Posted in NewsNotes Archive
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Issue 70 |
NEWSNOTES is a monthly email newsletter published by NEW. It covers resources available at NEW in Ann Arbor and Detroit as well as items of interest to the nonprofit community in southeastern Michigan. NEWSNOTES is proud to celebrate its sixth year of publication, with delivery to over 1,300 subscribers every month! We welcome your This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !
NEW would like to recognize the generous support of its Community Partners: The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the DTE Energy Foundation, The James A. & Faith Knight Foundation, Borders, The Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Foundation, Online Technologies Corporation, Pfizer Global Research and Development, The Power Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
IN THIS ISSUE
| NEWSNOTES Resource of the Month |
Community Legal Resources'Legal LinesFind summaries of legal considerations on nonprofit basics, employment, and other topics. Learn more about this resource through ResourceConnect® (see Legal Management - Web Resources - General). |
LEAD STORY
The Board's Role in Financial Management
The Nonprofit Buzz radio show on Thursday, April 24 will feature discussion on the topic of Financial Management: Best Practices and the Board. For a different type of lead story this month, we have compiled some of our favorite online resources on the topic. Find a wide array of web and print resources through NEW's ResourceConnect database, under "financial management." Find also consultants, accountants and auditors with experience in the nonprofit sector to guide your organization toward a sustainable future. Some highlights:
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BoardSource is the renowned website for all aspects of board governance. Some answers to questions to guide nonprofit leaders:
"What are the key financial questions our board should ask? "*
"What are the top ten questions to ask your auditor to help prevent fraud? "*
Membership in BoardSource puts the periodical Board Member in your mailbox each month and allows access to many members-only topic papers and white papers. As a member, obtain these best-selling financial publications at a discount:- Financial Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards by Andrew S. Lang
- Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements, 3rd ed. by Steven Berger
- Minding the Money: An Investment Guide for Nonprofit Board Members by Robert Fry
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The Alliance for Nonprofit Management has a range of Frequently Asked Questions on financial management including:
"What financial reports do management and the board need? "
"How do we interpret our financial statements? " - Nonprofit Financial Management Self Assessment Tool is an eight-page check sheet offered by Technical Assistance for Community Services in Portland, Oregon. It includes a detailed look at financial planning/budget systems, execution, recording, reporting, and monitoring.
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Financial Leadership for Nonprofit Executives: Guiding Your Organization to Long-term Success by Jeanne Peters and Elizabeth Schaffer
In this summary of the book, check out the Dual Bottom-Line Matrix for a quick visual on the relationship between financial sustainability and mission impact — something you can apply in your organization today! - Carter McNamara's Free Management Library includes a Basic Guide to Non-Profit Financial Management
Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (734-998-0160 x 218) for help with questions on all aspects of nonprofit management.
*Reprinted with permission from www.boardsource.org. BoardSource, formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards, is the premier resource for practical resources, tools, and training for board members and chief executives of nonprofit organizations worldwide. For more information about BoardSource, visit www.boardsource.org or call 800-883-6262. BoardSource © 2008. Text may not be reproduced without written permission from BoardSource.
FEATURED ITEMS
Nonprofit Buzz:Financial Management - Best Practices and the Board
Thursday, April 24, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Tune in to Metrochick Radio this Thursday morning to hear Diana Kern, Vice President for Programs at NEW , and her guest Nina McEachin of McEachin & Associates, CPA, P.C share their knowledge and advice on financial responsibilities of nonprofit boards. The Nonprofit Making Impact segment will focus on Arise Detroit. If you would like your nonprofit highlighted, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and, in 200 words or less, tell her why your organization should be featured.
Nonprofit SuperConference 2008: Teaming Up for Community Success
Tuesday and Wednesday, May 13 & 14, 2008
Lansing Center, Lansing
Don't miss the state-wide nonprofit event of the year -- the Michigan Nonprofit Association's SuperConference, coming up soon. Keynote speakers will inspire us to address the future with new insights. Get out of the office, learn new skills, make new friends! Visit MNA's website to learn more about workshops, evening events, registration, hotel accommodations, and other details.
