Upcoming Webinars & Events

Budgeting Process Best Practices for the Small Nonprofit [Lunch & Learn Webinar]  Presented by Michelle Jarvais, CFO and Elizabeth Mathews, Sr. Accountant, NYCON February 21st, 2014    11:00am to 12:30pm EST Free for NYCON Members Only; $50 for Non-Members Register A good budgeting process engages everyone who is responsible for that budget and implementing its priorities. Even in a small nonprofit this process can get complicated. As budgeting decisions are, of course, driven both by mission and by financial need, both fiscal; and senior program staff participation is a necessity. The process should include enough time for review of the strategic priorities and goals of the organization and also allow for review, feedback, revisions, etc. Managing this process is a serious responsibility across different "teams" within your organization - or for a small nonprofit - may include everyone on staff!  Then - once a budget is in place - how do you manage this "living, breathing" document? Because as we all know, things change frequently in the world of a nonprofit. Participants in this workshop will learn practical tips to start, manage and stay on task during this critical process and throughout the year. "Get to Know Us": NYCON Membership Benefits Orientation [Webinar]  Presented by Valerie Venezia, VP of Membership & Marketing, NYCON  February 21st 10:00am - 11:00am  Free & Open to All  Register Today  In our "Get to Know Us" Sessions, NYCON staff will tell you a lot more about our membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE.     We will be talking about these benefits... Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional Assistance NYCON empowers our members with the best practices, policies, and procedures as well as information on ever-changing regulations, funding, accountability and more.  Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits NYCON leverages the purchasing power of thousands of nonprofits to bring you economies of scale on everything from Office Supplies to Fundraising Software. The Nonprofit Voice in New York State NYCON represents our members on the local, state and national level, giving voice to small and medium sized nonprofits everywhere. Find out how NYCON Membership will benefit you by attending this 1-hour session. Complying with the Nonprofit Revitalization Act:  Practical Webinars for New York NonprofitsPresented by David Watson, Esq, Sr. VP of Legal Accountability Services, NYCON and Michael West, Esq., Legal Advisor, NYCON  Various Dates: February 2014 - June 2014 .Webinars are held from 11am to 12:30pm.   Register Today The Nonprofit Revitalization Act is a landmark change in the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York and will usher in a modern era for the operation and governance of nonprofit corporations starting July 1, 2014. As always, here at the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) your one-stop tool box and soap box we eagerly anticipated the updated statutes and have prepared a practical webinar series to address your immediate needs in the updating of your bylaws and governance materials. We encourage all of our Members to take advantage of these webinars. Part 1: New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act Part- Steps To Compliance - An Overview A comprehensive overview of the Act to take place with a plenary Q/A portion to be held in February, April & June. This offering will provide you with an overview and a practical set of actions to take to amend your bylaws to meet the new standards of the Act. Dates: February 27th, April 24th, June 26th Part 2:  New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act: Implementing YourCompliance Checklist - Whistleblower, Conflict of Interest, Committees & Executive Compensation: These webinars will be held In March and May will be a more detailed and focused on the various topics included in the Act that are new and have implications on Board governance in general and your operations specifically. Click here to register. Dates: March 25th and May 20th      Cost: FREE for current NYCON Nonprofit Members; $79 for Non-Members. All webinars are from 11:00am to 12:30pm.   Your Spring "Check Up": Conducting a Governance Self-Assessment [Lunch & Learn Webinar] Presented by Susan Weinrich, Vice President of Organizational Development Services, NYCON March 28th, 2014   11:00am to 12:30pm EST Register Organizational assessments, in general, provide an overview of a nonprofit's status and capabilities with respect to successfully meeting current obligations and potential to more effectively and efficiently accomplish its mission. It is an evaluation of a nonprofit's condition or situation within a multi-faceted and continually evolving context. Assessments can identify areas and provide recommendations where corrective actions, improvements or other changes are necessary and/or will yield the greatest benefit to the health and success of the nonprofit. In this NYCON webinar our presenter will be focusing specifically on how to assess your organization's Governance structure and process to ensure compliance and to ensure that these mechanisms are delivering the maximum return on your staff and board members' investment of time and resources -- and ultimately making the most impact on your nonprofit's mission.

