Board Development Discussion at the new NYCON Oneonta Office!

Leatherstocking AEA: Making Your Board Development Committee Work [Oneonta]  September 25th   9:00 AM to 11:30 AM Discussion and Overview REGISTER  This program will focus on defining the importance and value of creating a board development committee within your nonprofit organization. Discussions will be based upon the responsibilities of the committee and outline their stance within the organization. The program will provide NYCON information about the topic. Participants are encouraged to bring info to share about their board development committee or related systems and efforts.  Join us for this gathering at the new NYCON office location at Bugbee Hall! Date: September 25th, 2013 Time: 9:00am-11:30am Location: NYCON Central NY Office 302 Bugbee Hall State Street Oneonta, NY 13820 REGISTER  Striving for Self-SufficiencyEarned Revenue & Entrepreneurial Strategies [Utica]  September 19th   9:00 AM to 11:30 AM Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO, NYCON REGISTER  There was a time where the most stable and viable nonprofits were those that relied on the traditional business model of contributions and government grants. Dependency on the "market" forces of philanthropic and taxpayer support is increasingly being viewed a limitation regarding sustainability as often they are outside of the influence and control of the nonprofit. Achieving self-sufficiency involves a third leg to the revenue stool - earned revenue, where there is a direct exchange of a product, service or privilege for monetary value. Participants in this workshop will have an opportunity to discuss and learn about earned revenue and entrepreneurial strategies - the pros, cons, and preparation and cultural shifts necessary to proceed down the entrepreneurial path. Date: September 19th, 2013 Time: 9:00am-11:30am Fee: $10.00 at the door (check payable to The Community Foundation of Oneida & Herkimer Counties) Light refreshments will be provided. Location: The Dorothy Smith Center for Advocacy at RCIL 1607 Genesee Street  Community Room Utica, NY 13503 REGISTER  This presentation is being funded by the Corporate Parnters of The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties: Adirondack Bank, Adjusters International, Bank of America, Bank of Utica, Birnie Bus Service, Inc., Carbone Auto Group, Cathedral Corporation, Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp., Clifford Fuel, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Fastrac Markets, Jay-K Lumber, M. Griffith Investment Services, NBT Bank, The Observer Dispatch, Oneida Savings Bank, Pacemaker Steel & Piping, Staffworks, Inc. and Strategic Financial Services. We appreciate their support. Please visit their website for more information,www.foundationhoc.org Fundraising on a Napkin: An Interactive Workshop for Bigger, Better Fundraising [Utica] October 8th   8:00AM to 4:00PM    Presented by ForImpact.org  Register Now Limited space available. Please register before September 16th, 2013   Brought to you by The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc., their Corporate Partners Program, the M&T Bank and Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund and the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON)   Learn simple and effective strategies in a customized workshop with Nick Fellers of For Impact.org. This training is based on more than 30 years of experience and more than $2 billion raised. Morning workshop: 8 to 11:30 a.m. Bring two members of your team and/or one volunteer leader. Simplify your message and communicate your vision Build a high performing leadership team Develop an effective culture to fund the vision Learn the language of "the ask" Full-day workshop: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring two members of your team and/or one volunteer leader. Receive coaching from the For Impact team Create strategic clarity Make a commitment to sales - frameworks to get you and your team out of the office Measure activity and productivity with your core sales team Create and leverage champions and passionate advocates (versus asking your board members for names) COST  Morning: $25 for first person; $15 for each additional person from same organization.Register Now Full-day:  $75 for first person; $50 for each additional person from same organization. Lunch is included. Enter to win a 2014 For Impact Boot Camp Scholarship. Register Now Upcoming Programs of Interest Leatherstocking AEA: Making Your Board Development Committee Work Striving for Self-Sufficiency: Earned Revenue Models Fundraising on a Napkin: An Interactive Workshop Visit the New York Nonprofit Executive Directors Network Online Stay Informed. Connect with your peers. Post your questions. NYNED is your resource. About the Leatherstocking AEA This group is supported by the New York Council of Nonprofits and offers nonprofit executive directors opportunities for networking and professional development.

