Bloomington DSA Achieves Accreditation

Down Syndrome Family Connection of Bloomington, Indiana (DSFC) was recently awarded Basic Accreditation status through Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action. Cyndi Johnson, DSFC Board President, said that their organization wanted to pursue accreditation status for many reasons including ensuring that their organization executed nonprofit best practices at every level. "The board was involved all along the way," Johnson explained. "It forced us to review our policies, procedures and programs. The process itself was beneficial to our organization." 

The group plans to utilize their accreditation award to inspire donor confidence within their community. "We feel like it is a way to set ourselves apart from other nonprofits vying for funding," Johnson said. When asked what advice or suggestions DSFC would offer prospective accreditation applicants, Johnson encouraged groups to have one person coordinating the effort but to be transparent with the board at all times so that everyone learns from the process and can be supportive. One more piece of advice from DSFC: Design a central location for all of your documents (policies, procedures, minutes, bylaws, etc.). It will be helpful in the process but will hold future benefits as well.

DSFC is the second DSAIA member to receive accreditation status. Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida was awarded accreditation status in 2014. If your organization is interested in applying for accreditation, please visit our website for more information including the Accreditation Checklist.

2016 Conference Registration Open

Early Bird savings are now in full swing for the 2016 DSAIA Leadership Conference. Scheduled for March 3-6, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the 2106 event will mark TEN YEARS of the annual leadership conference. Attendees should plan to celebrate nonstop with incredible educational and networking opportunities. DSAIA has made a commitment to bring in nonprofit experts and exciting new topics each year. The conference committee is already working incredibly hard to do just that - plus present some surprises to the schedule to keep the event evolving.

Registration is available on the DSAIA conference website. Hotel reservations (at our discounted conference rate) can be made now as well. Don't forget - early registrants take advantage of incredible savings! Save $100 per person when you register before November 1, 2015.  (DSAIA members can save an additional $200 per person when using the Member Discount Code found under the Members Section of our website.)

Congrats!

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