NYCON webinars this week, more to come!

[Tomorrow!] NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight: Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits Every fiscal staff members 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! 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.

[Thursday!] Free Tour of  Grantstation.comFebruary 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.

New Year, Great Time to Explore New Employee Benefits that You Can Afford!   We know that the Employe Benefits "Market" can be complicated.  Our job is to help make that world more simple, and affordable for nonprofits. To help you understand each type of benefit, it's coverage features and it's costs we are rolling out a series of short 30-minute webinar spotlights on our administered programs: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and our Vision Program - which is new for 2013! To see the online article click here.

National Webinar Free for Your Members

Sample Promotional Language

Like yours, many nonprofit organizations often find themselves wondering...

• Do we need to have an independent audit? (And what does that entail anyway?)
• Are there special rules for us because we receive government grants?
• How can we prepare so that the process goes smoothly?
• What’s the board’s role?

To answer these questions and more, NYCON is excited to bring you Nonprofit Audits in a Nutshell, a free webinar on March 28th at [3:30pm Eastern] , hosted by our national network, the National Council of Nonprofits. This webinar features practical tips from nonprofits about their audit practices, as well as experts from BoardSource andRaffa and is designed to give you background on everything you need to know about the independent audit process (from legal requirements to practical advice).

Thanks to the support of First Nonprofit Foundation, this exclusive webinar is available, free of charge, to all members of NYCON. Don't miss this opportunity - Register Today!

Did You Know: Dental PPO Balanced Billing?

Dental Benefits: What is Balanced Billing? 

 

 

This year, once a month, Council Services Plus will be bringing you tid-bits of helpful and interesting facts and information about insurance. 

  

Last month we discussed Dental Benefit Maximums; so keeping with that theme, this month we

we'll focus on another term that often is associated with dental benefits: PPO Balanced Billing.

Many times employees choose a dentist that may not participate in the "network" of dentists approved by the plan offered by the employer. Many dental plans offer out-of-network benefits and still pay claims submitted by dentists that do not participate with that plan. If your plan has out-of-network coverage (usually associated with Point of Service (POS) or Preferred Provider organization (PPO) plans) you need to be aware of the fees charged by that dentist, and what your plan deems as reasonable and customary (R&C) charges that they will pay for.

When you use a participating (or preferred) provider, that dentist has agreed to accept the company's R&C fees as the basis for their billing. For example, if a filling R&C fee is $100, then the participating dentist must charge that for a filling. If your coinsurance is 80%, then you pay $20 (20% of $100) and the company pays $80.

 

Let's now assume you go to a non-participating provider and they charge $150 for the same filling. The insurance plan will still base the amount they pay at 80% of R&C ($100) and you must pay the "balance" of the bill due to the non-participating dentist. Under this situation, your cost is $70 ($150-$80). You can see why you may "prefer" to see a "preferred" provider in a PPO plan to help keep your costs down. 

Register Now for Spring NYCON Webinars, Spots Filling Up!

Register for NYCON's Spring Webinars! Get to Know NYCON & Your Membership Benefits... February 22nd, 2013  10:00am - 10:45am Register Online Today In this session NYCON staff will tell you all you need to know about your membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE. No matter if you are a new member, a renewing member who would like more information or a non-member interested in joining, this session will be enlightening and helpful. We will be covering the following 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 fromOffice 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

NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight: Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits! Every fiscal staff members 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.

Free Tour of the GrantStation.com Website  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 interactiveGrants2020 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.

Broker News

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Tax Update

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Tax, also known as the Comparative Effectiveness Research Fee, is a fee paid to the government to fund Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) research. One of the main goals of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is to foster a healthier population through improvements to the health care system.
Read more >>

W-2 Reporting Requirement for Employers Update

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) contains a requirement for employers to report the cost of health coverage under an employer sponsored group health plan on an employees' W-2 form. The cost includes both the cost paid by the employer and contributions from the employee.
Read more >>

Did You Know...You Can Get Dedicated Client Consulting Through the New Blue Honors Program?

