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Reflections from Jim White
 Dear Friends,
Record snow, sheets of rain, wind storms, and hail-Oregon is facing a February like few on record. Experience is showing that weather phenomena are becoming more frequent and more powerful; a shift has occurred in the paradigm for our weather here in Oregon and across the world.
The same can be said about a shift sustained by the nonprofit sector. In his February 10, 2014 article "Transforming Our Anti-Social Sector" in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Tris Lumley challenges us all to think differently about how we affect social impact. Can we afford to simply double-down on strategies that have helped us weather the storms of these past years? Or should we start developing shared indicators for social impact across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors?
Here are my thoughts on these questions.
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Public Policy News
NAO Supports Fair Fiscal Reporting
In January, NAO was asked to review Oregon House Bill (HB) 4081 and proposed several modifications to the language. The changes were incorporated and NAO Executive Director Jim White provided testimony in support of House Bill 4081-1 on February 4, 2014, stating that "...the proposed legislation has appropriate checks so as not to unintentionally cause harm to compliant nonprofits." The House passed the bill on February 14, 2014.
NAO to Help Review Oregon's Nonprofit Code
The Nonprofit Organizations Law Section (NOLS) of the Oregon State Bar has begun a review of Chapter 65 of the Oregon Revised Statutes--the Nonprofit Corporation Code. The NOLS Legislation Committee will identify any provisions that need clarification or improvement and then work with the nonprofit community to develop a bill for the Oregon Legislature to consider in the 2015 or 2017 session. While not a formal member of NOLS, the Nonprofit Association of Oregon (NAO) has been graciously granted a seat on the committee to provide comment and participate in the discussion.
The Committee is not starting with any particular policy changes in mind. Rather, the purpose is to look for places where the statutes need updating (e.g. electronic meeting rules) or where the statutes may be unclear. The Committee began by gathering comments and suggestions from lawyers who work with nonprofits; the Committee is also anxious to hear suggestions or concerns from nonprofit organizations themselves. The project is likely to be a multi-year project, and the Committee would like as much involvement from the nonprofit community as possible.
As the Committee works through the issues and develops proposed amendments to the statutes, the Committee plans to circulate reports through the NOLS Newsletter, through NAO's eNews, and through other publications and listservs. Feedback and input will be important throughout the process and will greatly improve the Committee's ability to produce a good bill. Suggestions or comments from nonprofits to improve ORS 65 can be sent to Jim White, Executive Director of NAO, at jwhite@nonprofitoregon.org.
Wyden Confirmed as Senate Finance Committee Chair
On February 12, 2014, Senate Democrats officially confirmed Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) as Chairman of the US Senate Finance Committee! We wish Sen. Wyden all the best as he assumes this new responsibility. Check out his first statement.
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Office Depot Discounts for Members
 Through NAO's partnership with Office Depot, we offer excellent pricing on office supplies, printing services, technology, and more.
Benefits include:
- Up to 65% off retail on office supplies through discounted contract pricing on over 20,000 items
- Copy paper for as low as $27.49 per case (subject to change quarterly)
- Printing services--$0.02 per impression on black and white, $0.19 per impression for color, and 40% or greater off retail on finishing services
- Janitorial and Sanitation--discounts on over 3,000 items
- Online access to discount pricing and next day delivery on most items
- Purchase in stores with a Store Purchasing Card and receive your discount instantaneously
Stewardship is one of our core values. We're happy to report that Office Depot meets high sustainability standards. Learn more.
Register now!
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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Don't Miss This! Become a Data-Informed Nonprofit
 Every nonprofit has different data to measure, but it's valueless until it helps to measure impact or inform critical decisions. How can you make this transformation?
Join the next NTEN Lab in Portland! With the help of local experts, explore how nonprofits can start making data-informed decisions. Learn how to:
- Create goals that can be measured and reported to your audience
- Gather the data you need when you're short on time
- Identify the best ways to collect, aggregate, analyze, and really use your data
- Foster a culture of data-informed decision making across your team and in your organization
The cost is $35 for NTEN and NAO Members and $65 for Nonmembers. Contact membership@nonprofitoregon.org for the NAO discount code to register at the Member rate.
