Programs > The Changing Economy

We hope you find these links helpful in confronting the tough economic situation.

From Challenge to Opportunity in Today's Changing Economy: Real Action for Jewish Day School Leaders

Focus on how day schools can meet head-on the challenges faced in today's economic environment. Expect each webinar to provide you with real knowledge to put into action. The overarching goal of the series is to help day school and community leaders embrace challenges in order to create better opportunities.
Featuring:

• Online and telephone webinars with renowned speakers
• Ongoing conversation with participants and presenters at peje.wikispaces.com

Previous Webinars

"Weathering the Perfect Storm:
Recommendations from NBOA's Institute for Advanced Financial Management"
with Sarah Daignault, Executive Director NBOA, Stephane Acel, Program Officer and Facilitator, PEJE Financial Management CoP, and Judy Zorfass, Manager, PEJE Communities of Practice
PowerPoint
Audio File
Inventory for Jewish Day Schools in Tough Economic Times
JESNA Report

"Staff Restructuring: Handle with Care"
with Cheryl Finkel, PEJE Senior Consultant, Mary Newmann, PEJE Coach, and Linda Greenseid, Facilitator of the Leadership CoP
PowerPoint
Audio File
Forward Article

"Value and Values: The Day School Proposition in the Midst of Economic Crisis"
with Jeff Swartz, PEJE Partner and President and CEO of Timberland
PowerPoint
Audio file

"Proactive Jewish Day Schools in an Economic Downturn:
Things to Discuss, Steps to Take"
with Rheua Stakely, PEJE Coach and Organizational Development Consultant
PowerPoint
Handouts
Audio file

"Leadership in Tough Economic Times"
with Leonard Schlesinger, President of Babson College
PowerPoint
Sample Letters
Audio file

PEJE Articles

Advice for a Tumultuous Economy
The November issue of Hadashot V'Hidushim features a piece with thoughts and advice from four experts on different aspects of fundraising and financial management in light of the current economic situation. Read the article here .

Schools and the Economy
In the December 2008 installment of the PEJE Podcast, we talk to four school professionals about how their schools are managing the economic downturn. Listen to or download the podcast here.

Steering your Jewish Day School Toward Financial Sustainability in an Unstable Economy
In the December issue of Hadashot V'Hidushim, Sacha Litman, Founder and Principal Consultant of Measuring Success, suggests data-driven insights for addressing the economic impact on day schools, as well as traps to avoid. Read the article here

Financial Resource Development & Management in Tough Times
This hands-on guide uses the structure of a typical day school budget to offer fundraising and cost-saving strategies geared specifically for a changing economic reality.

CoP Calls

These previous and upcoming Community of Practice (CoP) conference calls center on how day schools can respond to the economy.

Admission

• Marketing for Admission Without Wasting Time and Money

Development

• Fundraising During a Difficult EconomyIt's Not Business as Usual: Resiliency and Creativity in Tumultuous Times

Financial Management

• Managing Risk in a Tough Economy: What We Can Learn from Independent Schools in New Orleans
• Adapting a Financial Strategy for Today's Economy

Leadership

• The Meltdown and Jewish Education

Fundraising Links

• The Network for Good highlights some winning strategies in its Online Fundraising Survival Guide.
• Surviving and Thriving in Hard Times
  This article discusses managing staff anxiety in difficult times as well as how the head of school should communicate layoffs.
• The Resource Alliance's recent newsletter has an article on how to "recession-proof your fundraising."
• Author and fundraising expert Marc Pittman writes about How to Fundraise in a Recession.
• The organization Step by Step Fundraising covers some Mistakes to Avoid.

Financial Aid Links

• Steven Lorch discusses Moral Complexity and Financial Aid.

Financial Management Links

• Inventory for Jewish Day Schools in Tough Economic Times
• Accounting Management Solutions, Inc., offers tactical solutions to help nonprofits weather the economic downturn.
• NAIS released a report on Alternative Sources of Income. It is free for NAIS members.

General Links

• The Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish Education conducted a survey of local day schools and yeshivot to determine how the recession has affected them. Read the results.
• NAIS has an article about coping with anxiety in the school community and how Heads should handle having to make cuts.
• President of NAIS Pat Bassett gives some context on the economic crisis on his blog .

Letters to Parents

You may find it appropriate to inform parents of your school's financial situation in light of the economy. Here are three example letters that may help serve as a template.
Jewish Community High School of the Bay
South Area Solomon Schechter Day School
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School