WNY Executive Director’s Network

Call to Action: Oppose Paid Board Members

2013-06-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Nonprofit Members & Devoted Board Members,

We're calling on our members to
TAKE ACTION today!

ISSUE: The Attorney General's Nonprofit Reform Bills (S-5198A/A-7337) are being finalized over today and over the weekend for introduction and likely passage next week. They are to go into effect on July 1, 2014.

NYCON's POSITION

The AG continues to support the harmful practice of having paid, voting board members on nonprofit boards. Paid board members are the single greatest source of conflicts of interests for charities and one that seriously threatens the integrity of and public confidence in our sector.

Excellent board leadership includes board members"giving and getting" resources for mission, not"making and taking" them for private gain.

The AG's endorsement of paying board members means that these types of conflicts of interests will continue to occur and plague us.

The inevitable result will be the emergence of more harmful public scandals that tarnish the good work of the over 99% of charities that believe in and practice volunteer board leadership. NYCON believes that the opportunity is right now to stop it at its source!

ACTION REQUESTED- CALL TODAY!

We urge staff, board leaders, donors, volunteers and all who care about protecting the ethical integrity of our state's charities to call today and Monday at the latest, the offices of
Michael H. Ranzenhofer and

James Brennan the Bill Sponsors, to voice your support for amending the proposed Bill to prohibit compensated board members. Tell them that true reform means taking solving the problem not adding new, complex regulations trying to manage it.

*A revised bill will be submitted early next week, so please, call and make your case.

Both offices are well aware of NYCON's position, so even calling and stating your support for NYCON's case against this bill is a step in the right direction!

PLEASE CALL TODAY!

Michael Ranzenhofer

Albany Office Phone:(518) 455-3161

Regional Office: (716) 631-8695
(585) 454-0322

James Brennan

Albany Office: (518) 455-5377

Regional Office: (718)-940-0641
(718) 788-7221

There are other options out there, if we're going to do this, then let's do it right! NYCON fully supports Senator Marcellino and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin who have both introduced Bills that would end compensated board members! Check out this bill here.

Sincerely,

Doug Sauer, CEO

New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON)

Learn More on NYCON's Position

[Watch it Now] Public Hearing: To examine the re-codification of New York State's not-for-profit corporation law in an effort to reduce unnecessary burdens on nonprofits and to enhance nonprofit governance and oversight

Changing the Nonprofit Corp Law in NY: Let's Try to Get it Right the First Time...

Understand
the Legislation

A.G. Schneiderman, Senate And Assembly Committee Chairs Propose Groundbreaking Legislation To Reform New York's Charities Laws

Contact Us !

Its up to the nonprofits of New York to educate policy makers, and this is your chance to do so today!

Tell these offices you support NYCON's case against compensated board members!

Send us Your Feedback!

Proud Member of
the National Council of Nonprofits

Take the Salary Survey, Get a Free Summary of the Data

2013-06-14T07:18:00.003-07:00

New York Nonprofit Salary & Benefits Survey is Open!

All NYCON Members Taking the Survey Receive a FreeExecutive Summary and 50% Off Full Report!

Deadline to Enter Data is June 28th.
more info

Once again NYCON Members are invited to participate in a statewide and national nonprofit salary and benefits survey being conducted by The NonProfit Times

.
This report will provide detailed information on 94 employee benefit offerings, 28 job families and hundreds of nonprofit positions with key performance metrics that can be used to benchmark compensation and benefit practices including:

Base Salary and Total Cash Compensation data with percentile rankings for each position
Bonus Pay practices including average payout, percentage receiving and organizations paying
Annual Salary Increases (prior and current year; executive and non-executive)
Employee Turnover and Average Tenure by position
Total compensation costs as a percentage of operating expenses
Employee profile data; number of full/part time; exempt vs. nonexempt
Executive Perks and Benefits (organizations offering, special benefits offered)
Medical, Dental and Vision (costs paid by organization, eligibility, plan offerings, participation rates)
Prescription Drug (retail and mail order costs)
Retirement Plans (organization contributions, eligibility, plan offerings, participation rates)
Executive Employment Agreements (organizations offering, terms and conditions
Life Insurance & Disability (eligibility, offerings, participation)
General Benefit Offering (covers 35 unique benefit programs)
Flexible Spending Accounts (offerings, maximum contribution percentile rankings)
Employee Leave (vacation, sick, paid time off, personal, holidays, bereavement, FMLA)
Overtime Practices - exempt vs. non-exempt staff
Part Time Employee Benefit Offerings
Changes in Data from 2012 -2013 Use this new feature to quickly and simply identify critical shifts and potential marketplace trends for all salary and benefits data
The Report will present survey results by multiple views to allow for quick and easy comparisons against relevant peer organizations by geographic location, operating budget, number of employees, and field of work.

Just for completing the survey NYCON Members will get a FREE Executive Summary of the New York State data, with full salary data for all positions. All members who complete the survey will receive 50% off the full report ( $250 currently).The survey is designed to be quick and easy with help just a click or phone call away if you need it. Don't miss this chance to participate.

Deadline to enter data is June 28th!

Important Information About the Survey

New 2013 Survey Features:

The survey is now faster and easier to complete!

Anyone who participated in the survey in 2011 or 2012can use their existing data to jump start the 2013 survey completion process.

(Look for an email form The NonProfit Times with special instructions on how to login to access this new feature.)

Now you can take the survey with all the major web browsers including Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Now it's easier and more intuitive to enter data with the addition of more prompts to guide users.

Deadline to enter data is June 28th!

NYCON: New Disclosure Requirements for Nonprofits Involved with Electioneering

2013-06-13T07:20:00.001-07:00

Helping Nonprofits

Helping Communities

Corporate Involvement

Citizens That Care

New Disclosure Requirements For Nonprofits Involved with Electioneering

6/5/2013

Effective today, nonprofits that are registered with the state will now be required to report the percentage of their expenditures that go to federal, state and local electioneering. Groups that spend at least $10,000 to influence state and local elections in New York will be required to file itemized schedules of expenses and contributions. Those disclosures will be available to the public on the Attorney General’s NY Open Government website.

This legislation continues the hunt to track down "dark money" which describe anonymous election spending through 501(c)(4)s. The new requirements are seen as a way to improve transparency and inform the public where their money is going to when they donate to nonprofits participating in the federal, state, and local electioneering process. To find out more information click the link below;

A.G. Schneiderman Adopts New Disclosure Requirements For Nonprofits That Engage In Electioneering

Upcoming Events & Training

2013-05-31T10:48:00.000-07:00

From Audit to Redesign:
The Complete Nonprofit Website Toolkit
Five, Live, 90-Minute Sessions. June 4th - July 2nd, 2013

NYCON Members: $140; Non-Members: $200
Members can use code "NYCON2013" to get the discount. Membership will be verified. Non-members will be charged $200 for this webinar series.]

Register Now

Over five Tuesdays in June and July,
join Idealware as they walk you through Website 101, review best practices for accessibility, mobile-optimized sites, and reinforcing your organization's online brand. They'll also take a look at the content management systems (CMS) that can give even your least tech-savvy staff members the tools to update website content themselves. Finally, they'll talk about how your website content works alongside your email, direct mail, and social media efforts to create your organization's communications mix.

Takeaways from the course:

Define goals for how your website will serve your audience
Learn best practices for designing an accessible, usable, and polished website
Compare your content management system (CMS) options
How to make sure your website shows up well on search engines
Create your organization's website action plan with next steps and action items for an improvement process

Brought to you through a partnership between the New York Council of Nonprofits and Idealware.

Five, Live, 90-Minute Sessions. June 4th - July 2nd, 2013

NYCON Members: $140; Non-Members: $200
Members can use code "NYCON2013" to get the discount. Membership will be verified. Non-members will be charged $200 for this webinar series.]

