Nonprofit Association of Oregon
February eNews

Carrie HoopsFrom the Desk of Carrie Hoops

Executive Director Carrie Hoops discusses new developments and opportunities here at the Nonprofit Association of Oregon and addresses the hot topic of indirect costs.

Find out what she has to say 

Let's Talk Indirect Costs

There is a lot of buzz these days about the indirect costs associated with running a nonprofit, including fundraising expenses. Many of us agonize over what is acceptable and what is appropriate to categorize as an indirect expense. There is a tendency for nonprofits to underreport their indirect costs on financial reports and fundraising materials so they can demonstrate to their funders that most of their charitable support goes directly to programs and services. The downside of this is that many nonprofits may not be investing enough in the infrastructure needed to deliver ongoing programs and services, particularly when faced with program growth.  

Read the full article and find links to additional resources 

What Makes for a Great Executive Search

One of the most significant and time consuming tasks a board of directors faces is the recruitment, hire, and installation of a new executive director. Doing it well gives you the best chance of attracting and selecting a great fit for your organization; doing it poorly can lead to months or even years of struggle. In this article, we've compiled some tips that we've culled from a decade of working with hundreds of executive director searches and placements.

Read more 

Public Policy News

President's Budget Calls for Cuts

The Obama Administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2012 calls for spending cuts, including a $300 million reduction in funding for the Community Services Block Grant and Corporation for National and Community Service programs, among other things. Read more about the impact of the President's budget on nonprofits in recent issues of the Philanthropy News Digest, Nonprofit Quarterly, and Nonprofit Advocacy Matters, which is issued by the National Council of Nonprofits.

Gov. Kitzhaber Introduces Budget

Gov. Kitzhaber introduced a fiscal year 2012 budget proposal that calls for a balanced budget. Highlights include investments in early childhood education and job creation, with cuts in education, health care, and other programs. You can read the Governor's budget proposal here and a summary by OregonLive here.

News from the National Council of Nonprofits

An Uncomfortable, But Necessary, Conversation

NCN logoThe National Council of Nonprofits discusses three policy trends that challenge the missions of nonprofits across the nation in "An Uncomfortable, But Necessary, Conversation,"
a
two-part mini-series, published by The Nonprofit Quarterly. Part I explains how state and local governments are shifting their fiscal burdens onto nonprofits and foundations. Part II covers why there is a lack of understanding about nonprofits. The series ends with a call to action and an request for your ideas.

Learn more about how to get involved in the conversation 

Benefits of the Powerful, Free & Easy 501(h) Election 

Federal tax laws already allow every charitable nonprofit to engage in some lobbying activities. There are spending limits and technicalities that curb nonprofit advocacy, but knowing your rights ensures your organization's participation in the democratic process.

Read more about how to safeguard your nonprofit's advocacy activities by filing the 501(h) election 

2011 Nonprofit Salary & Benefits Survey:
Sign Up to Participate!

Don't miss your chance to participate in the MBL Group's 6th edition of the premier compensation and benefits survey for Oregon and SW Washington nonprofits. The 2011 survey will provide comprehensive information for 86 benchmark positions and 14 benefit and pay topics. Whether you are a large or small employer, rurally located or in the heart of the urban environment, your participation is critical.

Top 4 Reasons to Participate

Ignorance is not bliss. The more you know about competitive pay and benefits practices in your market, the better decisions you can make for your organization.

Timing is everything. The economic recession led to dramatic challenges for organizations, many of which took direct actions related to pay and benefits. As organizations stabilize and reset, it is critical to have current, relevant, and reliable data on nonprofit compensation and benefit trends in our region.

There is safety in numbers. Including your data supports decisions made in our own organizations and in organizations throughout our region. It is one simple step which makes our community stronger.

You can't afford not to. A small investment of your time today helps ensure long-term success in attracting and retaining talent for your organization's future.

 

Learn more or sign up to participate today!

 

Participation is free and all participants receive a complimentary Executive Summary. The survey will open March 1 and runs through March 31. Participants receive up to a 67% discount off the purchase price, and Nonprofit Association of Oregon members receive an additional 10% discount.  

Member Benefit Spotlight: Background Checks

Screening of paid staff and volunteers is required for many nonprofits. As a nonprofit member of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, you have access to discounts on a variety of products and services, including background checking and screening through Ceous Global.

 

Why are background checks important?  

A vital part of any volunteer management or hiring process, criminal background checking and screening help to:

  • Screen out undesirable or dangerous individuals and assist in placing the best possible candidate
  • Enhance your organization's effectiveness through greater productivity and retention 
  • Supplant your organization's loss-prevention efforts and provide a safer environment for employees, volunteers, and clients

What is involved in a background check?

Generally, background checks go back seven years and explore address, criminal, employment, and education history, as well as other areas such as: motor vehicle, sex offender, anti-terrorist, drug screening, professional licensure, and federal criminal and civil records.

How much will my organization save? 

On average Nonprofit Association of Oregon members are able to save 62% on standard background screening options.


Get a quote now
, or contact Micaela Kennedy, Member Services Coordinator, for more information.

Announcements

2011 State of the Sector Survey Closes Today!

The Nonprofit Finance Fund's State of the Sector survey CLOSES TODAY, February 17. The 2011 survey focuses on action and interaction - what steps are nonprofits taking to address ongoing challenges, and how do they work with the funding community? The survey has yielded helpful information that is shared with funders, journalists, nonprofits, and more. Help Oregon nonprofits be represented in the national data and take the short survey now.

