10 December 2009

Governance and Tax-Exempt Organizations

Welcome back!

Because of some behaviors of some nonprofit organizations, the IRS has published new guidelines for nonprofit organizations and new documents for examiners in the case you are being examined by the IRS. Take a look at those here

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IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Donations

Welcome back!

Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind several important tax law provisions that have taken effect in recent years. You can read more about that at the IRS website here

And here is a video:



And in Spanish:



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27 November 2009

Consulting Services Available Now

Welcome back! Updates to my resume and interests in consulting and self-employment


Summary
  • Project conceptualization to completion, management, compliance, evaluation, and communication strategy
  • Written communication and project reporting
  • Assessment of organizational and community needs, capacity building planning, coaching, mentoring
  • Outcome and asset mapping, community partnerships and linkages
  • Integration of Christian faith with compassion and justice, economic & community development, microenterprise, microfinance and workforce development
  • Board governance process and function using Policy Governance® model, board policy design
  • Nonprofit startup, strategic planning, program design, board recruitment
  • Experienced in faith based community development and nonprofit leadership
Recent Consultant Roles

Board Development and Governance Function Since 2003
• Focusing board on exchange it has with the world as outcomes and impacts outside of its own walls
• Implementation, training, monitoring, comprehensive governance model for boards
• Development of training materials, policy writing and monitoring tools

Organizational Growth, Program Design, Evaluation Since 2003
  • Designed and implemented community and economic development projects, workforce development
  • In depth organizational assessment, leadership mentoring, growth planning and management
  • Community development, partnerships and collaborations

Workshops & Teaching Since 1989
  • Designed curriculum, workshops for adults, evaluated results, and one-hour to multiple-day conference workshops all areas of nonprofit management, community development, immigration, mentoring
  • Classroom teaching, adult learning, workshops, public speaking—board governance process, board development, economic development as microenterprise, financial literacy and fiscal management, resource development, fund raising strategy


Professional History

World Vision Southern California Metro Los Angeles and Pomona, CA
Program Manager 2006-2007
  • Managed $875,000 project to provide training, coaching, and technical assistance
  • Designed a sub-award program including competitive application process, application evaluation, completion
  • Assessed, mentored leadership in community organizations in south Los Angeles and Pomona
  • Communicated results to internal and external clients, including US government partners

Mennonite Economic Development Associates Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Indianapolis
Regional Manager 2003-2005
  • Managed a $3,750,000 project to increase capacity of 40 organizations in 5 in the USA.
  • Planned organizational development strategies with leaders of community and faith-based organizations.
  • Designed grantmaking program, evaluated applications and made award decisions.
  • Monitored and evaluated progress of capacity building projects with organizational clients and consultants.
Job Starts, Inc. Los Angeles, CA
Executive Director 1989-2004
  • Designed and implemented faith-based microenterprise, workforce development, financial literacy, and Asset Development programs to improve the economic wellbeing of families in south Los Angeles.
  • Developed linkages with businesses, financial institutions and community partners to reach mutual goals and outcomes
Education
Master of Divinity, Denver Seminary, Denver, Colorado
Bachelor of Arts, InterCultural Studies, Biola University, La Mirada, California

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14 October 2009

Board Governance All-day Workshop October 17, 2009 in Whittier, CA

Welcome back!

Good Governance—Leadership Excellence

A Workshop in Policy Governance®

Saturday, October 17, 2009
9 AM – 3 PM; Lunch included
Whittier Area Community Church [WACC]
8175 Villaverde Dr., Whittier, CA 90605

“Boards: Bar Fights, and Beautiful Music: how to avoid the one, and make lots of the other”

A workshop in board governance for nonprofit and community benefit organizations, we will examine the practical usage of a comprehensive model of board governance. This is not best-practices in the sense of increasing the board’s busyness. We will look at the foundational work of the board—the work that no other group of volunteers can be expected to do.

A board of directors needs to know its job and have the right tools. The job of governance is about values, vision, empowerment of both board and staff, and the strategic ability to lead leaders. This workshop looks at how a board of directors brings added value to a new organization. The workshop is designed as an introduction and to help everyone from beginners to veterans.

