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September 2006
Volume 3 Issue 9 |
THE NEW FACE OF GRASSROOTS |
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IN THIS ISSUE
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
HOW CAN YOU HELP
TIPS (ACCOUNTING, PR)
LEGAL LESSONS
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
FEATURED PARTNERS, CLIENTS, VOLUNTEERS
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Grassroots.org spreads valuable social information throughout the world and provides free services to other nonprofit organizations to help them save money and further their own missions. Our goal is to help 10,000 nonprofits each save $10,000 per year. We believe that our grassroots strategy ultimately helps solve some of the world's most egregious problems. Join us in this critical pursuit.
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LETTER FROM ANGELA STUBER,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Let me introduce myself - I'm the new Executive Director for Grassroots.org. I led the Ohio Community Computing Network for the past six years. I joined Grassroots on August 1 and let me tell you this is one organization where the movement is continuous. I love it! I'm all about change so I will use the "Letter from the Director" area of The New Face of Grassroots to tell you about the changes at Grassroots and I guarantee there will be news to report every month! I assume you've noticed our redesigned, revised content newsletter. Tell us what you think. We'll listen. I promise.
We are developing partnerships with universities to help Grassroots with content development on our social action websites. Watch for changes on the various Grassroots sites (Homeless.org, NonprofitManagement.org and ImmigrationReform.com). If you are connected to a university and would like to get involved, let us know.
I'm also happy to announce the launch of the Grassroots Mentor Program. Social Entrepreneurial MBA students from the University of Maryland will assist three chosen Grassroots member nonprofits with business issues. I encourage you to utilize the students' entrepreneurial business skills and ideas. What do they have that a nonprofit director does not have? Time, Fresh ideas, Cutting Edge Business Sense, MBA classes (I know I'm making an assumption there). What I would ask them for if I were running a small to medium size nonprofit? Fundraising help. For fee service ideas. But ask for assistance for your specific needs. They can assist with finance, marketing, operations, whatever your specific business needs are. Assuming this first semester works out well, we'll run another application process for the following semester. Stay tuned.
And September? Wow, I can't wait to write the Letter from the Director for October. Tell you? No, that would give away the surprise. I will tell you it's a nonprofit resource. Think outside the box. And the announcement is big!
Angela |
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
 "Send your old cell phones and used ink cartridges to Grassroots.org. Help us Save Our Landfills!" Request a box from us or go to our website for more information.
 Our online store features an excellent collection of shirts, mugs, prints and more. And any purchases you make at our online store are tax deductible. Visit our store and increase your support for Grassroots.org.
 Volunteer for Grassroots.org and help Make a Difference. Check out our volunteer opportunities.
 Send an E-Card from Grassroots.org and spread the word!
 Donate to Grassroots.org and help Make Change! All donations are fully tax-deductible. You can also donate to Grassroots.org through Network for Good.
Donate to Grassroots.org and we will hereby bequeath you full and complete access to the banner below.
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ACCOUNTING TIPS
By Don Wells. The Internal Revenue Service continues to stress the need for charitable organizations to have a conflict of interest policy. It is probably easier to adopt a conflict of interest policy than to explain why no such policy exists. The conflict of interest policy should cover board members and employees of the charitable organization. At a minimum, the policy should clearly describe the appropriate procedures to follow when a conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest arises. 
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PR TIPS 
Press Release Basics by Vicki Zima: Remember you are writing a news article not an advertisement for your organization and therefore need to stick to the facts. Below are a few basic points:
- Your headline will be your first impression with the news desk.
- A strong attention getting headline that states the main fact of the story is best.
- The who, what, where, and when questions should be answered within the first few sentences then expanded on later in the release.
-The last one or two sentences are your opportunity to explain your organization such as the number of years in operation, mission and website address.
-Be sure to provide your contact information with the release and always follow-up with a phone call to the media outlet.
We want to include tips that are truly useful. Give us your feedback and tell us what you want to know. Our experts on PR, the Law, Accounting, and Business Strategies are ready and willing to answer your questions and help provide solutions!
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LEGAL LESSONS - PROS AND CONS OF NONPROFIT AND TAX-EXEMPT STATUS
By Alon Nager. When deciding if a nonprofit entity would best suit your corporate endeavor, take the time carefully to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each business structure. The following is an introduction to the pros and cons of both the nonprofit structure as well as tax-exempt status. Below is a list of the pros and cons of nonprofit status:
PROS
- Potential for tax exemption
- Public and private donations
- Protection from personal liability
- Separate and perpetual legal existence
- Formality and structure
CONS
- Paperwork
- Costs and fees associated with incorporation
- Time and energy needed to run the business
- Restrictions on compensating officers and directors
- Restrictions upon dissolution
- Restrictions on political activities
- Oversight by the Attorney General of state
Once you decide that incorporating a nonprofit entity makes sense, you need to be aware of the pros and cons of tax-exempt status. For more information, go to our website, NonprofitManagement.org.
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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS- HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT PEOPLE
"Next to the cold hard numbers that ensure your profitability ("the math"), the most important factor in any business is the people. Aligning yourself with the most favorable partners, hiring the right employees, retaining the best contractors, and maintaining all of those relationships simultaneously to the best of your ability are all crucial to your overall success. Learning when it is time to let any less-than-effective, risky, or difficult stakeholders go is equally important. Your goal is to have the right number of the right people, properly incentivized and organized at each point of your corporate ascent." Read more from Michael Mann's (founder of Grassroots.org) e-book Make Millions and Make Change.
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FEATURED PARTNERS, CLIENTS, VOLUNTEERS
 Volunteer of the Month
Congratulations to Tamara Swedberg, who is a Grassroots.org volunteer, for developing a fantastic new logo for our new Save the Landfills recycling campaign. Tamara is an experienced web-designer who has developed a Flash based website for SweetGyrl.org. In her regular job, Tamara is the Instructional Technology Specialist at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where she plays a significant role in advancing technology through the Internet and in the classroom.
Read more about Tamara and our other volunteers here.
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Client of the Month
In 2000, Ohio's three regional poison control centers came together to form the Ohio Poison Control Collaborative (OPCC) to assure a consistent level of service to all Ohio citizens. The OPCC is designated by the Ohio Department of Health to manage poison control service in all 88 counties of Ohio for its 11,122,350 residents. Visit the OPCC website.
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