9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi

3 Things To Remember During Job Interviews

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Job interviews don't always come in bunches, so it's important to put your best face forward should you get called in for one.

Most job seekers know the important things to remember when they are preparing for an interview. They know they need to dress appropriately, have all of their talking points memorized, and bring in an extra copy of their resume. There are, however, some other points that interviewees forget when they walk into that office. Let's take a look at three of them:

  • The interview starts when you walk in the building. You need to impress people the minute you enter the waiting room, not just when you are speaking to the hiring manager. That means you shouldn't do anything you wouldn't do during the interview (i.e., chew gum, talk on your cell phone). You should also remember to be friendly to the assistant, even if you don't find her to be so nice herself.
  • Don't use the interview as a way to find out about what the organization does. Research of this kind should be done before the interview, not during it. Asking questions about the mission of the nonprofit is a good way to show the interviewer that you didn't do your homework.
  • Don't just talk about what you've done, show it. Print out copies of some of the work you have done to give the employer a look at your abilities in action. This is much more effective than just saying you are, for instance, good at writing.
One last thing: When you write your thank-you letter after the interview, make sure to be as original as possible. It should read as if a human being wrote it, not a robot, so avoid clichéd phrases.

Best Nonprofits To Work For: 2013 Edition

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This year, The NonProfit Times unveiled the 2012 edition of its annual Best Nonprofits To Work For study. The report revealed the 50 nonprofits that people felt offered the best work environment, pay, and benefits, among other issues.

The top nonprofit in the 2012 edition of the study was the Wounded Warrior Project -- the second year in a row the organization has won that honor. Will it win again in 2013? Now is your chance to see if WWP will reign again, or if another nonprofit will dethrone it.

NPT, in coordination with the Best Companies Group, is inviting individuals participate in the 2013 Best Nonprofits To Work For survey. Simply go to the Best Companies Group website and register to participate. There is no cost to complete the survey online, so all we require is your time. Although you have a few months to complete the survey (the deadline is October 19), we recommend completing it as soon as possible.

Once registered, participants will receive the following information in their e-mail:

  • The Employer Benefits & Policies Questionnaire (employer questionnaire);
  • The Employee Engagement & Satisfaction Survey;
  • Survey distribution instructions; and,
  • Other supporting materials and instructions. 

As an added benefit to completing the survey, all participants will have the opportunity to purchase the Employee Feedback Report, which details the results of their specific survey. These would normally cost thousands of dollars if initiated independently.

Register today to make sure your nonprofit is represented in the 2013 study!

Don't Wear Shorts To Job Interviews

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Let's take a moment to talk about fashion. Don't worry, we're not changing the subject of this blog, it just happens that what you wear has a pretty big impact when it comes to job interviews. One fashion faux pas and you could find yourself out of the running.

When preparing to choose an outfit for your interview, you have to strike a delicate balance between casual and professional. You don't want to come in with shorts and t-shirt, but you also shouldn't overdress, as that can come off as desperate. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:

  • Jeans are a no-no in any situation, even if it's a more casual work environment. Guys should always wear khakis of some kind, while girls should choose a long skirt or professional pants.
  • Another tip for girls: Don't go overboard on the makeup. You can use some, just make sure you don't use so much that it becomes distracting.
  • Interview attire isn't as conservative as it used to be, but that doesn't mean you should wear flip-flops or sneakers. Invest in a pair of low-cost dress shoes.
  • Here's a rule of thumb for jewelry: If you can hear it while walking, you have too much. The most you should wear are earrings, necklace, and a ring. Anything else is taking it too far.
  • Fashion isn't all about what you wear. Grooming is also important. Plan to get a hair cut a couple of days before your interview. Guys should plan to shave unless they already have a beard. In that case, make sure it is trimmed nicely.
Those are the basic guidelines for dressing up for your job interview. If you have any other tips, feel free to share them with us in the comments section.

Ask For Job References, Not Jobs

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The ultimate goal when you meet up with a networking contact is to get information that will lead you to a nonprofit job.  That doesn't mean you should straight up ask for a job.  Instead, ask for references.

