Thursday, December 22, 2011

CADE To Undertake Organizational Review

The Center for Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Development (CADE) today announced that it will begin a review of its organizational structure and needs, following the resignation of its Executive Director, Chris Harmon, and expects to initiate a search for a new Executive Director in the second quarter of 2012. Harmon, resigned his position effective December 2, 2011 to pursue other interests. The resignation was accepted on behalf of CADE by Sarah Manchester, Chair of the Board of Directors.

“CADE has been fortunate to have Chris as it’s Executive Director. He has been enormously important to the success CADE has had in helping to build agricultural infrastructure in New York State,” Manchester commented “We will miss Chris but we wish him well and we are confident that CADE will continue to be a strong force for agriculture in New York State.”

“We will seek a new Executive Director but we are not going to rush into it,” added Manchester. “Instead, we will use this as an opportunity to assess our future organizational needs while we continue to serve existing and new clients with current staff and consultants.”

During Chris’ tenure, CADE has, among other projects, worked successfully to increase livestock processing capacity in New York State, as evidenced, for example, by the construction of a new USDA slaughterhouse in Hartwick and expansion of production capacity at other NY slaughterhouses. CADE has also partnered with New York farmers to increase farmer profitability, such as by developing new product lines and opening new markets. CADE’s programs emphasize practices that are environmentally sound and that promote local economic development.

CADE will continue operations as usual during the organizational review. Inquiries can be directed to Nicole E. Day, Director of Programming & Communications (telephone: (607) 433-2545; (607) 434-2924 email: nicole@cadefarms.org).

CADE, the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship is a non-profit organization established in 1991 with a mission to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises and related businesses in New York. CADE connects producers of farm products to markets by providing professional, individualized and confidential business and marketing consulting to agricultural entrepreneurs. CADE works to build a vibrant local food system, in which locally owned agricultural businesses thrive and consumers are nourished by healthy sustainably produced food. With a knowledgeable staff supplemented by consultants experienced in production, business development, marketing and distribution, CADE is a catalyst for strengthening multiple sectors of regional food systems.


25 Elm Street, PO Box 641, Oneonta, New York 13820
Tel: (607) 433-2545 Email: info@cadefarms.org
Website: www.cadefarms.org
Twitter: CADEFarms

Thursday, December 15, 2011

'Dismal' prospects: 1 in 2 Americans are now poor or low income

Squeezed by rising living costs, a record number of Americans — nearly 1 in 2 — have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings that classify them as low income.

The latest census data depict a middle class that's shrinking as unemployment stays high and the government's safety net frays. The new numbers follow years of stagnating wages for the middle class that have hurt millions of workers and families.

"Safety net programs such as food stamps and tax credits kept poverty from rising even higher in 2010, but for many low-income families with work-related and medical expenses, they are considered too 'rich' to qualify," said Sheldon Danziger, a University of Michigan public policy professor who specializes in poverty.

"The reality is that prospects for the poor and the near poor are dismal," he said. "If Congress and the states make further cuts, we can expect the number of poor and low-income families to rise for the next several years."

•Study: 1 in 5 American children lives in poverty
Congressional Republicans and Democrats are sparring over legislation that would renew a Social Security payroll tax cut, part of a year-end political showdown over economic priorities that could also trim unemployment benefits, freeze federal pay and reduce entitlement spending.

Robert Rector, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, questioned whether some people classified as poor or low-income actually suffer material hardship. He said that while safety-net programs have helped many Americans, they have gone too far, citing poor people who live in decent-size homes, drive cars and own wide-screen TVs.

With nearly 14 million Americans unemployed, a new child welfare study finds one in five children are living in poverty. Nearly one in three live in homes where no parent works full-time year-round. NBC's Chris Jansing reports.
"There's no doubt the recession has thrown a lot of people out of work and incomes have fallen," Rector said. "As we come out of recession, it will be important that these programs promote self-sufficiency rather than dependence and encourage people to look for work."

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Mayors in 29 cities say more than 1 in 4 people needing emergency food assistance did not receive it. Many middle-class Americans are dropping below the low-income threshold — roughly $45,000 for a family of four — because of pay cuts, a forced reduction of work hours or a spouse losing a job. Housing and child-care costs are consuming up to half of a family's income.

States in the South and West had the highest shares of low-income families, including Arizona, New Mexico and South Carolina, which have scaled back or eliminated aid programs for the needy. By raw numbers, such families were most numerous in California and Texas, each with more than 1 million.

The struggling Americans include Zenobia Bechtol, 18, in Austin, Texas, who earns minimum wage as a part-time pizza delivery driver. Bechtol and her 7-month-old baby were recently evicted from their bedbug-infested apartment after her boyfriend, an electrician, lost his job in the sluggish economy.

After an 18-month job search, Bechtol's boyfriend now works as a waiter and the family of three is temporarily living with her mother.

"We're paying my mom $200 a month for rent, and after diapers and formula and gas for work, we barely have enough money to spend," said Bechtol, a high school graduate who wants to go to college. "If it weren't for food stamps and other government money for families who need help, we wouldn't have been able to survive."

About 97.3 million Americans fall into a low-income category, commonly defined as those earning between 100 and 199 percent of the poverty level, based on a new supplemental measure by the Census Bureau that is designed to provide a fuller picture of poverty. Together with the 49.1 million who fall below the poverty line and are counted as poor, they number 146.4 million, or 48 percent of the U.S. population. That's up by 4 million from 2009, the earliest numbers for the newly developed poverty measure.

Read more here.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Charting a Decade of Online Donations

Charting a Decade of Online Donations
November 23, 2011, 11:04 am
By Cody Switzer
Only 4 percent of donors had given online in 2001. This year, about 65 percent have given to charity through the Internet.

That’s one of the comparisons made in a new graphic from Network for Good, a fund-raising and volunteerism Web site that celebrates its 10th anniversary this month.

In 2001, the average donation through the site was $226. But this year the average gift is $73, a change that Network for Good interprets as a sign that online giving has “gone mainstream.”

Here’s the full graphic:

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

NY comptroller says late checks hurt nonprofits

NY comptroller says late checks hurt nonprofits
Nov. 15, 2011, 3:01 a.m. EST
AP
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says late contract approvals and payments by the state are hurting nonprofit providers and jeopardizing services.

DiNapoli says state agencies last year were on average six months late in approving nine out of 10 contracts valued at $50,000 or more, often after services were provided.

An analysis of the first half of 2011 shows nearly 90 percent of contracts approved by the comptroller were submitted late by state agencies.

DiNapoli says nonprofits operate on thin margins and provide basic services ranging from health care clinics to work programs, with 22,000 active grant contracts totaling $16.8 billion.

The nonprofit sector employed 1.25 million people statewide last year.

You can access the article by Clicking Here.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Conference to highlight volunteerism

The Center for Social Responsibility and Community at the State University College at Oneonta is cosponsoring the 11th annual Conference on Volunteerism and Social Responsibility from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. in the Morris Conference Center on the college’s campus. Admission is free, and community members are invited to attend. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and every participant will receive an official conference T-shirt.

The program will open with a keynote address by Stephen G. Post, professor of preventive medicine and director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics at Stony Brook University. The award-winning author of “The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion, and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times,” Post is recognized as a leader in the study of altruism, love and compassion in the context of scientific research, health care delivery, philosophy and spirituality.

Following that participants can attend up to three workshops.

