August 18, 2022

Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, 

In her journal, Sylvia Plath wrote “August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time,” and while I’m not sure I agree that the best of the summer is gone, late August certainly feels like the odd uneven time as we wrap up summer vacations, savor the last bits of sunshine and long days, and start to prepare for the Fall. Once September arrives, many of us have big schedule changes – from the school year starting to year end donation campaigns to beginning to close the fiscal year – September seems to launch us out of the dog days of summer quickly. I hope many of you are taking the remaining weeks of summer to recover, rejuvenate, and refresh with family and friends before entering into what’s typically a more hectic season for nonprofit organizations.  

 

The staff at NAO is trying to figure out the balance between taking advantage of the end of the season while working on all the upcoming Fall programs that start up in September. We have spent a lot of time over the last several months listening to nonprofit leaders to learn what some of their biggest challenges are and how NAO can help address those issues – we are jumping into our regional Learning Networks, conferences, and webinars with these topics at the forefront. Additionally, we are creating new and updated resources as well as curating robust members only programs and events.  

 

I hope you’ll take a look at our upcoming programming (more is being added every week!) If you happen to be enjoying the last bits of summer (and I hope you are!), I’d encourage you to bookmark this newsletter to peruse our upcoming Fall events when you’re ready. If you happen to want to check them out while you’re swinging in a hammock in your yard or on the banks of the John Day or picnicking at the coast, I won’t stop you – but please try to enjoy your time away from work.

Stay safe and healthy,


Jim White

Executive Director

Nonprofit News

Transformational Leadership Program

 

We are excited to share a new learning opportunity offered by our friends at the Capacity Building Partnerships, the Transformational Leadership Program. This program is designed to support leaders in building and sustaining diversity, equity, inclusion and justice!


This nine-month, multi-faceted engagement is designed to bring organizational and company leaders together to build a supportive learning community and seed the kind of leadership that will foster and sustain DEIJ efforts for the future. The program runs from October 2022 to June 2023. Learn more here.

 

NAO members receive $500 off registration costs. For questions email Tere Mathern at terem@capacitypartnerships.com

At the State Level

In the spirit of enjoying the last days of summer, you might want to try to see if you can get a glimpse of the aurora borealis (The Northern Lights) this week.

At the Federal Level

On August 16, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, P.L. 117-___, a $739 billion package of climate, health, and tax provisions. The law promotes clean energy through spending and tax breaks, extends Obamacare subsidies for three years, and permits the federal government to negotiate drug prices. The measure also levies a minimum tax on corporations with billion-dollar revenues and taxes stock buybacks. About $300 billion of the revenues will go to reduce the deficit.

 

This legislation includes numerous provisions to extend assistance and outreach to underserved and disadvantaged communities. Underserved farmers, ranchers, and foresters will receive $2.85 billion in assistance and support. State, local, and Tribal governments will be offered grants and incentives to reduce air pollution, with an emphasis on reaching disadvantaged populations, environmental justice, and other communities. There will also be similar targeted spending in areas of rural energy development and drought response. The final law dropped funding for child care and early childhood education workforce that had been included in the House-passed version of the Build Back Better Act.

 

We are still reading through this very lengthy bill to learn more about what is included and what pieces of this act could be the most impactful to the nonprofit sector. As we learn more, we will continue to include that information in our updates.

NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities

NAO Conference

Guiding More Good

September 10 | In-person: CH2M Hill Alumni Center, Corvallis

This day-long conference brings together nonprofit leaders, board members, and volunteers to learn and share their stories and experiences of working and volunteering for nonprofit organizations. Each year, Guiding More Good inspires attendees with expert speakers, robust conversations, practical resources, and cross-sector networking opportunities. This jam-packed conference is the perfect opportunity to re-connect with your peers, learn about how to navigate current issues that are top-of-mind today, and create new relationships with other nonprofits. More details and registration information here.

Register for GMG

NAO Webinars


Board Bright: Finance Fundamentals

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.


3-Part Summer Series with Oregon DOJ 

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. 

 

Click through for more details and registration information: 

 


Board Bright: Engaging Your Board in Fundraising

September 8, 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenter: Jenn Clemo, NAO

A well-prepared and passionate board is essential to successful fundraising. This 90-minute addition to the Board Bright series will provide strategies for setting your board up for fundraising success. Learn how to create fundraising expectations from the get-go, increase your board’s understanding of the organization’s revenue needs, find ways for everyone to play a role, and build board ambassadors for your cause. Free to NAO members! More details and registration information here.


Building Immunity by Building Community – Members Only

September 13, 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Presenter: Renee' Menkens, Nurse Practitioner

The goal of BIBC is to increase vaccine confidence within communities that have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This project is a collaboration between the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN), Boost Oregon, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and OAFP. This webinar is free and available to members only. More details and registration information here.

NAO Workshops (In-person)

 

Investing in Change: Foundation Support for Lobbying and Other Advocacy

September 23, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Presenter: Quyen Tu, Bolder Advocacy at Alliance For Justice

Private and public foundations can play an important role in advocacy by engaging in advocacy themselves and funding their grantees to advocate on their issues. This workshop is designed for foundation staff and trustees. After this workshop, your foundation will have a clear understanding of the kinds of advocacy activities you can safely engage in and best practices for grantmaking to give your grantees the most flexibility under the law for their advocacy efforts. Not sure how to make the case for funding advocacy? Uncertain whether you can fund grantees that lobby? Wondering whether your public or private foundation can speak out on a particular issue? This training answers these questions and more! More details and registration information here.