The fact of the matter is that career networking isn't always going to lead you to people who have solid job references to help your job search.  Instead of putting your contacts on the spot about a potential job, mention to them what kind of positions you are most suited for and the ask if you can use them as a reference when you apply for jobs.

There are a couple of good reasons for taking this approach.  First of all, being used as a reference is a pretty high compliment.  It says that you think enough of this person to use them as an accurate judge of your abilities.  It will also make them feel better about themselves knowing they are able to help you out in your quest to get a good job.

All of this sounds like it's better for your contact than for you, but these good feelings will make your contacts more eager to help you.  They will think of you as a friend and will be thinking about other ways they can help you with your search.  This means they will likely be on the lookout for jobs that fit your needs.

It's important to keep in mind that this technique works best with people that you already know fairly well.  If you are just getting to know someone you discovered through LinkedIn, you should wait for a few conversations until you ask to use them as a reference.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Human Resources Manager

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Origins Recovery Centers (ORC), an addiction center located in South Padre Island, Tex., is looking to hire a Human Resources Manager.

The ideal candidate will be able to perform all HR functions including recruiting, employee relations, compensation, performance management, employee orientation, development, and training. This position will work closely with ORC managers on employee relations issues, in addition to developing and administering employment policies, procedures, and best practices.

The HR manager is an extremely important job in any organization, so applicants should be prepared to meet  the following requirements:

  • Must have experience with state licensing boards.
  • Minimum 2 years experience in HR.
  • Bachelor Degree in related field.
  • Addiction treatment and professional licenses a plus.
Once you are sure that you meet these qualifications, head over to our career center and apply for the job! 

8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar

Don't Wear Shorts To Job Interviews

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Let's take a moment to talk about fashion. Don't worry, we're not changing the subject of this blog, it just happens that what you wear has a pretty big impact when it comes to job interviews. One fashion faux pas and you could find yourself out of the running.

When preparing to choose an outfit for your interview, you have to strike a delicate balance between casual and professional. You don't want to come in with shorts and t-shirt, but you also shouldn't overdress, as that can come off as desperate. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:

  • Jeans are a no-no in any situation, even if it's a more casual work environment. Guys should always wear khakis of some kind, while girls should choose a long skirt or professional pants.
  • Another tip for girls: Don't go overboard on the makeup. You can use some, just make sure you don't use so much that it becomes distracting.
  • Interview attire isn't as conservative as it used to be, but that doesn't mean you should wear flip-flops or sneakers. Invest in a pair of low-cost dress shoes.
  • Here's a rule of thumb for jewelry: If you can hear it while walking, you have too much. The most you should wear are earrings, necklace, and a ring. Anything else is taking it too far.
  • Fashion isn't all about what you wear. Grooming is also important. Plan to get a hair cut a couple of days before your interview. Guys should plan to shave unless they already have a beard. In that case, make sure it is trimmed nicely.
Those are the basic guidelines for dressing up for your job interview. If you have any other tips, feel free to share them with us in the comments section.

For A Chief Development Officer, Support Is Key

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There's no question that the chief development officer (CDO) of a nonprofit is very important to the fundraising of that organization. This individual is unlikely to have as much of an impact, however, without the assistance of a great support staff.

Steve Klingman wrote in his book, "Fundraising Strategies for Community Colleges," that assistants for CDOs are just as important as the CDO himself. He argued that nonprofits should spend a good deal of energy looking for a great support staff.

So what qualifications should an organization seek for this role? Klingman suggested asking the following questions when assessing candidates:
  • Does the assistant understand development?
  • Does the assistant know the organization’s donors?
  • Are there any underlying performance issues?
  • Does the assistant possess the necessary skill sets?
  • Does the assistant have command of the hundreds of details for which the CDO will be held responsible?
  • Is the assistant proficient in using all of the organization’s software platforms?
  • Do acknowledgment letters go out within 24 hours of receiving funds?
  • Can the assistant perform data entry into the organization’s database, construct queries and run reports efficiently?
  • Are gifts entered daily?
  • Are bank deposits made at least once a week?
  • Do complex assignments seem to be put off indefinitely?
  • What does the assistant need?
  • Are the assistant’s duties reflected in an accurate job description?
  • Is the assistant responsible for the organization’s accounting? If so, plan to change that.