These include an interactive session by Julie Dostal of the LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, entitled Truth in Advertising: Media and Social Responsibility. It will provide an opportunity for her to interact with participants about such topics as the realities of how alcohol use is reflected in the media, and body image.

Bonnie Laugen, the interim director at the Kennedy-Willis Center at Pathfinder Village in Edmeston, will lead the group: “Pathfinder Community Partners: An Experience You’ll Never Forget.” Pathfinder Village is a community where people with developmental disabilites can live and be independent and have meaningful lives, she said.

The session includes a panel discussion with four people who live at Pathfinder and volunteer in the community, who will talk about what life is like there. They will also talk about the importance of volunteers helping the residents. Hopefully when participants learn about the programs, more will want to help out, she said. One student from the college already volunteers there, she said.

Also presenting is SUNY Delhi instructor Peter Campbell who will talk about “Alternate Spring Breaks: Rebuilding America One House at a Time.” Over the past six years he has worked with other volunteers, taking students to Habitat for Humanity sites in the South, to help rebuild homes. This is in addition to work he does with students locally to help people rebuild from recent disasters. During the colder months, students enjoy going to warmer climates, he said.

One of the students volunteers, culinary major Kelsey DeHey, will be helping him present. “There are a lot of different opportunities,” he said.



Other workshops include:

• “Meditation for Stress: Stress Relief for the Over-worked and Super Busy,” by Rebecca Harrington of SUNY Oneonta;

• “Together WE win: Fun Activities for Effective Team Building,” by Glenda Bolton of SUNY Delhi;

• “Putting the ‘Community’ in ‘Sustainable Community,’” by Jack Tessier of SUNY Delhi;

• “Community Connection: Connecting Campuses for Social Justice,” by students from SUNY Oneonta and the Oneonta Job Corps Center.

More information is available from Drake at 436-2098 or csrc@oneonta.edu.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Nonprofit Knowledge Matters | Protecting the Charitable Giving Incentive

Protect the Charitable Giving Incentive

Using Our Outside Voices in the House … and in the Senate


Nonprofits are not used to raising our voices. We teach others to use their “indoor voices,” and we mediate disputes so others won’t yell in anger. We heal the wounded, silently. We feed the hungry, quietly. At times we play loud music and paint loud colors on canvases. But you get the picture: we are not used to yelling.

Recently Tim Delaney, President and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, was in Georgia, Montana, and New York, encouraging nonprofits to raise their voices -- literally. In rooms filled with nonprofit leaders attending major conferences, he designated half the room the loud "Yes” crowd, and the other half the “Nos.” Tim then pointed to one side – “YES” came the refrain; then to the other side and louder “NOs” reverberated. After a few volleys, the friendly competition could be measured in deafening decibels. Tim then instructed the “Yes” side to remain silent – they weren’t allowed to use their voices. After a couple more volleys of loud “NOs” that were met with silence, Tim noted what policymakers hear: silence from the majority who are too busy and too unsure, versus resounding and unmatched “NOs” from the vocal opposition. Each time the “No!” voices boomed against the silence, members of the audience grasped the danger of remaining silent.

Silence is the nonprofit sector’s worst enemy. If nonprofits don’t raise our voices, we are powerless. Right now, it’s urgent that all nonprofits speak up.

The charitable giving incentive is at risk.
Congress is considering, on a tight timeline, how to reduce the deficit by at least $1.2 trillion. Slashing the deficit by that much guarantees that every option to save money will be on the table, without much thought as to the consequences – unless the downside is abundantly clear. The National Council – and so far, more than 20 other national organizations and 2,800 community-based nonprofits across America – think it is abundantly clear that if the Supercommittee recommends elimination of the charitable giving incentive, then individuals and communities served by nonprofits will suffer.

Raise your voice now!
Sign on to the Nonprofit Community Letter to protect the charitable giving incentive.
See which nonprofits in your state have already signed on.
Learn more about the charitable giving incentive.
Spread the word! Tweet: 
The #charitable giving incentive that supports #nonprofits is at risk! Take action now to protect it. bit.ly/olnPHp (via @NatlCouncilNPs)
or
#Nonprofits, tell the #supercommittee not to change the #charitable #giving incentive http://bit.ly/rZcH5q #takeaction (via @NatlCouncilNPs)
Advocacy by nonprofits is legal – and needed.
Join your State Association to keep informed about capacity building and policy issues that impact all nonprofits.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Employment Incentives Seminar for Businesses and Disabled Workers Seminar (Norwich)

Employment Incentives Seminar For Businesses and Disabled Workers

Click Here to View Flyer!

Presenters:

Jason Harriott - Community Work Incentives Coordinator for Challenge

Scott Clippinger - Clippinger Law Offices - Debunking Workers' Compensation Myths

Rich Bohman & Dot Marinaccio - ACCES-VR - National Disability Employment Awareness Month Award Presentation

This seminar speaks to:

* Businesses Seeking to Hire Talented Workers
* Businesses Lowering Workforce Costs
* Disabled Workers Seeking Employment
* Human Service Staff Connecting Workers to Jobs
* Community Leaders Supporting Inclusiveness

Need help navigating the world of employing the disabled worker? This seminar is for you! Learn from experts about Workers' Compensation issues, tax credits, plus other incentives for hiring a disabled worker. Understand the benefits of employing workers with disabilities and advantages for individuals with disabilities to re-enter the workforce.

Date: Thursday, November 10, 2011

Time: Registration 8:30 AM, Training: 9 AM to 11 AM

Place: Morrisville State College Norwich Campus, 20 Conkey Ave., Norwich NY

FREE SEMINAR WITH REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

For Reservations call CDO Workforce Center at 607-334-2201 x 128 or e-mail: gwaffle_oet@adelphia.net

**********************************************
This seminar is a joint venture of ACCES-VR, Challenge, Chenango JSEC, Clippinger Law Offices, Commerce Chenango, CDO Workforce, Morrisville State College Norwich Campus, NYS Department of Labor

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

General Manager Position Available at the West Kortright Centre

Our wonderful General Manager, Jenny Rosenzweig,
is leaving the WKC to become the Executive Director
of another arts organization.

Congrats Jenny, we will work well together!


This is an incredible opportunity for the right person.
The position of General Manager is now open,
to be filled immediately.


Job description:
The General Manager's primary role is to oversee the day-to-day
implementation of West Kortright Centre operations. Working in
tandem with the Executive Director, he/she is the "go-to" person for
most matters related to The Centre.

Overall responsibilities include fiscal record keeping and reporting;
database management, recordkeeping, and reporting; personnel
management; office and facilities management; and box office management.

Skills required include fiscal management, computer literacy, strong
customer service and communication skills. Must be self-motivated,
organized, detail oriented, and flexible. Bachelor's degree preferred.
Salaried, full-time, begins immediately. E.O.E.
Send résumé and 3 references to the Executive Director,
Martha Van Burek, at martha@westkc.org.


49 West Kortright Church Road • East Meredith, NY 13757
607-278-5454 • info@westkc.org • www.westkc.org

Monday, October 17, 2011

New NLRB Poster Requirement - new effective date of the rule is Jan. 31, 2012.

New NLRB Poster Requirement : new effective date of the rule is Jan. 31, 2012.

