Program Idea for 2009

I was just speaking with Cornelia Brown from MAMI Interpreters about a program idea for the ED Group this year, and we wanted to see what people thought. Nonprofits are always looking for human resources advice, and access to qualified personnel is often a challenge because of funding or resources. In response to this need, the Group could host a human resources panel that would address the most common hr challenges gathered from Oneida and Herkimer nonprofit directors. General advice and any shared resources would be the outcomes for participants. Let us know what you think, or share other ideas.

Delivering on the Promise of Nonprofits

The Bridgespan Group offers a free Harvard Business Review download: Delivering on the Promise of Nonprofits. The article relates how addressing questions about strategy, capital and talent have led to success for some nonprofits.

Outcry Over a Plan to Sell Museum’s Holdings

The NY Times featured an article about Brandeis University’s surprise decision to sell off the entire holdings of its Rose Art Museum, one of the most important collections of postwar art in New England. Is this really a good solution for operating deficits? Should nonprofits be allowed to liquidate assets that our core to their mission in order to stay in business?

Genesis Tour: Embracing Green Technology

Genesis General Meeting & Tour
Thursday February 26th - 7:30am
The Hage Building, 283 Genesee St., Utica

Topic - "Embracing Green Technology"
Join us we tour the Mohawk Valley's premiere & 100% Green Building and discover the results of an environmentally friendly construction project. We'll learn about new energy efficient lighting as well as vegetation roofing, and a whole lot more! Call 315-792-7187 for more information.

Also - Genesis is compiling a list of Green Businesses and Green Building projects in the region.
Please forward any details or information that you may have to: info@thegenesisgroup.org

Central New York agencies fear effects of more state budget cuts

The Syracuse Post Standard featured the following article about how state budget cuts have impacted a number of nonprofits including: forcing Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse to shutter a highly successful program aimed at helping adults learn how to read; Onondaga Community College seeing its state budget slashed three times in the past year; and concerns by the United Way of Central New York worry that many of the 103 programs they support will go under because they can't survive the budget blows expected this year. Read more here.

State loses 49,000 jobs in December, unemployment up to 7 percent

The unemployment rate continued to rise as jobs declined across the state in December 2008, according to statistics released today by the New York State Department of Labor. For more information on the data by region, click here.

2009 Planning

2009 has begun, and we are getting ready to set the program dates and topic areas for the Oneida and Herkimer Nonprofit Executive Directors Group. The last 2008 ED meeting wrapped up with a discussion of possible 2009 program ideas. Ideas discussed were:

• 990 revision
• Personnel policy manual and employee issues
• Strategic planning templates/strategic vision
• Board recruitment and development
• Team building

If you would like to share other ideas, you can post them here or send them by e-mail. A planning survey is being implemented for 2009. Please share your input here to set program dates for 2009 (CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY).

Nonprofit Policy News

The following nonprofit policy news concerning newly introduced New York State bills is provided by the National Council of Nonprofits:

NY Weakening Property Tax Exemption
AB 742 would provide New York City the ability to levy a property tax on certain nonprofit organizations including arts organizations, animal benefit organizations, science focused organizations, interdenominational organizations and others.

NY Seven Year Limit on Certain Property Tax Exemptions
AB 981 would amend property tax exemption laws for mandatory class nonprofit organizations on property that does not generate revenue and is not in use. Currently, such property is exempt as long as the nonprofit is constructing a building or considering in good faith constructing a building. This bill would set a seven year limit on the exemption from the date of the acquisition of the property.

American Association of Museums Advocacy Efforts

The American Association of Museums (AAM) is planning a Museums Advocacy Day. They are inviting museum professionals and advocates from around the country to Washington , DC on February 23-24. AAM is also calling for a response to the $825 billion economic recovery package Congress is proposing to create or save jobs and strengthen the nation's infrastructure. The bill proposed in the House Appropriations Committee - http://appropriations.house.gov/ -has a provision to prohibit any funds in the bill from going to zoos or aquariums. The bill states: "None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool."


AAM believes that this is a misunderstanding of the vital role that zoos and aquariums - and other museums and historic sites - play in our society, and the role they will play in the economic recovery of states and localities. They are calling for supporters to contact their legislators. Info is available here.

Potsdam businesses use social networks for marketing

In today's economic environment, businesses and nonprofits are taking advantage of social networks to market and connect. Read more about this growing trend here. Social networks are a free and easy tool for nonprofit to develop. Take a look at Facebook, MySpace, or the business focused LinkedIn.

Independent Sector Offers Nonprofit Agenda for Obama Administration

The New York Nonprofit Press offered the following article on Independent Sector's suggested agenda for the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress. The article outlines the six policy proposals that will help strengthen the ability of Americans to improve our communities and the world through nonprofit organizations.

Upstate needs attention, governor

Soon, Hillary Rodham Clinton will vacate her Senate position to become U.S. Secretary of State in the Obama administration. Gov. David Paterson will then appoint a Senate replacement. Upstate communities are rightly adamant the new senator pay attention to their concerns, which often are overshadowed by the political power of New York City and other downstate regions.

The Poughkeepsie Journal editorial board reached out to editorialists across upstate, including The Observer-Dispatch and Watertown Daily Times, to get their thoughts on these issues - and to find out what the new senator needs to know about upstate. Read the full editorials here.