Networking Events on July 4th

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Independence DayTomorrow, people all across America will be celebrating Independence Day.  Our forefathers fought for our freedom all those years ago and as a result, we get to eat burgers, drink beer, and watch fireworks every July 4th. Freedom's a wonderful thing, right?

Unfortunately, many Americans are not free this year. There's no oppressive foreign power trying to impose their will on us, but there are still too many people held back by unemployment. It's been nearly three years since the official end of the Great Recession, but Americans are still dealing with its aftermath. Things are better than they were in 2009, but we still have a long way to go. 

It would be very easy to just halt your job search this holiday weekend. And when it comes to applying to jobs, I would recommend that. Since the majority of organizations are off, you aren't going to be finding many new positions. That doesn't mean you can't do anything to move yourself closer to unemployment independence. It may not seem like it, but there really is no better time to network. Think about it: Presumably you will be attending a July 4th party, which will  give you the opportunity to connect (or re-connect) with a bunch of people. Make it a goal to make some new career contacts by the time the party is over. You will probably have some idea of who these people are, which can make it a lot more relaxing than a normal networking event.

It's highly unlikely you will walk out of an Independence Day party with a job interview lined up. That's hardly a guarantee. What is a guarantee, however, is that you will move one step closer to ridding yourself of unemployment if you do some serious networking. And on a day when America is celebrating freedom from tyranny, you can be closer to that freedom as well.

"Help Me Help You:" Helping Friends With The Job Search

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People tend to think of the job search as an individual endeavor. Job seekers understandably focus on their own needs rather than taking too much time helping others. What they may not know, however, is that assisting people is a big part of the job search process.

You should be more than willing to assist a friend if they need help getting a job. You would expect a networking contact to help you if you asked, so why should you turn down a request from a friend? It's true that you need to spend as much time as possible on your own job search, but you should still find time to be of help. Being a willing helper will also make others more eager to assist you.
Like most things, there's a right and a wrong way to help someone look for a job. Follow these four tips should a friend reach out to you:
  • Listen: Does your friend just need to blow off some steam? Instead of trying to convince him that everything will be OK, let him release his frustrations. After he is done, you should express your understanding, and begin to find out what kind of help he needs.
  • Know Your Role: Don't assume that the techniques you use for your job hunt are right for your friend. Ask what kind of job he is looking for and what you can do to help. When it comes time to offer suggestions, make them in a way that is not presumptive. For example, you can ask "would it be helpful if I shared your resumé with my contacts?"
  • Network: Assuming your friend is also looking for a nonprofit job, you can reach out to your networking contacts and see if they can help your friend. Write a short e-mail asking them if they would like to have lunch with him. Remember that your friend is a direct representation on you, so make sure he is properly prepared should your contact say "yes."
  •  Manage Expectations: You should commit to do anything you can to help, but don't make promises you can't keep. For instance, if you don't know anyone in your friend's area of expertise, don't tell him that you will see who you know. Be up-front with him, so that he knows what to expect.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Director Of Administration

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Hope that everyone had a great July 4th holiday! Now that the festivities are over, it's time to get back to the job search. For those looking for a little boost, you're in look: The La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation (LCFEF) has just posted a featured nonprofit job with us!

Based in La Canada, Calif., the organization is looking to hire a Director of Administration to manage all aspects of its donor database and to run the Foundation's day-to-day activities of the office and its events/programs. All of this work will be done in conjunction with LCFEF's various board committees.