Below is information about the new National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) required poster describing employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act.
The National Labor Relations Board has postponed the implementation date for its new notice-posting rule by more than two months. The new effective date of the rule is Jan. 31, 2012.
The Board’s jurisdiction extends to most small business owners. However, some very small employers whose annual volume of business is not large enough to have more than a slight effect on interstate commerce are exempted. In the case of retail businesses, including home construction, the Board’s jurisdiction covers any employer with a gross annual volume of business of $500,000 or more. The Board’s non-retail jurisdictional standard applies to most other employers. It is based on the amount of goods sold or services provided by the employer out of state (called “outflow”) or goods or services purchased by the employer from out of state (called “inflow”), even indirectly. Under this standard, the Board will take jurisdiction over an employer with an annual inflow or outflow of at least $50,000. See “Frequently Asked Question” Link below for more details about the Board’s jurisdiction standards.
A workplace poster that describes employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act is now available for free download from the NLRB website at www.nlrb.gov/poster
Private-sector employers within the NLRB’s jurisdiction will be required to display the poster where other workplace notices are posted. The National Labor Relations Board has postponed the implementation date for its new notice-posting rule by more than two months in order to allow for enhanced education and outreach to employers, particularly those who operate small and medium sized businesses. The new effective date of the rule is Jan. 31, 2012. The decision to extend the rollout period followed queries from businesses and trade organizations indicating uncertainty about which businesses fall under the Board’s jurisdiction, and was made in the interest of ensuring broad voluntary compliance. No other changes in the rule, or in the form or content of the notice, will be made. Employers who customarily post personnel rules or policies on an internet or intranet site must also provide a link to the rights poster from those sites. In addition, copies of the Notice will soon be available without charge from any NLRB regional office.
For further information about the posting, including a detailed discussion of which employers are covered by the NLRA, and what to do if a substantial share of the workplace speaks a language other than English, please see our Frequently Asked Questions. . For questions that do not appear on the list, or to arrange for an NLRB presentation on the rule, please contact the agency at questions@nlrb.gov or 866-667-NLRB.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Reluctant to Ready Recap: Video & Info



Here Susan Palmer presents her program, Reluctant to Ready: A 7-step plan to transform your board into fantastic fundraisers. She sets the agenda for the program. On September 28th, the Leatherstocking Agency Executive Association attended a presentation in which Susan Palmer introduces a 7-step program to transform your board into fantastic fundraisers. You can access the materials from the presentation by clicking here. This well attended and highly informative presentation acknowledges crucial aspects of fundraising, leadership, board evaluation, board cohesion and accountability, commitment security, and provides necessary resources to be successful fundraisers. The videos below address the common problem of board reluctance to solicit and financially support the non-profits they serve and how to solve this problem by optimizing board responsiveness, effectiveness, and productivity in fundraising. (You can view these videos by clicking on the links below)

Introduction to 7-step Program

Board Accountability

Roles and Responsibilities

Expectations of Your Board Members

Strategic Plan Formulation

How to Set Fundraising Goals

Recruiting an Advocate

Necessity of Board Retreats

A 7 Step Program to Fundraising

Prospective Donors

Why People Don't Give

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Voluntary Compliance Program announced by IRS to address worker misclassification

Information for your members: You may have seen that in late September the IRS announced a voluntary compliance program for employers (including nonprofit employers) to enable those who have mistakenly classified workers as independent contractors to make a correction, along with a modest payment, and avoid the usual penalties of noncompliance. This program’s announcement offers an opportunity to remind nonprofits about the risk of misclassification and share information with them about the voluntary compliance program. See the National Council’s website materials on this topic.

Here is the text of the IRS announcement about the voluntary compliance program (from the IRS’s EO Update circulated on October 4):

“The IRS has launched a new program that will enable many employers, including tax-exempt employers, to resolve past worker classification issues and come back into compliance by making a minimal payment covering past payroll tax obligations rather than waiting for an IRS audit. To be eligible for the new Voluntary Classification Settlement Program an applicant must:

Consistently have treated the workers as nonemployees in the past

Filed all required Forms 1099 for the workers for the previous three years

Not currently be under audit by the IRS, Department of Labor or a state agency concerning the classification of these workers.

Full details, including FAQs, will be available on the Employment Tax Pages of IRS.gov and in Announcement 2011-64.”

Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Glimmerglass Festival introduces plans for a new rehearsal hall

The Glimmerglass Festival hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking with state Sen. James L. Seward on the planned future site of the company's new rehearsal hall Saturday morning at 4152 U.S. Highway 20 in Warren. The rehearsal hall is aimed at helping artists to enhance their ability to provide excellent performances for their audiences. The Glimmerglass Board Chairman Elizabeth Evillard is confident that the rehearsal hall will stimulate the local economy siting the strong correlation between the arts and the economy of a region. For more information click here: http://http://thedailystar.com/localnews/x1492497310/Glimmerglass-Festival-hosts-groundbreaking-for-rehearsal-hall

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

High Peaks Resort offers opportunity for non-profits to raise money


High Peaks Resort Announces ‘Spring For Hope’

- Unprecedented Assistance for Non-Profit Organizations -

LAKE PLACID (Sept. 6, 2011) – High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid is seeking applications for its Spring For Hope℠ initiative, an opportunity for non-profit organizations to be awarded free use of meeting space, accommodations, and more at the beautiful Adirondacks resort.

This unprecedented opportunity will allow two non-profit organizations to each receive free use of the entire resort for three days during April 8 to 18, 2012. Included are two nights’ accommodations (up to 133 rooms), free meeting space (up to 10,000 square feet), free audiovisual and support services, and 50 percent off all related catering. The application deadline is midnight, October 15, 2011, and winners will be announced in mid-November.

“In these difficult times, it is important to give back to our community. By helping those who help others year round, we felt we could have the greatest impact,“ said Bill DeForrest, CEO and President of Lane Hospitality, owner of High Peaks Resort.

“The quality of life in our community is directly impacted by our active non-profits. ‘Spring for Hope’ isn’t just a way to recognize them, but by providing High Peaks Resort free of charge, we can add our support and hopefully increase the good they do,” added Truett Martin, Vice President of Operations and acting General Manager of High Peaks Resort.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for the winning organizations to do whatever they want with our gift – from holding a fundraiser, offering a thank you trip to staff and volunteers, to planning an annual meeting, seminar or retreat,” Martin said.

Spring For Hope is open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations actively engaged in fundraising for their organization. Participants will be judged by a panel of community leaders on their success and impact in benefiting the communities they serve.

High Peaks Resort offers the Adirondacks’ newest and most business-focused conference facilities with expansive meeting space and the latest in conference-support technology. Located in the heart of Lake Placid, overlooking Mirror Lake and steps from historic Main Street, the entire resort will be made available to the winning non-profits.

Click Here To Apply

Eligible non-profits can apply for consideration by visiting www.springforhope.net and completing the application and other requirements. For submissions, questions or other inquiries, email the application and paperwork tolfitzgerald@highpeaksresort.com with “Spring For Hope” in the subject line; or write Spring For Hope, High Peaks Resort, 2384 Saranac Ave, Lake Placid, NY 12946; or fax to 518-523-9908, or call Lori Fitzgerald at 518-523-4411, ext. 361.