Announcement: Upcoming NYCON Events & Trainings

Compliance Check: Revising Your By-Laws  [Free Lunch & Learn Webinar for NYCON Members] July 11th, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (EDT) Presented by Dave Watson, VP of Legal Accountability & Compliance Services (LACS), NYCON and Michael West, Esq. Legal Advisor, New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. Register Now Though many nonprofit staff and board members may think that bylaws are just something you have to do have to start your organization - oftentimes drafted, reviewed, approved and promptly shelved away -what some don't realize is that your organization is governed by that document and, as such, bylaws spell out what you can and can't do by way of good board governance. Our webinar is designed to help you understand key bylaw clauses, how they affect your organization and how the new developments in New York regarding nonprofits may impact your bylaws. Large structural changes to the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York will be discussed briefly, and detailed questions will be referred to the August and September during the two 'Revising You By-Laws to Comply with New York's Nonprofit Revitalization Act'.  Any Package Bylaw-Personnel Policy Reviews throughout the remainder of this year will include free updates of language and bylaw clauses when NYCON's team of attorney's develops them to meet these new obligations  Register Now  [Benefit Spotlight] The Budget and Cash Flow  Toolkits for NYCON Members... Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Presented by Michelle Jarvais, CFO of NYCON and Beth Mathews, Senior Accountant at NYCON Register Now If you missed our previous "Budget and Cashflow Toolkit Webinars" don't worry because there's another one coming up in July! Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, we've developed a new benefit for our members that will truly be the "best friend" of every fiscal person who uses it! Designed with the needs and resources of the smaller to medium sized nonprofit in mind, NYCON's CFO and her staff have designed a "foolproof" tool for developing a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget.  The features of the Budget Toolkit include: Built in instructions on "Getting Started" and "How to Develop Your Budget" Built in formulas and linked spreadsheets Definitions & Glossary on types of budgets, frequently used budgeting terms & more Helpful notes that 'pop up' as you create your budget spreadsheet  Quick and easy allocations (for shared costs like space and supplies, etc.) Templates that your organization can utilize to customize for your own organization's budget and salary and fringe expenditures. And more!  On our webinar we will also show you an example of the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.   With funding being tight and payments from state contracts and other funders becoming less timely and reliable, it is essential for a nonprofit to attempt to monitor its own cash flow. This toolkit, like our Budget Toolkit, takes the mystery out of forecasting and helps to guide you step-by-step through the process. See how these tools can help your nonprofit. Register Now    Get to know your NYCON Benefits NYCON Membership Benefits OrientationNew Dates Added in July, August & September 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (EDT) Presented by Valerie Venezia, VP of Membership and Marketing and Amber Vanderwarker, Membership & Marketing Associate Register Now In our "Get to Know Us" Sessions, NYCON staff will tell you a lot more about our membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE.  We will be talking about these benefits...    Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional Assistance NYCON empowers our members with the best practices, policies, and procedures as well as information on ever-changing regulations, funding, accountability and more.    Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits NYCON leverages the purchasing power of thousands of nonprofits to bring you economies of scale on everything from Office Supplies to Fundraising Software.    The Nonprofit Voice in New York State NYCON represents our members on the local, state and national level, giving voice to small and medium sized nonprofits everywhere. Find out how NYCON Membership will benefit you by attending this 1-hour session  Register Now    Camp Finance 2013: Rethink, Retool & Reboot!  