Center For Association Resources Testimonial l Jean M. Prendergast – published by The Center for Association Resources

August 23, 2011 by center_for_association_resources Leave a Comment


Center For Association Resources Testimonial l Jean M. Prendergast

“As the President of a busy, statewide bar association, I depended upon the Center for Association Resource’s talented and responsive staff to attend to our association’s administrative needs. I was pleased with our account representative’s dedication and professionalism throughout the bar year in planning our luncheons, seminars, receptions and board meetings. The Center also handled our daily membership needs both through our website and through consistent and courteous telephone service. Also, the accounting support has been thorough and timely.”

 

Jean M. Prendergast
Attorney at Law
www.SRCattorneys.com

 

Have a question or want to talk through an issue with The Center For Association Resources? Call us… Right now! 888.705.1434


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Homeless Person or Honored Guest?– published by The Center for Association Resources

May 22, 2011 by center_for_association_resources Leave a Comment


Using the Asbury First Dining and Caring Center in Rochester, NY, this article discusses some of the important factors in running a caring, committed, functional nonprofit

At the Asbury First Dining and Caring Center in Rochester, New York, the individuals who arrive every day for breakfast or lunch may be considered, to many, to be some of the more unsavory people in the world. They may be unkempt, with old clothes and neglected beards. Some of former inmates. Many are drug addicts or alcoholics. Yet these people are called “guests” by those who run the organization. They are not made to stand in line holding plastic trays, waiting for a serving of industrial-type food to be plopped on their plate. No, they are invited to take a chair and are served their food restaurant-style. Often a volunteer will be playing the old battered piano that stands against one wall. The hum of washers and dryers in the next room, cleaning some guest’s few articles of clothing, can be heard. It is a place of peace and comfort, and laughter and chatting fill the air.

What makes this unusual soup-kitchen-plus so successful? How has the Dining and Caring Center managed, for more than a decade, to provide roughly 24,000 meals a year to indigents and others in need of a meal? Let’s look at some of the reasons.

The Dining and Caring Center (or DCC) began as a church-sponsored ministry, founded by volunteers at Asbury First United Methodist Church. The first key to understanding the DCC’s success lies there: in having a large pool of dedicated, available workers to staff the center. Asbury First has nearly 2,000 members, and has, since its beginning in the 1800s, valued outreach. It was easy for DCC founders to find individuals willing to come in once a week or even once a month to cook a meal. Today, nearly 200 volunteers staff the Center, making the burden light for each one.

Another factor in the group’s success was the establishment of an advisory board, with membership both from the church congregation and beyond. This board guides the focus of the DCC, approves all new initiatives, and has most recently been responsible for hiring a freelance development professional who is giving new insights into the successful management of a non-profit in the 21st century. With her help, the board and the DCC director (the only paid employee) are creating a website and researching possible grant funding. The moral? Find good people, and bring them on board. There are many who will help–they just have to be asked.

Another factor in the DCC success: play well with others. As an urban organization, the DCC draws its guests from across the downtown Rochester area. It has links with other soup kitchens and like-minded organizations across the city, coordinating its offerings so that there is an efficient use of resources. If we offer breakfast on Monday, then the soup kitchen a mile away at Blessed Sacrament Church doesn’t have to–they can focus on lunch. This collaborative mindset helps all of the organizations to better use their resources. It also allows for an informal grapevine of information on community partnerships and other benefits that might be shared.

In summary, what makes the Center work best is its philosophy of respect and open communication: with its clients, with the church community where it makes its home, with funders, with its neighbors in the city of Rochester, and with all those with whom it comes into contact.