Register Now

Social Media Myth Busting: If You Build It,
Will They Come? [Lunch & Learn Webinar]

June 14th, 2013 11:00am to 12:30pm
Presented by Andrew Marietta, Regional Manager, Central NY Office, NYCON and Valerie Venezia, Vice President, Membership & Marketing, NYCON
Free for NYCON Members Only Register

Sometimes it seems like there's a new hot social media tool launched every day of the week. Figuring out what these tools do, how our nonprofit should use them, and frankly, if you need to use these tools can boggle anyone's mind. As busy nonprofit staff and board members we need to know what specific tool do we use for our specific goals? How do we measure success? This webinar will help cut through the clutter of social media mayhem and help you simplify, refocus, and target social media tools based on organizational needs and a focused message (and maybe even some actual metrics!)
Register

Workers Comp Issues for Nonprofit Arts Organizations [Webinar for NYSCA Grantees]
Friday, June 21, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (EDT)

Presented by Frederic J. Buse, Managing Director, Schwartz Heslin Group, Former Director of Unemployment Insurance, NYS; Department of Labor and Michael West, Esq. Legal Advisor, New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.

Register Now
Virtually all employers in New York State - including nonprofit employers - must provide workers' compensation coverage for their employees. For many nonprofit arts organizations specifically the world of workers comp gets, well, more complicated. Many organizations have seasonal, time delimited or specialized artistic talent working on projects, shows, performances or exhibits. Determining who should and shouldn't be covered is a priority for arts organizations and can save time, money and legal wrangling down the line. This webinar will cover the details of workers comp as it applies to the special needs of nonprofit arts groups, how to determine "employee" status and risks of not properly defining employment status. We will also be discussing recent trends in New York State in regard to workers comp.

Register Now

Camp Finance 2013: Rethink, Retool & Reboot! Preparing for Better Days Ahead
October 10th & 11th, 2013 New Paltz, NY

Register Now with Memorial Day Discount Codes

We're kicking off the summer with savings!
From now until May 31st take $40 off your CAMP FINANCE single occupancy registration with codeMEMDAY1. Or take $20 off your double occupancy registration with code MEMDAY2.

Click here for more information on what CAMP FINANCE will be offering this year, including details on our newly announced
Keynote Speaker Dan Pollatta, author of

Dan Pallotta, Author,
Camp Finance Keynote Speaker

"Uncharitable" and "Charity Case. "Dan's Keynote, titled after his first book "Uncharitable," challenges the way we've always been taught to think about charity and change. If we changed the way we think about charity, Dan argues, charity could change the world. This is a keynote you do not want to miss.

Take advantage of the savings now. And remember you can use the code for each staff or board member you register. If you do, you'll be celebrating again when October rolls around and you're packing your bags to join us at CAMP FINANCE.

To take advantage of this offer please CLICK HERE and enter code MEMDAY1 (for a single occupancy registration) or MEMDAY2 (for a double occupancy registration) before 5pm on Friday, May 31st.

Other Upcoming Trainings of Interest to NYCON Members

Webinars from IDEALWARE

NYCON Members Receive 20% off with code NYCON2013When Registering.
Membership will be verified and non-members will be charged $40.

Measuring Your Mission: Using Data to Track Organizational Health and Success
May 30, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern. $40.00

Getting Started with Online Conferencing and Seminar Tools June 6, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern. $40.00 Thursday, June 6th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST

Getting Started with Social Media Fundraising
June 27, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern. $40.00

Free Fundraising, Marketing & Social Media Webinars from
NETWORK FOR GOOD

June 4

1 p.m. EST Nonprofit 911:

Free Marketing Resources for Your Nonprofit

REGISTER

MIss a Recent Webinar?
Check Out Some of Our Recordings

Free Educational & Member Benefits Spotlights

For All Members

of NYCON:

NYCON Membership Benefits - Overview

[Benefits Spotlight] Budget & Cash Flow Tool Kits Webinar

[Benefits Spotlight] Employee Benefits Packages - Overview

[Lunch & Learn] The Art & Science of Board Decision Making: Document!

Free Educational Webinars Designed for Members Funded by NYSCA:

How to be a Fiscally Compliant Arts Organization

Governance Vs. Management: A Webinar for Nonprofit Arts Organizations

Managing Cash Flow for Arts Organizations

Strategic Planning for Arts Organizations

Employees vs. Independent Contractors: Roles, Rules & Risks

This Morning, NYCON CEO Doug Sauer Testifies in Front of Senate Committee

2013-05-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Members & Friends,

This morning I, along with many esteemed colleagues, will be testifying in front of the Senate Committee on Corporation, Authorities and Commissions regarding the recent proposed amendments to NYS' Not-for-Profit Corporate Law.

Our testimony will be streamed live today from 10am to 12pm.
I encourage you to watch it if you can.

Following the oral testimony, NYCON's written remarks will be posted online both on the Senate website and our own. We encourage you to read them and let us know what you think.

In general, NYCON supports these changes. It's been over 40 years since the law was amended and certainly, we know times have changed.

It's our view that the amendments should, first and foremost, enhance and simplify not complicate and protract the nonprofit community's ability to partner with NYS to deliver on mission - for basic human needs, for healthcare, for quality of life issues, for arts & culture, the list goes on and on.

As you will see many times we are in agreement - case in point, allowing board members to vote via email - however there are some areas in which we would suggest changes or additions to what has been proposed.

NYCON's main concerns are regarding:

Ensuring mergers, dissolutions, and other forms of corporate affiliations easier, cheaper and quicker
Ensuring voting officers and board members are volunteers and not paid
Addressing the misconceptions and proposed additional reporting requirements around nonprofit "excessive" executive compensation.

Again, our full remarks will be posted online at the conclusion of today's hearing. We welcome your feedback on these amendments and your thoughts in general on nonprofit policy & the current state of affairs in New York. Please click here to send us your comments.

Thank you for taking the time to read this today and for all the work that you continue to do in your communities. We truly do appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Doug Sauer, CEO
New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON)

Links & Resources

Public Hearing: To examine the re-codification of New York State's not-for-profit corporation law in an effort to reduce unnecessary burdens on nonprofits and to enhance nonprofit governance and oversight

A.G. Schneiderman, Senate And Assembly Committee Chairs Propose Groundbreaking Legislation To Reform New York's Charities Laws

Send us Your Feedback!

Proud Member of
the National Council of Nonprofits

Improve Your Nonprofit's Website This Summer

2013-05-22T07:37:00.002-07:00

From Audit to Redesign:

The Complete Nonprofit Website Toolkit!

Brought to you through our partnership with Idealware, this webinar series takes place each Tuesday from June 4 through July 2 and are held from 1:00pm - 2:30pm (EST).

Pricing for Five 90-minute sessions: Only $140 for the entire series for NYCON Members with code NYCON2013; $200 for Non-Members [Membership will be verified]

Find Out More & Register Online

Can you remember when your organization's website was designed? Can your supporters and constituents navigate and find the information they need? Can your staff members easily create or update content on your website? If you answered "no" to any of those questions, it might be time to bring that website into the 21st Century.

Join Idealware for From Audit to Redesign: The Complete Nonprofit Website Toolkit, an amazing five-session webinar series presented in partnership with Idealware, and they'll walk you through Website 101, review best practices for accessibility, mobile-optimized sites, and reinforcing your organization's online brand, and review content management systems.

From Audit to Redesign: The Complete Nonprofit WebsiteToolkit

will look at all aspects of your website, including:

· Defining goals for how your website will serve your audience.

· Learning best practices for designing an accessible, usable, and polished website.

· Comparing your content management system (CMS) options.

· How to make sure your website shows up well on search engines

· Creating your organization's website action plan with next steps and action

items for an improvement process.