Preparing for Better Days Ahead October 10th & 11th, 2013    New Paltz, NY  With Special Keynote Speaker Dan Pallotta Register Now Camp Finance is an unparalleled opportunity for your staff and board members to retreat, learn, network and make lasting connections with peer and nonprofit experts. Here's just some of  what some of last year's attendees said about Camp Finance: "Knowledgeable speakers and real life experiences." "Gave me take away tools I can use." "It was a great time to step away and reflect on some critical issues for our organization in the context of a great group of professionals. I had some important questions answered and discovered some new questions I needed to be asking." "The speakers were very approachable and helpful as were all NYCON staff. Of course the setting and food served were very WOW." Camp Finance has always been a source of information, encouragement and support for nonprofits in New York State - especially through our most challenging times.   It's a chance to engage with leading nonprofit experts, your nonprofit peers, and take back useful knowledge and tools to your nonprofit. We hope to see you there!  Register Today!            Check Out Our Recorded Webinars! Thanks to the support of CS Plus,NYCON's popular Lunch & Learn Webinars are now being recorded and will be available for members for up to six months!  NEW: Workers Comp Issues for Nonprofit Arts Organizations [Webinar for NYSCA Grantees]  Social Media Myth Busting: If You Build it Will They Come? Beyond Collaboration: A Special Session with Doug Sauer NYCON Policy New and Updates: Campaign to End "The Overhead Myth NYS Grants Portal Opens: A "One- Stop Shop" Schneiderman implements additional disclosure rules for nonprofits Audit Guide for Charitable Nonprofits Other Events & Webinars of Interest to NYCON Members: FROM IDEALWARE Getting Started with Social Media Fundraising June 27, 1:00 pm -2:30 pm Eastern.$40.00 Nonprofits are using social media, but how do they use it for fundraising? Yes, social media can be used for fundraising, and organizations are already doing so. In this new session, developed specifically for the Day of Giving Toolkit, we outline the how social media can integrate with fundraising efforts and be an effort on their own. register > Donor Management Systems Toolkit  July 9, 1:00 pm -2:30 pm Eastern.$225.00   Most nonprofits care a lot about their donors. But do you have the right donor management system to help you keep track of them? Navigating the choices you have when choosing a donor management system can be daunting. That's why Idealware has created the online course, "The Donor Management Systems Toolkit", to help you navigate the choices. Telling Your Story Through Blogs, Photos, and Videos  July 9, 1:00 pm -2:30 pm Eastern.$40.00 Idealware will cover the principles of good storytelling, look at examples and research about what's working for nonprofits, and then discuss the tools that can help you put them online.

July 17, Leatherstocking AEA Executive Committee Panel Discussion

Leatherstocking AEA July 17thProgram: "Making the Executive Committee Work" Featuring a Panel Discussion    Panelists will include: Diane Brown, Executive Director, Community Foundation for South Central New York Board Officer, Family Planning of South Central New York, Inc. Additional panelists to-be-announced Possible topics for discussion will be: Defining the executive committee Who should be on the executive committee? The relationship between the executive committee and the full board Partnerships between the ED and the board officers What are the main charges for the executive committee? Questions from the audience are also encouraged Date: July 17th, 2013  Time: 9:00am-11:30am FREE Location:              FoxCare Center's Wellness Conference Room  1 FoxCare Drive Route 7 Oneonta, NY 13820 REGISTER NOW Recap of the Recent Program, "Your Board and the Committee System"  Thank you to our panelists!    Panelists: Liz Callahan, Executive Director, Hanford Mills Museum  Liane Hirabayashi, Board Member, Hanford Mills Museum  Fred Huneke, Board Member, Watershed Agricultural Council   Danielle Newell, Executive Director, Smithy Center for the Arts Videos recapping the session are now available on YouTube. Apologies for the sound quality; we recommend wearing headphones to listen to the audio. The following topics were addressed: The value of committes: why even have committees? (Click for video) Strong committee characteristics (Click for video)  What does a successful committee look like? (Click for video) How the Executive Director can support the committee system (Click for video) What are board members looking for from staff to support their role? (Click for video) Committee responsibilities and functions (Click for video) The role of committees in program and governance  Common issues experienced with committees Announcing 2013 Leatherstocking AEA Programs:  Recruiting Panelists for the Events   Program Schedule for 2013:   - July 17th, 2013: Making the Executive Committee Work  - September 18th, 2013: Starting a Board Development Committee  - December 11th, 2013: Using a Fund Development Committee to Help Your Non-Profit    Looking for new ideas for employee benefits?  