This is a great opportunity for organizations to learn from an expert in the field, consider their internal controls program, and discuss the challenge with colleagues.  We recommend the participation of your financial manager, executive leader and board treasurer in this event.

To register, reply to laurie@vhcb.org  by June 1.   Include your name, title, organization, and  telephone number. Mail a check payable to “VHCB” in the amount of $20 per person attending to: 58 East State St., Montpelier, VT 05602.  

Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The Capitol Plaza Hotel  is wheelchair accessible. Please contact Laurie in advance if you require  special accommodations.

An effective and carefully considered internal control system is essential for housing development and management organizations to operate efficiently, to maintain the confidence of stakeholders and to prevent fraud.  VHCB and Housing Vermont have organized the training “Fraud and Internal Controls” to help organizations in the Vermont affordable housing network  examine their internal control systems and prevent fraud.

The training will be led by Joanne Wilson, a financial management consultant with more than 20 years experience in nonprofit accounting and financial management.  As principal of SJ Associates, Joanne specializes in financial systems analysis, developing fund accounting systems, and guiding organizations in selecting and implementing accounting software.  Joanne has led numerous trainings on financial management for NeighborWorks of America and for VHCB.

The days agenda will address:

·        The reality that fraud may occur within nonprofit organizations and areas of special concern for  housing organizations;

·        A review of internal controls to prevent fraud and improve financial management of your organization;

·        Exercises to identify weaknesses in your organization and develop  strategies to strengthen internal controls;

·        Best practices in preventing fraud.

NAMI Vermont invites peers, providers, families of people living with mental illness and anyone interested in learning about the varied paths that people living with mental health challenges can take to live well, to its Pathways to Wellness 2012 conference. In addition to the keynote addresses highlighted below, we will offer two sets of workshops by local and regional experts.  A performance by ME2 Orchestra, a classical music ensemble created for individuals with mental health issues and the people who support them, completes the program. And don’t forget to bring your wallet for our silent auction!

Date: Friday, June 8, 2012

Location: Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, Montpelier, Vermont

Time: 8:00 AM – 4:15 PM

For more information please contact info@namivt.org

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Addison County Community Trust & Housing Vermont would like you to join them and a special guest, Senator Bernie Sanders (invited), for the ribbon cutting to mark the opening of Vergennes Senior Housing.

Monday, May 21st at 10:00 AM – 50 Armory Lane, Vergennes. 

Burlington Free Press: Joel Banner Baird

The population of Shelburnewood Mobile Home Park is yet again holding its collective breath.

Burlington developer and philanthropist Tony Pomerleau says he’s breathing just fine: He aims to buy the property and grant its residents permanent ownership.“It’ll happen,” Pomerleau said Thursday, possibly within the year.

Shelburnewood residents greeted Pomerleau’s announcement last week with surprise and relief — flavored with caution.

For almost a decade, the 50 or so residents of Shelburnewood Mobile Home Park have faced alternating scenarios of eviction and reprieve.

Their aluminum homes sit on a portion of 20 acres of prime real estate. They’re
tucked behind Trinity Episcopal Church, within Shelburne’s village core; within
walking distance of school, shops and town offices.

Shelburnewood, in many ways, is a prototype for dense, “smart-growth” residential development.

But attempts to secure funding and town approval for low-to-mid-income housing at that site have been slow and painful.

“We’ve been down this road many times,” said Vicki Carleton, the president of the park’s residents’ association …

Link to Burlington Free Press Article

PDF of Full BFP Article

Burlington developer Tony Pomerleau said Wednesday he intends to buy

Shelburnewood mobile home park, and find ways to keep its residents living there.

The deal with the Shelburne property’s owners has not yet been finalized, but “it’s 90 percent done, and it’s going to happen,” Pomerleau told the Burlington
Free Press.

Plans to convert the mobile home park into mixed-income housing fell through in 2010 after facing stiff opposition in Shelburne’s Development Review Board.

The property lies along the village’s northeast corner. Owners Marvin and Sue Thomas, have for several years said they no longer wish to operate the park, and would like to sell, said their lawyer, Liam Murphy …

PDF of Burlington Free Press Article

Link to Burlington Free Press Article