As workshop participants, board members and staff leaders will gain an appreciation of leadership through governance; define the roles of management and board distinct from one another; identify the unique job outputs of the board; and learn how to avoid meddling and "rubber-stamping" by boards.

A nominal fee of $50 for the first person from an organization and $20 for additional persons from the same organization will be charged. Lunch is included. WACC will provide scholarships for Whittier organizations that serve the poor or disadvantaged of the community.

For more information call Glen at 562/400-4739.

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02 October 2009

Good Governance—Leadership Excellence--Workshop, October 17, 2009, Whittier, CA

Welcome back!

"Boards, Bar Fights, and Beautiful Music: how to avoid the one, and make lots of the other."

Saturday, October 17, 2009; 9 AM – 3 PM; Lunch included. Whittier Area Community Church, 8175 Villaverde Dr., Whittier, CA 90605

A board of directors needs to know its job and have the right tools. The job of governance is about values, vision, empowerment of both board and staff, and the strategic ability to lead leaders. There are 3 job outputs that a board of directors must accomplish that no other group of volunteers can. Do you know what those are? You will if you attend this workshop. This workshop looks at how a board of directors brings added value to a new organization. The workshop is designed as an introduction and to help everyone from beginners to veterans.

As workshop participants, board members and staff leaders will gain an appreciation of leadership through governance; define the roles of management and board distinct from one another; identify the unique job outputs of the board; and learn how to avoid meddling and "rubber-stamping" by boards.

A nominal fee of $50 for the first person from an organization and $20 for additional persons from the same organization will be charged. WACC will provide scholarships for Whittier organizations that serve the poor or disadvantaged of the community.

Board Governance is the job of the group granted full accountability and full authority for value produced on behalf of those who morally if not legally own the organization. It is the servant-leadership work of the highest and initial authority within the organization.

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22 September 2009

Board Governance All-day Workshop October 17, 2009 in Whittier, CA

Welcome back!

Good Governance—Leadership Excellence

Saturday, October 17, 2009; 9 AM – 3 PM; Lunch included. Whittier Area Community Church, 8175 Villaverde Dr., Whittier, CA 90605

A board of directors needs to know its job and have the right tools. The job of governance is about values, vision, empowerment of both board and staff, and the strategic ability to lead leaders. This workshop looks at how a board of directors brings added value to a new organization. The workshop is designed as an introduction and to help everyone from beginners to veterans.

As workshop participants, board members and staff leaders will gain an appreciation of leadership through governance; define the roles of management and board distinct from one another; identify the unique job outputs of the board; and learn how to avoid meddling and "rubber-stamping" by boards.

A nominal fee of $50 for the first person from an organization and $20 for additional persons from the same organization will be charged. WACC will provide scholarships for Whittier organizations that serve the poor or disadvantaged of the community.

Your ideas matter here! Please leave a comment.

17 July 2009

8th Annual Foundations & Corporations Roundtable

Brought to you by:

Southeast Communities Prevention & Intervention Programs, Inc.
EXECUTIVE SUPPORT NETWORK
8th Annual Foundations & Corporations Roundtable
You are invited to join us as we meet and build relationships with foundations and Corporations

SAVE THE DATE:
Thursday July 23, 2009
Foundations & Corporations Invited:
John Gogian Foundation Vineyard Bank
Union Pacific Rail road Annenberg Foundation
Crail Johnson Foundation
Guest Speaker : Jim Clarke, Mayor’s Office Stimulus money for Nonprofits

LOCATION: California Endowment Foundation
1000 N. Alameda Street, ( Mojave Room )
Los Angeles, CA 90012
TIME: 8:30 – 9:00 Registration & Breakfast

Guest Speaker Jim Clarke, Mayor’s Office: 9:00 - 10:00
Stimulus Money for Nonprofits

Funders Panel: 10:00 – 11:00
One on one visits with Funders 11:00 – 12:00

Registration deadline July 20, 2009 space is limited
Early registration $ 75.00
On Site registration $ 90.00

For additional information contact: Eddie Mae Williams at (323) 290-3593 or emaewilliams@scpip.org

Breakfast Served


Also on Facebook.


