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From the Desk of Jim White
 Dear Friends,
It has now been one year since I started my work as the Executive Director at NAO. I feel that I've grasped a lot about the nonprofit sector in Oregon, but know that I still have much to learn from all of you. The last year has come with some great accomplishments for the sector and for your state network. We held our October newsletter this month so that we could report on the conversations that we had at our Annual Meeting on October 18 as well as announce some new initiatives that NAO is launching to better support Oregon's nonprofits.
Read the full letter.
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The Deal to End the Federal Shutdown
According to the National Council of Nonprofits, the deal to end the shutdown provided funding for the federal government through January 15 and extended government borrowing authority (also called the debt limit or the debt ceiling) until February 7. It included minor modifications to the verification requirements for persons receiving health care subsidies but does not suspend or defund the Affordable Care Act.
Congress retained the level of discretionary spending at $986 billion, the same amount as in fiscal year 2013 after the first round of sequestration cuts were subtracted. This figure, known as the "top-line number," is important because it is the primary point of contention between the Senate and House budgets. The deal adopted last week calls on the two chambers to convene a conference committee to work out their differences and come up with a FY 2014 budget blueprint that sets spending for the fiscal year. The Senate-passed budget sets government spending at $1.058 trillion, while the House version calls for $91 billion less in spending, at a level that assumes that the next round of sequester cuts takes effect on January 15.
Reportedly, both sides are interested in canceling the sequestration cuts and replacing them with other savings. It is too soon to tell whether a budget deal can be reached, and if so, whether the next and future rounds of sequestration would be replaced with alternative spending cuts, tax hikes, or reforms to mandatory spending programs like Social Security and Medicare.
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Technology Best Practices
In this article, NAO's Technology Manager Abe Conway offers some helpful advice on the steps your nonprofit can take to avoid an IT crisis.
Frantic nonprofit: "Help! Our system has crashed, we have no IT support, and I need to restore a backup!"
IT consultant: "What backup software do you use and when was your last backup?"
Frantic nonprofit: "I'm not sure--can you figure that out?"
IT consultant: "Ok, it looks like you use Bill-n-Teds Most Excellent Backup Software, and it's been failing for the past three months."
Frantic nonprofit: "What?!?"
Every few months I'll take a call like the scenario above. You might think things are working, because if it hasn't crashed or the computer isn't beeping at you, then it's working properly, right? Unfortunately that's not always the case with IT systems. Read the full article.
Executive Searches: Recent Placements
Over the years, NAO has helped over 80 nonprofits recruit and hire their next Executive Directors. Our consultants all have in-depth, firsthand knowledge of what it means to be a successful Executive Director, and they've all worked with numerous nonprofits in transition to help them emerge more resilient and responsive. Our search consultants work closely with an organization's Board and staff to clarify their priorities and perform the intensive discernment to ensure a successful hire.
Our recent engagements with two very different nonprofits--Chamber Music Northwest and Oregon HEAT--shows how powerful this can be. Read the full article.
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Member of the Month
Nonprofit Member Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) works to protect community and environmental health and inspire the use of ecologically sound solutions to reduce the use of pesticides.
 NCAP specifically serves Oregon, Washington, Idaho, western Montana, and northern California. NCAP has a national presence and works on federal policy impacting the northwest. To reduce pesticides NCAP promotes practical and ecologically sound strategies for pest management, and at the same time, advocates for strong governmental regulation of pesticides and their use. NCAP has an emphasis on community and environmental health and safety, particularly concerning how pesticides impact vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and endangered fish and wildlife. NCAP works in both urban and rural agricultural settings to reduce the use of pesticides and with both pesticide users and those negatively impacted. They provide education, policy research and development, advocacy, and expert referrals on pesticide issues at the regional and national levels. Learn more here.
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Member Benefits Spotlight
UST Unemployment Insurance Webinar (Nov 14 Online)
According to a survey last year, one in four nonprofits is overpaying the state for unemployment insurance taxes because they aren't aware of the alternatives allowed by federal law. CEOs, CFOs, and HR Executives are invited to join this 30-minute webinar with experts from the Unemployment Services Trust (UST) to learn answers to:
- What are the three unemployment insurance options for 501(c)(3)s with 10+ employees?
- How can nonprofits save $100 per employee on unemployment insurance?
