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Common Ground E-News July 2008

INSIDE COMMON GROUND:

ASSOCIATION NEWS
2008 Summit Generates Ideas for the Nonprofit Collective
Wisconsin Nonprofit Sector Report: More Than Charity - 2008 Edition Released
NONPROFIT SECTOR NEWS
Charitable Mileage Rate Raise to Business Rate Builds Momentum in Congress 
GIVING USA SHOWS BEQUESTS,FOUNDATIONS BOOSTED OTHERWISE FLAT GIVING TO $306 BILLION

ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT TIPS
Free Podcasts from BoardStar
Four Pillars of High Performance
PERFERRED VENDORS
Specialized Property and Casualty Products from First Nonprofit Insurance Company
ReadyTalk Saves Time and Money with teleconferencing and webconferencing
 
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
2008 Summit Generates Ideas for the Nonprofit Collective  
Thank you to our sponsors, attendees, speakers, and exhibitors who all made our first Summit a great success!  
It was inspiring to hear our guest presenters, but it was even more inspiring to know that those in the packed session rooms represent the critical and growing swell of support and drive toward our goal of raising the visibility of our sector's impact on the quality of life in Wisconsin.
Stay tuned as we build on ideas generated for:
  •         increasing the visibility of the nonprofit sector’s impact
  •         building a statewide clearinghouse for nonprofit resources
  •         collective bargaining for employee benefits
  •         fostering collaboration
See Summit workshop presentations and photos.  
See you for the 2009 Summit -- Details coming soon!
 
WNA is more effective THANKS to the generous investments of the many 2008 Summit partners.
 
Wisconsin Nonprofit Sector Report: More Than Charity - 2008 Edition Released
The people of Wisconsin are learning that Nonprofits are major contributors in expanding employment in the state. According to the 2008 Wisconsin Nonprofit Sector Report – More Than Charity, a new report by the Wisconsin Nonprofits Association(WNA) recently released, Wisconsin nonprofits employed 8.9 percent of the state’s total workforce in 2005, providing over 250,000 jobs in Wisconsin: more than the industries of finance, real estate, wholesale trade, transportation, communication and utilities and construction.   
The annual study describes the role of nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin’s economy. Full Report PDF Download
  
LEGISLATIVE WATCH
Charitable Mileage Rate Raise to Business Rate Builds Momentum in Congress
Volunteers who use their own cars for charitable service can deduct only 14 cents per mile from their Federal income taxes - unchanged over the last 10 years, while the IRS business mileage deduction rate just increased to 58.5 cents per mile. High gas prices are hurting charities, volunteers, and those who rely on these services. Programs such as Meals-on-Wheels are facing critical volunteer shortages throughout the country. H.R.2020 (NOTE: ADD LINK TO BILL #) would raise the charitable mileage rate to the business rate and eliminate this disincentive for charitable volunteerism. Contact your members of Congress.  Urge their support for H.R.2020.  
 
NONPROFIT SECTOR NEWS
Giving USA Shows Bequests, Foundations Boosted Otherwise Flat Giving To $306 Billion  If not for bequests and foundation grantmaking, charitable giving last year would not have increased at all when adjusted for inflation, despite exceeding $300 billion for the first time.
Read More
 
Book:The Four Pillars of High Performance: How Robust Organizations Achieve Extraordinary Results, by Paul Light, Ph.D. (WNA 2008 Summit Keynote presenter)
From a reader’s post: The RAND Corporation's organizational strategy advice is based on more than 50 years of research. Author Paul C. Light draws from RAND studies primarily related to the U.S. military to explain the need for organizations to confront unavoidable change with alertness, agility, adaptability and alignment. He notes that these four attributes are equally valuable to small and large businesses, and to organizations of all kinds. You can apply each solid lesson Light takes from RAND's studies to your organization's structure and planning. In fact, some of his points are already common wisdom. Political instability, labor force fluctuations, or the potential for terrorism or economic unrest affect some industries more than others, but every organization is susceptible to unanticipated developments. If you want to find out what to do when your organization gets surprised, we recommend this in-depth research-based report.
 
PREFERRED VENDOR HIGHLIGHTS
Specialized Property and Casualty Products from First Nonprofit Insurance Company 
WNA’s Newest Preferred Vendor, First Nonprofit Insurance Company insures only nonprofits. They promise quality, affordable property and casualty insurance protection and an array of cost-cutting services. In addition to protecting nonprofits from loss or damage to property and equipment, First Nonprofit also provides protection from a wide range of legal liability exposures, including:
  •          Social Workers' Liability/Foster Care
  •          Pastoral Counseling/Teachers Professional
  •          Explicit Sexual Abuse and Molestation 
First Nonprofit insurance is available through independent insurance agents in Wisconsin. For a referral: Patricia Shanahan at First Nonprofit, 312-627-7724, pshanahan@firstnonprofit.com
 
Quick & Easy Phone and Web Conferencing from ReadyTalkSaves Time and Money
As fuel prices continue to go up; many organizations are using conference calls rather than incurring travel expenses.  In addition to phone conferencing, ReadyTalk can be used to hold webinars to generate interest in programs and initiatives provide board and staff training, disseminate information to a geographically dispersed audience, and more. ReadyTalk is easy to use, offers great support, no set up fees or hidden costs. Teleconferencing costs for WNA members are 4 cents/min/participant, and web conferencing is 8 cents/min/participant. Each session can handle up to 96 participants. 
 
WELCOME NEW WNA MEMBERS who joined between April 17 and July 11, 2008
Benedict Center
Board Source
Dane County Humane Society
First Nonprofit Insurance Company
Gilbert Construction Corp.
Grants Information Collection, Memorial Library
Great Lakes Capital Fund for Housing
Greater Menomonie Area Community Foundation
HAMA Foundation, Inc
Home Respite Care, Inc.
IFF
Independence First
Interfaith Senior Programs, Inc.
Interfaith Volunteers of Dunn County
International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, (IAIABC)
Julie Harkinson
Madison Area Community Land Trust
Maltee McMahon
Marian Center for Nonprofits
Natural Resources Foundation of WI
North-Eastside Senior Coalition, Inc.
Rawhide Boys Ranch
Reilly, Penner, & Benton LLP
Seruciry Insurance Services, Inc
Smith & Gesteland, LLP
The New Harvest Foundation Inc.
The TMJ Association
Tri-County Community Dental Clinic
United Way of Wisconsin
Urban Economic Development Association
US Bank
UW-Parkside
Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.
Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health
Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation
Wisconsin Community Fund
Wisconsin Coordinating Council on Nicaragua
Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
Wisconsin Facets
Wisconsin Jewish Conference
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
Women's Lifeline Inc.
JOIN TODAY!
Be part of the collective voice of Wisconsin’s nonprofits. Join WNA and be a part of efforts to support the nonprofit sector of Wisconsin. We invite you to share this WNA enewsletter with other nonprofit leaders and others interested in promoting the value of the nonprofit sector. Join WNA now Not sure you are a member? Click here
For more information on these and other WNA Membership Benefits or find out how to become a member contact, Elaine Glowacki, Coordinator of Member Relations and Services at Elaine@wisconsinnonprofits.org
 
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