Conference participants can now choose between a one-day or two-day rate. A special group rate and board member discount rate are also available. Copies of the new Michigan Nonprofit Compensation and Benefits Survey will be available. We look forward to seeing you there!
Committees that Work! A BoardConnect Training
Tuesday, May 20, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Leadership Oakland, Troy
Learn the latest trends, best practices, and controversies in nonprofit committee structure: governance evolving from nominating, audit vs. finance, should executive committees be dissolved? Receive practical guidance and tools to make committees productive, efficient, and creative. Review a mini-board assessment oriented to committee evaluation and restructuring. Learn how to recruit and keep engaged committee members. Register and find other trainings.
Drop out Prevention Summit
Thursday and Friday, April 24 and 25
Lawrence Technological University, Southfield
It’s a shocking statistic—more than 35 high schools in Southeast Michigan have a dropout rate of 40% or higher. At a time when jobs in the growing service and technology economy require more education, our community must confront this silent epidemic that dooms young people to a very limited future.
New Detroit, as part of One D, the organizational collaboration to advance the region, is helping to plan the One D Dropout Prevention Summit on April 24-25 at the Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. The summit will present proven methods from around the country to combat the dropout rate. Local and national organizations and school systems, as well as young people, will present perspectives and tactics. Limited seating is still available as of today.
Collaboration in the Human Services in Washtenaw County
Thursday, April 24, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Educational Conference Center, U-M School of Social Work
Inter-organizational collaboration is a central theme of a new human service policy framework evolving in Washtenaw County, and is the subject of a mini-conference open to all this Thursday. The purpose of the conference is to bring together University faculty and local human services leadership to examine some of the challenges inherent in collaboration.
Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to attend. The event is sponsored by Human Service Organizations Interest Group, School of Social Work, and the Nonprofit and Public Management Center, University of Michigan.
New Detroit Honors Those Who Improve Race Relations
Wednesday, June 18
Detroit Opera House
New Detroit will honor three exemplary individuals and organizations for their achievements in closing the racial gap. This year’s Closing the Gap Award recipients are: Dr. David DiChiera, general director of Michigan Opera Theatre; ArvinMeritor, the Troy-based automotive supplier; and Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. The dinner and awards ceremony will be held at the Detroit Opera House. Use the link above to buy tickets.
Alliance for Nonprofit Management Annual Conference
July 9 - 11
Hyatt Regency, Dearborn
Dearborn hosts the national conference of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management this July. Take advantage of this professional development event that will attract hundreds of capacity builders and leaders who work closely with nonprofits: consultants, trainers, funders, nonprofit CEOs, managers, researchers, and association professionals.
Keys to Nonprofit Excellence: Accountability. Sustainability. Impact is this year's conference theme. Over 45 workshops will be offered to help nonprofits build their power and impact, and exhibits and networking add to the flow of ideas. Register for the conference before April 30 for a reduced rate.
Honoring Excellence in Best Practices: Call for Nominations
Is there an individual or organization who has distinguished themselves through their outstanding commitment to the sector, provided an exceptional contribution to the field or served as a model for other capacity builders?
The Alliance for Nonprofit Management is currently seeking nominations from members for the 2008 Best Practices Awards, honoring excellence in capacity building. Award recipients will be honored during the awards luncheon at the Alliance's 2008 Annual Conference in Dearborn on July 11, 2008.
Award Categories
- Founders Lifetime Achievement Award
- Innovator Award
- Capacity Builder of the Year Award
- Cultural Competency Award
Find more information on the nomination criteria. Nominations must be received by 5pm EST, April 30. Submit a nomination today!
What's Up with the New 990?
Save the date: Tuesday, June 3 or Tuesday, June 10
Sponsored by Weidmayer, Schneider, Raham & Bennett, PC
Join us to learn about the changes to the IRS Form 990. How will this affect your organization? Which form do you have to use? What about attachments and schedules? This session is geared toward non-financial staff and board members who want to anticipate the filing in 2009. Find out about the extensive changes made by the IRS so you can have a knowledgeable discussion with your accountant. Stay after the talk to network with your colleagues.
Detroit
Tuesday, June 3, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Hannan House, 4750 Woodward
Ann Arbor
Tuesday, June 10, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m
NEW Center, 1100 N Main St.