For more information on the center, go to www.asburyfirst.org and click on “outreach.”

soup kitchen, nonprofit, urban, Methodist Church, volunteers, Dining and Caring Center, homeless, indigent,The Center for Association Resources


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Non – Profit Organisation– published by The Center for Association Resources

May 22, 2011 by center_for_association_resources Leave a Comment


Non-Profit Organization for the service of the society and its members

Ownership of an organization is the main difference between profit making and non profit making organizations. Profit organizations are privately owned and re-distribute profit or wealth to its shareholders. There are controlling members or boards.
In India there are certain organizations which are set up to provide service to its members and the public in general. These organizations include clubs, charitable institutions, schools, religious organizations, welfare societies, trade unions and society for promotion of art and culture. The main objective of these organizations is not the profit but the service. Non profit organizations normally known as not –for-profit organizations does not engage in any trading or business activities. They function without any profit motive. A non profit organization is a separate legal entity and is always promoted by enterprises or any individual but these organizations are not owned by these individuals and enterprises. They always aim at welfare and service of its members and society.
Non profit organizations normally collect donations and contributions from the members as well as outsiders to meet the cost of their project and its expenses. For example a club like Lions club raise fund by the way of membership donation(the amount paid at the time of admission), monthly membership fee ,legacies, grant-in-aid , collection of advertisement for the news letter of the club, sale of cooked food in the housing colonies etc. There are association of professionals in the fundraising field who Provide education, advocacy and training. These organizations earn their reputation or goodwill on the basis of their service to the welfare of the society rather than on the customer’s satisfaction (profit organization).
The accounting information provided by such organizations is not to find out the profit earned but is meant for the potential contributors and is prepared as the statutory requirement. The funds raised through various source is taken to the organizations capital fund or general fund. The law requires that these non profit organization need to keep proper accounting records and to have a proper control over their fund utilization. They have to prepare financial statements at the end of each year. They need not prepare trading and profit and loss account like profit making organizations, but it is necessary to make a note of whether these organizations raise sufficient fund to meet their expenses. This financial statement has to be submitted to the statutory authority called Registrar of societies.

non-profit organization,fund raising,service to society, separate legal entity,,The Center for Association Resources


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Profit Less Organizations – Assocations, Trusts, Societies and the like.– published by The Center for Association Resources

May 21, 2011 by center_for_association_resources Leave a Comment


An organization formed with the intention of social service and not with the intention of making profit.

A Non-profit organisation as the name suggests, is an organisation which runs without any intention of making any kind of profit or income. For example, a Trust runs without the intention of making profits. Another example would be of associations, that again run not for making any profit at all. There are also charitable organisations that run with the sole purpose of social service and not for making profits.

Non-profit organisations are normally exempted from payment of taxes in most countries as they do not make any profits.

Management of a Non-profit organisation is not rocket science. It is very easy and simple to manage such an organisation as it is not profit oriented. Firstly the members of the organisation or association need to make a list of goals of their organisation. The organisation may have one or any number of goals. For example, A trust run by Christian missionaries may have its objective as giving education to children who do not have money to go to school. Also they may provide medical aid to those who are ailing, etc

Procuring funds is the next thing that members of a Non-profit organisation needs to do. For this the members will have to meet and tell people of their plans and goals. Mailers can be sent to the prospective donors briefing them of the objectives and goals of the organisation. Once these things are done, then donors will start donating money to the organisation for the said causes.

Once money is procured, making sure that the money is used towards accomplishing the goals of the organization is important. Making sure the money reaches the needy and poor is important. The members also need to make sure that money is not swindled in the name of social service.

Accounting of all the incomes and expenses with regard to the organization is important. Having an auditor examine the accounts periodically is the best way to accomplish this. This will make all dealings of the organization transparent and full proof. This will also give an opportunity to the donors to see whether their money is being put to good use and for the purpose for which it was intended.

Some organizations also invest the idle funds into other businesses, etc so as to make profits. The said profits are then used in accomplishing the goals of the organization. Thus the organization is not just dependent on donations.

So to summarize it, organizations that work for up-liftment of society and without any goal of making profits are termed as Non-profit organizations.