If your agency qualifies for the Blue Honors program, you will be eligible to utilize Excellus BlueCross BlueShield's Information Connection. Information Connection is an online tool that allows brokers to pull specific information, whether it be by book of business or individual groups.
Read more >>

Creditable Drug Coverage and Medicare Part D – What It Means to Employer Groups

Creditable coverage is non-Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as (i.e., pays, on average, as much as or more than) standard Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. When a person becomes eligible for Medicare Part D, they must maintain creditable drug coverage, and not have a break in coverage for 63 or more days.
Read more >>

Excellus BCBS Awards Hospitals $26 Million for Quality Improvements

Fifty-four upstate New York hospitals and health centers last year earned $26 million in quality improvement incentive payments from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as part of their Hospital Performance Incentive Program (HPIP). In the past nine years, quality performance incentives from Excellus BCBS have exceeded $145 million.
Read more >>

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Build Healthier Communities – Learn More About Our Service to the Community

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Build Healthier Communities - 2012 Annual Report of Caring tells how we collaborate with other nonprofits, providers and government and civic agencies to make a difference where we work and live.
Read more >>

N.Y. cities seek revenue sources other than property taxes

ALBANY — If Syracuse raises property taxes 1 percent, the city would get about $300,000 in revenue. Its pension bill is rising by $15 million next year.

If the city of Rochester raised property taxes to its constitutional limit, it would bring in $32 million in additional revenue. That would only be enough to cover the city’s budget deficit for next year.

While much of the focus of upstate cities’ financial problems have been on rising costs for pensions and health care, they are dealing with just as many problems on the revenue side of their ledgers.

“There has been a fundamental change in these places,” Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards said. “That fundamental change means that we just can no longer generate enough revenue to pay our expenses.”

Property taxes and state aid are cities’ main revenue sources. But a dwindling manufacturing sector, a glut of vacant properties and growing poverty have made property taxes a less reliable foundation for their budgets.

“Either with abandoned properties or tax-exempt properties, you can get just so much out of the folks who are still able to pay taxes,” Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said.

Yonkers, which has property values four times higher than the average of other upstate New York cities, has also struggled with revenue. Property values declined 24 percent from 2008 to 2011 in Yonkers, a report Tuesday from DiNapoli found.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said last month that the city’s sales-tax revenue has increased in recent years, and there is some positive economic development. But it hasn’t made up for growing costs. He wants a state task force to look at cities’ problems.

“We still need to address the core issues that are facing cities,” he said after a budget hearing in Albany. “They will not be able to tax their way, cut their way nor borrow their way out of their issues. There needs to be a new matrix put in place.”

Last month, Moody’s Investors Services downgraded Binghamton’s credit rating and said it could take further steps against the city, citing its fiscal woes and diminishing tax base.

Oriskany Grantsmanship training program

Grantsmanship Training Program^®

Member agencies can receive $50 off tuition for this training

Anyone who is interested can enter the promo code NYCON when they register online (or mention it, if signing up by phone) in order to receive $50 off this grant proposal writing workshop.

in Oriskany (Utica area),

New York   

March 11-15, 2013   

hosted by

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Oneida County   

To learn more about this training, click here. 

   

Tuition for this comprehensive five-day training is $895. 

To reserve a place in this training program, click here. Or call the Grantsmanship Center's registrar at (800) 421-9512. 

Foundation seeks student to complete summer fellowship

Foundation seeks student to complete summer fellowship
The Community Foundation is currently accepting applications from currently enrolled undergraduate/graduate students for its 2013 summer fellowship for grant evaluation.

The fellowship was created for individuals with strong oral and written communication and analytical skills who are ready and able to undertake an intensive, full-time project in grant review; are highly motivated and resourceful self starters; have demonstrated a commitment to community involvement through previous service experience; have demonstrated leadership and time management skills; and possess the desire to learn more about the work of philanthropic foundations and the non-profit sector. Students with an interest in philanthropy and the non-profit sector are encouraged to apply. A personal vehicle and valid driver’s license are required. Mileage is reimbursable.

The fellow will receive a stipend of $4,200 for a full-time, ten-week placement at The Community Foundation in Utica, New York, beginning June 2013.