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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Professional Development Opportunities
Kaiser Permanente & NAO Partner to Support Clackamas County Nonprofits with Three Workshops Presented by National Trainer Andy Robinson
Clackamas County nonprofit staff, volunteers, and Board members are invited to join Kaiser Permanente and NAO for three half-day workshops with Andy Robinson. Thanks to the generous support of Kaiser Permanente and their commitment to making community nonprofit organizations stronger there will be no cost to attend these workshops. We encourage Clackamas County organizations to bring a team of Board and staff. Registration is limited to two attendees per organization. Reserve your seats now!
Selling Social Change: Earned Income Strategies for Nonprofits (Mar 11 from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.)
Mobilize Your Board to Raise More Money (Mar 11 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.)
Train Your Board (& Everyone Else) to Fundraise (Mar 12 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.)
Effective Organizations & Community Collaborations Workshops
Sponsored by the Ford Institute for Community Building 
NAO is facilitating these workshops in the rural community "hubs" of Molalla, Woodburn, Damascus-Boring, and Coburg Hills this spring. The workshops provide an opportunity to gain practical skills and information for leading smart, effective organizations and developing high-impact collaborations. They are open to anyone from the hub communities; nonprofit leaders are encouraged to participate. There is no cost. Food, resources, and follow-up coaching are included.
Molalla Community Collaborations Workshop (Mar 15 & May 3)
Woodburn Community Collaborations Workshop (May 17 & Jun TBD)
Damascus-Boring Effective Organizations Workshop (Apr 4 & 5 / May 30 & 31)
Coburg Hills Effective Organizations Workshop (Apr 11 & 12 / May 9 & 10)
Interested in attending? Contact Maribel Mora at fordprogram@nonprofitoregon.org or 503-239-4001, ext. 134.
Collaboration in Rural Oregon
"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." --Ryunosuke Satoro
Rural nonprofits have an imperative--particularly during times where needs are great and resources are slim--to collaborate. In our experience rural organizations understand the value of collaboration to achieve community goals and respond successfully to crisis and change. However, effective collaboration remains elusive and challenging. Effective collaboration requires capacity at the individual, organizational, community, and state levels. This article suggests a few actions and tools at each level to make collaboration work. Read the full article.
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Oregon Cultural Trust Cultural Development Grants
The Oregon Cultural Trust is now accepting applications that support significant cultural programs and projects. Find application forms and additional guidance here.
VA Offers $600 Million in Funding to Support Services for Homeless Veteran Families
The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program is designed to assist very low-income veteran families who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. The program employs a housing first model, an approach which centers on providing homeless veterans with permanent housing quickly and then providing VA health care, benefits, and services as needed. The deadline for eligible nonprofits to apply for funding is March 14, 2014. Learn more.
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Member of the Month
 Since 1968, Nonprofit Member Outside In has helped homeless youth and other marginalized people move towards improved health and self-sufficiency. In 2013, they were once again named among the 100 best nonprofit workplaces by Oregon Business. Learn more about their important work in the community here.
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Oregon Nonprofit Event Calendar
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Check out all the great nonprofit events happening around Oregon this month!
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Bookmark NAO's Nonprofit Job Board to keep an eye on the latest nonprofit job openings.
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2014 Request for Proposals: Discussion Leaders
Oregon Humanities is looking for people eager to traverse the valleys, mountains, and deserts of Oregon's thirty-six counties, bringing neighbors, friends, and strangers together to exchange words and ideas as Conversation project discussion leaders.
Conversation Project discussions are led by facilitators trained by Oregon Humanities to connect a subject to participants' experiences and to the local community and challenge attendees to think in new ways without advocating a particular viewpoint.
Be a part of this movement to engage Oregonians with one another. Proposals for Conversation Project programs, which will be available to nonprofits from November 1, 2014, through October 31, 2016, are due March 14 2014.
Learn more at oregonhumanities.org.
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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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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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