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26 April 2009

Your Meeting Problem

Welcome back!

I have told people that if there is no agenda published for a meeting that includes clear objectives that require a meeting, then I will assume the meeting is canceled.

Here, Seth Godin, gives more good ideas for meetings, including a full refund if not completely satisfied.

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31 March 2009

Exectuive Compensation and the Board of Directors

Welcome back!

At our workshop I pointed to new IRS reporting requirements and California Nonprofit Accountability Law requiring boards of directors of nonprofit organizations to set executive compensation and monitor that expense. In the context of smaller nonprofits we often don't worry about overpaying. But is can be and is a problem. The recent corporate scandals involving the financial sector demonstrates that and the Wall Street Journal says nonprofits need to watch out too!

". . . the IRS has signaled more aggressive oversight of charities as various compensation scandals crop up among nonprofits." Wall Street Journal, Pay at Nonprofits Gets a second look

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29 March 2009

BBC reports Obama agrees with me

Welcome back!

The chief executive and chairman of troubled US car maker General Motors will step down at once, at the request of Barack Obama. --BBC

In my workshops with board of directors of community and faith-based organizations I often use boards of equity corporations as examples of both good and bad behavior of boards, CEO's and to illustrate the concept of ownership.

Recently I have been commenting that the CEO's from US automakers and financial institutions who are sitting in front of Senate hearings explaining why their companies have failed to produce a profit or even enough money to sustain ongoing operations demonstrated that boards of directors are not achieving accountability on behalf of stockholders. My understanding that a CEO should lead an equity corporation to achieve increased value of equity for stockholders would be the only criteria for continuing employment.

So, the boards didn't live up to their responsibility, stockholders didn't act at a stockholders meeting, therefore, the Whitehouse took some kind of action. GM's CEO will be stepping down at Barack Obama's request. I'll post more news as I find it. BBC is reporting it here.

Los Angeles Times General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner to step down.

Wall Street Journal: Chrysler CEO Not Likely To Follow GM Wagoner's Fate.

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Books I Recommend to You as a Community Nonprofit Leader

Welcome back!

I made these book recommendations to the group on Saturday:

On board governance model as presented:

The 24-page introduction to the 10 principles that I presented: CarverGuide, Basic Principles of Policy Governance (J-B Carver Board Governance Series) (Vol 1)


The larger text book on Policy Governance: Boards That Make a Difference (J-B Carver Board Governance Series)

The Q & A book with short chapters that answer a bunch of basic questions: Nonprofit Board Answer Book: Practical Guidelines for Board Members and Chief Executives

On business and organizational theory by Jim Collins:


This is a popular book that helps successful companies become more successful: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't


A short follow up, stand alone chapter where Jim Collins addresses some specific issues for social sector organizations: Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great

I appreciate complements whenever they come: Colleen Marks told me that our session was "dope" and "out-of-the-bun." So, there you go!

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25 March 2009

Twenty things to do through the crises (and all the time for that matter)

Welcome back!
A panel of nonprofit and community organization leaders got together last week and talked about what people need to know and what they are doing and consider the way through the current situation and beyond. Here are some highlights:

  • Assess where you are today—board, staff, programs, think strategically
  • Evaluate things you already have available volunteers, clients (can help solve problems), board members, donors, who else?
  • If already in trouble, don’t panic, get help
  • Make changes
  • Communicate and increase donorship and stewardship
  • Get everyone involved in fundraising—get everyone at the table
  • Focus on mission (production of ends) and beneficiaries
  • There are no problems that are new or unique—someone has survived this problem before you.
  • “Credit is a ghost, dead and gone” –Merrill Lynch (Bank of America)
  • Transparency and accountability—have a communication policy and plan
  • Siloing and adversarial relationships are not helpful.
  • Be proactive, not reactive
  • “Shop outside of your own closet” encourage communication
  • Ask why board members endorse your organization—do more of that (hedgehog)
  • Demonstrate credibility with consistent and clear marketing and market position.
  • Crisis is an opportunity. Get the message out how now is the time for your donors, volunteers, and others to engage
  • New opportunity for volunteer service—new funding coming down for National Service Corporation
  • Be aware of new IRS accountability and reporting. Changes on charitable giving
  • Make a plan for planned giving
  • Use this as a mobilizing moment—how important is it that we will keep doing what we are doing? Engage others in this passion.
Capacity Partnership Group can help you negotiate your way through this.