In addition to the five webinars, participants in the Toolkit will have access to Office Hours. These are one hour time blocks during which you have access to an Idealware expert one-on-one.

Webinars take place each Tuesday fromJune 4 through July 2 and are held from1:00pm - 2:30pm (EST).

Pricing for Five 90-minute sessions: Only $140 for the entire series for NYCON Members with code NYCON2013; $200 for Non-Members [Membership will be verified]

Find Out More & Register Online

What Nonprofits are Saying About Idealware Webinars

"This entire seminar was just fantastic. I learned so much. I especially liked all the practical applications and examples given. I will definitely recommend this course to other people. Great job!!"

"Really liked the format-especially having the slides in advance. Allowed me to listen more and parallel process the information that applied to my organization."

"Excellent seminar. Very informative. Great examples to illustrate points. Friendly, personable presenters."

"We loved the seminar and found it very useful for our nonprofit organization. The ability to ask questions during the presentation, and the work book, are very valuable tools."

Camp Finance to Welcome Dan Pallotta, October 10

2013-05-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

Camp Finance to Welcome Dan Pallotta
Keynote Address - October 10th

"Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential"

NYCON is pleased to welcome Dan Pallotta as this year's Camp Finance Keynote Speaker. Camp Finance will be held at the Mohonk Mountain House on October 10th & 11th.

You may know of Dan Pallotta as the TED Talk Phenomenon (over 1.6 million views to date) or as the author of Uncharitable and Charity Case or as the inventor the multi-day charitable event industry with the AIDS Rides and Breast Cancer 3-Days, or as a regular blogger for theHarvard Business Review or maybe as the founder and President of the Charity Defense Council, a new national leadership movement dedicated to transforming the way the donating public thinks about charity and change...
But no matter how you heard of Dan, we're sure you are going to want to be there to hear what he has to say at this year's CAMP FINANCE Conference. Register Today

Keynote Address:

Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential

The way we've been taught to think about charity and change is upside down. If we changed the way we think about charity, charity could change the world. Our Camp Finance Keynote, based on Dan's book, Uncharitable, the best selling title in the history of Tufts University Press, will challenge you to change the way you think about charity. The Stanford Social Innovation Review has said Uncharitable "deserves to become the nonprofit sector's new manifesto."
Find out for yourself!

About Camp Finance 2013

Given the financial challenges of the past few years, your participation at CAMP FINANCE 2013 offers a welcome opportunity for New York's nonprofits to convene, access experts and connect with peers as we look to the future. Celebrating our 12th year, Camp Finance provides the very best in knowledge, skill and strategy sessions for your staff and volunteer leaders. This year´s workshops are responsive to your professional development and organizational needs with the latest information and tools to empower you to continue to build an effective, compliant, vibrant and sustainable nonprofit organization. From basic concepts to best practices, CAMP FINANCE 2013 has something for everyone. Workshop Tracks Include:

Basic Nonprofit Accounting
Accountability and Compliance Issues
Marketing, Fundraising and Communications

Nonprofit Governance

Camp Finance Sponsors & Exhibitors

Thank you to this year's event sponsors and exhibitors
(as of May 14th, 2013)

Sponsors:

Exhibitors: JMT Consulting, Central Business Solutions, The Network Place, Inc.

Camp Finance Pricing Information

Member Full Conference Pricing(Including all meals, activities & classes on 10/10 and 10/11) is

$469 per person for a double room and

$569 for a single room.

Non-member Full Conference Pricing is

$669 per person for a double room and

$769 for a single room.

Day Rates are Available:

Members $210

Non-Members $310

REGISTER TODAY

Testimonials & Reviews for
Dan Pallotta

"...we've received high marks for your keynote speech along with comments such as: 'Dan Pallotta was AMAZING - I wish everyone who works for a non-profit could see him speak!!', 'Dan Pallotta was the best keynote speaker since I have been attending ACM Interactivity.'"

-Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director, Association of Children's Museums

"The nonprofit world needs innovation, and Dan Pallotta is helping us see how new ideas can help make our world more successful. In these tough times, we need his out-of-the-box ideas!"

-Bobby Shriver, cofounder, Product (RED)

More Testimonials for Dan Pallotta

News from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

2013-05-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

View stories online: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/press/index.htm.

For the week ending May 12, 2013

DiNapoli: IDA Performance Improves, But Concerns Remain

New York’s Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) supported nearly 4,500 projects and provided $560 million in net tax exemptions in 2011, increasing estimated job gains by almost 36,000 from the previous year, according to areport issued Tuesday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. DiNapoli’s sixth annual report examining the performance of the state’s IDAs found improved reporting of data but recommended that IDAs do more to objectively weigh incentives against economic benefits to communities and evaluate projects receiving tax and other breaks.

State Pension Fund Invests $568,000 In Fieldlens

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced a $568,000 investment in FieldLens, creator of a mobile and web application designed for the construction industry. The investment was made through High Peaks Venture Partners, SoftBank Capital and Contour Venture Partners. The New York State Common Retirement Fund is an investor in these funds through its In–State Private Equity Program.

DiNapoli: Empire Continuing to Overpay for Special Medical Items

New York State health insurance provider Empire BlueCross BlueShield overpaid hospitals by nearly $490,000 for special medical items such as implants, drugs and blood, including more than $77,000 to just one hospital, over a six month period, according to an audit of the New York State Health Insurance Program released Thursday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Municipal Audits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Wednesday announced his office completed the following audits: the Village of Arcade; the Town of Ballston; the Town of Eastchester; the Halfmoon–Waterford Fire District No. 1; the Village of Herrings; the Village of Lewiston; the Village/Town of Mount Kisco; the Town of Northampton; and, theTown of North East.

New York comptroller calls for greater accountability for industrial development agencies

Ex-fire official will get prison

DiNapoli: $12 Billion in Unclaimed State Funds to Be Returned to New Yorkers

RISK eNews From The NonProfit Risk Management Center

2013-05-09T10:40:00.001-07:00

Thank You to our Generous 2013 Risk SUMMIT Sponsors!

The 2013 Risk SUMMIT will convene this August 25 – 27 in Boston, MA. This annual educational and networking event would not be possible without the generous support of the SUMMIT Corporate Sponsors:

HCA Asset Management, LLC, 501c Agencies Trust, Tangram and ProSight Specialty Insurance, Great American Insurance Group, Canfield and NPIP, Charity First Insurance Services, Inc., First Nonprofit Insurance Company, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Munich Reinsurance America, Inc., Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Riverport Insurance Company, Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., andArthur J. Gallagher & Co. and our Group of Companies. If you are interested in joining the line-up of sponsors, contact Jennifer Walther, Director of Client Solutions at (202)-785-3891 or at Jennifer@nonprofitrisk.org.

Inspired by Risk

By Erin Gloeckner

The staff members at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center find inspiration from many sources. We are moved by the ambitious missions of our consulting clients. We admire the unwavering dedication of our volunteer board. We marvel at the steadfast commitment of nonprofit leaders who embrace our tough love advice about risk management. Another source of inspiration is the creativity of risk thought leaders who engage their peers in the development or implementation of risk management strategies.

We also try to inspire our clients and AFFILIATE members to embrace risk-taking as a key to mission fulfillment. With risk and mission in mind, I wrote a poem for this week’s RISK eNews.

Molly Up to Bat

An event, a surprise, a fear come to life.

The big moment at the softball game.

My sister steps up, lights glaring, her breath visible in the cold night air.

Copying the others by slapping her bat on the plate. She never did that before.

The man beside me eagerly munches his hot dog.

A tasty reward after watching his son run home.

I squint my eyes, peering at my sister under bright field lights.

I hear the umpire yell twice: “STRIKE!”

Is it fate or chance? Will she strike out or win?

The boy on the mound winds up with a grin.