YWCA Stakeholder Feedback Survey

The YWCA of Greater Portland is going through a reinvention process to develop a new operating model and service focus. They are doing a broad environmental scan and could use your input. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete their survey and help make an important investment in their future and the future of those they serve. The survey closes February 23.

Understanding Nonprofit Leadership

The Nonprofit Association of Oregon is helping promote a research study on leadership in the nonprofit sector conducted by a doctoral student at Gonzaga University. The study will identify a set of executive competencies specific to social service agencies and the results will help inform the development of training programs in this area. Nonprofit professionals are invited to participate in the online survey, which will assess professional development needs. Respondents can also indicate their willingness to participate in a follow-up focus group session that will help identify a competency model for leaders of social service agencies. The survey is available online. For more information, contact Chris Vetter at [email protected]. The survey closes March 4.

RARE Program Now Accepting Community &
Participant Applications

The Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program places trained, graduate-level participants in rural communities to help improve economic, social, and environmental conditions. Qualified college graduates and graduate-level students who are selected as RARE participants assist communities and agencies in the development and implementation of plans for achieving a sustainable natural resource base and improving rural economic conditions while gaining community building and leadership skills. Community pre-applications are due April 15 and participant applications are due April 29. Learn more 

Oregon Microenterprise Network (OMEN) Seeks
Proposals for VISTA Host Sites / Deadline is Tomorrow!

OMEN's Oregon Asset Building Corps (OABC) places 12-16 AmeriCorps VISTA members who work to develop the capacity of the host-site organizations at which they are placed. The deadline to apply to become a host-site organization is TOMORROW Friday, February 18. VISTA projects are often projects that organizations have been envisioning for some time but need a person with energy and drive to get them started. Contact Margot Edmiston by phone at 503-546-9913 or by email at [email protected] with questions.

Learn more about the Oregon Asset Building Corps and the RFP process 

Learn more about becoming a host site 

In This Issue
Let's Talk Indirect Costs
What Makes for a Great Executive Search
Public Policy News
News from the National Council of Nonprofits
The 2011 Nonprofit Salary & Benefits Survey
Member Benefit Spotlight: Background Checks
Announcements

Featured Workshops

Tools for Making Strategic Decisions Based on Financial Data 

Mar 1 in Eugene


Effective Supervision 

Mar 25 in Eugene


Foundation & Corporate Grant Strategies 

Apr 21 in Portland


Working with the 21st Century Volunteer and Promoting Your Volunteer Program

May 12 in Portland


Board Development: Strategies for Success

May 17 in Eugene


Social Media:
Should We? and Getting Started with Facebook
& Twitter

May 25 in Bend

 

View the full training calendar 


Other Professional Development Opportunities


Portland State University Seminar: "Life Transitions"

Designed for professionals making transitions, the inaugural "Life Transitions and Community Engagement" seminar is accepting letters of interest through March 1. If you want to explore civic engagement opportunities, this class could be for you.


WVDO Presents Kim Klein's "Reliable Fundriaising in

Unreliable Times"

Don't miss national fundraising expert and author Kim Klein on April 14 in Washington County from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., or in East Portland from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

 

Nonprofit Sustainability Webinar 

The National Council of Nonprofits presents "Nonprofit Sustainability: Making Strategic Decisions on Financial Viability" with Steve Zimmerman on March 10. NAO members will receive a 20% discount; contact us for a link to the member registration page.

 


Rogue Community College Courses in Nonprofit Management 
 

 

"Board Recruitment, Orientation & Relationships

February 23 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tuition is $59.

"Volunteer 101"
March 2 and March 9
from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Tuition is $99.

Save $10 by enrolling in both courses ($148).

Courses are held at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located at 214 SW 4th Street in Grants Pass.

To register, call RCC at 541-956-7494, email [email protected], visit RCC online at www.roguecc.edu/bdc, or visit any RCC location.


Alliance for Justice Webinars

AFJ offers these webinars related to nonprofits and public policy advocacy:

"Maximizing the Power of Your 501(c)(4) Advocacy"
February 22 at
11:00 a.m. (PST)

"Lobbying Rules for Nonprofits"
February 24 at
11:00 a.m. (PST)

Workshop registration is $35 per person. You may register online or by calling Jose Olivas at 510-444-6070.


Nonprofit Vote Webinars

Nonprofit Vote partners with America's nonprofits to help the people they serve participate and vote. They have two upcoming webinars that are free of charge to members of the nonprofit community:

"Getting a Seat at the Table: What Nonprofits Should Know about Redistricting"
March 16 at 11:00 a.m. (PST)

"Power in Numbers: Putting 2010 Census Data to Use"
April 7 at 11:00 a.m. (PST)


Save the Date: 2011 ReVisioning Value Conference

This year's ReVisioning Value conference provides a unique opportunity for nonprofit leaders to learn how to improve strategy, financial sustainability, and ultimately impact. The conference takes place on March 7 and 8 at the Gerding Theatre in Portland. Learn more

Nonprofit Association of Oregon members receive a 10% discount. For the promo code, send us an email.

ReVV Badge



The mission of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon,
formerly known as TACS, is
to strengthen the collective voice,
leadership, and capacity of nonprofits
to enrich the lives of all Oregonians.


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