Other responsibilities include:

  • Managing the Foundation’s Matching Gifts, Pledge and Acknowledgement Programs;
  • Maintaining and updating accuracy of donor and potential donor information;
  • Recording all gifts and generating donor receipts and reports;
  • Providing marketing, administrative and fundraising support to all Foundation programs/committees/events; and,
  • Administering the LCFEF office (answering phones, interacting with donors, etc.).
The ideal candidate for this position will have a working knowledge of Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge software, a four-year college/university degree, and experience with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and Publisher). Interested? Apply today via our online career center.

7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi

5 Questions To Ask Before A Job Interview

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It's always recommended to ask questions when you get called in for a job interview. But did you know it's also a good idea to do that beforehand?
Unlike the actual interview, when you will be asking the questions to a hiring manager, these are questions that you should be asking of yourself so you can get a better idea of what the organization is all about. Think of it as a form of research. These questions will help you be more prepared when it comes time for the interview, and will also help you decide if it's really the job you want.
Here are 5 questions you should ask when researching an organization:
  • What is their reputation? A simple Google search will give you an idea of whether the organization in question has had a lot of bad press from scandals. Needless to say, you won't want to be part of an organization that has a spotty ethics history.
  • What is the organization's position within the industry? Understanding the company's financial standing is a very important point to consider. You probably don't want to work for a nonprofit that isn't doing too well.
  • What unique skills do I bring to the table? Identify the characteristics you have that make you the best fit for the job, and emphasize them as much as possible during the interview. Employers need to know what makes you stand apart from other candidates.
  • How much am I willing to sacrifice? Every job has its drawbacks, but you should determine what your line in the sand is when it comes to accepting a job offer. You should be extremely excited about the position if you are willing to accept things like a long commute.
  • Is there a lot of turnover? Try to find out how many different employees have worked in the position for which you are applying. High rates of turnover can indicate bad management or a poor working environment.

NPT Editor-In-Chief To Be On Nonprofit Radio

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Based in New York City, Tony Martignetti has been helping nonprofits since 1997 through his work in planned giving and state charity registration. His Nonprofit Radio show has been a big part of that, as he interviews people in the nonprofit sector on topics ranging from fundraising to boards.
On Friday June 29, our editor-in-chief, Paul Clolery, will be joining Tony on Nonprofit Radio for an exclusive interview. Paul will be discussing a variety of topics of interest to listeners, including what is trending in the sector and his concerns about the future of charities.
Nonprofit Radio will also be talking to Gayle Gifford, author of "How to Make Your Board Dramatically More Effective, Today." She will discuss with Tony about how to make sure your charity's mission is relevant, your CEO is supported, and your board is strong.
Tune into Nonprofit Radio Friday at 1 PM to hear the interview with Paul and Gayle. It should be a great show!

Proposed Rule Would Curb Nonprofit Hospital Debt Collection

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The United States Treasury Department released a proposed guidance last week that, if enacted, would make changes to the debt collection process by nonprofit hospitals.

The new rules, which are regulation on a provision in the 2010 Affordable Care Act, were released last Friday, according to a blog post on National Public Radio's (NPR) website. The changes would require hospitals to take the following actions before requesting payment from patients:

  • Provide patients with a plain language summary of the financial assistance policy before discharge and with the first three bills;
  • Give patients at least 120 days following the first bill to submit an application for financial assistance before commencing certain collection actions;
  • Give the patient an additional 120 days (for 240 days total) to submit a complete application; and,
  • If a patient is determined eligible for financial assistance during these 240 days, refund any excess payments made before applying for aid and seek to reverse any collections actions already commenced.
In a statement, Acting Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy Emily McMahon said the proposal was made because their had been many reports of aggressive hospital debt collection activities, including allowing collectors into emergency rooms.
"These practices jeopardize patient care, and our proposed rules will help ensure they don't happen in charitable hospitals," she said. "These rules also require charitable hospitals to establish and publicize financial assistance policies, and give hospitals the flexibility to establish programs that meet the needs of their communities."

The American Hospital Association (AHA), a trade group, has already come out in opposition to the proposed rules. Melinda Hatton, the group's general counsel, say the changes put too much of the blame on hospitals for the actions of third-party debt collectors. She also said that the penalties for being in violation were too severe, with with hospitals standing to lose their tax exemption.

