SCANPO.org
Our Collective Voice 
Public Policy eNews - May 2012   
Madeleine McGee 
 
Looking Forward

We aim to help organize local legislative gatherings to be held in the fall.

 

The goal of these receptions will be to partner with local non-profits and help give them a forum to present their issues to their elected officials.  

 

Face-time is very important for good relations with your local legislators - it will show them how important nonprofits are in the community.  

 

This will be your time to shine - please keep an eye out for further information and invites.

 

If you're interested in helping, contact Madeleine to make a gathering happen in your community.

 

 

Hello Nonprofit Colleagues,

 

In a world where everything seems to be about business and profit margins, it can seem like a never-ending struggle to stay afloat as a nonprofit organization.

 

In the public policy and advocacy arena, it's even more difficult; big corporations hire expensive, experienced lobbyists, and seemingly trample the "little guy" whenever possible.

 

The solution to this is simple - nonprofits must share resources and band together for collective impact.

 

It is SCANPO's goal to help facilitate this collective impact through shared learning, collaboration and recognition of our members' successes in advocacy.

 

Together, we are strong, but only if we work side by side toward our common goals. We are not simply hundreds of small groups, but one large entity - a sector whose needs are important and must be addressed by our state leaders.

 

Yours in service,

 

Madeleine

 

Madeleine McGee

President

madeleine@scanpo.org

843-708-2346

 


Congratulations to Our Members

SCANPO would like to say "kudos" to some of our outstanding members for their advocacy successes this month.
  • SC Arts Alliance used their voice for a major win in the Senate, which adopted Amendment #113 to secure $500,000 in one-time monies for SCAA
  • Coastal Conservation League and Charleston Moves have succeeded in passing their bill to help cyclists have more road access in Charleston through the House; the bill now goes to the Senate for concurrence - S. 1375, sponsored by Senator Campsen
  • The environmental community had a great win this month - the governor signed a bill into law that will extend the life of the Conservation Bank for another five years.
If you have been successful in your advocacy endeavors and would like to share, please contact Madeleine or Heather!

 

Sector-Wide Issues
 
 
S. 255, 256 - Charitable Raffles

 

As our legislative season draws closer to its end, it is unlikely that more headway will be made on these bills this season. However, this gives us a chance to re-group, re-write, and prepare to re-introduce a new piece of legislation for the 2013 session.

 

SCANPO has recently met with other non-profit groups and formed a coalition of interested parties who will push this legislation in the coming sessions. 

 

If you would like to be involved in this process, please contact Heather.

 

Also, tell us what you think about charitable raffles with this survey!

  

S. 390 - Criminal Background Check Fees for Non Profits

 

S. 390 clarifies the definition of charitable organizations which pay a reduced criminal records search fee to include local park and recreation volunteers through a commission, municipality, or county.  Senate amends to prohibit the charitable organization for charging persons checked more than cost. - Passed Senate with Amendment.

 

 

S. 1349 - Aging Agencies Tort Insurance

 

S. 1349 is a joint resolution to provide that the state Budget & Control Board, through its office of insurance services, in state Fiscal Year 2012-2013, may offer tort liability insurance coverage to an aging entity and its employees serving clients countywide which previously has obtained its tort liability insurance coverage through the board. - Passed Senate with Amendments

 

H. 4697 - SC Arts Commission Funding

 

H. 4697 creates a stable source of non-General Fund revenue for the SC Arts Commission out of Admissions Taxes.  This is an example of great advocacy by the nonprofits arts community. - Passed in the House with amendment.

 

S. 149 - Equal Access to Interscholastic Activities Act

 

S. 149 permits home school students, Governor's school students, and charter school students to participate in interscholastic activities of the school district in which the student resides. - Passed House with amendments, returned to Senate for concurrence.

 

 
SCANPO is run by nonprofit leaders, for nonprofit leaders.
 

We aim to support our members, and all South Carolina nonprofits, by:  

building the knowledge network, promoting collaboration, and  

strengthening our collective voice.

 

www.scanpo.org