- What can nonprofits do to control costs when staffing changes occur?
"This is one of the best-kept secrets in the nonprofit industry. It's a shame more people don't take advantage." - 2012 UST Survey Respondent
Register today to get your questions answered live by an unemployment cost specialist at UST, the largest not-for-profit unemployment trust in the nation. You can also get a personalized Savings Evaluation any time at www.chooseUST.org.
Questions? Call 503-239-4001, ext. 127 or email membership@nonprofitoregon.org.
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Oregon Nonprofit Event Calendar
 NAO just unveiled the Oregon Nonprofit Event Calendar, the first centralized location to promote, network, and coordinate nonprofit events across Oregon. This moderated calendar is designed specifically for Oregon nonprofits and those in adjacent communities. It will only contain events that are strictly focused towards a nonprofit audience. Oregon nonprofits and government entities have free, unlimited posting access to the calendar. Businesses, higher education institutions, and out-of-state, nonadjacent entities pay a small fee to post an event. Postings will be reviewed and approved by NAO staff, usually within one to two business days from the time of submission.
Help us spread the word and work with us to make this calendar a valuable resource for nonprofits across the state! Post your event here. Your feedback and questions are welcome; email calendar@nonprofitoregon.org.
NAO Annual Meeting Recap
 Over 160 Members and guests joined us for our 2013 Annual Meeting on October 18, 2013 at the Oregon Zoo.
For the first time, members outside the Portland area were able to join the Annual Meeting through video-linked meeting sites in Bend, Medford, and Springfield. Read more and access the the recording link.
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Professional Development Opportunities
Portland Idealist Grad Fair (Oct 29 in Portland)
The Idealist Grad Fair is for undergrads, professionals, and anyone thinking of applying to graduate school to further their social impact career. Meet representatives from over 70 schools offering graduate degrees in education, international affairs, nonprofit management, public policy, public health, and social work, among many others. Register here for this free fair.
2014 Conference on Volunteering & Service: Call for Proposals
Points of Light is accepting proposals for 90-minute workshops at the 2014 conference. All proposals must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, November 8, 2013. They are looking for workshops with realistic learning objectives, an interactive design, and content focused on innovative and replicable strategies for engaging volunteers. Learn more.
Recording & Recordkeeping for Advocacy (Nov 20 Online)
This one-hour online session from Bolder Advocacy describes the IRS' information return Form 990, including reporting requirements for lobbying and election activity. In addition, it will explain the public disclosure requirements for tax-exempt organizations. Register now.
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Deschutes Public Library Joins Foundation Center's National Network
Nonprofit organizations and other grantseekers in Central Oregon looking for funding sources now have access to a valuable new collection of resources at Deschutes Public Library, which has become a Funding Information Network partner with the Foundation Center of New York. Funding Information Network (FIN) partners provide under-resourced and underserved populations in need of vital information and training with tools they can use to become successful grantseekers. Learn more.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship
Designed to help highly capable students with financial need succeed at some of the most selective colleges in the country, those chosen will receive support from an educational advisor and up to $30,000 per year for four years to cover educational expenses. Learn more.
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2013 Fundraising Effectiveness Survey Report
For the first time in five years, charity respondents to the annual Fundraising Effectiveness Project survey saw positive gains in giving, but still continued to lose donors faster than they gained them. The survey, developed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Urban Institute, shows that for every $100 a charity gained in 2012 from new donors, the return of previous donors, and increased giving from current donors, it lost $96 from lapsed donors and smaller gifts from current donors--for a positive gain of $4. It also shows 105 donors lost for every 100 gained. Read the full report.
Paying for Indirect Costs Essential to Success, New Report Finds
Prevailing government policies and practices render many charitable nonprofits less efficient and effective, according to findings presented in a new report by the National Council of Nonprofits. Investing for Impact: Indirect Costs are Essential for Success details how a combination of inconsistent terminology by governments, arbitrary application of those terms, and unrealistic expectations impair the ability of nonprofits to deliver services that governments at all levels contract with them to provide and weakens the viability of the entire sector to provide services to the public on behalf of governments. Read the full report.
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LT Public Relations is now accepting nominations for its 2014 Nonprofit Challenge. Learn more.
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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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Bookmark NAO's Nonprofit Job Board to keep an eye on the latest nonprofit job openings.
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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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