Focus is written in the lines of my sister’s face as she readies herself to take a swing of faith.

Children cheer in the stands as I shiver, chilly with uncertainty.

I watch, though I am tempted to look away, cowardly.

The ball takes years to cross the neatly trimmed grass, slowed by my nerves… my motherly concern.

I twist the tassels of my scarf as I wait to hear the call…

Then the ‘CRACK’ rings loud as her bat hits the ball!

Her coach screams “HOME!” and she stumbles into a giddy run.

Adrenaline surges through my heart as I begin to jump.

The painted diamond lights her way as she streaks past third.

Smiling ear to ear, she slides into the dirt.

Crowds chant my sister’s name at her first game of softball.

“Molly! Molly! Molly!”

Three swings to risk it all.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your risk management program, read one of our popular eBooks:

· Ready… Or Not: A Risk Management Guide for Nonprofit Executives

· Playing to Win: A Risk Management Guide for Nonprofit Sports and Recreation Programs

· Managing Special Event Risks: Ten Steps to Safety

Step Up to the Plate

If you have a story of inspired risk management you want to share with your peers, complete the online speaker proposal form for the 2013 Risk SUMMIT: www.nonprofitrisk.org/summit/speakers.asp. The new deadline for session proposals is May 15. Join us in Boston this August to hit one out of the ballpark by sharing your inspired approach to identifying and addressing the critical risks facing your nonprofit!

Erin Gloeckner is Project Manager at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, where she coordinates and supports consulting projects for a diverse array of clients. She’s also working on a brand-new book on managing partnership and fundraising risks. Erin welcomes your feedback on this article or questions about risk issues at erin@nonprofitrisk.org or (202) 785-3891.

Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News

2013-05-06T20:51:00.001-07:00

Entergy Shareholders To Take Up DiNapoli Proposal On Nuclear Power Safety

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Friday raised concerns with the storage of nuclear fuel at Entergy Inc.’s annual shareholder meeting in Little Rock, Ark. DiNapoli’s shareholder proposal calls for the company to implement a policy to minimize the amount of nuclear waste it stores in spent fuel pools and transfer that waste into dry cask storage.

DiNapoli: State Overtime Costs on the Rise

Overtime earnings at state agencies rose nearly 11 percent in 2012 to $529 million, escalating a trend that began in 2009, according to a report released Tuesday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli: State Ends Fiscal Year in Solid Position But Challenges Remain

Despite unexpected costs from Superstorm Sandy and a weaker than expected economy, New York State ended state fiscal year 2012–13 in a stable cash position compared to recent years, according to an end of the year report released Monday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli: St. Lawrence County Needs Long–Range Financial Plan

St. Lawrence County is coping with cash flow difficulties and a sharp decline in surplus funds, according to anaudit issued Thursday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The audit notes that the county’s weakening fiscal health has resulted in program cuts, tax increases and a potential operating deficit.

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Municipal Audits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Wednesday announced his office completed the following audits: the Village of Dresden; the Village of Hempstead; the Village of Middleburgh; the Town of Newfield; theTown of Pulteney; and, the Village of Whitney Point.

Comptroller DiNapoli School Releases Audits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Wednesday announced his office completed audits of the the Campbell–Savona Central School District; and, the Maine Endwell Central School District.

To see more news online click here.

New Webinars to Start Summer Off Right from NYCON

2013-05-05T22:23:00.001-07:00

April Showers Bring May Flowers and lots of NEW Webinars!

New Webinars All Month Long!

Know Thy Self: Assessing Organizational Readiness When Taking on the World of Restructuring [Lunch & Learn Webinar]

Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO,
New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.
Tuesday May 7th, 2013 11:00am to 12:30pm

Register Now

Affiliation discussions are a discovery process - uncovering and clarifying motivations, interests, organizational facts and circumstances, strengths and weaknesses. It is a process where potential partners learn about each other and yes, learn about themselves as well. Successful affiliation talks depend largely on each party being prepared, as transparency starts internally first. The more clarity your board and staff leadership can get as to the organization's true operational, fiscal, and "mission" health, the better positioned the organization will be in type of restructuring or collaboration. This webinar, led by our seasoned restructuring expert, Doug Sauer CEO, will guide attendees as to the questions that you should first ask yourselves and then extend to your potential partner.

Register Now

Flexible Spending Account Program Through NYCON

New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.

Tuesday May 9th, 2013 11:00am to 12:00pm

Register Now

Did you know that an

FSA (Flexible Spending Account) is a great way for you can help your employees

save money on day care and health care services as well as over-the-counter items for themselves and their family
members. When you put an FSA in place at your organization, your employees can contribute money deducted from their salary, before taxes are withheld and use this money to pay for eligible expenses. This also means that your nonprofit pays less in payroll taxes along with the wonderful benefit to your employees.

Join us on May 9th to hear more about how this benefits your nonprofit, including all the plan details, the process of enrollment, plan features - including debit card, and more about NYCON's services as administration

Register Now

NYCON Membership Benefits Orientation [Webinar]

Good for Prospective, New & Returning Members! May 17th or June 14th - Your Choice

Register Now

In our "Get to Know Us" Sessions, NYCON staff will tell you a lot more about our membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE. We will be talking about these benefits.

Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional Assistance
Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Voice in New York State

Register Now

Life Insurance Program Through NYCON

Presented by Eric Laughlin, Licensed Representative, Council Services Plus

The New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.

Tuesday May 23rd, 2013 11:00am to 12:00pm

Register Now

NYCON is pleased to bring an affordable, accessible Life Insurance option to the employees of our Member organizations through MetLife. MetLife is the leader in Group Life Insurance and is in a unique position to help provide the right plan for you as employers - not just today, but over time - to meet the changing needs of businesses and your employees. Many employees purchase life insurance through their workplace, it's a critical part of a company's benefits package - helping employees achieve financial security for their families. You can help employees feel that security by adding Life insurance to their suite of benefits.Join us on May 23rd to hear more about how this benefits your nonprofit, including all the plan details, the process of enrollment, cost and more.

Register Now

Social Media Myth Busting: If You Build It, Will They Come? [Lunch & Learn Webinar]

Presented by Andrew Marietta, Regional Manager, Central NY Office, NYCON and Valerie Venezia, Vice President, Membership & Marketing, NYCON

June 14th, 2013 11:00am to 12:30pm

Register Now

News from The Non-Profit Times

2013-05-01T11:43:00.002-07:00

Audits Show Widespread Underreporting of UBI

By The NonProfit Times - April 29, 2013

Unreported unrelated business income in higher education was found in almost every case examined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

“The audits identified some significant compliance issues at the colleges and universities examined,” said Lois Lerner, director, Exempt Organizations division of the IRS. “Because these issues may well be present elsewhere across the tax-exempt sector, all exempt organizations need to be aware of the importance of accurately reporting unrelated business income and providing appropriate executive compensation.”

This is part of the multi-year project on tax-exempt colleges and universities. The Colleges and Universities Compliance Project was launched in 2008 with the distribution of detailed questionnaires to 400 randomly-selected colleges and universities. The IRS selected 34 of the 400 for examination because their questionnaire responses and Form 990 reporting indicated potential noncompliance in the areas of unrelated business income and executive compensation.

Unrelated business income (UBI) is the income from a trade or business regularly conducted by an exempt organization and not substantially related to its exempt purpose. Unrelated business taxable income is the UBI that is taxable after deducting expenses directly connected to the trade or business. Because UBTI is calculated by totaling the UBI from all activities and subtracting the total allowable deductions, losses from one activity can offset profits from another. Examinations have resulted in:

Increases to UBTI for 90 percent of colleges and universities examined totaling about $90 million;
More than 180 changes to the amounts of UBTI reported by colleges and universities on Form 990-T; and
Disallowance of more than $170 million in losses and Net Operating Losses (NOLs, i.e., losses reported in one year that are used to offset profits in other years), which could amount to more than $60 million in assessed taxes.

