Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, | |
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For too long, nonprofits have struggled with workforce retention, the ability to pay living wages, and cumbersome contract requirements that impact the capacity to carry out services that Oregonians rely on. This is why NAO is working closely with Northwest Health Foundation to introduce the Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act for the 2023 state legislative session. This act addresses these struggles in a thoughtful and constructive process that begins to lay the foundation for improving the ability of nonprofits to partner effectively and efficiently with public agencies so that critical services can be delivered economically, effectively, and efficiently.
The Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act is comprised of three core sections:
Workforce Retention Fund. Nonprofits need a stopgap measure that helps keep the nonprofit workforce intact. The combination of low-wages, benefits, and COVID19 have had a devastating effect on workforce retention. The creation of a nonprofit workforce retention fund to provide one-time grants to nonprofit employers can be the difference between losing and keeping valued employees.
Nonprofit Task Force. We need to form a legislative task force that will take a close look at streamlining and simplifying contracting, improving payment delivery, reducing burdensome reporting requirements, and raising nonprofit wages. The task force would include representatives from specific state agencies and a cross section of nonprofit representatives.
Contract Improvements. There are easy and simple changes that can be implemented right away that can have immediate impact. We can adopt a 10 percent de minimis indirect rate and/or honor federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreements, whichever is greater. Another simple change is eliminating reimbursements as a payment method.
The Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act is the foremost step towards building a sustainable financial, statutory and administrative ecosystem conducive to contracting success.
NAO members, please join us and Northwest Health Foundation from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday December 13th for an overview of the Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act. We’ll answer your questions, take feedback, and share a sneak peak of the legislative strategy and coalition building. This webinar is free and available to NAO members only. Members can register by logging into the Members Only Area.
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Stay healthy and be safe,
Jim White
NAO Executive Director
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NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities | |
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NAO Webinars
Umatilla County Springboard: Practical Tools to Keep Your Board Moving Forward
November 29 – December 13, 2 – 4 p.m. | Facilitators: Sarah Spangler and Jenn Clemo, NAO
We’re excited to offer a free virtual series to Umatilla County nonprofit staff and board members! This interactive series goes beyond the basics to explore the nuances of nonprofit board management, helps nonprofits create and execute their annual fundraising calendar, and provides tools to manage cash flow better. Each session is designed specifically with rural nonprofits in mind.
Are you a rural nonprofit in Umatilla County? Register today!
Federal Grants: 4-Part Readiness Series
December 6, 8, 13 and 15, 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Facilitator: Hannah Cortez, The Dotted i
In this series, we will offer hands-on learning activities, peer networking, and expert knowledge on preparing to seek federal grant funding. In addition to in-class instruction, participants will have weekly homework to deepen their learning and have direct access to course trainers for feedback and support. Through this training, we hope to demystify the federal grant process and give participants a better understanding of how federal funding can be leveraged in your own organizations. More details and registration here.
Creating Gender Inclusive Teams: Understanding Pronouns to Create Inclusion
December 7, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Kaig Lightner, Quantum Gender
Personal pronouns are a common part of speech that many people in Western cultures pay little attention to; however, pronouns are a critical part of everyone’s identity. In the last decade, a significant cultural shift has begun highlighting the use of pronouns, gender-neutral language and the appropriate ways to show respect to people of all gender identities/expressions. Some allies have begun including pronouns in their company email signature to show solidarity in addition to online profiles. Still, it is more complex and nuanced than just these simple acts to create safe and inclusive spaces. This workshop uses practical examples and personal stories from the presenter's experience as a queer, transgender coach and youth soccer club leader. More details and registration here.
Making Board Service Palatable
December 7, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Kari Anderson, Incite! Consulting
As a generation of board members exits their volunteer roles, it’s time to get serious about rethinking board service. There are scores of young professionals who have the skills and energy that your nonprofit needs. Are you creating an inviting space for them at your board table? Spend an hour with Kari Anderson with Incite! Consulting. This former nonprofit executive will share critical insight from the “under age 50” perspectives and ideas to make your board roles both doable and exciting. More details and registration here.
Creating and Respecting Boundaries at Work
December 8, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Anna Young, Principal, Anna Young Consulting
How do we co-create and maintain healthy work boundaries with our teams? In this webinar led by Anna Young, we will look at some of the latest findings and best practices around this topic, access tools to make the conversations easier, and share lessons learned from within our community. We will explore different approaches and expectations around setting boundaries at work including: how our understanding of work boundaries has shifted over the past few years with COVID and remote work; a neuroscience-grounded understanding of why setting boundaries is hard for so many of us; understanding how responsibility and accountability play out between team members and managers; and more! More details and registration here.