Let NYCON help you create an extensive, affordable benefits package that is easy to comprehend and manage!  Contact us to learn more about how we help over 1,000 nonprofits just like yours with Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Flexible Savings Accounts, Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Unemployment Savings Program, and Workers Comp. Contact us for more information. 10 BENEFITS OF INTERNSHIPS:   Has your organization considered offering a SUNY Oneonta student an internship opportunity?   Ten benefits outlined below provide a quick snapshot of the power of internships! Find future employees Test-drive the talent Increase productivity Increase employee-retention rate Enhance perspective Take advantage of low-cost labor Post internships free-of-charge to SUNY Oneonta's online database (DragonLink) Give back to the community Support SUNY Oneonta students Benefit your Otsego County Business To schedule a meeting to discuss the process for posting internships, site-supervisor responsibilities, and time commitment, please contact Megan Ackley, SUNY Oneonta Internship Coordinator at (607) 436-2534 ormegan.ackley@oneonta.edu. Visit the NY Nonprofit Executive Directors Network... Stay Informed. Connect with your peers. Post your questions. NYNED is your resource.  About the Leatherstocking AEA  Formed in 2004 with the support of the New York Council of Nonprofits, the Leatherstocking AEA offers nonprofit executive directors from Otsego, Delaware, and Chenango Counties a forum for networking and peer support. The group holds quarterly program meetings. 2012 meeting dates are April 25th, June 20th,September 26th and November 14th.

Upcoming NYCON Events & Trainings

[FRIDAY] Workers Comp Issues for Nonprofit Arts Organizations [Webinar for NYSCA Grantees]  June 21, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (EDT) Presented by Frederic J. Buse, Managing Director, Schwartz Heslin Group, Former Director of Unemployment Insurance, NYS; Department of Labor and Michael West, Esq. Legal Advisor, New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. Register Now Virtually all employers in New York State - including nonprofit employers - must provide workers' compensation coverage for their employees. For many nonprofit arts organizations specifically the world of workers comp gets, well, more complicated. Many organizations have seasonal, time delimited or specialized artistic talent working on projects, shows, performances or exhibits. Determining who should and shouldn't be covered is a priority for arts organizations and can save time, money and legal wrangling down the line. This webinar will cover the details of workers comp as it applies to the special needs of nonprofit arts groups, how to determine "employee" status and risks of not properly defining employment status. We will also be discussing recent trends in New York State in regard to workers comp. Register Now  Learn About the Budget and Cash Flow Toolkits for NYCON Members... [Benefit Spotlight]  Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Presented by Michelle Jarvais, CFO of NYCON and Beth Mathews, Senior Accountant at NYCON Register Now If you missed our previous "Budget and Cashflow Toolkit Webinars" don't worry because there's another one coming up in July! Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, we've developed a new benefit for our members that will truly be the "best friend" of every fiscal person who uses it! Designed with the needs and resources of the smaller to medium sized nonprofit in mind, NYCON's CFO and her staff have designed a "fool proof" tool for developing a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget.  The features of the Budget Toolkit include: Built in instructions on "Getting Started" and "How to Develop Your Budget" Built in formulas and linked spreadsheets Definitions & Glossary on types of budgets, frequently used budgeting terms & more Helpful notes that 'pop up' as you create your budget spreadsheet  Quick and easy allocations (for shared costs like space and supplies, etc.) Templates that your organization can utilize to customize for your own organization's budget and salary and fringe expenditures. And more!  On our webinar we will also show you an example of the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.   