The student will work as a summer fellow in conjunction with program staff of The Community Foundation to conduct evaluations of selected grants awarded by The Foundation over the recent past. The grant evaluation process provides The Foundation with important perspectives valuable to its work as a resource for the non-profit community and in broad public policy issues.

Application Deadline / Interviews
Forward completed applications accompanied by a one-page resume and one faculty letter of recommendation to jsquadrito@foundationhoc.org by April 15, 2013. Applicants should include a one-page writing sample (see application for details) demonstrating analytical, technical, or research-oriented writing skills.
A complete application and information: CFHOC Fellowship Application 2013

Tax-exempt properties hurting hurting local schools

Tax-exempt properties hurting local schools

By KESHIA CLUKEY

The Clinton Central School District, like many around the state, relies on tax dollars.

Of its $23.1 million budget, about $13.7 million, nearly 60 percent, is raised through school taxes.

But when the majority of the larger-value properties are tax exempt, it can cause a problem that’s out of the district’s control.

“We’re all part of the same community, but it does add a wrinkle to the equation,” district Superintendent Matthew Reilly said.

The majority of the district’s taxes come from the town of Kirkland, which had 3,509 parcels on its 2012 tax rolls, 4 percent of which, or 155, are wholly tax exempt, according to county records.

That means only about $322 million of the town’s $457.6 million total assessed value is taxable.

It can create problems for school districts because it’s a smaller tax base, said David Albert, director of communications and research for the New York State School Boards Association.

Having a smaller tax base does not bode well for districts, especially when costs are rising and the amount that can be raised by taxes is restricted by the 2 percent state-mandated property tax cap.

“It places more of a burden on existing taxpayers who have to kind of make up for those existing properties,” Albert said.

School districts are the largest users of property tax, according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance.

Tax exemptions include nonprofits, hospitals, universities, school and government property, as well as some senior citizens who are STAR exempt from school taxes, said department spokesman Geoff Gloak.

In the Clinton district, exempt properties include Hamilton College and Lutheran Care.

“These are significant properties,” Reilly said. “It certainly would change our profile if some of these properties, like those in so many small towns, were taxable properties.”

Hamilton College, however, does provide a donation to the district each year.

“We’re very appreciative of the help that we get,” Reilly said.

In Utica, the school district expects to collect $29.5 million in tax revenue for the 2012-13 school year — making up about 21 percent of its budget, said Maureen Albanese, district business official.

The assessed value of properties in Utica is $1.7 billion, however, only about $1.1 billion is taxable, according to the Assessor’s Office. The total value of the city’s tax-exempt properties is $534 million.

“If those properties were not tax exempt they would be paying us probably millions of dollars,” Albanese said.

If exempt properties, or those of higher value, were added to the tax rolls, it would spread out the taxes over a greater base, so it could result in lowering taxes for others, Albert said.

“It really is a problem for many districts and one that’s not easily solved,” Albert said.

Mayor Palmieri to lead citizens' budget forums

MAYOR PALMIERI TO LEAD CITIZENS’ BUDGET FORUMS

This Tuesday morning, (2-19-13) Mayor Robert M. Palmieri will present his 2013-2014 Budget to the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. 

Tuesday night, the Mayor will bring his budget proposal to the people in the first of three Citizens’ Budget Forums. 

The initial “Citizens’ Budget Forum” will be held Tuesday, February 19th at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium of the Jewish Community Center. The JCC is located at 2310 Oneida Street in South Utica.

Mayor Palmieri will conduct two additional public meetings as follows: 

February 21, 6:30 PM, Utica School of Commerce, Room 122, 201 Bleecker Street, Downtown Utica. 

February 25, 6:30 PM, in conjunction with the North Utica Neighborhood Association, North Utica Senior Center, 50 Riverside Drive, Utica. 


Gene A. Allen

Community Affairs Specialist

Cell 315-534-4328

Utica budget: ‘There will be pain’

City departments give estimates to council

By STEVE HUGHES

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Here we go again- Mayor submits unbalanced budget, council debates, city departments whine, and our taxes go up. Been like this for years, why would this year be any different.

