July 21, 2022

Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters,

The NAO staff is working hard to plan for our upcoming Fall programming which includes two conferences, our 2022-2023 regional networks, Salon networking happy hours, and more. If your organization has been considering becoming an NAO member, this is a great time to join to take full advantage of all the programs, education, and networking events that we have to offer.

I also want to use this chance to thank Sabrina Wilson for her service on our Board of Directors and to welcome our newest board member, Madalyn Bach. Sabrina’s contributions to the board will be missed, but I know that she will continue to support the work of nonprofits throughout Oregon in many different capacities.

Stay healthy and be safe,

Join the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) for one of four sessions on Heat Risk & Urban Heat Islands, the City of Portland response to heat events, heat illness first aid, and creating community cooling spaces. Sessions are free and held via Zoom on Wednesdays from noon – 1 p.m. All are welcome, including those outside of the Portland area, to join on July 27, August 3 and 10. Register here.

Choosing between different funding models can be difficult and confusing. Our friends at Nonstop recently published their Guide to Traditional Health Plan Design; this free download offers details you need about traditional health plan funding models, including definitions, risks, opportunities, and sources. Learn about: Fully Insured Health Plan Designs; Self-Insured Health Plan Designs; Partially Self-Insured Health Plan Designs; and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs). Download today!

Many nonprofits receive revenue from government contracts, and there are problems with the way these contracts are administered. NAO is working on several initiatives to make changes and modernizations to the way that government works with our sector. We would like to understand your experience with government contracts in Oregon and what policy solutions we can move forward to support you and make nonprofit work easier. We have a short survey that will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will help us to work towards real reform of our government contracting. Take survey before August 15, 2022.

July 26, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Presenter: Liana Avendaño, Construct The Present 

In this webinar, participants will understand how the socialization of the LGBTQIA+ community can show up at work. We will explore what may come up for employees and how employers can better support their LGBTQIA+ staff. Participants will also begin to explore how policies and culture can impact or improve the experience of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. More details and registration information here. 

This summer NAO is partnering with the Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section (DOJ) to offer a 3-part webinar series focused on nonprofit fundraising events, internal financial controls, and managing donor restrictions. The Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section supervises and regulates the activities of charitable organizations in the state. This webinar series will provide an overview of information to help keep your nonprofit in compliance with the DOJ’s rules and regulations. 

August 9, 16, 23, and 30, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Hannah Cortez, The Dotted i

In this grant writing series, we’ll offer hands-on learning activities, peer networking, and expert knowledge on grant readiness, grant research, proposal writing, and grant management. In addition to virtual instruction, participants will have weekly homework to deepen their learning and have direct access to course trainers for feedback and support. Register before August 9th – one registration enrolls participants for all four sessions! More details and registration information here.

August 23, 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenter: Jenn Clemo, NAO

In this 90-minute webinar, participants will learn the basic financial principles; including board member responsibilities, understanding restrictions, reviewing your statements for key financial indicators, and internal controls. Please note that this webinar provides fundamentals-level overview that is most appropriate for new board members, emerging nonprofit leaders, or those looking for a refresh of the basics. Free to NAO members! More details and registration information here.

Building Immunity by Building Community – Members Only Webinars

August 9, 16, 23 and 30, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Presenter: Adam Jespersen, Montana Nonprofit Association

Join the Montana Nonprofit Association (MNA), NAO’s counterpart in the state of Montana, for a four-week exploration of Microsoft Excel. If you work with any type of data, from grant reporting to program tracking, improving your skills in Excel is one of the easiest ways to level up your efficiency and productivity at work! This fast-paced course will start at the very beginning in introducing Excel as an essential tool for any nonprofit professional and will build on that foundation to teach participants how to effectively organize, analyze, and visualize data in ways that make work easier, smarter, more productive, and more efficient. More details and registration information here.

Mark your calendars for NAO’s Guiding More Good conference happening in-person this year! This day-long event for nonprofit boards, staff, and volunteers offers exciting expert speakers, practical resources, and networking opportunities. Session topics include fundraising, finance, and governance. More information coming soon! 

We're excited for the return of NAO’s High Desert Conference on October 3 in Redmond! This full-day conference will bring together nonprofit leaders and others who are advancing communities in the High Desert region. Join leading experts, practitioners and your peers for a day of learning, networking and connecting. More information coming soon! 

If you have any questions or difficulties registering, contact NAO's Training team at training@nonprofitoregon.org.