About The High Peaks Resort

High Peaks Resort overlooks Mirror Lake while anchoring Lake Placid’s Main Street for an outstanding mountain getaway experience. Surrounded by the six-million-acre Adirondack wilderness park with thousands of miles of trails for hiking and biking, and hundreds of lakes for fishing, High Peak’s 133 beautiful accommodations offer direct waterfront access. Restaurants include the world-famous Dancing Bears and Outdoors at Dancing Bears - with unsurpassed views of the surrounding mountains and Mirror Lake. Other amenities include PR’s intimate lobby bar; two indoor and two outdoor swimming pools; expanded fitness center; Aveda Spa & Salon, and complimentary waterfront activities. Guestrooms feature breathtaking views, patios or balconies; European-style bathrooms with natural stone tiling and rainfall showerheads; high-quality bedding and linens; refrigerators; flat screen televisions with cable and movies; complimentary Wi-Fi, and multi-function music systems with MP3 players. For reservations, visit www.highpeaksresort.com or call 518-523-4411, toll-free800-755-5598.


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Join Museumwise for a FREE half-day workshop on using social media hosted at Hanford Mills Museum

Join Museumwise for a FREE half-day workshop on using social media to connect to your fans at Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith.

This workshop is sponsored by Museumwise and the South Central Region of the Documentary Heritage Program

Connecting with Your Biggest Fans, Online and in Real Life
Presented by Elizabeth Trever Buchinger, Paperkite Creative Communications

Who are your biggest fans? How can you keep them connected, coming back and supporting your organization? And how can you find new fans? This half-day workshop will offer a highly interactive discussion about how to identify your core audience and use the best social media tools to keep them engaged. We will talk about when to use those tools, how to be most efficient with them and how to determine when they're just not appropriate. Everyone will have a chance to share real-life challenges and brainstorm solutions. We also will look at some case studies of organizations with successful social media approaches and talk about ways to apply those ideas to our own organizations.

Where & When
Hanford Mills Museum 73 County Highway 12, East Meredith, NY 13757
Tuesday October 4th, 2011
9:30am - 12:30pm workshop
Pack a lunch and stay to explore Hanford Mill's new exhibit, The Hanford Photographs

To register, call (800.895.1648) or email Museumwise Program Coordinator Stephanie Lehner with your Name, organizational affiliation and full contact information (address, phone, email).
Pre-registration is required

Friday, September 16, 2011

GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSAGE OF DISASTER RELIEF BILL

Bill Includes $5.1 Billion For FEMA, $266 Million For USDA

Washington, DC U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced Senate passage today of the Disaster Relief legislation. The $6.9 billion disaster funding bill included $5.1 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and $266 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Senator Gillibrand aggressively lobbied her Senate colleagues to pass this disaster package. Senator Gillibrand has traveled across the state, receiving briefings and viewing the damage caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, working to bring all federal resources to bear to aid in the recovery. Senator Gillibrand has toured damage on Long Island, in Westchester County, the Capital Region, Catskill, Schoharie County and Binghamton.


This legislation is a step forward to ensuring federal assistance to help our families, farmers, businesses and communities recover, said Senator Gillibrand. America has always stood by those suffering from disaster and helped them to rebuild. We have an obligation to help these families rebuild today. Across New York the North Country, Capital Region, Mohawk Valley, Hudson Valley, Southern Tier, and Long Island no one can question the devastation these storms left in these communities. We must stand with them in this time of great need.



$5.1 Billion For The FEMA Disaster Relief Fund

The FEMA Disaster Relief Fund provides Public Assistance and Individual Assistance to designated counties. Without final passage of this legislation, FEMA will likely run out of funding in the next few weeks and be unable to pay, reimburse, or loan money to families and communities.



FEMA's individual assistance program includes a range of programs, such as home repair, temporary housing, grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.


Public assistance is federal aid made available to public and certain nonprofit entities for emergency services and the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged in a natural disaster. Qualifying municipalities and entities can use public assistance funding for debris removal and cleanup, emergency protective measures to save lives and prevent further property damage following a storm and to repair washed out and heavily damaged roads and bridges. Local governments can also utilize this source of funding to repair water control facilities including dams and levees, to repair public buildings and equipment damaged from the storm, repair utilities, and repair or restore public parks and other recreational facilities.



$78 Million For The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
The ECP is coordinated through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to repair farmland damaged by natural disasters, and to carry out emergency water conservation measures during severe drought. Conservation practices include removing debris, restoring fences and conservation structures, and providing water for livestock.

For land to be eligible for ECP resources, the natural disaster must create new conservation problems that if left untreated would impair or endanger the land, materially affect the lands productive capacity, represent unusual damage, and be so costly to repair that federal assistance is or will be required to return the land to productive agricultural use.

ECP program participants receive cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost to implement approved conservation practices determined by county FSA committees. Individual or cumulative requests for cost-sharing of $50,000 or less per person, per disaster are approved at the county committee level, $50,001 to $100,000 is approved at the state level, and over $100,000 is approved at the federal level. Technical assistance may be provided by the USDAs Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).


$139 Million For The Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP)
The EWP was established to help conserve natural resources following natural disasters by relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, drought, windstorms and other severe weather. The EWP responds to hazards including debris-clogged streams and channels, undermined and unstable stream banks, jeopardized water control structures and public infrastructure, wind-borne debris removal, and damaged upland sites stripped of protective vegetation by fire or drought.

Protection efforts can include purchasing floodplain easements to restore, protect, maintain and enhance the floodplain, including wetlands and riparian areas. It can also conserve natural values, including fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, flood water retention and groundwater recharge, and safeguard lives and property from floods, drought and erosion.

NRCS may bear up to 75 percent of the construction cost of emergency measures. The remaining costs must come from local sources, and can be in the form of cash or in-kind services. Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance but must be represented by a project sponsor, such as the state, local government, or conservation district.

All EWP work must reduce the threat to life and property, be economically, environmentally and socially defensible, and come from a sound technical standpoint.



$100 Million For Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would specifically use this funding for disaster recovery. HUD gives states and localities the flexibility to meet a variety of needs, from assisting individual homeowners and business owners, to buying out properties to make way for more robust flood protection in the future, to developing infrastructure to rebuild homes and business zones away from flood danger.



$135 Million For The Economic Development Administration (EDA)

EDA would use this funding to provide financial resources and technical assistance to help rebuild economic development plans following a disaster and grants to build new infrastructure (e.g. business incubators, technology parks, research facilities, basic utilities such as water treatment) that foster economic development to retain or attract jobs to the region.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

September 28th Program Focuses on Board Fundraising: Reluctant to Ready

Reluctant to Ready: A 7-step plan to transform your board into fantastic fundraisers

It is a common problem. Board members are often reluctant to accept their responsibility to financially support and solicit donations for the nonprofits they serve. Working toward a solution is an "inside out" approach, and regardless of the issues, there are effective steps you can take to transform a board whose members evade, resist, or just don't follow through, into one that's fully engaged in fundraising.

Audience: Board Chair, Executive Directors/CEOs, Development Officers.

Description: This half day workshop will provide a step-by-step plan to optimize board responsiveness, effectivess, and productivity in fundraising.

Workshop topics will include:
•Reviewing the fundamentals
•Evaluating your board
•The necessary resources
•Securing commitment
•Establishing accountability
•A look at inside as leadership

Presented by: Susan J. Palmer, Founder and President of The Palmer Westport Group

The Palmer Westport Group is an arts management consulting firm, which speacializes in strategic planning, fundraising and organizational development for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.

REGISTER HERE
Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
Cost: FREE
Location:
To Be Announced
Oneonta, NY 13820

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Otsego Land Trust received grant for Brookwood Gardens access

The Daily Star reported that Brookwood Point receives grant for improvement of public access.

