AMECO Annual Report. Setting the Standard for Missing and Exploited Children s Organizations

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1 AMECO 2009 Annual Report Setting the Standard for Missing and Exploited Children s Organizations

AMECO MISSION As an international association of nonprofit organizations, AMECO provides a unified voice on issues related to missing and exploited children and their families, and nurtures credible,

2 AMECO MISSION As an international association of nonprofit organizations, AMECO provides a unified voice on issues related to missing and exploited children and their families, and nurtures credible, ethical, and effective nonprofit member organizations. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Beth Alberts, President, Texas Center for the Missing Bob Hoch, Vice-President, Rachel Foundation Trish Derby, Treasurer, Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness Kate Shields, Secretary, Heidi Search Center Steve Daley, radkids Stephanie Parker, Nevada Child Seekers Marcia Slacke, Child Quest International 2009 STAFF Wendy Jolley-Kabi, Executive Director Renee Kunia, Projects Coordinator (as of October 2009) Hannah Uribe, Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper (until October 2009) PO Box , Alexandria, VA Mailing Address 1101 King Street, 7th Floor, Alexandria, VA Physical Address Toll Free Direct Fax 2

3 2009 ANNUAL REPORT 2009 was a successful year for AMECO. During a time of great economic uncertainty for many nonprofits, AMECO maintained financial security, undertook activities to expand its funding base in 2010 and expanded member benefits while maintaining all existing programs. AMECO is grateful to continue receiving significant grant support from the US Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In 2009, AMECO also participated in the Combined Federal Campaign and the United Way of the National Capital Region Campaign. Additionally AMECO has begun identifying potential sources of additional funding. Through these efforts, AMECO is positioning itself to ensure the association can continue to offer value to its membership. In 2009 AMECO held its membership dues to a minimum at $200 per year. Meanwhile despite increased costs, we continued to cover the costs of our members participation in our annual membership meeting and conference, added a networking event to the conference agenda and paid for FBI background checks for volunteers of our US-based members (for a full list of 2009 member benefits, see page 6). In light of the challenges many of our members reported facing with their fundraising efforts, we also added a new benefit: an annual subscription to GrantStation, an online funding resource for organizations seeking grants. While one of our members ceased operations in 2009 and another member significantly scaled back services and discontinued their membership, AMECO also added three new members in Congratulations and welcome to Project Jason, Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness and Christopher s Clubhouse! Respectfully, Wendy Jolley-Kabi Wendy Jolley-Kabi, Executive Director 3

AMECO MEMBERS AMECO is comprised of nonprofit missing and exploited children s organizations that assist in the prevention, recovery and reintegration of missing children and the prevention of child

4 AMECO MEMBERS AMECO is comprised of nonprofit missing and exploited children s organizations that assist in the prevention, recovery and reintegration of missing children and the prevention of child exploitation. Our members: Assist searching families and law enforcement in the recovery of missing children; Assist missing and exploited children and their families to gain access to services; and Prevent children from becoming missing or exploited through prevention and education services MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS A Child Is Missing Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation* Center for Hope Child Find Alberta Child Find BC Child Find Canada, Inc. Child Find Manitoba Child Find Newfoundland & Labrador Child Find of America Child Find Ontario Child Find PEI Child Find Saskatchewan Ltd. Child Protection Education of America* Child Quest International Christopher's Clubhouse Commission on Missing and Exploited Children (COMEC) Exploited Children's Help Organization (ECHO) Guardians Against Sex Predators (formerly known as Grandparents Against Sex Predators) Heidi Search Center, Inc. AMECO members never charge a fee or solicit donations from victims or searching families in the recovery process Interstate Association for Stolen Children Jacob Wetterling Resource Center Jimmy Ryce Center for Victims of Predatory Abduction, Inc. Laura Recovery Center Missing and Exploited Children's Association (MECA) Missing Children Task Force Missing Children-Minnesota Morgan Nick Foundation, Inc. Nevada Child Seekers One Missing Link OPERATION LOOKOUT National Center for Missing Youth Polly Klaas Foundation Project Jason Rachel Foundation radkids Texas Center for the Missing The Santa Project Tommy Foundation *Denotes organizations that were not members of AMECO as of December 31, 2009 For a complete directory of AMECO member organizations and website links, please see Our shared goal is to reduce the numbers of missing and exploited children. 4

5 Financial Statements as of December 31, 2009 Statement of Financial Position Assets Current Assets Cash $ 35,596 Grants Receivable 254,236 Prepaid Expense 1, ,714 Total Assets $ 291,714 Liabilities and Net Assets Current Liabilities Accounts Payable $ 126 Accrued Payroll and Related 5,263 5,389 Net Assets Unrestricted 286,325 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 291,714 Statement of Activity Total and Unrestricted Support and Revenue Grants $ 225,000 In-Kind Donations 12,780 Individual Contributions 126 Conference Fees 375 Membership Dues 7, ,364 Expenses Program Services 190,212 General and Administrative 28,661 Fundraising 1, ,475 Change in Net Assets 24,889 Net Assets, Beginning of Year 261,436 Net Assets, End of Year $ 286,325 5