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23 March 2009

Free Board Governance Workshop in Whittier on March 28

Welcome back!

This is the first time I have offered this free of charge to participants. Three and a half hours of board governance introduction and it includes lunch! Thanks to the great people at Whittier Area Community Church and their Serve Weekend project.

Good Governance--Leadership Excellence
Trainer: Glen Peterson
Whittier Area Community Church
Saturday, March 28, 2009
9 am - 1 pm
Lunch included

We can bring this workshop and
others to your geography.
Let's work on something together.


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19 March 2009

House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Expand and Strengthen National Service

Welcome back!

Washington D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the most significant overhaul and expansion of national service programs in 16 years, acting on President Obama’s call to increase service opportunities for Americans of all ages to help address the economic crisis and usher in a new era of service and responsibility for our nation.

For more look here.

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17 March 2009

Board of Directors or Booster Club?

Welcome back!

Last week I was at an educational event for leaders of nonprofit organizations where I heard that the fundamental work of a board of directors must now be that of fundraising because some nonprofit organizations may fail because of recent adjustment of the worldwide economy. In an environment where support and resources will be in short supply, it seemed that some are saying that boards no must become booster clubs to attract diminishing sources of support.

There is a foundational disconnect with this idea that dismisses the reality that the board has real work to do that is really governance and is an essential value added to the organization.

Board fundamental job remains the same.

  1. Articulation of board level values that describe what difference the organization will make in the world, who will benefit from that change and at what cost that change will be worth the investment
  2. Hold the organization accountable for achieving that change without violating prestated situations and circumstances that are unacceptable
  3. Linkage to the moral ownership or membership or the community on behalf of which the organization accomplishes #1 above.

It is clear that the above tasks may require certain skills of individual board members who may or may not also possess those characteristics required to be a part of this new requirement of promoting the cause to prospective funders and supporters. I highly recommend that within operations, and that may include people who also serve as board members, as many people with the right skills and attitudes be empowered and encouraged to apply all of their skills and energy into efforts that will bring the required resources to the table for organizations to continue their important work of creating a difference in the communities where they work.

The fundraising efforts and the board governance work both must be done and one cannot be achieved without the other. Capacity partnership Group provides training, assessment and evaluation and technical assistance for implementation of a complete system of board governance that equips boards of directors to accomplish the 3 job outputs listed above. These job outputs work for nonprofit organizations and for equity corporations. If boards of directors had done this work, in the financial sectors, there would be much less news about bailouts and bonuses today.


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12 March 2009

Madoff Affect

Welcome back.

Today, Bernie Madoff pled guilty for some outrageous criminal behavior related to other peoples money. This will have a deleterious affect on anyone who is in a business that requires trust and transparency. Fundraisers who raise money for very many worthwhile causes may be looked at with a more wary eye in the Madoff aftermath.

Nonprofits should practice transparency in their reporting far beyond what is merely required in difficult time such as these. Donors should pay attention to where their dollars are donated and invested into projects, programs and organizations that make communities and the world a better place.

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Two day Tax and Election Law Training for Nonprofits

. . . is offered in San Francisco, March 19-20.

The Alliance for Justice is offering:

Tax & Election Law for Nonprofits

What Every Nonprofit Lawyer or Accountant Needs to Know About Advocacy


More information is here.

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18 February 2009

The Secret of Success

Welcome back!

"There are no secrets to success
It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure"
~Colin Powell, former Secretary of State

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04 February 2009

Workshop on Policy Governance in Whittier

Welcome back!

Save the date for a workshop on Policy Governance (3-hour version) in Whittier, CA on March 28, 2009, 9 am to noonish. If this one fills up, we'll do it again.

Watch this space for further information.

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