The primary reasons for increases to UBTI in the completed exams were:

Disallowing expenses that were not connected to unrelated business activities.

The IRS found that examined colleges and universities were reporting certain losses as connected to unrelated business activities when they were not. The misreporting occurred in two ways:

1. Lack of profit motive: The IRS found that organizations were claiming losses from activities that did not qualify as a trade or business. Nearly 70 percent of examined colleges and universities reported losses from activities for which expenses had consistently exceeded UBI for many years. UBI must be generated by a trade or business.

An activity qualifies as a trade or business only if, among other things, the taxpayer engaged in the activity with the intent to make a profit. A pattern of recurring losses indicates a lack of profit motive. The IRS disallowed reporting of activities for which the taxpayer failed to show a profit motive. Those losses no longer offset profits from other activities in the current year or in future years, with more than $150 million of NOLs disallowed.

2. Improper expense allocation: The IRS also found that on nearly 60 percent of the Form 990-Ts examined, colleges and universities had misallocated expenses to offset UBI for specific activities. Organizations may allocate expenses that are used to carry on both exempt and unrelated business activities, but they must do so on a reasonable basis and the expenses offsetting UBI must be directly connected to the UBI activities. In many cases, the IRS found that claimed expenses, which generated losses, were not connected to the unrelated business activity.

The IRS checked the calculations for all NOLs reported on returns under exam and found that NOLs were either improperly calculated or unsubstantiated on more than a third of returns. As a result, the IRS disallowed nearly $19 million in NOLs.

The IRS also determined that nearly 40 percent of colleges and universities examined had misclassified certain activities as exempt or otherwise not reportable on Form 990-T. Fewer than 20 percent of these activities generated a loss. The examinations resulted in the reclassification of nearly $4 million in income as unrelated, subjecting those activities to tax.

Examinations resulted in more than 180 changes to UBTI reported for specific activities by colleges and universities. More than 30 different activities were connected to the changes. The majority of these adjustments came from the following activities: Fitness, recreation centers and sports camps; advertising; facility rentals; arenas; and, golf.

To see the online aricle click here.

Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News

2013-05-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

DiNapoli Audit Finds $7.7 Million in Questionable Charges by Special Education Providers

The Lake Grove School and the Mountain Lake Children’s Residence, two special education providers run by the same company, overcharged taxpayers by as much as $7.7 million over a four–year period, according to an audit released Friday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli: State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program Needs To Reach More Sites; Be More Cost–Effective

The New York State Legislature should examine options to restructure the state’s primary program to revitalize contaminated properties – the Brownfield Cleanup Program – in order to fully achieve the important economic, public health and environmental goals set when the program was created, according to a report released Monday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli Supports Lobbying Disclosure and Independent Director Proposals at Peabody Energy

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Tuesday announced support for two shareholder proposals at Peabody Energy Corporation’s annual meeting on April 29 calling for Peabody to disclose corporate lobbying expenses and to require the chairman of the board to be an independent director.

DiNapoli Refers Investigation of Substance Abuse Provider to U.S. Attorney

Phoenix Houses of New York, Inc. provided inappropriate perks to its executives exceeding $223,000 while under contract with the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, according to a report released Wednesday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. DiNapoli referred the findings to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara’s office for review.

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Municipal Audits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Wednesday announced his office completed the following audits: the Bloomingburg Joint Fire District; the Village of Depew; the Essex County Probation Department; theEssex County Sheriff’s Department; the Town of Johnsburg; the Town of North Castle; the Town of Owego Fire District; the Rescue Fire Company, Inc.; and, the Village of Village of the Branch.

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Audits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Wednesday announced his office completed audits of the the Beacon City School District; the Chenango Valley Central School District; the Fairport Central School District; the Monroe–Woodbury Central School District; and, the Oppenheim–Ephratah Central School District.

The Greatest Risk of All from the Non-Profit Risk Management Center

2013-05-01T11:22:00.001-07:00

Got Risk Insight? Submit a Session Proposal Today

If you’ve figured out how to identify risks, teach safety and risk management to the board, or engage staff members in risk management initiatives… we want you on the faculty of the 2013 Risk SUMMIT. Visit the conference webpage and complete the workshop proposal form before the May 1 deadline.

The Greatest Risk of All

By Melanie Lockwood Herman

“I’m only human
Of flesh and blood I’m made
Human
Born to make mistakes”

– Human, The Human League, © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., EMI Music Publishing.

Many leaders of leading nonprofits worry excessively about external threats: competing organizations, fickle institutional funders, increased government regulations, the unpredictable global economy, radical political changes, and the like. Yet the most serious threats to a nonprofit mission arise from the humanity of our workforce. After all, we’re only human. Avoiding conflict, burying mistakes and feeling apprehensive about risk-taking are familiar components of human DNA.

What’s the Risk of Being Human?

· Conflict: When we ignore conflicting opinions or work styles at the board table or in the staff work room, we may rob our nonprofits of the contributions of creative leaders.

· Mistakes: When we severely punish employees for their errors, we may inadvertently cause staff to bury their mistakes.

· Risk Aversion: When we allow fear to extinguish proposed action that is risky, but potentially mission-advancing, we fail to leverage our reputation and assets.

Don’t Eliminate the Greatest Risk

If the greatest risk facing your nonprofit is its human DNA, how can you manage human nature? Here are a few strategies to consider:

· Embrace Conflict: Identify examples of unresolved conflict in your nonprofit and reflect on the consequences. What toll has conflict avoidance taken on your mission? Have high-performing staff or volunteer leaders walked away in frustration? Acknowledge that conflict is normal. Instead of pretending that everyone agrees, dig deep to find the wisdom in disagreement. Applaud the team member who has the courage to say “I disagree, and here’s why,” when everyone else has voted “yes.”

· Bring Mistakes to the Surface: Unearth mistakes and face them head on. Provide a comfortable space in which to step up and fess up to a mistake. Is that comfortable space consistent in the divisions, departments or functions of your nonprofit? How might you reward staff who bring errors, oversights or even wrongful assumptions to light?

· Resolve to Take More Risk: How often is a creative idea dismissed as “too risky?” Instead of allowing gut reactions or protests from your risk manager to stifle creative ideas, reflect on ways to encourage and inspire risk-taking.

The Center offers numerous resources on the topic of human-inspired risk, including the upcoming webinar on HR Risk: Take the High Road without Getting Lost. Join me live on May 1st at 2 pm Eastern, or register to watch the recording at your convenience. You can also check out some of our articles exploring HR risk and reward:

· Creating an Effective Employee Handbook for Your Nonprofit

· Five Things That Should Never Appear in an Employee Handbook

· Grievance Procedures and Internal Dispute Resolution

· Happy Endings

· Human Resource Risks and the Forest of Fog

Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. She welcomes your comments about people and risk or your questions about the Center’s services at Melanie@nonprofitrisk.orgor (202) 785-3891. The Center provides risk management Cloud tools and resources at www.nonprofitrisk.org and offers custom consulting assistance to organizations unwilling to leave their missions to chance.

New Webinar for Spring & Summer

2013-04-24T11:11:00.002-07:00

Know Thy Self: Assessing Organizational Readiness When Taking on the World of Restructuring [Lunch & Learn Webinar]

Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO,
New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.
Tuesday May 7th, 2013 11:00am to 12:30pm

Explore Employee Benefits that You Can Afford!

May: Spotlight on Flexible Spending Account Program (FSA) and Life Insurance Programs

We know that the Employe Benefits "Market" can be

complicated. Our job is to help make that world more simple, and affordable for nonprofits. To help you understand each type of benefit, it's coverage features and it's costs we are rolling out a series of short 30-minute webinar spotlights on our administered programs: Health Insurance,Flexible Spending Accounts and our Vision Program - which is new for 2013!