Organization, Non-profit, Societies, Trusts,The Center for Association Resources


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Foundation creation — published by The Center for Association Resources

April 18, 2011 by center_for_association_resources Leave a Comment


My plan is to start a foundation that will assist adults with disabilities in fighting discrimination in the workplace and educating them about their rights that are protected under the laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) More specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). My main focus will be disabled adults who are in the work force and need assistance with educating their employers, Protecting their own rights and doing whatever I can to make employers comply with regulations set forward under the EEOC and ADA in work situations including hiring, Firing, Promotions, Harassment, Training, Wages, And benefits (eeoc.gov). 
This foundation is dear to my heart because I have experienced firsthand, Employers who were not in compliance and after I received a life changing diagnosis myself.  After working hard to advance my career and complete my education; It all came to a crashing halt. After remembering those situations, I knew that I wanted to make a difference.  A few classes away from my Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, I decided to add a second major in Human Services.  Upon completion I will have earned both bachelors’ Degrees. This combined with my work experience gives me a solid background to be able to perform advocacy for others. My idea for starting this foundation came after I met a few people that really needed help after experiencing situations in the workplace that clearly violated the EEOC and the ADA and the employers got away with it because people with disabilities are neither aware nor informed of the protection and their rights set forward by the Federal government.  A market study for need and competition was not needed; These situations were presented to me.
The business plan to start my foundation is very simple; I am working on a website that will be serving as an information bank that will assist workers of their rights that fall under the EEOC and the ADA. I will also maintain an active list of links to government web pages and other foundations that offer assistance in specific areas that disabled adults may need and not otherwise be informed about, Such as Social Security, In the event they can’t work.  I want to reach out to any individual that feel their rights are being violated or if someone needs assistance after they have faced discrimination. I will do this from my home and make myself available by phone, Email and internet chat to assist potential clients.  I will reach out to my professional contacts that I have made, Such as an attorney whom I have taken different classes with, In different areas of employment and business law, A college professor with her PhD, Who is in the head of the Human Services program at the college I am attending, Along with contacts I have made in my own advocacy. Start up costs will be nil in the first stage because my foundation will be starting as a one woman operation, Me!  I am not against growing into something bigger if the need presents itself, But for now I am content with helping others who need my assistance.  Since being disabled and unable to work has left me with a lot of time on my hands and not being able to drive, Volunteering for another organization is not an option. Investing my time, Education and experience into my own foundation is the best way I feel I can give back to my community and advocate for disabled adults and who better to an advocate than one that lives the life!

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Resource mismanagement in the non-profit sector — published by The Center for Association Resources

April 18, 2011 by center_for_association_resources Leave a Comment


It’s hard to argue with the fact that non-profit organizations (NPOs) do a great deal of good around the world.  From large international groups such as the International Committee of the Red Cross to small, local ones such as land trusts, churches, and schools, non-profit organizations are an indelible part of everyday life for a large portion of the world’s population.  Of course the primary distinction between for-profit corporations and NPOs is that, while both are generally accountable to various government entities, the former are also accountable to shareholders.  The lack of such oversight within NPOs has often led to problems of resource mismanagement and, in extreme cases, the dissolution of the NPO itself [1].  One of the most prominent examples of mismanagement is the well-documented case of the  Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate (KSBE) in Hawai’i [2].  While KSBE is still operating, the State of Hawai’i forcibly removed several of its trustees in 1998 after a year-long investigation and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) retroactively revoked KSBE’s tax-exempt status as a result of the actions of these trustees, resulting in a $1 billion tax bill.  Though more than a decade has passed since these events, problems continue to persist.
How is it, then, that an organization tasked with ‘doing good’ and whose trustees technically held no fiduciary interest, could fail so spectacularly?  One mistake is to assume that financial gain is the only motive that might guide organizational stakeholders in committing misdeeds.  To be clear, the KSBE trustees did in fact benefit financially through elevated salaries.  Nevertheless, it became clear through the investigation that the actions of several trustees were ideologically motivated and included micromanaging of KSBE schools [3].  A second mistake is to assume that governmental oversight of NPOs is always adequate.  Haiti, for instance, has had a lengthy history of governance issues.  When the devastating earthquake struck in 2010, the government all but collapsed, providing an opportunity for abuse.  One of the more widely publicized of these was the arrest of American Christian missionaries for alleged child-trafficking [4].
Accountability within the non-profit sector is clearly an issue that continues to arise.  That doesn’t mean it is necessarily endemic to NPOs, however.  It merely underscores one of the many issues today’s NPOs have to face.  Dynamic, well-managed NPOs continue to make a positive difference in society.  Remaining ever-vigilant of accountability issues will help that to continue well into the future.
[1] Evelyn Brody, “The Legal Framework for Nonprofit Organizations,” in The Non-profit Sector: A research handbook, Walter W. Powell and Richard Steinberg, eds., Yale University Press, New Haven, 2006.
[2] Samuel P. King and Randall W. Roth, Broken Trust: Greed, Mismanagement & Political Manipulation at America’s Largest Charitable Trust, University of Hawai’i Press, Honolulu, 2006.
[3] Debra Barayuga, “Isle leaders urge state to probe Bishop Estate: They want more accountability from trustees,” Honolulu Star-Bulletin, August 9, 1997.
[4] Joseph Guyler Delva, “Americans arrested taking children out of Haiti,” Reuters, January 30, 2010.