Online registration will be available soon. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 734-998-0160 x 206 with questions.
New IRS Filing Requirements for Small Organizations
All public charities, regardless of size, are now required to file with the IRS. For organizations that do not currently file a "regular" Form 990 because their annual revenues are normally less than $25,000, there is a new, simple, online form (Form 990-N), the e-Postcard, that must be filed. The new form asks a few basic questions about the organization, such as name, mailing address, website address, EIN, name and address of an officer, fiscal year, size of budget, and whether or not the organization is still active. The public will be able to search the IRS site and see your e-Postcard.
The first e-Postcards are due in 2008 for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2007. The e-Postcard is due every year by the 15th day of the 5th month after the close of your tax year. If, for example, your tax year ended on December 31, 2007, the e-Postcard is due May 15, 2008. Failure to file the form for three consecutive years will result in termination of the organization's tax exemption. That status may be reinstated, but to do so the organization has to reapply for exemption (and pay a hefty "user fee") and provide a good reason why it did not file earlier.
Computer access for filing is available through ResourceConnect, a program of NEW, at offices in Ann Arbor or Detroit. Call for an appointment: 734-998-0160 x 218 or 313-887-7788.
Health Expo for the Uninsured
Monday, April 28, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cobo Hall, Detroit
As a kick off to Cover the Uninsured Week 2008, a consortium of groups are providing a Health Expo, free to the public, next Monday in Detroit. Cover the Uninsured Week (CTUW) is an annual initiative organized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to draw attention to the problem of nearly 46 uninsured Americans. There are 1.4 million uninsured people in Michigan including 160,000 children.
The expo will feature health coverage options for small business, children and individuals, free and low cost health screenings, Medicaid/MIChild Eligibility Training and informational sessions on the ballot initiative, Divided We Fail, Medicare Part D, and health care disparities. See a listing of activities throughout the State of Michigan
Detroit Regional Chamber's 5 Minute Networking
Friday, May 16, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
MGM Grand Hotel, 1777 Third St., Detroit, MI 48226
$30 for Chamber members
Speed dating for small business has arrived in Detroit. The Detroit Regional Chamber offers the 5 minute networking experience—efficient one-on-one meetings with potential clients from targeted companies you select based on your business interests. Check out the advantages of membership.
National Volunteer Week April 27 - May 3
The Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan in their April edition of Community Matters says it well: "National Volunteer Week is about inspiring and encouraging people to seek ways to engage in their community. It's about showing the nation how to meet challenges not as isolated individuals but as members of a true community, in which everyone works together. During National Volunteer Week individuals and communities can be at the center of social change as they discover their power to make a difference." Read further to find tips on how to celebrate National Volunteer Week: get involved, share your story and recognize and thank volunteers.
Here at NEW, we shout a loud HURRAH to Mike Smerza, super volunteer, who has donated thousands of hours of intelligence and good humor to keep our website and database humming! Thank you, Mike!
Nonprofit Congress 2008
June 1-4, Washington, D.C.
The National Council of Nonprofit Associations (NCNA) is again hosting the national Nonprofit Congress in June. This meeting is designed for all those who are involved in or care about the future role of the nonprofit sector. Attendees are invited from every state and subsector, large organizations, small organizations, emerging leaders, seasoned professionals, executives, program staff, board members, funders, and volunteers. Join other professionals to act collectively for positive change in our sector and our communities.
Reminders
- Troy Nonprofit Management Conference, Thursday, April 24, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Walsh College, 3838 Livernois, Troy
- File 990 online. Larger organizations that file the 990 or 990-EZ may do so electronically through the Michigan Attorney General's Office. Click on "charities" in the right column. Call 517-373-1152 for more information.
REGULAR FEATURES
EO Update will keep you current with IRS news for tax-exempt organizations. A recent issue announced that the Political Activities Compliance Initiative (PACI) "will be in effect for the 2008 election season. The PACI program seeks to educate section 501(c)(3) organizations such as charities and churches about the federal law concerning political campaign activity and to enforce the law in this area."
Bulletin Board
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Discs4Dollars
A simple no-cost fundraising solution that is great for the environment! Collect used CDs and DVDs to earn money for your organization.