Up next...

5/9/2013

Flexible Spending Account Prgm thru NYCON [Webinar]

5/23/2013

Life Insurance Program Spotlight [Webinar]

Social Media Myth Busting: If You Build It, Will They Come? [Lunch & Learn Webinar]
Presented by Andrew Marietta, Regional Manager, Central NY Office, NYCON and Valerie Venezia, Vice President, Membership & Marketing, NYCON

June 14th, 2013 11:00am to 12:30pm

The Two Good (& Short) Webinars You May Have Missed this Month...

Last week NYCON hosted and recorded two very short, informative webinars on two very different topics. These were two great webinars that you (probably) missed. Take a few minutes and check them out when it's convenient for you!

First, our Dental Program Spotlight: NYCON's most popular (and very affordable) employee benefit, this program provides two optoins, comprehensive coverage and a array of providers to choose from. Take a few minutes and listen to Eric Laughlin of CS Plus give a quick overview of how the program works, what it covers and how much it costs. CLICK HERE.

DoGoodBuyUs Corporate Member Spotlight:Does your nonprofit have great goods to sell? Are you looking for an online marketplace to help you spread the word? Check out the 20 minute Corporate Member spotlight we did with Zach Rosenberg, Founder of DoGoodBuyUs.CLICK HERE.

From the SUDDES Group, The Daily Nuggets Blog: Just Ask

2013-04-22T18:40:00.001-07:00

Tom Suddes

CHI (Catholic Health Initiatives) Training in Colorado on Wednesday. Also getting everything ready for a big week in Ireland.

I know our Point of View is game changing.

I know we’ve got a lot of great Framework and Processes for FI Teams.

I know if you follow the Roadmap, you have a guide for big funding boosts.

I also know that none of that means squat if you don’t JUST ASK!!!

Three PDF’s that you can print and share that might help.

1. JUST ASK. JUST ASK. JUST ASK. (An overview)

2. You’re in SALES, get over it. (Some great sales quotes.)

3. Our Just Ask Strategy, plus Call Reluctance.

To see more online click here.

The NonProfit Times Weekly E-Newsletter

2013-04-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

IRS Reports 10,000 Fewer Nonprofits In 2012

There were 10,000 fewer registered tax-exempt organizations in 2012 than in 2011.
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Data Book for 2012, which was released Monday, there were 1,484,818 501(c) organizations for the fiscal year ending in September, compared with 1,494,882 in 2011 – a decrease of 10,064, or about 0.68 percent.Read more...

Professional Development...
5 principles for ethical mentoring

“I never meant for that to happen.”
Just as the above lament can be the swan song for a nonprofit that doesn't follow good organizational practices, it can also be the epitaph for a mentoring partnership gone wrong.
Read more...

Human Resources...
15 interview questions you can legally ask

There are a lot of laws these days that restrict the kind of information you can request from candidates during job interviews. Since you probably don't want to get in trouble with the law, it's important to know the questions that you can and should ask.
Read more...

Management...
6 reasons change is good

It's usual to resist change. Those who aren't pulling their own (or any) weight know that their gigs can be threatened if they don't do a whirlwind job of convincing change agents just how essential they are. Those who are pulling their own weight (or more) know that their livelihoods are threatened because they are too busy working to prove how essential they are to the operation.

Webinars Missed from NYCON, Plus New for Spring & Summer!

2013-04-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Two Good (& Short) Webinars You May Have Missed Last Week...

First, our Dental Program Spotlight: NYCON's most popular (and very affordable) employee benefit, this program provides two optoins, comprehensive coverage and a array of providers to choose from. Take a few minutes and listen to Eric Laughlin of CS Plus give a quick overview of how the program works, what it covers and how much it costs. CLICK HERE.

DoGoodBuyUs Corporate Member Spotlight: Does your nonprofit have great goods to sell? Are you looking for an online marketplace to help you spread the word? Check out the 20 minute Corporate Member spotlight we did with Zach Rosenberg, Founder of DoGoodBuyUs. CLICK HERE.

NYCON Membership Benefits Orientation [Webinar]

Good for Prospective, New & Returning Members! April 18th, May 17th or June 14th - Your Choice

Register Now

Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional Assistance
Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Voice in New York State

Register Now

Creating a Strategic Culture: Going Beyond Planning [Lunch & Learn Webinar]

Presented by Susan Weinrich, VP of Organizational Develoment Services, NYCON
Friday, April 19, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (EDT)

Call And Login Information Will Be Sent Via Email

Register Now

Developing a strategic plan is an important component of organizational success; developing strategicthinking throughout the organization, however, is what enables an organization to make timely and effective decisions before, during, and after the establishment of a strategic plan. This session will provide guidance and offer suggestions on how you can leverage the impact of your strategic plan (if you have one) and build a culture where Board and staff leadership look forward rather than backward and seize opportunities rather than manage crisis. Learn how to improve your organizational decision making and move forward with shared purpose, commitment, and vision.

Register Now

Know Thy Self: Assessing Organizational Readiness When Taking on the World of Restructuring [Lunch & Learn Webinar]

Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO,
New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.
Tuesday May 7th, 2013 11:00am to 12:30pm

Register Now

Affiliation discussionsare a discovery process - uncovering and clarifying motivations, interests, organizational facts and circumstances, strengths and weaknesses. It is a process where potential partners learn about each other and yes, learn about themselves as well. Successful affiliation talks depend largely on each party being prepared, as transparency starts internally first. The more clarity your board and staff leadership can get as to the organization's true operational, fiscal, and "mission" health, the better positioned the organization will be in type of restructuring or collaboration. This webinar, led by our seasoned restructuring expert, Doug Sauer CEO, will guide attendees as to the questions that you should first ask yourselves and then extend to your potential partner.

Register Now

Social Media Myth Busting: If You Build It, Will They Come? [Lunch & Learn Webinar]

Presented by Andrew Marietta, Regional Manager, Central NY Office, NYCON and Valerie Venezia, Vice President, Membership & Marketing, NYCON

June 14th, 2013 11:00am to 12:30pm

Register Now

For more click here.

Nonprofit CEOs face pay limits in July

2013-04-11T13:39:00.001-07:00

New $199G cap targets health, human services

After learning that two top executives at a New York City nonprofit that serves the developmentally disabled earned nearly $1 million each and got other benefits, Gov. Andrew Cuomo 15 months ago issued an executive order limiting executive salaries of organizations that contract with one or more of 13 state agencies to $199,000 a year.

The order, which also restricts administrative spending, directed the departments to issue regulations within three months. Proposed regulations came out after 90 days had elapsed and were to have taken effect Jan. 1 of this year. Due to the issue’s complexity and questions and criticism from the nonprofit sector, they were revised and the implementation date was moved to April 1. Additional changes were published in March, and the start date is now scheduled for July 1, nearly 18 months after Cuomo’s executive order.

To Read The Full Article Click Here

Greater Hudson Heritage Network Announcement

2013-04-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

Today announces the launch of the new

Connecting to New York's Collections website!

www.c2cnys.org

Last fall, Greater Hudson Heritage Network was awarded $250,000 through the fall of 2014, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to present preservation training in connection with the collection types identified as "at risk" in New York State: books and paper; photographic collections; digital materials; and historic objects. Training will be provided via:

webinar series (14 in all), viewable independently or in groups to encourage discussion and networking

web-based "How-To" video tutorials providing instruction to organizational staff and to a more general audience who may have personal collections

circuit rider mentoring program where professionals offer 'house calls' to organizations throughout the state

C2CNYS.org - an interactive cross-disciplinary knowledge portal website website - will serve as the 'go-to' site for collections care best practices, a 'home' for disaster preparedness plans, conservation and preservation resources, the webinar series, and the "How-To" video tutorials

To read more click here.