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Contemporary Requirements of Non-profit organizations–published by The Center for Association Resources

April 18, 2011 by center_for_association_resources Leave a Comment


Human beings are social animals, the wise, expressive and sensitive living beings. Ever since the existence of mankind, people have been living together and facing difficulties and hardships together proving the myth right that human beings are different from animals because of their feelings. Human beings have always lived together in families, social circuits and friends and have always tried to help each other in times of need. No matter how cruel a person is he still has a portion of his heart filled with feelings. This is how we were introduced with the word humanity. Humanity is the only word which has kept our world safe and people who go into deep crisis get help in the name of humanity. We have been living in this world just because of humanity, social work, fraternity, justice and charity are the few things that has kept this world, this planet earth still alive. The idea of humanitarian and social work, charity and desire for justice gave birth to a new kind of organization of people we now know as NGOs that stands for non government organizations or NPO that stands for non-profit organizations. These organizations were made by joining hands of those people who had similar thoughts about humanity and social work. The non-profit social organization function on the basis of charity they receive from people. Now if you look around you will notice that there are numerous non-profit organizations all around claiming to help poor, providing education to needy, curing diseases of weak and asking for more and more charity. The situation has automatically given birth to the famous phenomena called competition. Though it may sound little funny, may be sarcastic, that what does competition has to do with social work and with these non-profit organizations as they are not looking to top the sales charts. But in reality there is competition. There are so many non-profit NGOs which are working in the fields. They get charity globally, they have networks, they advertise. In order to be successful in their work the directors and management of these organizations are facing the biggest challenge ever. Now they have to market their work, they have to meet people to build rapport and they would have to insist and convince people to trust them and help them help others. The leader ship qualities matter a lot for the management of the non-profit organization. They just don’t have to manage their employees but they also have to gain funds from source and deliver them over to needy and disaster affected people. • These leadership qualities include: • Communication at all levels. • Conflict management and negotiation skills are a must. • Management person should be a great planner and strong decision maker. • Coaching, training and feedback. • Should be honest and trustworthy. • Team player These qualities are very crucial for a person to be a manager or director of a non-profit organization. There are numerous universities and institutions all around the world who have recognized the need of teaching and training the executives of non-profit and non government organizations to play their part in helping and serve humanity.


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The Center for Association Resources has published a non-profit directors checklis

April 3, 2011 by doug Leave a Comment


The Center for Association Resources has published a non-profit directors checklist at http://association-resources.com/resources/72-a-not-for-profit-directors-checklist

 


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Member survey research – The Center for Association Resources