2013 Programs Annouced for Leatherstocking AEA Events, From NYCON

Announcing 2013 Leatherstocking AEA Programs:  Recruiting Panelists for the Events   Program Schedule for 2013:   - May 22nd, 2013: Your Board and the Committee System  - 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  We are looking to attain panelists for these events. Please take the survey to help verify your qualifications if your are interested in becoming a panelist in these upcoming events.  Click here to take survey

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 SavingsProgram, and Workers Comp. Contact us for more information.

New Benefits & New Webinars for Members

NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight: Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits! Every fiscal staff persons' best friend... Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member 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 Chief Fiscal Officer and 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! You have to see all the features to believe it!   Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself. Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am  On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.

Pros and Cons of  Restructuring a Nonprofit: What it Means for your Staff and Board February 13th, 2013   10:00am to 12:00pm Doug Sauer, CEO, NYCON Last Chance to Register This thought provoking, insightful event will provide you with knowledge gleaned from decades of Doug's work with hundreds of nonprofits in various stages of formal restructuring, shared service models and, certainly, merger. Doug, perhaps more than anyone on the national nonprofit "scene," knows first-hand that merger (or any type of structural "re-engineering" of your organization) is a serious solution to the very complex issues facing today's nonprofits. Join us and learn from Doug's real world and very practical experiences. Doug will be talking about the variety of options available for restructuring a nonprofit, what the potential benefits and very real risks are -- as well as what the process of going "beyond collaboration" is really like.There will be time for Q&A at the end of the online session so make sure you take advantage of having our resident expert available to you. Last Chance to Register

Free Tour of the GrantStation Website for NYCON Members Thursday, February 28th   10:00am to 11:00am  Register Today Join Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's Business Development Advisor, for a free webinar that offers a short tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers; including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the right grantmaker for any program or project. During this webinar we will also introduce GrantStation's new interactive Grants2020 visioning tool! There will be plenty of time for questions. This webinar will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013.Did You Know? As a NEW Membership Benefit of NYCON, ourprogram now also allows a discount on Grantstation Membership - which gets you full access to GS.com - for only $75! Click here for more information.

Biggest Mistakes Boards Make, Founding Fathers Write a Grant Proposal and more

Practical, Provocative and Fun Food-For-Thought for Non-Profits

The Trouble with "Passion for the Mission" . . . editor notes issue #84

"Passion for the mission is a must" . . . so say many job announcements and board member requirement lists. Wait a minute. Let's examine this sacred cow cliche a little more. Read More>

Surprisingly Uncomplicated Path for Developing Leaders

Kirk Kramer of The Bridgespan Groupsuggests some new approaches to leadership development in his recent papers. For Blue Avocado readers, he cuts right to the chase: Read More>

In the Swirling Dust of Change, Life Still Goes On for an ED

It just makes sense that the founder of the Center for Digital Storytelling would tell his own story in a remarkably compelling way. Here's Joe Lambert with a thoughtful First Person Nonprofit account of how organizational problems can bring out the creativity and best in people and how, through it all, life goes on, though it's your choice how to embrace its everchanging moods: Read More>

The Founding Fathers Write a Grant Proposal

"Just look at this second sentence!" groaned Samuel Adams. "'We hold these truths to be self-evident  .  .' This flies in the face of 'evidence-based practice'! We'llnever get funded!" Read More>

Ten Biggest Mistakes Boards and Executives Make

"To err is human," and as we all ruefully know, nonprofit board members and executive directors are typically human. Here are some of the biggest mistakes we make: Read More>

Take a 3-Minute Vacation to an Oscar-Nominated Film Starring Avocados

Has anyone else seen an avocado in an Oscar nominated film this year? Read More>

To see it online Click Here

New Webinars, New Benefits for our Members

Tomorrow! [Corporate Member Spotlight]   Learn More about RER Energy & How Your Nonprofit Can Save Money on Energy Cost A Webinar Presented by Christopher Flynn of RER Energy Group   January 24th, 2012 10:00am to 10:30am  Register Now  RER Energy Group, a new NYCON Corporate Member, is pleased to offer this introducttion to their services and solar photovoltaic energy (PV) for NYCON's members. Legislation enacted in New York State is providing funding through NYSERDA to help the state reach a goal of doubling renewable energy generation by 2015. Who Should Attend: This workshop will benefit executive directors, finance and accounting staff and anyone responsible for managing electrical energy costs and systems. Members of RER's Staff can work with you to answer questions about solar photovoltaic technology, other renewable energy and currently available incentives.   Register Now