At a hearing on the proposed changes in the U.S. Senate, Accretive Health Vice President Greg Kazarian apologized to patients about these aggressive tactics, but also said that their actions were exaggerated during investigation. A patient of Kazarian's company, Deb Waldin, said during the hearing that she was approached by a debt collector while she was in extreme pain from kidney stones.

You can read the full story on NPR.

Trash Fee For NYC Nonprofits?

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New York City council members plan to oppose a measure by Mayor Michael Bloomberg that would impose a garbage-collection fee on nonprofits, universities, and religious organizations.
The measure, which was included in the city's recently approved $68.5 billion budget, would raise $17.2 million in revenue for the city but requires the permission of the City Council. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, that doesn't seem likely to happen.
Councilman David Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) has indicated that a majority of the council's 51 members oppose the legislation. He has already introduced legislation barring the Bloomberg administration from instituting a trash fee, and claims he has support for the bill from 31 council members.
The idea of the trash fee originated in May 2011, when Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty informed the council that his department was considering it. The hope was that this fee would give organizations an incentive to recycle items rather than using the garbage. It would also take taxpayers off the hook, as they currently foot the bill for organizations' garbage collection.
Most of the opposition from the City Council comes on behalf of small organizations. Critics say that the proposed fee could have a negative impact on these institutions' operations. David Zigun, executive director of Coney Island USA, told The Journal that the fee amounts to a tax, and that his organization -- which is currently dealing with a deficit -- would have to lay off employees as a result.
You can read the full story in The Wall Street Journal.

Study: Nonprofit Hospital CEO Pay Doesn't Affect Quality Of Care

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A study by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies (NHCPPS) found that there is no correlation between the quality of care at nonprofit hospitals and the pay of their CEOs.

The Bangor Daily News today reported on the study that showed that the size of a CEO's compensation package correlated closer with the size of their hospitals rather than the quality of its charitable care. For example, the head of Lebanon, N.H.-based Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital -- $1.1 billion in revenue -- made $785,000 in 2009, while the CEO of Colebrook's Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital -- $15 million in revenue -- made a comparably smaller $150,000 that same year.

New Hampshire Attorney General Michael A. Delaney, who hired NHCPPS to determine how CEO pay has changed in the state's 23 nonprofit hospitals, said in a statement that “Given these hospitals exist to provide quality health care and are required to provide community benefit and charitable care in light of their non-profit status, the lack of such a correlation is a significant concern."

Rather than just relying on public Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filings, NHCPPS also made use of internal hospital records including CEO employment contracts, board minutes, executive memos, and W-2 forms from 2005 to 2010.

The study found that all of the nonprofit hospitals in the state met IRS standards for executive pay, except for a few instances. Three of them didn't provide written records from board meetings where CEO compensation was a topic, and two smaller institutions didn't use pay at similar hospitals as a benchmark for their executives.

You can read the full story in The Bangor Daily News.

5 Temmuz 2012 Perşembe

Breaking: Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act

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UPDATE: We have added more information to our story, including reaction from nonprofits


***

In just the last few minutes, the United States Supreme Court has voted to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by a 5-4 vote. Chief Justice John Roberts cast the deciding vote.

The NonProfit Times has continuing coverage of this breaking story, so head on over to our website to follow our developing article on this breaking story. We will update this post whenever we update our story with new information.

Are Capital Campaigns Right For Your Nonprofit?

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There are plenty of reasons for nonprofits to love capital campaigns. They have the potential to generate a lot of cash for the organization, and can help increase awareness of your mission. On the downside, they take a lot of time and effort, and there's no guarantee for success.

So the question remains: To campaign or not to campaign?
The answer really depends on how ready your organization is. At a recent Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) annual conference, William Brans and Lee Appelman of Arts Consulting Group, Inc, and Susan Shapiro of Shapiro Associates LLC, said that the key to a successful capital campaign is being prepared.