The historic Brookwood Point property in Cooperstown is one of three projects in New York state to receive a Scenic Byway Grant. The project, which is being overseen by the Otsego Land Trust and Brookwood Citizens' Committee, was awarded $188,000 to improve public access to the site as part of the U.S. Route 20 Scenic Byway Corridor, according to a media release from the Land Trust on Monday.

The 22-acre Brookwood property, on the western shore of Otsego Lake, is the site of the former Cook Estate and includes a main house, gardens, wetlands, flood plains and more than a quarter-mile of lake frontage.

The Cook Foundation, which had managed the property until its merger with the Otsego Land Trust a year ago, was created in 1985 by Bob Cook to oversee his family's estate.

Read more here.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Tell Governor Cuomo About Your Nonprofit!

Let's Tell Them About The Good Work Of Nonprofits
Submit Your Testimonial to NYCON & the Governor Today!


On August 3rd the Governor announced the formation of a task force charged with investigating executive compensation at nonprofit agencies (full announcement from Gov. Cuomo below).


NYCON is in agreement with the Governor that activities like those recently exposed in the NY Times that were the impetus to the formation of this task force, can have significant detrimental effects on the relationship between nonprofits and the public.



However, we also know that these types of activities are not solely a "nonprofit issue" and, furthermore, that there are many more positive stories than negative ones occurring in nonprofits.


We want to make sure the Governor realizes this too.



We are asking you to help us remind Governor Cuomo that nonprofits employ hard-working New Yorkers who provide much needed services in communities across our state.





Let the administration know the services you provide are essential and are delivered in an ethical, honest and efficient manner that rivals any successful for-profit company. Let's remind them, and all taxpayers, that we're delivering services at costs far below our private sector counterparts, and take on contractual obligations from the State that they would never agree to, often times to our own detriment - because we exist for our mission, not profit.



Please submit your stories here.



NYCON is creating a web page dedicated to publishing your testimonials, and we encourage you to submit your stories which will be shared online and with the Governor's press office. You can also submit your comments directly to the press office at: press.office@exec.ny.gov.



Please feel free to contact our membership office if you have any questions or comments.



Thank you again for all you do and for your continued dedication to the nonprofit sector and your community.



Doug's Signature



Doug Sauer



CEO, New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Executive Director, Otsego County Conservation Association

Organization:
Otsego County Conservation Association
Posted:
Aug 1, 2011
Location:
Cooperstown, New York
Position:
Executive Director
Field:
Environment
Salary:
Commensurate with experience
Website:
www.occainfo.org
Application Deadline:
Review of applicants begins Sept 1, 2011
Employment Level:
Full time

Otsego County Conservation Association
Otsego County’s oldest environmental conservation organization, OCCA is a private, non-profit membership group dedicated to promoting the appreciation and sustainable use of Otsego County's natural resources through education, advocacy, resource management, research, and planning. Our major campaign areas are: water quality, land use planning, solid waste management, open space initiative, environmental education, and alternative energy/sustainability.

OCCA is active on numerous environmental fronts – everything from energy conservation to natural resource appreciation, from environmental education to water quality, and from local food initiatives to landscape-inspired art. OCCA is an active local sponsor of, and partner in, environmental initiatives throughout Otsego County: holding regional energy workshops; encouraging and supporting grassroots activism; presenting to local and regional policy makers on pressing issues as diverse as road preservation and forensic watershed monitoring; holding training sessions in conjunction with legal, engineering, agricultural, and planning entities; coordinating state and federal educational initiatives targeting Senate and Congressional leaders.

Since 1968, OCCA has been involved in virtually every major environmental issue facing the county, including high volume hydro fracturing for natural gas and we have accumulated a long list of accomplishments in the arena of environmental improvement, protection, and education.

OCCA's financial documents can be seen online at www.guidestar.com
There are currently three full-time employees, one full-time volunteer and more than 100 project volunteers throughout the year.

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of OCCA and is responsible for daily and long-term management and planning for OCCA, including, but not limited to, matters of finance, programs, personnel, buildings and grounds, development, public relations, and special activities.

The Executive Director provides the vision and leadership to advance all aspects of the organization. The ideal candidate will have strong management and administration skills, a commitment to and excellence in fundraising with a specific focus on foundation proposals, an overarching strategic vision and a passion for the mission of OCCA.



Qualifications
BA or BS, or equivalent work experience, is required with preference given to those whose educational discipline relates to OCCA’s six major campaign areas. The ideal candidate will have 2+ years experience as an Executive Director, or comparable management experience, with preference given for experience relevant to OCCA’s mission. They will have knowledge of and experience with conservation issues and geography of Otsego County, including energy development, public lands management, wilderness and water issues as well as issues involved with high volume hydro fracturing for natural gas and an understanding of the cultural and economic diversity of the region, strong organizational skills to plan, schedule and prioritize tasks and an ability to balance a complex budget through skillful use of available resources. They will have demonstrated the capacity to involve and motivate staff members, volunteers, patrons, community leaders, and peers in shared endeavors and values and the ability to multi-task and manage time sensitive projects or grants with overlapping deadlines. They will have experience managing staff with diverse talents and backgrounds, strong interpersonal skills, excellent writing and oral skills and demonstrated success managing communications and public relations for an organization. They will have a proven track record of fundraising success, including foundation solicitations, major donor campaigns, or other relevant fundraising experience and experience working with news media, including developing strategic messaging and media plan and experience with non-profit management including a demonstrated success developing and maintaining close and effective relationships with a Board and inspiring the confidence of the Directors.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary starting $50,000 Benefits include health and employer matched Individual Retirement Account, holidays, and a generous vacation package.

Application Process

Please provide cover letter, resume and a list of references via e-mail to President@occainfo.org with “Executive Director Job Application” in the subject line.. See www.occainfo.org for additional information.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Governor Orders Review of Executive Compensation at Nonprofits

From the Governor's Website
Albany, NY (August 3, 2011) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that he has created a new task force to investigate the executive and administrator compensation levels at not-for-profits that receive taxpayer support from the state. The task force will be led by the New York State Inspector General Ellen Biben, Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales, the Medicaid Inspector General Jim Cox, and the Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services Benjamin Lawsky.

"Not-for-profits that provide services to the poor and the needy have a special obligation to the taxpayers that support them. Executives at these not-for-profits should be using the taxpayer dollars they receive to help New Yorkers, not to line their own pockets. This task force will do a top-to-bottom review, not only to audit current compensation levels, but also to make recommendations for future rules to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to serve and support the people of this state, not pay for excessive salaries and compensation," Governor Cuomo said.

Governor Cuomo continued, "There is a whole range of compensation levels and extremes that have existed for too long and must be reviewed. The use of taxpayer dollars must be scrutinized at every level."

The Governor's task force will determine the protocol and scope of the investigation in order to target the audit to focus on ensuring that state taxpayer dollars meant to help and protect New Yorkers, particularly the poor and indigent, are going to that purpose and are not being diverted to compensation. It will also provide recommendations for State agency policies and procedures that will ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being diverted to excessive compensation.

Commissioners from the Department of Health, the Office of Mental Health, and OPWDD will also serve on the task force.

The Governor's action follows reports of startlingly excessive salaries and compensation packages for executives at not-for-profits that depended on state Medicaid funding through the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and other State agencies.

The State's Medicaid Inspector General has the authority necessary to exclude providers from participation in the Medicaid program if it is found that they have engaged in fraudulent or abusive practices.

There are currently no state rules governing executive and administrative compensation for not-for-profits that receive state support.