COUNCIL MEMBERS term is up this year- don't like the double talk? Replace your council representative. Big need for some new blood in there!

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I am not going to continue to pay ever increasing Property Taxes and Fees, just to pay high wages and benefits ,to Public Employees, which I can not even provide to myself or family. There comes a time when it is the obligation of a taxpayer of a citizen not to pay obsessively high taxes. I am not interested in feeling more pain while I am still feeling the effects of an Upstate NY economy which has not improved and is killing the private sector. Government does not exist to subsidize itself through taxes, fees, or regulations to the detriment of the people paying to support it.

Higher taxes just mean that the people with any sense leave to places of lower taxes and fees, while those who remain are less ale to continue to pay the confiscatory taxes. All higher taxes will mean is more lines in the the OD Legal Notices Section publishing the names of property owners giving up on paying taxes, more abandoned worthless properties, and a populous less likely to pay the ever increasing taxes in the future.

Read - ' Detroit : An American Autopsy ' by Charlie Leduff. Every reference to Detroit can be seamlessly swithed to Utica. Every picture of Detroit's decline can be imagined to be Utica.

Political rhetoric and high taxes will not save Utica - actual property paying businesses and private homes will, but driving both out just cover the grave faster.

RPotocki

1 hour ago

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MacWM makes a telling comment. One could go back and read past local government budget stories and learn that the words by public officials are pretty much the same, year after year. Sadly, so are the results which include never ending tax increases. There is not even any creative discussion over how to change this cycle of increased taxes and the resulting economic decline.

JoeOhDee

Were looking at a very difficult year, he said. Im going to keep taxes as low as possible and keep services at the level people require' said Mayor Palmieri

Councilman Frank Meola, D-at-large said, We have to see whats cut, whats increased. Hopefully, we can keep services at the level people are used to.

Both said they want to keep services at the level people are used to. WHY? Make cuts to lower or keep taxes at the same level and forget about services, Property taxpayers are the shareholders of this corporation called Utica and they demand lower taxes! Period,
Besides, keep services at the level people are used to, is just doubletalk for ,'I'll have to raise your taxes to keep up the pace you're use to.' Just look what Roefaro did to the PD to squelch crime in the city.

RESOLUTION ADOPTING A CITY POLICY REGARDING THE HIRING OF PART-TIME POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREMAN TO HELP REDUCE THE OVERALL COST OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Sponsored by: Councilman Zecca Feb. 20, 2013

WHEREAS, the City of Utica will continue to face significant financial pressures in the 2013/2014 budget cycle caused by the general economic downturn, increased costs and decreased County, State and Federal revenues; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, by way of Public Referendum, the Common Council was given significant authority to oversee the city’s budget and to implement cost control measures as needed; and

WHEREAS, cost control measures must be implimented to prevent a catastrophic financial failure of our city; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that the Common Council adopt the following fiscally responsible public safety plan:

No later then April 1, 2013 the Common Council, Mayor, Board of E&A, Police Chief and Fire Chief and their respected Unions shall initiate a pilot program to hire part-time police officers and firemen to help reduce overtime, decrease the overall cost of public safety services.

-end-

RESOLUTION ADOPTING A CITY POLICY REGARDING THE HIRING OF PART-TIME POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREMAN TO HELP REDUCE THE OVERALL COST OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Sponsored by: Councilman Zecca Feb. 20, 2013

WHEREAS, the City of Utica will continue to face significant financial pressures in the 2013/2014 budget cycle caused by the general economic downturn, increased costs and decreased County, State and Federal revenues; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, by way of Public Referendum, the Common Council was given significant authority to oversee the city’s budget and to implement cost control measures as needed; and

WHEREAS, cost control measures must be implimented to prevent a catastrophic financial failure of our city; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that the Common Council adopt the following fiscally responsible public safety plan:

No later then April 1, 2013 the Common Council, Mayor, Board of E&A, Police Chief and Fire Chief and their respected Unions shall initiate a pilot program to hire part-time police officers and firemen to help reduce overtime, decrease the overall cost of public safety services.

