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Newsletter - September 2006 UPDATE

CREATING A STATE ASSOCIATION continues in earnest with a core working group made-up of members from the feasibility study steering committee. The purpose of the Wisconsin Nonprofits Association is to collectively strengthen Wisconsin’s nonprofit sector and in turn help individual nonprofits to reach their fullest capacity and better serve their constituencies. The state association will enhance capacity building, provide increased access to knowledge and resources, give a state and national voice to nonprofits and collaborate to leverage resources for all nonprofits everywhere in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Nonprofits Association shall exist for charitable and educational purposes, specifically to enhance the effectiveness of all nonprofit organizations in building and keeping a better Wisconsin, for the common good.Wisconsin Nonprofits Association is being formed as a sector-wide and statewide association providing the following core services. The next update will have more information about these services.

  • Leadership and convening of the sector
  • Advocacy and public policy
  • Management and technical assistance
  • Information and referral
  • Products and services
  • Communications

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR THE “FOUNDING” BOARD
Help us spread the word!! We are seeking nominations for the “Founding” Board of Directors to provide governance for the next steps in the formation of the state association. We are looking for people with a passion for the work and efforts of the nonprofit sector, willing to make the commitment to build, promote and sustain a state association of Wisconsin’s nonprofit sector. The Board will reflect the people directly involved in the nonprofit sector as well as the broad diversity and richness of backgrounds, cultures and experiences of the people of Wisconsin. Be part of this exciting effort -- nominate yourself or another interested Wisconsin nonprofit leader. For more information contact Anne Katz, akatz@artswisconsin.org or JoAnn Stormer, joann@wisconsinnonprofits.org . See the board member criteria, agreement, letter of interest and nomination form attached.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PROGRESS SO FAR

  • Awarded an intensive technical assistance session with the National Council Of Nonprofit Associations
  • Ongoing meetings with interested individuals, organizations & businesses;
  • Applying for and securing funding for the planning of and the establishment of the association;
  • The business plan is being assembled;
  • Membership for Wisconsin in the National Council of Nonprofit Associations as an “emerging” state association;
  • Draft work on a Name, Mission, Vision and Values statements;
  • Founding Board of Directors work including criteria, letter of interest, board member agreement and application form; (These forms are attached for your nominations)
  • A database of interested, supportive people continues to expand as word of this effort grows;
  • Creation of a website;
  • Town Hall meetings for the National Nonprofit Congress held in Janesville and Milwaukee;
  • Draft work on organizational bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, and 501c3 application.
  • Draft work on membership.

NONPROFIT SECTOR NEWS

  • In the July issue of the newsletter from the Federal Reserve Bank out of Minneapolis was a lengthy examination of the Non-Profit sector as their lead story. Here is the link to the story. http://www.minneapolisfed.org/pubs/fedgaz/06-07/cover.cfm#top
  • The Donors Forum of Wisconsin recently published a report entitled “Transfer of Wealth in Wisconsin”. You can find it on their website at www.dfwonline.org
  • The Nonprofit Congress has launched Voicing Our Values: A Survey of the Guiding Principles of the Nonprofit Sector. The purpose of this survey is to identify and prioritize the guiding principles that best reflect the core values of nonprofits and link all charitable organizations. The results will inform the work of the delegates at the Nonprofit Congress National Meeting. Please complete the survey by ranking the key attributes of all charitable organizations and forward the survey link to a colleague. These attributes were derived from information provided by nonprofits in over 100 Town Hall meetings across the country. http://www.nonprofitcongress.org/survey.htm
  • As part of the Nonprofit Congress people are being asked to read and sign the Declaration for America’s Nonprofits. To do so visit http://www.nonprofitcongress.org/declaration.htm

GENEROUS SUPPORT HAS BEEN RECEIVED for this planning stage from the Helen Bader Foundation, Nonprofit Management Fund, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation and the Nonprofit Management Fund of Waukesha.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

Invite others to inquire information or show their support of this effort to build a statewide, sector-wide, association of Wisconsin’s nonprofits. For more information contact, JoAnn Stormer, joann@wisconsinnonprofits.org .