6 Accomplishments for Member Benefits AMECO published e-newsletters containing information about AMECO members and partners, relevant legislative activity, new trends in the field, available resources and other information of interest. The AMECO Wire AMECO members only The Missing Connection AMECO members, State Clearinghouse staff, NCMEC partners, FVTC partners and OJJDP. Inclusion in the referral lists of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), State Clearinghouses for Missing Children/Persons, the State Department and other partners. Opportunities to participate in the development of topical position statements issued by AMECO. Access to members-only extranet section of website. Free FBI background checks for organizational volunteers (for US-based members only). Subscription to GrantStation. Participation in the 2009 AMECO Annual Meeting and Executive Directors' Conference, held April 24-26, 2009, at the Jimmy Ryce Law Enforcement Training Center, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Alexandria, Virginia (airfare, accommodation, registration fees and conference meals were provided for one representative from each member organization). Participation in the 2009 NPO/State Clearinghouse Conference, held September 29-October 1, 2009, in Reno, Nevada (airfare, accommodation, registration fees and conference meals were provided for one representative from each member organization). Support to Members Throughout the year, AMECO staff provides assistance to members and potential members. This year staff tracked 957 communications and 266 phone calls with members and potential members on membership issues. During the same period staff tracked communications and 115 phone calls with members and potential members for assistance with organizational issues. Thirty-four member organizations participated in the 2009 NPO/State Clearinghouse Conference. AMECO held a halfday meeting prior to the conference and coordinated a NPO breakout session during the conference. 6

7 Member Site Visits Each year, AMECO s Executive Director visits member organizations with the purpose of better understanding the member organization s programs, services and operations and exploring how AMECO can best support the organization. Information gathered assists AMECO in developing trainings and other supports to members, strategically identifying sources of information/materials among AMECO members and connecting members to each other. In 2009, AMECO conducted site visits to Nevada Child Seekers, Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation, Polly Klaas Foundation, Child Quest International, Morgan Nick Foundation and Guardians Against Sex Predators Executive Directors Conference and Annual Membership Meeting 36 representatives from 30 member organizations participated in the 2009 Executive Directors Conference and Annual Membership Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 24-26, Held at the Jimmy Ryce Law Enforcement Center of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the conference featured: Presentations by key NCMEC departments to identify ways for members to better collaborate with NCMEC and more fully utilize NCMEC resources. A panel of leading partners in the field of Missing and Exploited Children providing an overview of key trends affecting our field over the next decade. An overview of NamUs and CODIS, a look at AMECO s involvement to date and an exploration of how AMECO member organizations can be involved. Small group discussions to explore ways to work together and reach out to partners in the field. AMECO presented the 2009 Joan Taavon Award to Doug and Mary Lyall during the annual membership meeting. Quotes from conference participants: The presenters were very professional and were fantastic at presenting their materials in a concise and interesting manner. Excellent dialogue! I got a lot of valuable information from the presentation. Excellent conference! Great networking!! Membership Expansion AMECO communicated about membership with 31 organizations working on behalf of missing and exploited children. Three of the organizations met all membership requirements, submitted completed applications and were added to the membership. Congratulations and welcome to Project Jason, Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness and Christopher s Clubhouse! 7

Partnerships AMECO has developed expansive partnerships with the US Department of Justice, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, state clearinghouses for missing children/persons

8 Partnerships AMECO has developed expansive partnerships with the US Department of Justice, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, state clearinghouses for missing children/persons and other key stakeholders in the effort to reduce the number of missing and exploited children. In 2009, AMECO participated as a national partner in NCMEC s Take 25 program and facilitated the participation of member organizations in this annual initiative to increase awareness about children s safety issues. AMECO also worked with NCMEC to develop a protocol to notify relevant AMECO members of Team Adam deployments. To support this initiative, AMECO s Executive Director provided training to NCMEC s Team Adam consultants on AMECO and members resources. AMECO members were notified of 27 Team Adam deployments in 2009, and given opportunities to share services they could make available on the cases with the Team Adam consultants. AMECO also worked with OJJDP to facilitate expanded member participation in 2009 Missing Children Day Poster Contest and presented to the Federal Agency Task Force on Missing and Exploited Children. And lastly, AMECO continued promoting expanded collaboration among AMECO members and state clearinghouses by publishing nine editions of The Missing Connection newsletter for members, State Clearinghouses and other partners. Setting the Standard for Missing and Exploited Children s Organizations AMECO is supported by Grant No MC-CX-K014 and Grant No MC-CX-K035 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. AMECO thanks OJJDP for their continued support. AMECO also wishes to thank the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for their generosity in providing in-kind support. 8

2010 Annual Report. Setting the Standard for Missing and Exploited Children s Organizations

2010 Annual Report. Setting the Standard for Missing and Exploited Children s Organizations 2010 Annual Report Setting the Standard for Missing and Exploited Children s Organizations AMECO Mission Statement As an international association of nonprofit organizations, AMECO provides a unified voice