With funding being tight and payments from state contracts and other funders becoming less timely and reliable, it is essential for a nonprofit to attempt to monitor its own cash flow. This toolkit, like our Budget Toolkit, takes the mystery out of forecasting and helps to guide you step-by-step through the process. See how these tools can help your nonprofit. Register Now    Make the Most of Your Membership! NYCON Membership Benefits OrientationDates in July, August & September 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (EDT) Presented by Valerie Venezia, VP of Membership and Marketing and Amber Vanderwarker, Membership & Marketing Associate Register Now In our "Get to Know Us" Sessions, NYCON staff will tell you a lot more about our membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE.  We will be talking about these benefits...    Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional AssistanceNYCON empowers our members with the best practices, policies, and procedures as well as information on ever-changing regulations, funding, accountability and more.    Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits NYCON leverages the purchasing power of thousands of nonprofits to bring you economies of scale on everything from Office Supplies to Fundraising Software.    The Nonprofit Voice in New York State NYCON represents our members on the local, state and national level, giving voice to small and medium sized nonprofits everywhere. Find out how NYCON Membership will benefit you by attending this 1-hour session  Register Now    Camp Finance 2013: Rethink, Retool & Reboot!  Preparing for Better Days Ahead October 10th & 11th, 2013    New Paltz, NY  With Special Keynote Speaker Dan Pallotta  register now  NYCON is pleased to welcome  Dan Pallotta as this year´s Keynote Speaker at Camp Finance on Thursday, October 10th. "Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential"    The way we´ve been taught to think about charity and change is upside down, argues Dan Pallotta. If we changed the way we think about charity, charity could change the world. Our Camp Finance keynote, based on Dan´s book, Uncharitable, the best selling title in the history of Tufts University Press, will challenge you to change the way you think about charity. The Stanford Social Innovation Review said Uncharitable "deserves to become the nonprofit sector´s new manifesto." Don't Miss this event. Register Now.        Given the financial challenges of the past few years, your participation at CAMP FINANCE 2013 offers a welcome opportunity for New York's nonprofits to convene, access experts and connect with peers as we look to the future. Celebrating our 12th year, Camp Finance provides the very best in knowledge, skill and strategy sessions for your staff and volunteer leaders. This year´s workshops are responsive to your professional development and organizational needs with the latest information and tools to empower you to continue to build an effective, compliant, vibrant and sustainable nonprofit organization. From basic concepts to best practices, CAMP FINANCE 2013 has something for everyone.   Lunch & Learn Webinars Now Being Recorded & Archived for Members! Thanks to the support of CS Plus,NYCON's popular Lunch & Learn Webinars are now being recorded and will be available for members for up to six months!  NEW: Social Media Myth Busting: If You Build it Will They Come?   The Art and Science of Board Decision Making Beyond Collaboration: A Special Session with Doug Sauer NYCON Policy New and Updates: CALL TO ACTION:Oppose Paid Board Members for New York's Nonprofits Schneiderman implements additional disclosure rules for nonprofits Audit Guide for Charitable Nonprofits Other Events & Webinars of Interest to NYCON Members: FROM IDEALWARE Auditing Your Website for Usability Issues June 20, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern. $40.00 Even if your website is easily understood and navigated by your staff, it may be difficult to use or even bewildering to others-particularly if they're not very tech savvy or not native speakers of English FREE! New Trends in Donor Management  June 20, 3:00 pm -4:00 pm Eastern.  We all know that the right database can make managing donation histories, contact information, and other critical donor information easier.   Read more or register > Getting Started with Social Media Fundraising June 27, 1:00 pm -2:30 pm Eastern.$40.00 Nonprofits are using social media, but how do they use it for fundraising? Yes, social media can be used for fundraising, and organizations are already doing so. In this new session, developed specifically for the Day of Giving Toolkit, we outline the how social media can integrate with fundraising efforts and be an effort on their own. register >