April 1, 2011 by center_for_association_resources 1 Comment


Research is very important for a non-profit organization for a number of reasons. The first reason and one of the most important is to know whether or not you are effective in what you are doing. This is important because you want to know that all of your hard work is making a positive difference. It is also important for the financial aspect because a well performing and effective non-profit organization will get more funding than a non-effective one. Another reason for doing it is to gather information to know what people think of your work, To get feedback, As well as to know if any areas need improvement. We will be looking at these areas more in depth and examining ways to carry out member survey research in the most cost effective ways.
Like I mentioned before, Non-profit organizations should be as effective as possible. Survey research is one of those ways to make sure that your message is reaching out and you are getting feedback from everyone that you deal with, Including members, Employees, Associates and the target community. Feedback can help the non-profit know exactly where the money, Time, Resources and efforts need to go in order to improve. Also, Feedback through survey research may be able to tell you whether you need to broaden your area of specialiaty or to focus more on one area in order to better serve your target clients. When doing the survey research, It is important to get feedback and information from the clients as well as from the employees. This will help any non-profit know how to improve, Not only for those that they are serving, But also for those that do the work in order for them to also be as effective as they possibly can be. 
It is also important to get feedback in order to get funding. Any company, Organization or even the government will be a lot more likely to give funding and backing to a non-profit that is growing, Showing improvement and otherwise doing in reality what it says it is doing on paper. Because there are usually many non-profits seeking the same financial backing, Having research to prove that your methods are solving real world problems in a reasonable and manageable way and that you are reaching more and more people by creating awareness could be the thing that sets one non-profit apart from the rest. Therefore, Research should be taken seriously and should be as much of a priority as reaching and serving the clients. This alone should be a good reason to do invest into doing the member survey research. 
There are many ways to administer research survey tests. All possible methods should be examined before starting administering the actual tests. According to how big or small the non-profit is, Different methods will be more or less effective. Be sure to check into all options; Online, On-site, Mail-in surveys and if possible, Get an independent party to do the survey and report the results to the non-profit organization. This way, Your results and data will be more credible than and also as non-biased as possible. 
I hope that these reasons are enough to convince any non-profits to go ahead and conduct member research surveys. Even with the additional (and often minimal) Cost, The benefits far out-weigh the cost on this one.

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What is benchmarking?

March 30, 2011 by center_for_association_resources 3 Comments


What is benchmarking?
Benchmarking is an activity where organizations of a similar nature compare themselves and their performance to other similar organizations.  There are entire organizations and entities that gather benchmarking metrics and publish these metrics so that other organization can use these metrics to compare their operations.  Typically, each industry has key operating or financial performance metrics that they use to measure their internal performance or compile this information and publish their external performance in quarterly and annual reports.  Depending on the industry, the actual metrics that are used in a benchmarking effort will be different.  Benchmarking can be used to identify areas of opportunity for improvement in a given organization.
What are key benchmarking metrics for non-profit organizations?
A variety of metrics can be used to benchmark a non-profit organization’s financial and operational performance.  Depending on the nature of the non-profit organization, metrics could be included or excluded from the benchmarking effort.  One reference is the eNon-Profit Benchmark Study Authored by M+R Strategic Services Advocacy Institute.  The link to this report is referenced at the end of this article.  Below lists a number of potential benchmark metrics included in that study and other metrics that can be used to benchmark a non-profit organization.  
• New donors per time period
• Donor list base size increases or decreases
• Donor churn
• Dollar received based on advertising expended
• Number of solicitations per month
• Funds donated per month
• Funds raised per $1000
• Operating cost per dollar donated
• Return on investment for online advertising
• Return on Investment for mail advertising
• Etc.
Each study and organization should tailor their benchmarking metrics to their own organization.
How do you go about benchmarking?
The mechanics of benchmarking for a non-profit organization are the same as with any organization or company.  First, you must decide on the metrics that you would like to track and compare.  A consensus between key management personnel on the metrics is important so that there is agreement on the metrics for measurement.  Next, gather data for your company for the specific metrics.  This may require new or different reporting, or, these metrics may be readily available within the organization.  Finally, gather metrics from similar organizations and compare your company to them using the benchmarking metrics.   This process will help you identify key areas that your company may want to focus process or financial improvement efforts.  Having performed the benchmarking study will lead you to the identification of key areas that you can focus your management efforts.  
It is important to monitor your internal benchmark performance on an ongoing basis.  Monitoring these key metrics will provide a concise view of your overall organizational performance.  On a periodic or yearly basis, it is also beneficial to revisit your key metrics with management to determine if the importance of these metrics has changed or the metrics should be revised.  Additionally, the benchmarks should be compared to other organizations on a yearly basis to determine how you are performing compared to similar organizations and to determine your progress in improving performance.  
Benchmarking for a non-profit organization is a beneficial activity.  This process provides information so that the non-profit organization can measure and improve performance on an ongoing basis.

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