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(Members Only Webinar)
Nonprofit Modernization Act “Sneak Peek”
December 13, 1 – 2 p.m. | Presenters: Felicita Monteblanco, Northwest Health Foundation and Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO
Many community-based organizations vital to our community's health, justice and support have significant contracts and grants with government entities. With the pandemic and restriction racial justice movement and wildfires, the number of organizations working with the government has grown considerably. For years, NAO has been tracking the growing frustration nonprofits feel with unnecessarily complex processes, delayed reimbursements, low administrative rates, and artificially suppressed wages for nonprofit staff through government programs.
The Nonprofit Modernization Act is a legislative path to systemically fix underpayment, reduce administrative burden and raise wages in community-based nonprofits that contract or receive grants from the government. Together with the Northwest Health Foundation, NAO has assembled a campaign team of individuals who have real-life experience in managing, tracking and negotiating government service contracts. Join us for this free hour-long member-only webinar for an opportunity to hear more about the proposed Nonprofit Modernization Act and give crucial feedback on the plan. This session will be interactive, so please come with your ideas and stories about your experiences working with the government.
This webinar is free and available to NAO members only. Members can register by logging into the Members Only Area. Not a member? Join today!
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Making Time for Reflection, Especially When It Feels Impossible
December 14, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Amy Varga, The Varga Group
When it comes to leadership, there’s a paradox: if you want to have a greater impact – faster – you have to slow down enough to reflect on where you’re going, what you’re doing, and how you’re showing up as a leader. In this highly interactive and engaging workshop, you will explore why reflection is essential to effective leadership, how to harness the power of thinking for yourself and your team, and how to make time for reflection when it feels impossible to pack one more thing in. More details and registration here.
Board Bright: Engaging Your Board in Fundraising
December 15, 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenter: Jenn Clemo, NAO
A well-prepared and passionate board is essential to successful fundraising. This 90-minute addition to the Board Bright series will provide strategies for setting your board up for fundraising success. Learn how to create fundraising expectations from the get-go, increase your board’s understanding of the organization’s revenue needs, find ways for everyone to play a role, and build board ambassadors for your cause. Free to NAO members! More details and registration information here.
Banking for Nonprofits in the Digital Age
January 11, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Presenter: Chris Barron, Summit Bank
In this session, community banking expert Chris Barron will cover everything your nonprofit needs to know about banking in the digital age. From what tools are available to help you manage your day-to-day operation/cash flow, how to protect yourself and your organization from potential fraud, to general knowledge of how the industry has changed over the years. Whether your organization is just starting or you’re a seasoned nonprofit professional, there’s something for everyone in this session. More details and registration information here.
What Does Mindfulness Have To Do With Anti-Racism?
February 22, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Facilitators: Katharine Quince, Quince Consulting and Erica Briggs, NAO
Being a champion for justice and equity takes energy, compassion, and resilience. Mindfulness practices offer ways to build the inner strength needed to stay engaged in the work, grounded and connected. Informed by leaders and teachers such as Ruth King and Kristin Neff, this interactive workshop will explore how incorporating mindfulness into your personal and professional life can support you as a leader for equity and inclusion. You will be provided resources and instructions for easily accessible and trauma-informed practices and opportunities to engage in discussion and problem-solving with like-minded peers. More details and registration information here.
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NAO Workshops (In-person)
Effective Supervision
November 30 and December 5, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Presenter: Cliff Jones, Capacity Building Partnerships
Employees are your organization’s most excellent resource. Effective support and direction for your staff and understanding of how to work across differences will help create an environment where people can fully contribute and advance your organization’s mission and goals. This workshop will explore essential elements of a supervisor’s role with a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. We will offer insight into the specific challenges of supervision in the nonprofit environment to help you identify concrete goals and changes you can implement with individual staff and teams. We will examine strategies to address unclear expectations between staff and supervisor, ambivalence about authority, low pay, and heavy workloads.
Whether you have the title of supervisor or not, this workshop will help you develop the techniques to build staff ownership, encourage joint problem-solving, and support staff experience success and satisfaction in working together. This workshop is offered in person at the following locations. Space is limited. Click through to learn more and register:
Clatsop County Nonprofit Resource Roundup
December 6, 12 – 2:30 p.m. | Facilitator: Sarah Spangler, NAO
NAO’s Nonprofit Resource Roundup is a learning and networking opportunity for nonprofit staff, board, and volunteers to connect, meet funders, and learn about valuable tools and resources. Resource Roundups are FREE but registration is required. We hope you’ll join us in Astoria! More details and registration information here.
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NAO Regional Networks (In-person*) | |
Thank you to the following FUNDERS and SPONSORS who are supporting NAO’s online events and communications during these challenging times. Their support is vital in helping NAO to bring much-needed resources and information to Oregon’s nonprofits – thank you. | |
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