilla and other flavors. Licht ended the ceremony by drawing a comparison with the people responsible for making the merger a reality and the first Jewish immigrants to America. Each was confronted with adversity and had to find a new way. Jews fled Europe to escape persecution, Licht said, including members of his own family. They committed themselves “to living a Jewish life” in Rhode Island. That led to such philanthropic efforts as the creation of Miriam Hospital, a Jewish orphanage and a Jewish home for the elderly. “They created one institution after another to meet the needs of the community,” he said. Today, the mission remains the same, he said, meeting the needs of people in the community and promoting Jewish culture. “We are here to celebrate people who are committed to this community,” he said. “We are celebrating today that we have the vision and understanding to adapt.” |
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New leaders for Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island
With changes underway, the ancient Chinese proverb, “May you live in interesting times,” seems fitting for our Jewish community.
Merging three agencies into one and selecting officers and board members for the new agency, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, have afforded engaged members of the community “interesting times.”
With a maximum of 32 members, this new
On Dec. 7, Sharon Gaines, chair of the Integration Committee, named the first officers and directors of the Richard Licht will serve as the board chair (not the board president – the title of the JFRI’s most senior lay leader); James (“Jamie”) Pious as Vice Chair for Community Development, Susan Leach DeBlasio as Vice Chair for Communications, Sharon Gaines as Vice Chair for Financial Resource Development, Douglas Emanuel as Vice Chair for Jewish Life and Learning, and Barbara Sokoloff as Vice Chair for Governance; and Lawrence Hershoff as Treasurer/Secretary. Members of the board are: Melvin Alperin, Neil Beranbaum, Diane Ducoff, Doris Feinberg, Harold Foster, Marisa Garber, Alan Hassenfeld, Hope Hirsch, Bonnie Steinberg Jennis, Alan Litwin, Ralph Posner, Jay Rosenstein, Marilyn Rueschemeyer, Michael Schaffer, Steven Shalansky, Lisa Shorr, Rabbi Peter Stein, Robert Stolzman, Samuel Suls, Cheryl Greenfeld Teverow, Jeffrey Vogel and David Yavner.
Gaines hopes that the
The new board will be officially installed and former leaders will be recognized at a special event on Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. at the |
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From the Jewish Voice & Herald
DAVID and Rose Malkin at
On Wednesday, Oct. 27, the JCCRI board of directors had voted to approve the merger, and at other meetings, the JFRI board and membership and the BJE board (the BJE has no members) all voted to approve the merger as well, which is due to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.
This vote was the final step in a methodical and strategic process that began years ago to better position the Jewish community of Rhode Island for a vibrant, engaging and fiscally strong future. The Integration Committee and its subcommittees – Budget and Finance, Communications, Legal and Governance, and Programs – continue their work for the Jan. 1, 2011 launch. |
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Integration Update On Wednesday, November 3, the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island held a Community Membership Meeting. With more than 80 people in attendance, Federation members unanimously voted to pass an historic resolution to merge the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island, Bureau of Jewish Education and the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding the integration of Jewish Federation of Rhode Island (JFRI), Jewish Q: Why are we doing this? A: In 2008, we were facing some serious issues in our Jewish community: decreasing engagement and participation in programs, needs for improved program quality, shrinking memberships, and a fall in philanthropic giving. We agreed as a community to take bold steps to re-energize our community for the future. (This decision preceded the economic downturn). We set out with a vision to design, from the ground up, a sustainable communal structure with consistent, engaging and efficient outreach to better serve us all now and for the future. The first step to achieving this vision is the integration of the JFRI, JCC and BJE, which will join three communal organizations into one to improve alignment of mission, quality of programs and operational efficiency. Q: How did we get to this point? A: The process that brought us to integration has been plan driven, and decisions have been based on extensive research and data. Our community leaders were guided by the findings of the 2008 Consolidated Strategic Plan for Jewish Rhode Island, and later by the recommendations of the 2009 Strategic Restructuring Task Force Plan, which among other recommendations, called for the merger of these three agencies. At each step of this methodical process, we have shared our progress with the community. Now this merger will allow us to meet our goal, by creating a new communal entity that will harness the intellect, energy and resources of the community to create a new model for effective organizational management, prioritization and delivery of services. Some of the anticipated benefits of this merger are already being seen, prior to formal integration. For instance, JCC and JFRI now share common accounting and marketing resources. Staff are being deployed to improve and grow programs that the community is seeking (Alef List, PJ Library, and Shalom Baby as examples). Q: Will this mean people will lose their jobs as in other consolidations? A: JCC, JFRI and BJE have already accomplished many of the job consolidations necessary to run with efficiency and effectiveness. Q: When will the new organization be launched? A: January 1, 2011 will be the official launch date for the new legal entity.