News from NYCON

2013-04-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

Just Like the Tournament, the Camp Finance Discount is Almost Over!

Register Today

Are you still feeling the March Madness? The Camp Finance Team at NYCON still is... and we want to make sure the people who are "mad" about Camp Finance can save on their early registration.

From now through the end of the "Final Four" (April 7th) you can get a $50 discount on paid Full Conference registration for Camp Finance.

Just click here and enter discount code"MarchMadness" to get $50 off of your paid Full Conference registration (Sorry, no discount applies to Day Trip Registration Rates.)

Looking forward to seeing you on the mountain!
Please note: This discount offer applies to Credit Card Online or Pay By Phone Orders Only. If you prefer to have our Staff take your payment and registration via phone please contact Amber Vanderwarker at 1 (800) 515-5012 ext. 126.

We've Got ANI!

Welcome our Newest Conference Sponsor

ANI is an insurance company governed by nonprofits themselves.
ANI is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit that is governed by other 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits. They aren't just a "program" of an insurance company that specializes in nonprofits. Insuring nonprofits is their entire mission.

Explore Employee Benefits that You Can Afford!

Spotlight on our Affordable Dental Program for Employees, Volunteers & Board Members

April 11th, 2013 10am

We know that the Employe Benefits "Market" can becomplicated. Our job is to help make that world more simple, and affordable for nonprofits. To help you understand each type of benefit, it's coverage features and it's costs we are rolling out a series of short 30-minute webinar spotlights on our administered programs: Health Insurance,Flexible Spending Accounts and our Vision Program - which is new for 2013!

Up next...

4/11/2013

[Benefit Spotlight Webinar]
Dental Insurance Plans & Administration
through NYCON

Stay tuned for Flexible Spending Account &
Life Insurance Webinars...

DoGoodBuyUs! [Corporate Member Spotlight]

Thursday, April 11, 2013 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM (EDT)

Online - Call And Login Information Will Be Sent To You 24-48 Hours In Advance Of This Workshop

REGISTER NOW

At DoGoodBuyUs (http://www.dogoodbuy.us) they believe consumerism can change the world so, they created the largest marketplace of charity made products. With each purchase, 50%+ proceedsare dedicated to fighting poverty, hunger, disease, environmental degradation and other life-threatening ills around the globe! As nonprofits around the country look for ways to bolster their fundraising, 100's have turned to DoGoodBuyUs as a way to bridge the gap between causes and the consumer market.

DoGoodBuyUs works with nonprofits around the world, helping them sell the products they (and now we) have created.

DoGoodBuyUs is the newest Corproate Member* of NYCON.

On this spotlight webinar you will learn:

Why products have become a successful part of many nonprofits revenue generation strategy
How to get started, what the process is like, services offered and more..
The long term benefits

Join us on April 11th at 2pm for a quick 30 minute overview on just how DoGoodBuyUs can Do Good by your nonprofit & community. *Please note that this company is NOT a NYCON Endorsed Corporate Partner.

REGISTER NOW

Building a Powerful Grants Calendar
[Lunch & Learn Webinar]

Presented by Cynthia Adams, Founder, Grantstaion.com
Friday, April 12, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM (EDT)

Call And Login Information Will Be Sent To You 24-48 Hours In Advance Of This Workshop

Register Now

This webinar will take participants through the process of establishing a grants calendar for the next 12 to 18 months. Fast-paced, and filled with action steps, Cynthia Adams will discuss how to design and adopt a Grant Decision Matrix before beginning the process of building a specific grants strategy for each project. All participants will also receive a set of worksheets that they can use to create their own approach to building grants calendars and grants strategies for their organizations. This webinar is for beginning, intermediate and advanced grantwriters.

Register Now

NYCON Membership Benefits Orientation [Webinar]

Good for Prospective, New & Returning Members!
April 18th, May 17th or June 14th - Your Choice

Register Now

Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional Assistance NYCON empowers our members with the best practices, policies, and procedures as well as information on ever-changing regulations, funding, accountability and more.
Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits

NYCON leverages the purchasing power of thousands of nonprofits to bring you economies of scale on everything from Office Supplies to Fundraising Software.

The Nonprofit Voice in New York State NYCON represents our members on the local, state and national level, giving voice to small and medium sized nonprofits everywhere.
Register Now

Creating a Strategic Culture: Going Beyond Planning [Lunch & Learn Webinar]

Presented by Susan Weinrich, VP of Organizational Develoment Services, NYCON
Friday, April 19, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (EDT)

Call And Login Information Will Be Sent Via Email

Register Now

Developing a strategic plan is an important component of organizational success; developing strategic thinkingthroughout the organization, however, is what enables an organization to make timely and effective decisions before, during, and after the establishment of a strategic plan. This session will provide guidance and offer suggestions on how you can leverage the impact of your strategic plan (if you have one) and build a culture where Board and staff leadership look forward rather than backward and seize opportunities rather than manage crisis. Learn how to improve your organizational decision making and move forward with shared purpose, commitment, and vision.

Register Now

Nonprofits here say 24 agencies save taxpayers $200 million

2013-04-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

By Jay Tokasz

Would you invest $1 to save $11?

That’s the return rate for tax dollars spent on a variety of services provided by area nonprofit agencies, according to a new study by a local group of nonprofit executives.

The study by the Agency Executives Association examined programs at two dozen area agencies to come up with its government savings estimates.

Some of the savings occur in Medicare and Medicaid from programs that prevent hospitalizations or nursing home placements.

Taxpayers also save through services that reduce the number of kids who end up in juvenile detention and that move people from welfare into jobs.

For example, Meals on Wheels for Western New York serves meals to about 3,400 clients each year with a program budget of $4.4 million and a network of more than 1,500 volunteers.

The agency estimates that about 20 percent of those clients are able to remain in their own homes because they receive daily meals. Otherwise, those 680 clients would require nursing home care at an estimated $100,000 per year per client. That amounts to annual savings of $68 million from just one agency’s work, the study found.

Despite such data, Meals on Wheels is in jeopardy of losing funds due to the federal budget sequester that took effect in March, a scenario that ultimately would cost taxpayers more money. Many nonprofit agencies also are facing possible funding reductions in the state budget.

“The need has been growing every year,” said Tara A. Ellis, president and chief executive officer of Meals on Wheels.

In 2012, the agency distributed 5.3 percent more meals than in 2011, said Ellis.

“But the funding stayed flat, so if we were a business we would have lost money,” she said.

The agency filled its $350,000 funding gap by appealing to corporate donors.

But what would have happened had Meals on Wheels simply cut off services? Would some clients have ended up in nursing homes?

“The message we want to get out is there needs to be some smart policymaking here to invest in programs that save tax dollars,” said Jerry Bartone, executive director of Community Concern of Western New York and chairman of the Agency Executive Association’s leadership forum.

The AEA, an affiliate of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, represents 142 nonprofit agencies.

Looking at programs run by 24 area agencies, the study found that taxpayers save an estimated $200 million per year.

Some other nonprofits in the report included: the American Red Cross, Camp Good Days and Special Times, Compass House, Crisis Services, Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity and Jewish Family Services.

Jewish Family Services’ refugee resettlement program, which costs $333,812 for 150 refugees, is estimated to save the government $2.5 million. Compass House provides shelter for 307 young people at a cost of $520,590, saving an estimated $10.9 million – the expense of housing those youth in a detention facility for a year.

The programs represent a broad cross section of services provided by an estimated 6,000 nonprofit organizations. Nearly 300 of those agencies operate with revenues of more than $1 million, generating a local economic impact of $2.7 billion.

“The whole intent was not to produce a definitive study on the issue. The whole intent was to begin the discussion,” said Paul C. Atkinson, chief executive officer and president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo and president of the AEA.