-end-

UTILIZING PART-TIME POLICE OFFICERS IN THE CITY OF UTICA

While some feel there are positives and negatives in employing part-time officers, there are many areas that cannot be disputed. If utilized properly, they can effectively supplement the full-time police force in recognition of the safety of the officers and providing cost saving measures, especially when there are apparent fiscal constraints being experienced by the City. They can also assist the department with special events ( ie: Saranac Thursday Nights & The Boilermaker Road Race) that take up much of the departments manpower and time. Part-time police officers can fill that void. In addition, if part-time police officers are utilized properly, they can help decrease the cost of police services that may be necessary to maintain the level of police service now being provided by the City.

Note: Part-time police officers would not receive health and other benefits now received by full time police officers.

Some of the effective uses of part-time police officers are outlined below:

• Unscheduled overtime: Can be first awarded to part-time officers – if the part-time officer list is exhausted, the shift shall be filled by full-time officers in a manner described in the current Union Contract.

• Sick leave or injury shifts can first be awarded to part-time police officers – if the part-time officer list is exhausted, the shift can be filled by full-time officers in a manner described in the current Union Contract.

• Part-time police officers can fill open shifts caused by vacations.

• Part-time police officers can be utilized for special events ie: Saranac Thursday Nights & The Boilermaker Road Race

If the part-time officers are employed and trained properly, to provide the level of police service that is expected in the City, they can be an additional asset.

http://longbeachfd.com/

The City of Long Beach Fire Department is comprised of 165 Volunteer Firefighters and a 25 Member Career Uniformed Force. Combined, they make one of the finest fire fighting units on all of Long Island.

The Department operate five Engines, two Ladders, three Ambulances, a Rescue Truck, a Floodlight Truck, a Field Communications Unit and two inflatable boats from three Fire Houses.

Our department protects approximately 43,000 people residing in the City of Long Beach and the Atlantic Beach and East Atlantic Beach Fire Districts. Each year the department responds to almost 5,000 fires, EMS calls and other emergencies.

Long Beach provides Fire and EMS protection by contract to the Atlantic Beach and East Atlantic Beach Fire Districts.

Fire and Emergency Operations are under the command of the Chief and two Assistant Chiefs of the Volunteer Fire Department.

Long Beach, New York

Show A Little Love to Your Corporate Documents

This Valentine's Day it's Time to Give Your Corporate Documents the Love and Affection they Deserve! It's the beginning of a new year and a very good time to show a little love...to your nonprofit's Corporate Documents!  Bylaws, Personnel Policies and other Corporate Documents need regular attention to ensure they are appropriate, consistent with the Nonprofit Incorporate Law in New York State and provide sufficient protection for your organization and employees. With packages for NYCON Members we can help ensure your peace of mind at a price your nonprofit can afford.

Bylaws & Personnel Policy Review [Get Started]  Whether you are a newly created organization or a long standing one, risk management is the keystone for good governance of your organization.  Two important tools for protection of your organization from mission killing liability and litigation is the creation and annual review of corporate bylaws and personnel policies.  Our attorneys and legal staff will dissect your corporate documents and review same for legal pitfalls, returning same to you with revision comments and "best practice" advice within 30 days. A Bylaw Review is $500. A Personnel Policy Review is $700. Package price for both is only $1,000.  Want to Learn More? Click here and let us know and we´ll have one of our legal staff get back to you to start the process!