How can you tell if your nonprofit is ready for a capital campaign? They listed the following qualifications:

  • A strong annual fund;
  •  A good story, an urgent and compelling case for support;
  • Internal leadership;
  • External leadership;
  • Qualified major gifts prospects;
  • Assessing the environment: external as well as internal;
  • A feasibility study with results that indicate campaign success;
  • Knowing that the organization is a top priority for high-level donors;
  • A strong, positive institutional image: Confidence and thinking big;
  • The president/CEO/director are capable, eager fundraisers;
  • The institution has invested in fundraising;
  • Human, financial and technical resources are in place; and,
  • Proper campaign timing.
If your nonprofit has all of these qualities, the congratulations: You're ready to campaign! Otherwise, you should consider waiting a little while before you start.

Veterans Groups Create $30 Million Fund

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The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and four other nonprofits, have joined forces to create a fund that will raise money for war veterans.

Called the Veteran Support Fund, it will direct donations to IAVA and the four partner organizations, according to MSNBC. Those four organizations are Operation Mend, which gives medical support to critically injured veterans; Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, which provides coping and trauma resources; Operation Homefront, which offers emergency financial aid to wounded soldiers and their families; and the National Military Family Association, which advocates for benefits and programs for military families.

The goal of the fund is to raise $30 million, and it has already received founding gifts of $1.1 million.

IAVA executive director Paul Rieckhoff, who is himself a veteran of the Iraq War, said in a statement that "Supporting veterans isn’t charity, it’s an absolute necessity and an investment in our country’s future. After ten years of war, our nation’s military families are strained, nonprofit services are maxed out and our veterans’ community is severely under-resourced."

Jim Knotts, president and CEO of Operation Homefront, told MSNBC that the money from the Veteran Support Fund will help the organization provide more services than they would normally be able to. The nonprofit last year met more than 5,000 emergency requests and provided transitional housing for 80 families. He stressed the need to continue to help veterans even with the two wars seemingly winding down.

You can read the full story on MSNBC's website.

6 Ways To Use Direct Mail Shops

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Many businesses and nonprofits prefer to use e-mail rather than direct mail. The reason for this is simple: It's quicker. When it comes down to it, people would rather adapt to new technology than potentially organizing countless pieces of mail.

Despite this, "snail mail" is far from dead. There are many organizations that still use it, such as St. Joseph's Indian School, which integrates direct mail with e-mail communications. Still, the thought of sorting through individual pieces of mail remains overwhelming. That's where direct mail shops come in handy.

In his book "Direct Mail for Dummies," Richard Goldsmith reminded readers that local mailing shops can make the tedium of mail sorting much more bearable. He listed six ways these shops can work for your organization:
  • Addressing the Mail: Mail shops take your files and address your mail by either labeling, ink jetting, or lasering it.
  • Bursting Continuous Forms: This technique enables high-speed personalization equipment to be used for the addressing and other personalization.
  • Affixing Stickers, Cards, Stamps, and Tabs: Using a machine called a Labelaire, mail shops can apply stickers and labels for you. They can also seal self-mailers and double postcards with tabs.
  • Inserting Components Into Envelopes: Machines in the mail shop can insert up to six different items in an envelope.
  • Sorting and Traying the Mail for the Postal Service: The mail is bundled according to Postal Service requirements.
  • Delivering the Mail to the Post Office: Your mail shop should get a receipt from the Postal Service, proving that your letters were accepted for mailing.

Memphis Considers New PILOT Program

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The Memphis, Tenn. City Council voted 9-1 to approve a committee that would determine whether the city needs to form a new system to get nonprofits to make payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs).

The Commercial Appeal first reported on the council's decision to take up the vote. The newly approved committee will focus its efforts on nonprofits that earn $15 million or more annually. They will then decide whether the city needs to adopt a new system to replace its current one.

As it stands now, the city's PILOT program is more of an incentive tool to get businesses to move to Memphis and Shelby County. Organizations that get a PILOT then pay taxes on what the land is worth at pre-development levels. If they choose to exit the program, they would then pay full taxes on the property.