According to the Department of the Budget's January 2010 preliminary analysis of not-for-profit employees contracting with the mental hygiene agencies (Office of People With Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services), there were approximately 1,926 employees with annual salaries greater than or equal to $100,000. The total value of their salaries was $324.6 million, with an average salary of $168,555.

NYCON Statement on Governor's
Review of Executive Compensation:

"NYCON supports IRS and state enforcement efforts to root out those relatively few and often large institutional nonprofits, especially in health care and higher education, where charitable resources are used for the private and personal gain of executives. Such abuses are a stain on the sector and the Governor is right, public trust is integral to the mission and work of our state's charities. The Internal Revenue Service already provides compensation guidelines as set forth in the federal tax code and we believe those guidelines should be upheld.

It needs to be emphasized, however, that these cases are very much the exception.

The vast majority of community-based nonprofit employees are doing hard and challenging work at compensation levels that are far below public employees and often the for-profit sector. It should also be noted that the phrase "taxpayer supported nonprofits" is misleading as the state government contracts to buy services from nonprofits, just as it contracts with the for-profit sector; except the nonprofit is often expected to unfairly perform at below the actual cost of doing business. Perhaps it is also time to order an extensive review of the executive compensation levels of "taxpayer supported for-profit businesses."

NYCON asks the Governor to take this opportunity to go beyond the immediate executive compensation issue and take a comprehensive look at how the state's overall regulatory and business relationship with the nonprofit sector can be improved in the interest of all concerned."

Doug Sauer, CEO, New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.
http://www.nycon.org/
1-800-515-5012, ext 103
dsauer@nycon.org

Friday, July 22, 2011

September 21st Leadership Communication - Becoming an Effective Communicator With Fred Ashforth

Leadership Communication - Becoming an Effective Communicator With Fred Ashforth

Great leaders are great communicators. In general, the role of a leader is to clearly communicate with others. This highly interactive workshop will provide opportunities for attendees to practice what they learn through short impromptu speaking activities. This workshop addresses the following leadership communication issues:

§ Communicating at a performance evaluation / Communicating in difficult situations
§ Becoming an effective listener / Interpreting body language
§ Looking and sounding like a confident leader / Communicating with upper management
§ Understanding leadership communication / Communicating in person, by phone & in writing
§ Leadership Skills for Communicating with Groups / Adjusting attitudes about speaking
§ Connecting with every audience / Delivering any presentation like a pro
§ Writing a great presentation / Handling a question & answer session like a pro


Fred Ashforth is the president of Ashforth Associates, a consulting firm established in 1991. He is an experienced speaker, trainer, writer and consultant. Fred works with professionals to improve their communication skills, developing more effective leadership skills. He has worked with over 150 clients. His programs have been well received by over 14,000 people who have attended and participated in them.


Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Time: Registration: 8:30 am, Program: 9 am - 4 pm (Lunch Provided)
Location: Foothill Performing Arts Center, Market St. in Oneonta
Cost: $75.00 per Person (Make Check Payable to “JSEC”)
………………………………………………………………………………………………..............…..

The CDO Leadership Institute seminars series will be presented by various leadership specialists, and will focus on such topics as: Communications, Critical Thinking, Coaching & Mentoring, Conflict Management, and Team Building. The Series will benefit practiced managers, supervisors, & potential future leaders. For information about the series & CDO Leadership Institute visit: www.cdoworkforce.org

Reservations can be called-in or email by 9/16/2011 to: 607-432-4800 X 103 or alan.sessions@labor.ny.gov

Alan Sessions, Business Services Rep.
Dept. of Labor & CDO Workforce
12 Dietz St., Oneonta, NY 13820
607-432-4800, Ext. 103
alan.sessions@labor.ny.gov

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Nominate Your CPA Board Member for Michael Urbach, CPA, Community Builders Award

2011 Michael H. Urbach, CPA, Community Builders Award Now Accepting Nominations
Sponsored by the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)

Submission Accepted through August 22nd, 2011

In recognition of the important role, talents and leadership that a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York State can provide as a board member for community-based charities, NYCON and NYSSCPA are pleased to announce the 8th Annual Michael H. Urbach, CPA, Community Builders Award.

The award is named in honor of the late Michael H. Urbach, CPA, former partner of Urbach, Kahn and Werlin, former NYS Commissioner of Tax and Finance and Chair of the State Employees federated Appeal, and board leader of a number of charities.

Award Criteria & Submission

Candidates must:


  • Be a CPA in good standing and a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants;

  • Have served as an Officer on at least 3 different charitable 501(c)(3) community-based nonprofits with service as President/Chair at least once;

  • Have demonstrated exemplary board leadership resulting in significant and positive organizational impact including, but not limited to, financial turn-around, growth, and/or organizational re-structuring; and

  • Preference will be given to nominees whose board leadership accomplishments have been with community-based charities.

Deadline - August 22, 2011
Nominations addressing the candidate's qualifications must be received by August 22nd. Nominators are strongly encouraged to address the candidate's qualifications related to the four (4) criteria's mentioned above and to include at least three (3) letters of support from the charities who have benefited from the candidate's volunteer leadership.

Send seven (7) packets of nomination materials to:
Urbach Community Builders Award Committee
New York Council of Nonprofits
272 Broadway
Albany NY 12204

or email the packet to Melissa Currado, Executive Assistant to the CEO at mcurrado@nycon.org.


Announcement & Presentation
The 2011 award will be formally presented at the Annual Member Meeting of NYCON slated for the afternoon of October 6th at Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York.

The Luncheon will take place during CAMP FINANCE, a two-day retreat that provides the very best in knowledge, skill and strategy sessions for your staff and volunteer leaders.

In honor of the late Harold Mandel, a certified public accountant who worked for Urbach, Kahn & Werlin in Albany, NY and retired in West Palm Beach, FL, the 2011 Urbach Honoree has the privilege to award one (1) nonprofit executive of their choice a Camp Finance scholarship in Hal's name. In 2009, Mr. Mandel's family accepted a posthumous Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builders Award in his tribute.


Past Urbach Award Honorees
2010
Edward S. Mucenski, CPA of Potsdam
2009
Lewis "Lew" Kramer, CPA of Chappaqua
2008
Mel Zachter, CPA of Staten Island
2007
Eugene H. Fleishman, CPA of Poughkeepsie
2006
Craig Sickler, CPA from Kingston
2005
Paul Battaglia, CPA from Batavia

For More Information
visit NYCON at http://www.nycon.org/ or contact Melissa Currado at (800) 515-5012 or mcurrado@nycon.org

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

New Unemployment Insurance Fee To Impact Nonprofits

Read below about the recent news about a new fee per employee for employers related to NYS Unemployment Insurance borrowing. As a nonprofit, there is another alternative, which you can learn about from NYCON:

Find Out if the Unemployment Savings Program for NYCON Members through First Nonprofits Companies can Save You Money.

Why pay a tax if you don’t have to? Many NYCON Members have switched from paying the state unemployment tax rates to First Nonprofit Unemployment Savings Program saving up to 60% of their unemployment costs annually. Find out if you can too. Take NYCON's FREE upcoming Beneft Spotlight: Unemployment Savings Program on August 23rd from 10 am to 11am. REGISTER HERE

A Big Bill for Employers
The Albany Times Union reported that Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday rolled out a sweeping plan to help revitalize the state's economy, complete with an ad campaign and competitive grant program designed to spark innovation.

