COLLAPSE WITH NO SAFETY NET

When the UJC began its Emerging Communities effort five years ago, it did so with two high potential, high growth federations in the Southwest. I was honored to Chair the effort. We actually enjoyed some success in both communities, particularly in one where mushrooming growth and wealth produced an annual campaign that quadrupled in three years thanks a dynamic partnership between the then CEO and his lay Chairs. The other continued to languish in an environment of low campaign achievement and an independent foundation with little apparent interest in the federation's success even as most of its leaders were past officers of federation. Working closely with a new CEO, the then UJC professionals were driving toward a new Board makeup that offered the prospect of greater success in the future.

Then, with no notice to me, the program's lay Chair, UJC just dropped the Emerging Communities partnership from its agenda in 2008. Just walked away.The then Director of Development didn't bother to call and explain even after some "passionate" letters. (He and the then CEO did visit one of the communities, after which he called me to tell me that the visit had resulted in the "restoration of the federation's faith in UJC" and that the then federation Chair "would be an important future player at UJC." What that Development Director did not know was the very night of the day of his visit with the CEO, the Chair recommended to the Board that it no longer pay Dues.)

Fast forward to 2010. The federation which had experienced incredible growth has seen its Campaign fall by over 50% in 18 months. The other has seen its rather dismal annual campaign fall by $2 million over the last two years; the 13th largest Jewish community in the United States, it has 3,500 donors...yes, that's no misprint... and the number was down by 12.5% in the last year.

Could JFNA have helped in either situation had the Emerging Communities effort continued? While I don't know the answer, JFNA's participation couldn't have made things worse. So, why bring this up now? Well, the JFNA Economic Crisis Newsletter on February 22 linked to a story "Federation campaign slips more than $1 million" referencing one of these partner's woeful campaign. I read the article in great pain. The last paragraph was stunning: "Asked if the shortfall in campaign funds will likely cut funds to the overseas partners, (the federation Board Chair) replied: 'Unfortunately it's got to come from some place and the answer to that is 'yes.'"

In the entire article there is not one discussion of how this federation will go about raising additional funds, creating greater resources, bringing in more donors. And it is the sad story of leadership who view the overseas allocation as a bank from which to draw funds for purposes other than those intended by the donors. Could a continuing partnership with JFNA prevented that from happening -- no, but there would at least have been a dialogue -- something totally lacking today.

To JFNA the message should be: revive the Emerging Communities efforts immediately -- they are about financial resource development, sure, but they are also about community-building. From 25 Broadway -- silence. We are watching the collapse of our system...watching...watching. Just make sure those Dues are paid.

Rwexler