Robert Lipscomb, director of Memphis's Division of Housing and Community Development, estimates that 30 percent of the properties in the city are tax-exempt.

Council member Janis Fullilove, who sponsored the resolution, said that she wanted to determine whether nonprofits should be made to enter the current program, or whether a new system should be developed like the one in Boston. In April, the Massachusetts city began demanding that nonprofits pay up to 25 percent of what they would owe if their property was not tax-exempt.

Boston isn't the only city to make nonprofits enter PILOT programs. The NonProfit Times reported that, in 2010, 63 percent of organizations paid some form of fees and taxes to local and state governments. And, over the last decade, PILOTs have been used in at least 117 cities in at least 18 states, according to a study from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Mass.

You can read the full story in The Commercial Appeal.

4 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba

The July 1 Issue Is Now Online

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The recent release of the Giving USA numbers for 2011 was one of the bigger nonprofit stories of June. In the just release July 1 issue of The NonProfit Times, we take a closer look at those numbers in an in-depth special report.

We also have our usual assortment of articles on a wide variety of topics. Let's take a look at what you can expect in the newest edition of NPT:

Special Report

  • 2011 Giving Estimated At $298.42B: As mentioned above, this report takes an in-depth look at the recently released report from Giving USA, including which subsectors of giving did the best, and which did not.
Articles
  • Consumers, i.e., Donors, Starting To Like Tumblr: Facebook and Twitter get all the attention, but some nonprofits are turning their attention to Tumblr, a popular micro-blogging site that has more visitors per month than even Craigslist or LinkedIn.
  • Kansas Nonprofits Hit With New State Contract Provisions: Nonprofit service providers in Kansas face a new regulation imposed by the state’s Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) that could place strict limitations on the ability to advocate and lobby officials.
  • The Pitch: JDRF Makes The Case With Reality TV: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) made a recent appearance on AMC's "The Pitch." Read about how it went, and if the organization sees success in the reality TV show.
Columns
  • We Can't Hear You Now: The numbers from Giving USA showed that donations by corporations declined by 0.1 percent in current dollars, or a 3.1 percent decline as measured by inflation-adjusted dollars. Our editor-in-chief, Paul Clolery, says it's time for for-profits to step up to the plate.
  • Digital Stewardship: Nonprofit stewardship is not just about saying thank you, it’s about showing how you use your resources to further your mission and sharing the impact your constituents have towards it.

Finding A New Board Chair

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While every one on a nonprofit board has a lot of responsibilities, the chair remains one of the most integral members. From delegating and encouraging colleagues to giving the board an identity, the chairman of the board exerts a great deal of influence.

That's why it can be so important to find the right individual to take this role.

Unfortunately, finding the ideal candidate is easier said than done. In order to begin the process of choosing a new board chair, Dennis C. Miller, a frequent contributor to The NonProfit Times and head of Dennis C. Miller Associates in Morristown, N.J., said there are 10 specific actions that can be taken to identify and appoint a board chair:

  • Immediately begin to assess the leadership talent of current board members.
  • Ask your current board chair to begin as soon as possible to identify potential candidates.
  • Institute ongoing board training for all board members.
  • Offer the chair-elect a professional board coach/mentor.
  • Ensure the board’s work is done efficiently.
  • Find ways to recognize and reward board members for the job they do.
  • Provide opportunities for all board members to participate in a wide array of committees, task forces and advisory boards.
  • Highlight the organization's continuous strides for excellence.
  • Recognize former board chairs for their contributions.
  • Recognize and address the reasons why appointing a board chair is difficult.




Alec Baldwin Donates $1M To NY Philharmonic

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Actor Alec Baldwin has donated $1 million to the New York Philharmonic in honor of the organization's departing president, Zarin Meheta, who is stepping down after 12 years.

Baldwin, who joined the Philharmonic's board in March 2011, gave the money from proceeds he earned from his commercials with Capital One Bank, according to an article in Crain's New York Business.