Pros and Cons of  Restructuring a Nonprofit: What it Means for your Staff and Board  A Webinar Presented by Doug Sauer CEO of NYCON February 13th, 2013              10:00am to 12:00pm RegisterThis thought provoking, insightful event will provide you with knowledge gleaned from decades of Doug's work with hundreds of nonprofits in various stages of formal restructuring, shared service models and, certainly, merger. Doug, perhaps more than anyone on the national nonprofit "scene," knows first-hand that merger (or any type of structural "re-engineering" of your organization) is a serious solution to the very complex issues facing today's nonprofits.   Register

Dollars through the Door: Who Does What in Nonprofit Fundraising & Revenue Generation  A Webinar Presented by NYCON March 13th, 2013     10:00am to 12:00pm Register  This session provides an introduction to the diverse strategies nonprofits can use to generate revenue for their organizations with an emphasis on planning, sustainability and the role of Executive Staff and Board Members in fundraising efforts. We will be covering four key topics that typically arise when discussions of "fundraising" occur.  Register For the Full Page Click Here

Recruiting Youth for Your Board: New Idea for Continuing Challenges

As more of our organizations face recruitment and engagement issues with our Boards of Directors, it is time to think outside of the box and take new approaches.  One such idea is to consider youth serving on our Boards.  Below is a great overview and info from the National Council of Nonprofits, the umbrella organization for the NYCON, for your consideration.

You’re only as old as you feel

By Jennifer Chandler
 

When a question landed in my inbox last week about youth serving on nonprofit boards, my thoughts turned to our society’s attitudes towards age and the role that charitable nonprofits can play in bridging the “generation gap.” The question in my inbox was: “Are there any programs that prepare youth to serve on nonprofit boards?” The question prompted me to think about the distance between young and old, and how nonprofits bridge what I think of as a “perspectives gap.”

But first, let’s clarify a threshold issue relating to the question posed. While seven states (Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah) prevent anyone under the “majority age” (usually 18) from serving as a board member of a nonprofit corporation, most states are silent about the age of board members. This leaves the decision about what age is appropriate for board members up to the individual nonprofits. (To our knowledge there are no state laws that restrict older individuals from serving on boards.)  If you are curious what your state law says about the age of board members, you can research the statutes that govern nonprofit corporations in your state at LawForChange.org.
 

The post "Youth Board Members: Can minors serve on nonprofit boards?" by Emily Chan, co-author of the Nonprofit Law Blog, gives an excellent overview of the legal issues raised when young people serve on boards. Chan raises many important questions nonprofits should tackle before inviting youth to take on decision-making roles, and she offers several alternatives to board service. Chan’s post is very comprehensive (and we always appreciate Nonprofit Law Blog’s carefully researched resources). My own view is that whether someone under 18 should serve on a nonprofit board should not turn on whether the “youth board member will feel isolated” or “what skills or training the youth board member needs that the organization currently does not provide?” Isolation, preparation for taking on the fiduciary duties that board service requires, and other issues are equally relevant across the age spectrum. What we are really exploring when we ask the age question is whether this particular individual has skills and experiences that will add value to the board’s work and/or whether placing that person on a governing board is necessary to fulfill other goals, such as growing the bench of leadership for the organization, or creating ambassadors to segments of stakeholders that are important for the nonprofit’s work.