Corporate Document Review [Get Started]  Another important element of risk management is the maintenance of the proper form of corporate existence.  Our attorneys and legal staff will analyze your Certificate of Incorporation, and any Amendments for consistency between them and your internal corporate documents and Bylaws, returning the same to you with revision comments and "best practice" advice within 15 days.A Corporate Document Review is $300.  Want to Learn More? Click here and let us know and we´ll have one of our legal staff get back to you to start the process! To see the article online Click Here

Affiliation Solutions Provided by NYCON

Affiliation Solutions Provided by NYCON

We Educate Guide and Support
NYCON knows nonprofits and we know the anxieties, risks and
opportunities that come with the consideration of affiliating
with another organization.  NYCON educates by providing training sessions on affiliation in communities across the state for
nonprofits and funders, and providing our members with informational resources and tools through our website or upon request.  NYCON professionals are available to advice and consult
our members throughout the process, from the very earliest
stage of thought and inquiry, to actively engaging a partner.
We have successfully completed over 100 affiliations in the past
10 years, our staff have experienced the nuances of affiliation as
well as the social, political, and regulatory hurdles occasionally
placed before it and have provided time-and-time again a comprehensive, tailored solution to achieve success.
Our Service Package
NYCON offers a unique, comprehensive and coordinated package of professional services delivered in a proven multi-phased
approach to affiliation that is designed to support decisionmaking, due diligence, and successful implementation and affiliation success in the future.
Expert Services Provided Include
•  Assistance in exploring partners & options
•  Facilitation, documentation and logistical management of
the negotiating process
•  Financial analysis & budgeting
•  Direct accounting, board and program  assistance if there
are “fix-it” items important to the process and it’s success

Please contact Doug Sauer, CEO
Ph: (800) 515--5012 ext. 103  --5012 ext. 103  
Email: dsauer@nycon.org
•  Program assessment & planning
•  Human resource planning & patterning, including comparative personnel policies & compensation/benefits
analysis
•  Cost savings analysis for the short and long-term
•  Strategic advice regarding messaging, communications
and funder engagement also for the short and long-term
•  Legal support services:
⇒ Corporate document review & amendments, as necessary for success (Certificates of Incorporation, Charters, Bylaws, etc.)
⇒ Analysis & advice as to legal options
⇒ Preparation of board and/or membership resolutions
⇒ Analysis of contracts, state and national affiliation
arrangements, and regulatory or licensing requirements that may impact on affiliating
⇒ Facilitation with regulatory agencies and their Counsel’s office
⇒ Legal representation (via the Endorsed Corporate law
firm of Watson & West, PLLC) including issuance of
legal opinions, preparation of dissolution & merger
documents, purchases and sales, etc.
Sometimes it is necessary or determined to be best that an
organization dissolve or simply go out of business.  Sometimes a formal merger is what is best.  Our staff are conversant in all of the forms of affiliation and look forward to providing you with assistance.

Click Here to see the flyer.

Ideal Ware:Best February 2013

Best of the Web: February 2013

The Idealware “Best of the Web” is a monthly roundup of the top nonprofit resources from the Idealware blog, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed to help you make the right technology decisions.

Infographic: Social Media’s Impact on Giving in 2012 (Nonprofit Quarterly) 

A look at how social media has affected online giving.

How-to: Quickly Optimize Your Website for Mobile Devices (NTEN)

How do you get the most bang for your buck when investing in the mobile web?

On Demand Tactical Technology Planning (Idealware)

All your tactical technology planning needs in one on-demand package to solve your organization's current problems and avoid future issues.

Secrets to Finding Out What You Need - Good Questions to Ask During a Technology Assessment (The Data Bank)

When you start by asking the right questions, your organization will be in the best place to plan for the future.

Getting Started With Data-Driven Decision Making: A Workbook (Idealware/NTEN)

Could you use more help thinking through how to use data to help your organization make decisions? This workbook Idealware prepared for NTEN is the perfect place to start.

I Could Be Your Next Monthly Donor. So Call Me, Maybe? (NTEN)

Tips on how to recruit, retain, and upgrade monthly donors.

5 Smartphone Apps for Nonprofits (About.com)

Use these apps to keep up with the rapid growth of mobile.

The eMail Guide Email Marketing Glossary (The eMail Guide)

The 325 email marketing terms everyone needs to know.

Power through schedules with 21 Google Calendar tricks (PC World)

Save time and increase your organization's productivity by becoming a Google Calendar whiz.

A Guide to Synagogue Management: Research and Recommendations (Idealware)
We looked at a variety of donor and constituent management systems to create an overview for a complex and niche market

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.