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 From the Desk of
Jim White
Dear Friends,
We, in the nonprofit sector, would be wise to remind ourselves of Alexis de Tocqueville's words from his acclaimed work, Democracy in America. Drawing together in assembly, we are moved by our peers and communities to share, learn, be challenged with new ideas, and to solve problems. Nonprofit leaders gather in our towns and cities and also at conferences and network sessions. In today's world we have vastly more options than our predecessors. Let's take a look at just a few examples of how nonprofits work to change our society for the better.
Read the full letter.
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NAO Shows Continued Support for Oregon House Bill (HB) 2060a
On May 13, NAO testified to the Oregon Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue in support of House Bill (HB) 2060a, which mandates that a charity must devote at least 30% of expenses to charitable programs. NAO believes that a "minimum floor" of 30% will easily identify those under-performing charities that, year-after-year, devote only a fraction of donated funds to their program mission.
Tax Reform Working Group Report Released
Comprehensive federal tax reform took a step forward with the May 6 release of a 568-page report by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) to the House Ways and Means Committee. Read more here.
Lawmakers Launch TaxReform.gov
On May 9, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) launched TaxReform.gov to ask Americans for help simplifying the tax code. They are also active on Twitter (@simplertaxes).
Political Scandal Focuses on IRS Decision-making
To protect charitable nonprofits from becoming collateral damage in the fallout from the IRS scandal, the National Council of Nonprofits issued a statement pointing out that "federal law is crystal clear that 'charitable nonprofits,' which are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Tax Code, may not lawfully engage in partisan political electioneering activities." The statement calls on policymakers and the news media to note with clearer distinction the laws governing the nonpartisan work of charitable nonprofits in communities across the country. Read more here.
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Renewing Nonprofit Member Northwest Mothers Milk Bank (NWMMB) collects, pasteurizes, and distributes donor human milk to meet medical needs. Established as a nonprofit in 2008, NWMMB is a developing (not yet open) milk bank of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. They have been raising funds to open a Portland milk bank and develop a network of locations where milk donors can bring their milk to be shipped to operational milk banks in our region during their development. Their grand opening is scheduled for this summer. Learn more here.
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Member Benefits Spotlight
Nonprofit Directors & Officers Insurance: 20% Discount Applied to Annual Premium for NAO 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Members
Why insure nonprofit directors and officers?
Nonprofit Directors and Officers have personal liability exposure by virtue of the management decisions made for their organization and its financial assets.
Coverage includes:
- Directors and Officers liability
- Employment practices liability
- $100,000 sublimit for fiduciary liability and workplace violence
- Legal defense costs in addition to liability limit
- Prior acts coverage
- Volunteers, leased, seasonal, and part-time employees
- Third party coverage
- Employed lawyers coverage
- $150,000 sublimit for defense for Fair Labor Standards Acts (FLSA) claims
- Personal injury coverage backstop
Risk management tools include:
- A toll-free employment practice hotline offering complimentary telephone consultation services
- Sample workplace policies on preserving employment-at-will status, federal Family and Medical Leave Act compliance, and prohibiting harassment in the workplace
- A guide containing general information about employment claims, the hiring process, pre-employment testing, and other potential workplace issues to help avoid workplace claims
For a quote, contact Bliss Sequoia, NAO's program administrator, by visiting their website or by calling 503-364-5401 or 866-364-5401 (toll free).
Already an NAO Member? Thank you!
Not an NAO Member? Join today!
Not sure? View our Nonprofit and Affiliate Member lists.
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We Want to Hear From You: Take the Oregon Nonprofit Survey
Give us a broader and deeper understanding of the state of the nonprofit sector in Oregon that we can use to sharpen our focus as your state association. We cannot overemphasize the importance of your perspective relative to our work.
To show our appreciation, we are giving away one voucher for a training event or network season pass (up to $150 value). To enter the drawing, provide your contact information when prompted at the end of the survey. Take the survey today! The deadline is June 7, 2013.
100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon
Once again, we've partnered with Oregon Business for their annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon survey. The survey is open to any 501(c)-type organization with at least ten workers (including volunteers). Registration is free, and your nonprofit will receive a summary of the data on your organization--an invaluable tool for assessing the strengths of your HR program and identifying areas for improvement. Learn more and register your organization for the survey.
Sector Snapshot Helps Local Service Learning Program
Each year, NAO Development, Membership & Office Coordinator Micaela Kennedy gives a presentation on Oregon's nonprofit sector to Portland Community College's Students4Giving Program. Learn more about this innovative program.
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Professional Development Opportunities
Getting to [Really] Know the Portland Nonprofit Sector (May 22 in Portland)
Join YNPN Portland for their first professional development panel. Hear from Portland metro-area nonprofit leaders about recent trends, the state of the economy, how it all relates to local policy, volunteerism, and giving prospects, as well as their own perspectives on where we're headed for the next generation of leaders. Register here.
Nonprofit Audit Guide
The National Council of Nonprofits created this guide to provide charitable nonprofits with the tools they need to make informed decisions about independent audits. It includes a 50-state chart that shows whether there is an audit requirement in each state, and if so, under what conditions.
The guide will help you:
- Understand what independent audits are
- Prepare your nonprofit for an audit
- Figure out the role of the Board in the audit process
- Manage the audit process--from hiring an auditor and preparing for the audit to evaluating the audit firm's work
- Determine what special audit requirements apply to nonprofits that receive funding from the federal government
The Most Valuable Resource: Volunteer Development & Management (Jun 11 in Portland)
Learn how to recruit, leverage, and manage the most valuable nonfinancial asset available--volunteers--from an experienced panel of nonprofit executives in leading organizations throughout the Portland community. Register for this free session of the Oregon Society of CPAs (OSCPA) series--What Matters for Not-for-Profits--here.
Regards to Rural 2013 Conference (Jun 21 & 22 in Corvallis)
In partnership with Oregon State University Rural Studies Program and Extension Service, the Regards to Rural 2013 Conference, Innovations and Inspiration, is a gathering to inform and inspire. . . all that is rural! Renew your energy, share practices, and spark innovative ideas for strengthening the economic vitality and social vibrancy of rural communities. Listen to insightful keynote presentations and effective skill-building sessions. Access rural resources and network with others who are passionate about making sustainable changes. Learn more or register now.
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Oregon Nonprofit Forum 2013/Annual Meeting
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SAVE THE DATE! The Oregon Nonprofit Forum, held in conjunction with NAO's Annual Meeting, will be on October 18 in Portland. Stay tuned for details!
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Welcome, New & Renewing Members!
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See a list of our new and renewing Affiliate and Nonprofit Members!
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We like to feature the good works of our Members, and offer several avenues for visibility: our website, social media platforms, presentations, and print materials (just to name a few).
Interested in having your organization featured?
Submit success stories and high-resolution photos that demonstrate your mission in action.
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Check Out an Upcoming NAO Training
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NAO Nonprofit Members receive $15 off of The Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Handbook, Fifth Edition.
Already an NAO Member?
To receive the Member discount code, send us an email or call 503-239-4001, ext. 127.
Not an NAO Member yet?
Join today!
Learn more or purchase The Handbook here.
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