But businesses have a more immediate concern: The bill is coming due for New York's unemployment insurance.

Citing the need to borrow more than $3 billion from the federal government to prop up its chronically empty account, the state faces a whopping $95 million interest payment on loans for the fund due Sept. 30.

As a result, the state Department of Labor is assessing businesses up to $21.25 per employee to cover the cost. That payment is due Aug. 15.

Complaints about what businesses describe as a hidden tax were rolling in Tuesday after numerous employers received the notices and as Cuomo expounded on his plans for the economy.

"This is something that could -- depending on the number of employees -- be a pretty hefty cost in this economy," said Mike Durant, New York state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

When asked about the surcharge during a news conference outlining his revitalization plans, Cuomo stressed that the bill for interest is ultimately coming from Washington, D.C.

"It's a federal decision whether or not they'll waive the interest payments. I hope that they do," he said, adding that his office was pushing the state's congressional delegation on the issue.

The hefty tab illustrates what can happen as the federal stimulus program, enacted shortly after the recession started in 2008, runs out.

The Department of Labor noted that the stimulus program provided no-interest loans to the states in 2009 and 2010, but not this year.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/A-big-bill-for-your-boss-1472786.php#ixzz1SetH4Zip

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Sauer Named to Attorney General's Nonprofit Leadership Committee

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman recently announced that NYCON CEO Doug Sauer would be one of the prominent nonprofit leaders appointed to the Committee for Nonprofit Revitalization. The task force, composed of 29 leaders in the nonprofit sector from across New York State, is charged with presenting a series of recommendations to the Attorney General to reduce the regulatory burdens and costs on nonprofits while strengthening nonprofit accountability.

"I'm honored that Attorney General Schneiderman has asked us to bring NYCON's statewide perspective and expertise to this important collaborative effort," said Doug Sauer. "We're proud to represent 3,000 small to moderately sized member nonprofits who provide critical services in communities across New York. It's a testament to the Attorney General's initiative that he is seeking the input of these grass roots groups as he strives to help improve nonprofit efficiency, make oversight more effective and help increase the public's faith in our sector."
In addition to providing critical services to New Yorkers, nonprofits are also a driving economic force. Statewide, nonprofits employ between 17 and 18 percent of the workforce. In New York City alone nonprofits employ 500,000 people.

"For too long, New York's regulatory framework has placed unnecessary burdens on nonprofits, which are simply untenable during these challenging financial times," Attorney General Schneiderman said. "We must modernize the rules of the road so the nonprofit sector can thrive. We can be tougher on policing fraud without imposing needless burdens and costs on this vital sector of New York's economy."

Based on the key issues that the nonprofit sector has identified to the Attorney General's Office, the Leadership Committee's activities will focus on the following:

Making recommendations on how to reduce regulatory burdens and more effectively address regulatory concerns;
Developing legislative proposals to modernize New York's nonprofit laws that would eliminate outdated requirements and unnecessary burdens while strengthening accountability; and

Proposing measures to enhance board governance and effectiveness, including through new programs to recruit and train nonprofit board members.
The Leadership Committee will be staffed by the Attorney General's Charities Bureau Chief, Jason Lilien, and will be charged with completing its work by the end of this year.

Stay tuned to our emails, as NYCON will be seeking the input of all current members on its website at www.nycon.org beginning in August.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

NYS New Hire Reporting Law Information effective 7/15/2011

To CDO Business Community:

As of this Friday (July 15, 2011), all New York state employers will have to report their newly hired or rehired employees’ information to the Department of Taxation and Finance.

The New Hire Reporting Law is an attempt to move people off NY state-funded health insurance programs that should not be on them. Under the provisions of the law, employers must report an employee’s name, address and Social Security number, along with the employer’s name, address and identification number assigned to them by the Internal Revenue Service, and whether dependent health insurance benefits are available for the new employee. This information must be reported within 20 days of the new hire.

Failure to provide the information in a timely manner or to provide accurate information will result in a $20 fine per employee for which the state did not receive accurate or timely information

Additional information from NYS Dept of Tax & Finance relating to how and where to report new hire information is listed below. If you need additional information, please feel free to contact me.

http://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/wt/newhire.htm

http://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/wt/newhire_rules.htm


Alan Sessions, Business Services Rep.
Dept. of Labor & CDO Workforce
12 Dietz St., Oneonta, NY 13820
607-432-4800, Ext. 103
alan.sessions@labor.ny.gov

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Partnership Update from MuseumWise and Museum Association of NY (MANY)

Thinking creatively towards envisioning a new model of service, as with all significant endeavors we started with an idea and now bring it into being with a plan. A primary goal of this investigation has been to create an open process, establishing a conduit for sharing information with and receiving evaluation from our constituencies. To that end, please enjoy this second installment of our Museumwise - MANY membership communiqué, which will bring you up-to-date as to our progress over the last few months.

Working in partnership, Museumwise & MANY have made great strides towards reaching several of our initial milestones of conducting organizational assessments of the two organizations, planning the first of two facilitated meetings of both boards and staff, and developing a stakeholder engagement strategy. Keep an eye on your inboxes, because our next round of messaging will include a link to our membership survey to gather your thoughts about consolidation and what a new model of service may look like for you.

Our next significant milestone will be the first joint meeting of the boards on July 18th in Albany. Led by our facilitator Scott Sears, this will be an opportunity for the Museumwise and MANY boards to sit down together to get acquainted with the vision, value and service of each other's organization and to begin envisioning the qualities of and defining the outcome criteria for a blended organization. The rapport developed among the T7 planning committee has set the stage for a progressive and productive session with the two boards. As a launching point for these discussions, the T7 compiled an organizational assessment document placing Museumwise's and MANY's services, programs and future interests side by side to establish similarities between and distinctiveness of the two organizations.

One of the activities on July 18th will be the creation of a 'shared history' - a timeline of trends and events that have defined the New York State museum community and Museumwise's and MANY's histories over the last 10+ years. Can you help us flesh this history out?

Please share with us your thoughts about the trends and events that have defined each organization and our collective professional community by sending them along to Catherine director@museumwise.org and Anne info@manyonline.org.

Thanks in advance for your replies -

Best regards,

Catherine Anne
Catherine Gilbert, Anne Ackerson,
Executive Director Director
Museumwise Museum Association of New York

Monday, June 27, 2011

HOPE-onomics 2011 June 30th at the Otesaga

Hope springs eternal. We’ve all heard the quote—but what does it mean in a recovering economy? The last few years have seen bumps and bruises in every part of your business. Doing more with less, cutting costs without losing ability to service, motivating your employees through change, and scratching your head every night wondering when it’s all going to end. The forecasters are saying this may or may not be the year—but are you ready? Join us for this interactive, motivational,
informative business discussion that will help you prepare your business for the recovering economy and position you to succeed in 2011 and beyond

About our Speaker:
Rick Grandinetti has designed, produced, coordinated and conducted thousands of keynote speeches and presentations throughout North America. He is the author of various educational programs utilized by numerous organizations throughout the United States. He guarantees a high energy presentation, evoking passion and reform within your organization and is a speaker not to be missed!

Who should attend:
CEO’s, CFO’s, officers, directors, managers, team leaders, sales and human resource personnel will all benefit from this presentation.

