The NonProfit Times - August 1, 2008 - (Page 33)

OPINION Continued from page 14 AT DEADLINE voice is louder when it’s joined by the collective association community. Policymakers need to understand the role that associations and other tax-exempt organizations play nationally and closer to home in their own states and districts.They should also know how our organizations operate, and how bad policy hampers us from carrying out our vital missions. We also need to know the rules, and make sure we play by the book. President Harry Truman once said, “Men make history, and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” Let’s be honest leaders for the association and nonprofit communities, and let’s make sure the unique expertise available through our organizations and our members is held in high regard when it comes to the drafting of new laws and policies in this country. NPT John H. Graham IV, CAE, is the president and CEO of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), whose 23,000 members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies, and voluntary organizations across the United States and in 50 countries around the globe. ASAE also represents industry partners and consultants to the association community. Continued from page 16 bers, but are duplicative with other filings. For example, the IRS asks a number of questions on the new form about governance, which many would say is an area outside the agency’s statutory authority to enforce the nation’s tax laws. A separate schedule for political and lobbying activities is also duplicative with organizations’ filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). More duplicative reporting by nonprofits will be required if Congress adopts a major legislative proposal to expand the oversight of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to include section 501(c)(3) charities and foundations -- groups that do not engage in “trade” as defined by common usage and that, in fact, already answer to the IRS as to whether their activities are related to their exempt purpose. Projecting how the commission would craft rules and regulations for the diverse organizations that fall under the 501(c)(3) classification – a sector it is admittedly unfamiliar with – is worrisome, to say the least. ASAE’s role is to keep watch over the legislative and regulatory landscape, and identify the potential consequences of various proposals for our community. It is sometimes unavoidable that legislative or regulatory policy carries consequences for our members – some of it unintended – but it is ASAE’s responsibility to speak out when the situation warrants. Our our arms around it and even discover the issues based upon this being an independent contractor’s records and our having to try to interpret and understand the issues and to put a plan in place to address it,” Nunn said.That included putting a call center in place (800-886-6304) and contacting customers. The independent contractor was terminated “as soon as we learned of these issues,” Nunn said.The contract was created and begun in 2003 as a program of the Points of Light Foundation, which merged with the Hands on Network last year.The independent contractor, Maria Herrmann, was a former employee in business development at the Points of Light Foundation, but Nunn did not know the duration of her employ prior to that. Herrmann is no longer listed on the organization’s Web site and calls to her cell phone and home phone were not returned. A woman answering the door at Herrmann’s northwest Washington, D.C. residence told a freelance reporter working for The NonProfit Times, she could not help her and declined to say if she was in fact Maria Herrmann. Despite thousands of tickets being sold, Nunn described the eStore as a “very small enterprise,” grossing about $100,000 and netting $15,000 in the fiscal year ending 2007. She explained that the numbers “are the totals that were reported on our books and in our audited statements of Points of Light Foundation (pre-merger). The recent discoveries obviously do not align to these numbers and that is what is under investigation.” Nunn stressed that the eStore was operated on the MissionFish platform but it was not part of the MissionFish business unit of PoL. GETTING PEOPLE HELP Mitch-Stuart Inc., from where The eStore purchased travel certificates, is stepping up as a white knight to try to help those stranded, said CEO Stuart Paskow. “They have been a customer since 2004. They ordered them (travel certificates), we fulfilled,” he said. Paskow stressed that people who have already received vouchers have safe passage. Michelle Cohen, president of Mitch-Stuart, said that “in cooperation with American Airlines,we are fulfilling orders through the July 15 cut-off date as determined by the Points of Light Institute.” Mitch-Stuart provided copies of letters of appreciation they have received from the travelers.“We are working as fast as we can to help Points of Light work through their problem and get these people taken care of,” said Cohen. The trips sold ranged in price from $399 to $1,099. There were a few trips, such as first-class passage to Hawaii, which went for more money. NPT 40 CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION TH ANNUAL The Premier Conference for Religious Fundraisers September 28 – October 1, 2008 Pre-conference workshops on September 27 Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL Extra in hon Savings or of o ur 40 Annive th rsar y! This is the Conference for You: Religious Communities, Dioceses, Seminaries, Catholic Charities, Social Service Agencies, Mission Groups, Shrines, Health Care Organizations, Retreat Centers, Schools For more information and to register, visit: www.ncdc.org/npt NATIONAL CATHOLIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 888.TRY.NCDC Become an NCDC member today and save on your conference registration! AUGUST 1, 2008 THE NONPROFIT TIMES www.nptimes.com 33 http://www.ncdc.org/npt http://www.ncdc.org/npt http://www.specializedfundraising.net http://www.nptimes.com

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The NonProfit Times - August 1, 2008 Demonstration Permits Frustrate Groups Green Universities Helping To Produce Greener Pastures Mr. Bill Doesn’t Say ‘NOOOO’ To Awareness Campaign Contents Who...When...Where...How...What? On Dangerous Ground Association Management Travel Nightmare The 2008 NPT Power & Influence Top 50 Leaderless Unusual Special Events On The Move Lost: The Donors Consistent Messaging New UK Standards Business Briefs National Movement Calendar NPT Jobs Resource Directory

The NonProfit Times - August 1, 2008

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