 

Conscious of the need for continuity of leadership, many nonprofits cultivate talent, whether young or old, to make sure that multiple perspectives are represented on their board and that when one generation steps aside, another is ready to take its place. “It’s something the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits advocates, as we want to see nonprofits grow their leadership and ensure that other generations are ready to serve,” explains Trisha Lester, Vice President of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. “Authentically engaging young people as partners and decision-makers is a crucial and challenging topic for youth-serving nonprofits (and other groups). Service on governance boards can be a powerful way to do this, but there are other ways to accomplish the goal of giving this particular constituency voice,” says Molly O’Connell, Resources and Advocacy Coordinator at the Maine Association of Nonprofits.  Looked at another way, we all need mentors, and when seasoned seniors can pass their wisdom and insights on to younger generations – whether defined as under 18 or under 30 – everybody wins over time. (If you think that working with board members is a little like herding cats, this 60 Minutes story about the importance of role models for elephants may suggest a different analogy!)

 

Moreover, a board that boasts a diversity of perspectives is simply better-poised for scenario planning. Different life experiences not only help board members see around the organization’s corners, but also help the organization see challenges in the community more clearly. Such added perspective can lead to more effective problem-solving and greater impact. When the work of charitable nonprofits reflects diverse perspectives, this is a perfect example of a “triple bottom line” ROI because it benefits the nonprofit, volunteers, and the community.

 

At the National Council of Nonprofits we are strong believers in the value of proactively preparing leaders and diversifying governing boards (and staff) of nonprofits. We also believe in the important role that charitable nonprofits play as places where people in communities, young and old, of all shapes, sizes, and colors, come together to learn from each other and collaboratively solve problems.

 

So what does age have to do with it?  Age, like any other characteristic, adds meaningful texture to our own perspectives. And the perspectives of charitable nonprofits are really all about the perspectives of individuals in communities, coming together through nonprofits, to affect change and improve their worlds.

 

Resources about diversity on boards (National Council of Nonprofits)

Resources on board development (National Council of Nonprofits)

Resources about cultural competency (Bridgestar and BoardSource)

Resources

Boards and governance issues  (National Council of Nonprofits)
 
Next Generation and Governance (BoardSource)
 
Plan A – How Successful Nonprofits Develop Their Future Leaders (Bridgestar)
 
Youth Advisory Committees (Michigan Community Foundation Youth Project)
 
Creating a Teen Board/Ambassador Program (United Way of Central New Mexico)
 
Case study on board diversity (Maine Association of Nonprofits)

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

Workshops for Small Businesses and Nonprofits

Executive Service Corps of Otsego-Delaware, Inc. is presenting three basic, but essential, workshops for small businesses and nonprofits.

Cheri Albright will present Grant Writing 101. Ms. Albrecht of MCA Consulting will be going over the basics of grant writing and answering some of those nagging questions that can be a real headache when writing a grant.

Judith Russel will present Board Development A retired NFP Administrator, Judith will present the roles and responsibilities of board members in , "So you want to be a Board member?"

Rod Decker of People First will present the Marketing workshop. Rod will deliver strategies from the sales, customer service, and the communication perspective of marketing.

Workshop Schedule:

November 2: Board Development 2pm-5pm Richfield Springs
November 3: Marketing 6pm-9pm E-Center Delhi
November 4: Grant Writing Essentials 9am-12pm The Plains Rt. 7

November 30: Marketing 6pm-9pm FoxCare Ed. Room
December 1: Grant Writing Essentials 9am-12pm Richfield Springs
December 2: Board Development 2pm-5pm E-Center Delhi

Each Workshop is $30.00.
For more info or to register, call (607)433-1700 or e-mail info@escny.org

Oct 20th Program Features Panel of Board Presidents and EDs!

The October 20th Program will feature the following 5 organizations:

• Opportunities for Otsego: Dan Maskin, ED and Dr. Alan Donovan, Board President
• Chenango Health Network: Tina Utley Edwards, ED and Debra Marcus, Board President
• Roxbury Arts Group: Susan Kenny, ED and Michael Mathis, Board President
• Cooperstown Art Association: Janet Erway, ED and Cheryl Wright, Board President
• MARK Project: Peg Ellsworth, ED and Brian Mulder, Board President

The program will focus on the relationship between the Executive Director and their board of directors, including the role of the ED and how he or she supports and works with the Board President. The panel will first discuss some general questions, and then break out into smaller groups by organizational budget to discuss questions from participants. The Leatherstocking AEA encourages area Executive Directors to attend with a board officer or member.