 

Nonprofit Advocacy Training – Members Only

September 24, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Presenter: Quyen Tu, Bolder Advocacy at Alliance For Justice

This six-hour intensive in-person training is perfect for nonprofits interested in developing and elevating their advocacy program. The training is two workshops rolled into one that’s designed for both nonprofit board members and staff to participate together! You’ll learn about the lobbying and election year activities that nonprofits can engage in just in time for the 2022 General Election, 2023 state and federal legislative sessions. More details and registration information here.

NAO Regional Networks (In-person)


We’re excited to bring back NAO’s in-person regional networks. Join us for a session in Bend, Corvallis, Medford, Portland or Springfield. All events below are Member Pass eligible. Save over $200 by purchasing a Member Pass before October 31!

  

Trauma-Informed Care: Next Steps

September 14, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Reba Smith, Independent Consultant

Location: ACCESS Olsrud Family Nutrition Center, Medford

Resilience is becoming the new buzzword for how to navigate our stress-filled lives. But, what does resilience in action look like? In this session, participants will: learn practical, simple ways to promote resilience and trauma-informed care; explore the main areas in your organization that can be targeted for improvement; examine the influence individuals have in shifting your culture; and Gain skills to support yourself, staff and clients. More details and registration information here.

 

Managing the Overworked Accounting Department

September 14, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Presenters: Todd Kimball and Vega Tom, CFO Selections 

Location: The Melody Event Center, Portland

In this session, we’ll start by discussing the current pressures facing the accounting profession in our COVID landscape. We’ll offer strategies to reduce the workload placed upon the department and suggest ideas to improve efficiency. Additionally, we’ll discuss current strategies to retain staff and increase team appreciation and engagement. More details and registration information here.

 

Making Time for Reflection, Especially When It Feels Impossible

September 15, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Amy Varga, The Varga Group

Location: Ecotrust, Portland

When it comes to leadership, there’s a paradox: if you want to have greater impact – faster – you have to slow down enough to reflect on where you’re going, what you’re doing, and how you’re showing up as a leader. In this highly interactive and engaging workshop, you will explore why reflection is essential to effective leadership; how you can harness the power of reflection for yourself and your team; and how to make time for reflection when it feels impossible to pack one more thing in. More details and registration information here.

 

Optimizing the Board & Executive Director Relationship

September 20, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Jenn Clemo, NAO

Location: Alvord-Taylor, Springfield

The board/executive director relationship is among the most critical for an organization to be successful. This relationship is not effortless, but the reward is a results-driven partnership that is productive, enjoyable, and consistently in support of the organization’s mission. This session, participants will examine board/executive director roles and the division of labor between governing and managing. Participants will also learn about essential elements of a good board/executive director relationship as well as optimal elements of a great, high-performing leadership team. More details and registration information here.

 

Respecting Identity and Building Allyship: The Power in Pronouns

September 21, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Kaig Lightner, Quantum Gender LLC

Location: Ecotrust, Portland

The use of pronouns and gender-neutral language demonstrates respect to people of all gender identities/expressions. The practice of including pronouns in company email signatures in addition to online profiles is a solid first step in creating inclusive spaces, but it is critical to deepen understanding into the complexity and nuance of individual gender identity. This workshop is ideal for anyone who is just beginning to understand the importance of using pronouns and gender-neutral language respectfully as well as those who are eager to increase their allyship skills for transgender and nonbinary identified colleagues. More details and registration information here.

 

Planned Giving: Gifts That Help Now and Later

September 22, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Grady Goodall, OSU's College of Liberal Arts

Location: C3-Corvallis Community Center, Corvallis

As we all grapple with a changing financial landscape, it can feel tempting to put planned giving on the backburner. When the need for funding is immediate, we instead focus on fundraising activities that we believe will generate more immediate revenue. However, “Planned Giving” and “Quick Giving" don't have to be mutually exclusive! More details and registration information here.

 

Managing Financials with an Operational Mindset

September 28, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Megan Fries, Frenzy to Freedom

Location: Deschutes Children's Foundation, Bend

We generally start or lead a non-profit because we are passionate about a cause and want to make a difference, not because we love to wear ALL the hats. Financial management is one of the key areas to gauge success, create plans for growth, and demonstrate our effectiveness as an organization. Truly an area we can all use some support. This session on Managing Financials with an Operational Mindset walks us through financial aspects that will strengthen the operations of your organization. More details and registration information here.

 

Engaging Your Board in Fundraising: A Mission-based Approach

October 18, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Grady Goodall, OSU's College of Liberal Arts

Location: Alvord-Taylor, Springfield

Effective fundraising is a team sport, and it can be frustrating to feel like too much of your team is still on the bench. Board members can be some of our most powerful ambassadors, storytellers, and fundraisers - and yet many feel underprepared to fully participate in the fundraising process. In this session, we'll cover strategies to help staff engage board members in fundraising activities so that everyone shares the workload - and the success. More details and registration information here.

 

Nonprofit Advocacy: Why Nonprofits and Why Now?

October 20, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO

Location: Corvallis Community Center, Corvallis

Communities are going through unprecedented change. Oregon is making important decisions in the coming months about state leadership at all levels. Nonprofits have the right to educate civic leaders on the role our organizations play in our communities to help them make most informed public policy decisions. Join us for an informative discussion on the importance of nonprofit advocacy during a time of social upheaval and unpredictable political challenges. 

More details and registration information here.

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