“We’ve just kind of scratched the surface of a lot of not-for-profits.”

The AEA hopes to meet with elected officials, foundations and other community members about its study.

Erie County legislators have not yet received a copy of the study and have not yet had a chance to review it. The county is asked to fund a lot of the agencies analyzed in the study.

Bartone and Atkinson said they were not advocating to increase funding for all nonprofit programs or to stop all cuts.

Atkinson acknowledged – as many funders have argued in the past – that the area probably has too many nonprofit organizations.

But an appropriate discussion should be held to determine adequate funding levels and to find agencies and programs that can deliver services most effectively and efficiently, he said.

Elected officials, added Bartone, “need to understand where to make investments and where to make cuts that benefit both taxpayers and the people who uses these services.”

Fundraising Software Discount for NYCON Members

2013-04-04T13:28:00.003-07:00

SPRING into Fundraising with GiftWorks Software
Special 20% Discount Offered to NYCON Members through April 30th.

This special spring discount offer from GiftWorks can help you spruce up your donor or member database and get a fresh start on fundraising! Take advantage of this deeper discount on one of our most popular "Members Only" group purchasing partnerships! Act now and receive an exclusive 20% discount on GiftWorks products, only for NYCON members. (Not a member? Join NYCON now and save!)

With GiftWorks you can easily manage your donors, donations, gifts and pledges. Integration with QuickBooks, Constant Contact, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn & MapQuest and even track volunteers, events and online donations with ease, all backed by a GiftWorks customer care team that's second to none.

See Giftworks in Action

Join NYCON and GiftWorks on April 16th at 2 pm ET for a special NYCON only showcase of GiftWorks. See all the powerful features in action as well as participate in our Q&A session immediately following the presentation. Click here to register to attend!

Try it Out First, For Free

NYCON Members get a FREE 30 day trial first, to see if GiftWorks fits your nonprofit needs.

Ready to Purchase Giftworks?

Members can use the coupon code GWNYCON2013 when buying from the GiftWorks online store. Or you can or call theGiftWorks Sales Team at (888) 323-8766 and press option 2.

___________________________________________

GiftWorks. Helping NYCON Do Good. Better.

(Not to be combined with any other discounts or coupons, discount is not available on a SmartPlan. Discount on GiftWorks Anywhere setup fee only, with purchase or upgrade).

Questions? Contact our Membership Team, Valerie Venezia or Amber Vanderwarker or call us at (800) 515-5012 ext. 121 or 126.

More cuts coming for state's ARCs

2013-04-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

By: James M. Odato

If you work for one of the 49 organizations within the New York ARC network, the state budget adopted last week will affect your job. And it could result in the freezing or cutting of salaries of ARC executives, many of whom are compensated beyond Gov. Andrew Cuomo's comfort level.

Indeed, several executives of ARCs, formerly known as Association for Retarded Citizens, are paid well above the $199,000 threshold Cuomo has set under restrictions that take effect in July, according to new regulations posted on the Division of Criminal Justice Services website a few days before the budget was passed. Many more are paid a salary above the $136,000 earned by Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Courtney Burke.

The governor's order calls on the Budget Division to oversee nonprofit administrative expenses. Penalties such as suspension or denial of funds could be levied if nonprofits overpay their executives, although waivers will be considered.

The governor's limits on administrative expenses arrive as the new budget takes effect. It calls for $90 million in reduced state funding for ARCs and other service providers who help developmentally disabled people. (The cut is matched by another $90 million lost from the federal government.) The Cuomo administration pared funding because of sharply reduce reimbursement rates set by the federal government.

Asked how these nonprofits are to manage with $180 million less, the Budget Division's spokesman Morris Peters said the organizations will need to look at their expenses.

"The savings will be implemented following consultation with a workgroup of relevant parties," he said. The goal is "to generate savings via reduced administrative costs, enhanced audit recoveries, and improved program efficiencies."

Ben Golden, director of government affairs for NYSARC Inc., the parent company of the statewide string of ARCs, said most chapters — whose combined budgets total $1.7 billion— have cut all they can: "The money's just not there anymore."

State expectations of further retrenchment also follow Cuomo's push for consolidation of governments and school districts.

Golden said the ARCs are investigating ways to share services, particularly backroom operations, and some mergers could be explored to reduce administrative overhead.

His organization, he said, will cooperate. NYSARC head Mark Brandt, whose compensation included $220,171 in base pay and another $67,773 in additional income for 2011, has supported Cuomo's executive salary initiative.

Many countywide ARC chapters' executives are approaching the Cuomo limit. Others have blown through it: New York City's chapter paid top officer Michael Goldfarb $664,157 (including $498,779 in base pay) and Associate Executive Director Robert C. Gundersen $666,444 (including $489,434 in supplemental retirement benefits) in 2011. Eight others at the chapter exceeded Cuomo's cap that year by more than $150,000 each.

"We understand this is a sensitive issue," said Golden. "When it comes time to ask for a waiver or comply with that, we will certainly do that."

Some mergers have been accomplished. Ulster and Greene counties now have one chapter, and the Warren-Washington ARC merged with Albany's.

Longtime administrator of the Saratoga chapter of ARC Valerie Muratori said the organizations need top-notch managers to create and implement programs with receding revenues. And the groups need good fund-raisers to tap charitable donors as well.

In the past year, Muratori said, she has had to eliminate 40 positions, from maintenance workers to managers, because of shrinking public aid. She manages 550 workers who provide services to 800 people. Her pay, after beginning at the organization at the ground level in 1983, is $150,669, plus $15,210 for the use of a car. "I do believe there is a feeling on the part of certain state officials that there should be fewer providers in our field and there should be some evaluation on the numbers of organizations providing our services," she said.

All of the organizations will receive 4.5 percent less than last year. For Saratoga's ARC, that is about a $1 million cut.

"One of my concerns is that you really want people to work in this field," Muratori said. "You want people who enjoy working directly with people with developmental disabilities, and you also want people who have the skill sets to create services, design services and manage them and come into the field and be leaders."

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/More-cuts-coming-for-state-s-ARCs-4398671.php#ixzz2PWlH7YNs

National Volunteer Week Funds Available

2013-04-04T09:32:00.001-07:00

The Institute for Human Services Brings You:National Volunteer Week Mini Grants

National Volunteer Week: April 21-27, 2013

Are you planning a volunteer event as part of National Volunteer Week during April 21-27th? Could you use some additional funds to enhance your project's impact?

If you have answered "YES" to either of these questions then consider applying for a mini-grant from 2-1-1 HELPLINE Give Help and the Regional Volunteer Center of the Southern Tier!

Because of this partnership, we are to be able to offer mini-grants to support local volunteer efforts in Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler Counties during National Volunteer Week. If your organization is currently planning an event for that week and could use some additional funding to enhance your efforts we encourage you to request a mini-grant of up to $350. If you are interested in applying for a mini-grant, simply fill out our online application by going to the link below. Please complete the survey by Friday March 29th. Decisions regarding project funding will be made by Friday April 5th, 2013.

Apply Here!

If you have any questions, please contact Tess McKinley at mckinleyt@ihsnet.org or at (607) 776-9467, ext. 217.

2-1-1 HELPLINE Give Help coordinates volunteer support services, by serving as a volunteer clearinghouse and resource center that is supported by United Way of the Southern Tier to increase civic engagement in our area. Interested in volunteering? Want to add your volunteer opportunities to our database? Learn more here.

The Regional Volunteer Center of the Southern Tier is a collaboration designed to promote and enhance local volunteer efforts in our community. Under the leadership of the Institute for Human Services, United Way of Broome County, and United Way of Tompkins County, local non-profits are coming together to create a dynamic regional partnership to enhance and strengthen local volunteer efforts. The Regional Volunteer Center of the Southern Tier is one of ten regional volunteer centers in New York State.