REGISTER HERE

Special Panel October 20th: ED and the Board Working Together

ED and the Board Working Together
Special Panel and Break Out Discussion

The panel will feature up to 5 nonprofits, represented by their Executive Director and Board President. The following are confirmed participants:

•Chenango Health Network: Tina Utley Edwards, ED and Debra Marcus, Board President
•Roxbury Arts Group: Susan Kenny, ED and Michael Mathis, Board President
•Cooperstown Art Association: Janet Erway, ED and Cheryl Wright, Board President
•MARK Project: Peg Ellsworth, ED and Brian Mulder, Board President

The program will focus on the relationship between the Executive Director and their board of directors, including the role of the ED and how he or she supports and works with the board. The panel will first discuss some general questions, and then break out into smaller groups by organizational budget to discuss questions from participants. The Leatherstocking AEA encourages area Executive Directors to attend with a board officer or member.

Have you ever asked any of these questions of your nonprofit ED or board?
o What is EDs responsibility for board development?
o What is/how do you define the relationship between the board and ED?
o How do you keep reinforcing mission and focus of board?
o How do you (and who) set board expectations, get commitment, and monitor/facilitate them?
o How do you communicate and convey obligations and other related info to the board and make them understand?
o How do you clarify and emphasize the importance of conflict of interests and priority issues for the board?
o How much involvement should board members have in daily activities?

Date: Wed, October 20th
Time:
10:00am to 12:00pm- Program
Cost: Free
Location: A.O. Fox Hospital's Levine Conference Center
1 Norton Avenue, Oneonta, New York

REGISTER HERE

Program: Core Policies for Your Volunteers, Board and Staff

The April 14th morning program titled” Core Policies for Your Volunteers, Board and Staff” was held at A.O. Fox's Levine Conference Center located at 1 Norton Ave, Oneonta, NY.

Three panelists made presentations based on their area of expertise and took questions from the audience that traveled from three counties.

Panelists were:
Susan Kenny, Executive Director, Roxbury Arts Group, sharing feedback and policies for boards of directors.

Nancy Karaman, Volunteer Administrator, New York State Historical Association and The Farmers' Museum, sharing information and policies on volunteer management.

Melissa Marietta, Internship Coordinator, Hartwick College, sharing information and policies on internship management.

Some of the issues discussed were: board members are volunteers, succession planning for board members and executive directors and staff, what is a volunteer, how to fire a volunteer, creating a volunteer manual, legal matters surrounding interns, why have a intern, and interns are not staff.

Handouts included examples of board policies, intern and volunteer manuals and related materials.

Though Panelists took many questions during the presentation the discussion could have lasted all day.

For Your Consideration: Boards Should Only Have Three Committees

Blue Avocado's Board Cafe offered an article by David La Piana that discusses the challenges boards face with committees and their operation. David states that nonprofits should consider a simple three-committee structure consisting of Internal Affairs, External Affairs, and Governance. He ties the structure together with an Executive Committee that has Chairs from each of the three committees. Read more about his idea here.

8th Grader Elected to Catholic Charities Board

Charlotte McKane, a 13 year old student at Oneonta Middle School, has been elected to the board of directors of Catholic Charities of Delaware & Otsego counties. Serving the community is nothing new to Charlotte. In 2006 she was received national recognition as a Build-A-BearWorkshop Huggable Hero for her work raising money and obtaining donations for local programs. She is the founder of Charlotte's Circle, a foundation that supports the local nonprofit community, and the recent recipient of the Catholic Charities Volunteer of the Year award. Kathy Greenblatt, executive director of the local Catholic Charities said, “Charlotte is aware of the families and individuals living in poverty in our area. She also brings research and fundraising skills to our area.” You can read the rest of the story here.

Charlotte clearly has experience that will serve her well as she sits on the board of directors. Electing younger people to boards is an excellent way to cultivate interest at an early age and encourage life-long involvement with the nonprofit community. Bringing fresh perspectives to the board can be an essential part of developing your board; check out some suggestions for involving youth in your organization and the legal considerations in NY.