To make a reservation:
As a service to our business partners there is no fee to attend this breakfast.
However, seating is limited. Please RSVP by June 27, 2011 to Carol LaFleur ,
518-533-7880, email carol@healthykidneys.org or complete the information
below and fax to 518-458-9690:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Attendee Company email
_____________________________________________________________________________
Attendee Company email
_____________________________________________________________________________
Attendee Company email
Special Note:
This breakfast event is being brought to you by the Northeast Kidney Foundation. Did you know that 1 in 9 people have chronic kidney disease but most don’t
know it? At this breakfast presentation you will hear about services offered by the Northeast Kidney Foundation, how they can benefit your business, and about how your company can participate in the Walk for Kidneys scheduled for October 30 at SUNY Oneonta.

Phone: 518-533-7881
Fax: 518-458-9690
Email: info@nkfneny.org
99 Troy Road
Suite 200
East Greenbush, NY 12061
www.nkfneny.org
Northeast Kidney Foundation
Invites you to breakfast at the Otesaga!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

After Reports That The IRS May Have Mistakenly Stripped NY Groups Of Tax-Exempt Status, Schumer Urges All Nonprofits To Double Check The IRS List

Report Provides County-By-County Breakdown Of The Over 6,000 New York Nonprofit Groups That Lost Tax Exempt Status – Groups Can Correct Error, But Have To Do It Soon Before Costs Go Up

Schumer: Losing Tax-Exempt Status Could Be An Unfair Blow To New York’s Nonprofits

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer unveiled a new section of his website to aid New York nonprofit groups that may have mistakenly lost their tax exempt status. Schumer is strongly encouraging nonprofit groups to check a recently-released Internal Revenue Service (IRS) list, available on Schumer’s website, to ensure that they have not been mistakenly stripped of their tax-exempt status – a move that could cost these groups thousands of dollars. Schumer’s webpage was launched shortly after media reports indicated that several nonprofit groups, including the New Windsor Little League and Plattekill Public Library, were included on the list released June 8th, despite the fact that their paperwork was up to date and filed with the IRS. Several nonprofit groups were never contacted by the IRS, despite several attempts to send mailings and other communications to warn the groups of the looming deadline to avoid losing their designation as a 501(c)(3) group.

“Little leagues, public libraries, museums, meal programs, and other nonprofit organizations that are the very fabric of communities throughout Upstate New York are at risk of losing their tax-exempt status and paying thousands of dollars in penalties through no fault of their own,” said Schumer. “Whether because of a lost notice in the mail or paperwork errors, no nonprofit should needlessly lose their tax exempt status. Every nonprofit group in Upstate New York should take a moment to ensure that they won’t be forced to pay unnecessary taxes this year. I’ve launched this new page on my website to make it easy and painless for groups to make sure that they’re not on the list, and to take steps to correct the problem if they are. Remaining tax-exempt helps keep costs down while boosting fundraising for charity organizations.”

"The good work of community charities has a vital impact on the everyday lives of New Yorkers,” said Doug Sauer, Chief Executive Officer of the New York Council of Nonprofits. “Whether it is providing volunteer first responder assistance, providing food and housing to families in need, caring for our children, disabled and elderly, fostering economic development or creating and promoting arts and culture - charities are integral to our quality of life in ways that are often taken for granted. NYCON is eager to do what we can to assist those organizations whose tax status have been revoked so that they continue their important contributions."

On June 8th, the IRS released a list of 275,000 nonprofits nationwide who automatically lost their tax-exempt status because they failed to file annual reports for three years in a row. The list included over 19,000 New York organizations, including more than 6,000 across Upstate New York. While the IRS believes that many of these organizations are no longer operational, they acknowledge that some groups on the list might not have been aware of the requirement, and are taking steps to allow these nonprofits to reinstate their tax-exempt status. In making the announcement, IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said that, “We realize there may be some legitimate organizations, especially very small ones that were unaware of their new filing requirement.”

The list includes a diverse range of nonprofit groups including sports leagues, public libraries, museums and other educational programs, conservation groups, religious organizations, business networking groups, and others. There are over 106,000 registered nonprofits in New York state, according to the New York Council of Nonprofits, employing over 1.2 million New Yorkers statewide. Included in this total are 3,000 food pantries that feed approximately 3 million people each year. Over 17,000 people work in New York museums, which help contribute over a billion dollars to the state’s economy each year, thanks to visits from 6.6 million families, senior citizens, and students. In 2010, the American Red Cross in New York responded to 3,920 local disasters, and has trained nearly 590,000 people in First Aid. The group has also trained over 168,000 people in emergency preparedness, collected over 400,000 units of blood, and helped over 66,000 military families through their Armed Forces Emergency Services and Community Outreach Programs, according to the New York Council of Nonprofits. New York charities play an important role in communities across the state, and should be allowed to continue to do their good work in a tax-exempt state that will help their bottom line, allowing the nonprofits to serve more Upstate New Yorkers.

Here is how the nonprofits who lost their tax-exempt status break down across the state:




  • In the Capital Region, approximately 952 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.


  • In Western New York, approximately 687 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.


  • In the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region, approximately 867 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.


  • In the Southern Tier, approximately 562 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.


  • In Central New York, approximately 811 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.


  • In the Hudson Valley, approximately 1,942 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.


  • In the North Country, approximately 426 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.


Being included on the list means that these nonprofits are no longer eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, and that any income the group receives may be taxed. This has the effect of raising taxes on the nonprofit, while also putting a serious damper on their fundraising. The Pension Protection Act, passed by Congress in 2007, requires tax-exempt organizations to file an information return or notice each year with the IRS. Smaller groups are required to file for the first time in 2007, and the law automatically revokes the tax-exempt status of groups that do not file for three consecutive years. As a result, the first nonprofits to be revoked under the new law saw their status removed based on 2010 returns, filed in April of this year.

Fortunately, as long as groups are aware that they have been improperly stripped of their tax-exempt status, they can take corrective action at minimal cost to the group. Any nonprofit that can demonstrate that it has met its filing requirement for one or more of the last three years can fax copies of their past tax returns to be reinstated at no cost to the group. Additionally, those groups with under $50,000 in income that have not filed tax returns over the past three years can file for reinstatement for a reduced fee of just $100. If the groups fail to file by December 31, 2011, that fee jumps to $400-850 for 2012. Due to the limited window to take advantage of cheaper and easier ways to reapply for tax-exempt status, Schumer is encouraging nonprofits across Upstate New York to check his website and the list of those that lost 501(c)(3) status to ensure that their paperwork is up to date. If a group finds that they have lost their tax exempt status, they can follow the instructions on Schumer’s website and take steps to see that it is reinstated.

The new section of Schumer’s website can be accessed by visiting http://schumer.senate.gov/Public/irs_6_22_11.htm

Foothills Names New ED

The Daily Star reported that Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center will be staging operations under an executive director starting next month.

Huemac Garcia, whose career has been with NYSEG and Catskill Area Hospice, will start at Foothills on July 11, a media release issued Tuesday said.

Read more here.

Feedback: Foothills seems to have some momentum going, and putting an ED in place to focus on fund development and management infrastructure makes perfect sense. Hopefully, the new ED and board continue to build a strong partnership together and with the local community.

OCCA executive director leaving

The Daily Star reported that the executive director of the Otsego County Conservation Association is leaving for another job.

Erik Miller of Oneonta will leave his position with OCCA to join the Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board, according to an OCCA media release.

STERPDB, an economic development and planning agency, partners with eight member counties -- including Otsego, Delaware and Schoharie counties -- to address multicounty issues to improve the region's quality of life.

Read more here.