Q: Why are we doing this now? A: This integration is the result of more than 18 months of preparation, planning and thousands of hours of effort from community members, lay leaders, professional staff and consultants. The community has committed to this plan of action and the boards of the three integrating agencies have all approved the merger, and recommend moving forward. The sooner we deal with the economic and political realities, the better. Our multi-agency Integration Committee has recommended a 1/1/11 merger to ensure we have an operating history before we develop the Fiscal 2012 budget, which must be approved before June, 2011. Q: What will happen to JFRI, BJE and JCC from the consumer’s viewpoint? A: For most people in the community, the shift to one entity will be transparent and seamless. The programs and services that you currently associate with the three organizations will continue: Federation staff and volunteers will still run the Annual Community Campaign and the new corporation will allocate money raised to over 300 programs and services in Rhode Island and globally. You will still pay your JCC renewal fee when it comes due, and if you are a member swim in the JCC pool or work out in J-Fitness. Your children will go to PJ Library or Harry Elkin Midrasha (both programs of the BJE). Any changes you might see as a consumer will be improvements to existing programs, and new programs with strong appeal. Q: What will happen to JFRI, BJE and JCC from a corporate/legal viewpoint? A: These three organizations will be merged into a single new corporation, with a single board of directors and a single not-for-profit tax status. The JFRI will become the endowment holding company as the Jewish Community Foundation of Rhode Island subsidiary for this new corporation. Q: What will happen with allocations?
A: The Annual Community Campaign will run just as it does now. Money raised currently through the Annual Campaign is for communal purposes and funds more than 300 programs and services in Rhode Island, in Israel and around the world. The integration of the JFRI, BJE and JCC does not change this approach. Currently, JFRI’s financial resource development team has the responsibility of raising Annual Campaign funds. In the new entity, this team will still have this responsibility. And just like the current process, all funds raised through the Annual Campaign will be used for ALL communal needs, as guided each year by the Community Development Committee. Q: What about JCC and BJE fundraising? A: There are currently separate fundraising campaigns and events that are run for JCC and BJE by their staff and volunteers. In the new entity, there will be a Chief Philanthropy Officer of the new entity who, in addition to oversight of the Annual Community Campaign, will be charged with lending his/her expertise to evaluate further philanthropic opportunities. Q: What happens to endowments of the individual agencies? A: The endowment funds of all three agencies will be combined into a single Foundation. Endowment income will flow through the new corporation. All endowments will continue to be restricted for purposes originally intended. Unrestricted JCC and BJE endowments will become restricted to ensure that allocations from them are distributed solely for the purposes for which they were originally intended. Unrestricted JFRI endowment income will be distributed through the communal allocation process. Q: Who will be in charge of the new corporation? A: An executive search is currently underway to hire a professional to become the CEO and President of the new corporation. There will be other key positions that will need to be filled as well, including Director of Jewish Life and Learning) and Chief Philanthropy Officer. Q: How will the new corporation’s board be constituted? What happens to the current boards? A: The three current boards will be dissolved and the governance structure of the new entity will include a 32 person board with representation from all three of the merging agencies, and a broad committee structure underneath. The number of board members has been determined by the Legal and Governance committee. Board members are currently being determined. The new board will be led by the Chairman of the Board, and Vice Chairs will include Vice Chair for Financial Resource Development, Community Development, Jewish Life and Learning, Communications and Governance. Q: Will everything be put in place by 1.1.11? A: All key legal and corporate requirements will be completed to bring the new corporation into legal existence as of January 1, 2011. We accept that this is an ongoing and dynamic process. We trust the structure that is in place to do the remaining problem-solving that must be done. As with any new company, operational details will unfold as the process of doing business ‘on the ground’ begins to occur. It is time to move ahead, and we will solve these remaining issues as we go. Q: If all of the details of the merger have not been determined, should we wait on the vote? A. No. The truth is that this integration is the result of more than 18 months of preparation, planning and thousands of hours of effort. The community has committed to this plan of action and the boards of the three integrating agencies have all approved the merger, and recommend moving forward. We may not know all of the final operational details, but we have professionals, consultants and lay leaders in place to find the best answers. They are actively working to ensure that the proper procedures are in effect. It’s time for all of us to move ahead. Q: Are there models of Federations in other cities that have done this successfully? Q: Is the integration of JCC, JFRI and BJE focused on young people? What about seniors? Q: Who do I contact if I have questions/want to learn more? A: JFRI website www.JFRI.org has an integration page that offers facts, documents and explanations relevant to the integration. If you have a specific question, you can email it to Gail Putnam, gputnam@JFRI.org and she will get your question to the appropriate person for an answer. |
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Jewish Federation of Rhode Island Board Click here to read the resolution. Two years ago, the Board of Directors of the JFRI approved the Consolidated Plan for the Jewish Community of Greater Rhode Island. It stated: The organized Jewish community of Rhode Island finds itself at an important crossroads where it must take bold steps to direct its future. In endorsing the Consolidated Plan's call to action, the JFRI board passed guiding principles to serve as the parameters for future planning and implementation:
Now, the JFRI membership must vote to pass this resolution. Our community membership meeting, on November 3, at 7:00PM in the JCC Social Hall, brings us to the culmination of a key component of this vision for our community: the integration of three agencies into one focused team, harnessing the intellect, energy, and resources of our community to create a new model for effective organizational management, prioritization, and service delivery. The agenda of the evening will include an overview of the integration process and reports of key working groups. This is an historic milestone for our community. Be part of ensuring a vibrant Jewish future. As required by the JFRI by-laws, a membership vote is necessary to endorse this board action. Please join us on November 3, and cast your vote for a vibrant future in our Jewish community. Click here to read the 2008 Strategic Plan, or here to read the SRTF recommendations. |
Work groups are making progress By Chris Parker cparker@JFRI.org PROVIDENCE – On July 8, members of the Integration committee hosted an interactive teleconference with Sharon Gaines, chair of the Integration committee, and Bureau of Jewish Education’s (BJE) president, Doug Emanuel, the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island’s (JCCRI) president, and Stuart Forman, the professional advisor on integration, giving an update on progress, and answering questions from community members about the process of integrating the three agencies. For those of you who didn’t call in, here are some highlights. Q: If the JCCRI, BJE and JFRI are basically no longer going to exist as individual entities, how will they provide the services we have been getting? A: Services and programs will continue to be provided and you should see no difference except that we hope to provide them in an even more engaging and exciting way. We are doing away with redundant internal structure so that we can concentrate on better delivery of services to our community. So, for example, what used to be BJE, JCCRI and JFRI (that part that delivers programs such as PJ Library) will all be provided under one pillar, Jewish Life and Learning. Staff will be redeployed to focus on running these programs and developing new ones based on what our community needs. This type of ‘customer-driven’ staff will work collaboratively to create more relevant programs for different groups – children, teens, adults and seniors. Instead of three different staffs, we will have one team focused on supporting and improving our high quality programs and services. Q: I have a friend whose Jewish community is going through a similar change. He was quite impressed with how far along our community is. He had a specific question regarding endowments and real property and how these will be treated as the three entities become one. Also, is there someone he can talk to personally about what we are doing and how we are doing it? A: We are glad to share! Sharon Gaines offered to contact him directly after the call. He can also check out www.JVHRI.org, and the integration page on www.JFRI.org. Regarding endowments and real property, great questions and, as you might guess, complicated. While we don't have an answer yet, the legal/governance work group is currently wrestling with the best way to resolve these and other questions. Once everyone agrees on an answer, we will share it. Update on the work of the Integration committee, and its work groups: • The legal/governance work group has recommended that the new entity be a single corporation, with one board of directors, one chief executive officer and non-voting members. It is now finishing up with the issues that pertain to bylaws. There is still work to do, but we are expecting its recommendations in early September. • The budget and finance work group has proposed a consolidated budget. • The programs work group is finalizing its organizational plan for the new entity, including what the agency’s programs will be and how they will be organized, and staff reporting responsibilities. • The communications work group has issued requests for proposals for naming, branding, position statement and new logo. A vendor for this process will be chosen this month. • We’re still on track...to launch January 2011. Want to know more? Visit www.JFRI.org or www.JVRHRI.org to get the latest updates about the integration process. Have a question? Email Gail Putnam at gputnam@JFRI.org. Chris Parker is the director of marketing and communications for the JFRI and the JCCRI.
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UPDATE Latest update: posted July 2, 2010 · Legal/governance Work Group has completed 75% of the recommendations for the By-laws for the new company. It has recommended to the Integration Committee that the new entity be a single corporation, with one Board of Directors providing governance, one CEO, and a non-voting membership. We expect it to complete its recommendations by late August. · The Communications Work Group has put out RFPs for naming, branding, position statement, and logo. It is reviewing the RFP responses at this time and anticipates award of the RFP in late July. · The Programs Work Group is in the process of finalizing the organizational plan for the new entity. This includes the design of the structures through which the various programs and services of the new company will be effected. This effort defines for the new entity what the programs will be, how they will be organized, what is the reporting structure, and what is the span of control for each staff officer responsible for service and program delivery. · The Budget and Finance Work Group has proposed a consolidated budget combining all three existing organizations. While each affiliating organization retains its fiduciary responsibilities at this time, this budget allow them to begin to act in an “as if” capacity for this new fiscal period. This allows for budgetary decisions to be made in concert between the three agencies even before the actual new entity is completely formed. · The Integration Committee continues to meet to provide overall process control over the Work Groups and to make various decisions affecting timeline. At the moment, we are still on track for a January 1, 2011 launch. |
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For more information, or to ask a question, email your request to gputnam@jfri.org. |
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