"I have loved classical music all of my life," Baldwin said in a statement. "But Zarin Mehta made my dream of becoming part of the world of classical music come true."

In addition to being a member of the board, the "30 Rock" actor has hosted the organization's weekly radio show since 2009. In a statement, Meheta said that Baldwin's "role as our radio host has brought us many new listeners, as well as much appreciated attention. And his active roles as board member, gala benefit chairman, and high-profile and magnanimous donor have benefited us and our field."

Meheta, who will leave his post at the end of the Philharmonic's 2011-2012 season, will be replaced by incoming executive director Matthew VanBesien.

This isn't the only big influx of money going to an arts institution. Crain's also reported that the New York City Council approved a bill last week that secured $156.4 million in funding for cultural and art institutions in the city's fiscal year 2013 budget. It represents an increase of $3.6 million from last year.

You can read the full report on Baldwin's donation in Crain's.

Russia Set To Limit Foreign Nonprofits

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Russia has introduced a bill that, if approved, would label all nonprofits with funding from outside of the country as "foreign agents." The law would also put numerous financial burdens on foreign organizations.

According to a report in The New York Times, the country's ruling party, United Russia, has scheduled the first three readings of the bill on Friday. In addition to the "foreign agent" label, which critics say is an attempt to discredit organizations' work, the law would also subject nonprofits to annual audits and random checks for "extremist speech" in their materials. Organizations that are found to be in violation would be fined up to 1 million rubles ($30,000).

Critics of the proposed law say that it is yet another attempt by the Russian government to silence dissent. The law would come after a recent bill pushed through parliament that would subject Russian citizens to heavy fines for participating in "unauthorized" protests.

Free speech activists say that if the bill is passed, Russian donors will be afraid to give money to organizations that are seen to be criticizing the government. The bill's sponsors brushed off criticism, saying that the law is on par with the United States' Foreign Agents Registration Act, a law that requires nonprofits to reveal any foreign support they receive. The main difference with that law, however, is that it only applies to organizations that directly represent governments; the Russian law applies to individual and financial support in addition.

"The ultimate goal of funding nonprofit organizations, as a form of ‘soft power,’ is a colored revolution," wrote Aleksandr Sidyakin, a United Russia deputy and sponsor of the bill, on his blog last week. "This is not a myth of government propaganda, it is objective political reality. The United States is trying to affect Russian politics." Sidyakin also made specific references to organizations that monitor elections, such as Golos. The agency, which is financed by two American organizations, has monitored Russian elections for 11 years, and recently came under pressure by the Russian government following disputed elections last December.

You can read the full story in The New York Times.

North Carolina Overrides Veto, Defunds Planned Parenthood

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The North Carolina state legislature voted last night to override Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto of a budget that would defund Planned Parenthood clinics in the state.

The Republican-controlled legislature overrode the Democratic governor’s veto of a similar bill last year but a federal judge ruled that the state could not target a specific health care provider. Lawmakers this time changed the wording in their provision by stating that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services cannot enter into a contract with any “private providers” of family planning services.

The move effectively cuts funding to Planned Parenthood but other organizations could also be in danger of losing funds, according to Paige Johnson, vice president of external affairs at Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina (PPCNC). “We weren’t the only organization impacted,” she said. “Other health centers around the state could also be affected.”

Johnson told The NonProfit Times that she was still unsure how much the funding cut would impact her organization, though she said that the cuts in funding could potentially impact the organization’s ability to provide affordable birth control, cancer screenings, and other women’s health services. “There wasn’t a lot of clarity in the provision as to what programs it affects. Some of our centers get more state funding than others,” she said.

The new provision will redirect about $343,000 in state family planning from private services such as PPCNC to county health departments. Lawmakers say they made the change because private providers can allow for abortions, though Johnson insists that no state funds go to those services.

“The ban on funding doesn’t save the state a dime,” Johnson added. “It forces our patients to go to the health department for care, and the wait time can be months.”

PPCNC is currently looking into all of its options, including legal possibilities, to determine how to move going forward.