Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, |
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There is big news in the world of politics that I am sure many of you are already aware of, but I want to be sure to draw attention to it, as it will have significant impacts (although less than many first hoped) on the issues and communities that nonprofits care about and serve.
This morning, President Biden made his case for a $1.75 trillion framework of social and climate spending in a meeting with House Democrats. This is what may be his last chance to end a weeks-long battle to reach a compromise on the package before heading to the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow later today.
Biden is trying to convince members of his own party in the House Progressive Caucus to accept the framework as a final deal to clear the way for a separate vote on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate in August. Progressive members have insisted they need a full social spending bill and a plan for a vote before they will allow the infrastructure bill to move forward. Biden administration officials believe the policies they have agreed on can become a bill that passes both the House and the Senate.
The social spending package includes major priorities for Democrats including universal pre-K for all 3- and 4-year-olds, an additional year of the expanded monthly child tax credit payment, invests in affordable housing, premium reductions under the Affordable Care Act and significant investments to address climate change. The bill would also create a nationwide green jobs program known as the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The framework includes:
- Universal pre-K for all 3- and 4-year-olds, for six years
- Child care support for about 20 million children for six years — limits costs to no more than 7% of income for families earning up to 250% of state median income, as long as parents are working, seeking work, in training or dealing with a serious health issue
- More than $500 billion in spending on climate, including clean energy tax credits for rooftop solar, electric vehicles, clean energy production; a civilian climate corps program; and investments in clean energy technology and manufacturing
- Extending the expanded Affordable Care Act premium tax credits through 2025
- Covering hearing costs through Medicare for seniors
- $100 billion for reforms to reduce backlogs in the immigration asylum process
Notably absent from the framework are major party priorities, including: paid family leave; free community college; and measures to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Many blame Senator Manchin (D-WV) for the failure to reach a deal on paid family leave and free community college.
The means to pay for the program has been one of the contentious issues throughout the discussion, especially for Republicans who are objecting to a number of the taxes included in the legislation:
- A 15% minimum tax for large corporations that report profits of more than $1 billion to shareholders
- A 1% tax on stock buybacks
- A 15% minimum tax on foreign profits of U.S. corporations
- A surtax on the top .02% wealthiest Americans of 5% on income over $10 million, and an additional 3% on income over $25 million
It appears as if one new tax proposals designed to help pay for the increased spending in the budget reconciliation bill have not been included in the version now being moved forward. One of those, a billionaires tax proposed by Oregon’s own Senator Wyden, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, appears to have lost steam.
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Stay healthy and be safe,
Jim White
NAO Executive Director
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No tricks, only treat!
Treat your organization to discounted NAO trainings by purchasing a NAO Member Pass. Use your unique discount code to pre-pay for 10 NAO network sessions now through Spring 2022! Member Pass sales are available to NAO members only and end on Halloween, October 31 at 11:59 p.m. (PT). See network schedule and pass information here.
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Vaccines/Testing Requirements
On Tuesday, two subcommittees of the House Education & Labor Committee held a hearing, “Protecting Lives and Livelihoods: Vaccine Requirements and Employee Accommodations.” Democratic members on the subcommittees were mostly supportive of the Biden Administration requirements. Republicans challenged the constitutionality of the proposed OSHA emergency temporary standard, and sought to make the case that vaccinations should not be required of individuals who have already contracted COVID-19. Our colleagues at the National Council of Nonprofits sent a letter to staff of subcommittee members to alert them to the charitable nonprofit perspective on the question of COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.
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NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities |
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Virtual Rural Convening Opportunities
Fall 2021 Learn at Lunch Series
Are you on a nonprofit board or staff member looking for practical training and tools to strengthen your organizational leadership skills? Join NAO for an opportunity to learn at one of our regional Learn at Lunch sessions. Each series is made up of four, one-hour Zoom sessions held each week over the lunch hour. We'll provide bite-sized training in Board Management, Board Recruitment & Retention, Engaging Your Board in Fundraising and Finance Fundamentals.
Sessions are provided a la carte, so you can join us for all of them – or what topic you think is most applicable to your work now.
Upcoming Learn at Lunches in these regions: Linn and Benton Counties (Nov. 2); Douglas County (Nov. 4 & 11); and Yamhill County (Nov. 2, 9, 16 & 23). More details and registration information, click here.
Nonprofit Resource Roundups
Join NAO for a virtual Nonprofit Resource Roundups! Participants will learn about funding resources and grant opportunities from foundation representatives; have an opportunity to virtually network with other nonprofits in your area; connect with NAO resources; and explore current policy and proposals that impact Oregon nonprofits.
Each are free; however, space is limited so register soon!
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Virtual Networks
Registration for individual network sessions are open! Due to the continued rise of the Delta variant, all NAO networks will be virtual only through the end of the year. We will continue to prioritize the safety of our communities, monitor COVID-19 cases, and hospital capacities on a regular basis – we're hopeful that we can convene in person safely in 2022. |
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NAO Member Pass – Deadline to purchase is Sunday!
NAO Member Pass holders may register for events across all six of NAO’s networks now through 2022. The unique discount code may be used for 10 registrations (per pass). Passes are shareable across your organization - Purchase now through October 31, 2021.
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Wellness and Wellbeing for Leaders and Their Teams - The BrainScience of Compassionate Leadership
November 9, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Anna Young, Anna Young Leadership Coaching
As leaders, over the last year and a half, our inboxes have been flooded from leadership and HR firms alike, emphasizing the importance of wellbeing. Through presentation and discussion we will create a safe supportive environment to discuss the challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to come out with concrete and practical steps they can take and tips for how to help them stick. More details and registration information here.
Bridging to Authentic DEI for Maintaining Trust
November 10, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Alexis James, Construct the Present
In this session, participants will learn how to apply DEI best practices within an organizational development context while bringing conscious awareness to their own learned biases. By reflecting on self-identities and bridging some of the divides that exist when it comes to talking about race, this session will encourage a deeper understanding of creating an inclusive culture rooted in trust and authentic conversations. More details and registration information here.
Reviewing New Elements of Operational Risk and Preparing for the Unexpected
November 18, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Presenters: Matt Lokan, Bliss Sequoia Insurance & Risk Advisors and Joe Poretto, First Nonprofit
The scale and scope of the pandemic has changed how nonprofit leaders need to be thinking about business continuity and addressing operational risks. Issues like cybersecurity, executive liability, employment practices and disaster preparedness can no longer be back burner issues as we consider our organizational and fiscal risks today and into the future. Join us for this session to refresh your thinking and prepare for the unexpected. More details and registration information here.
Envision Your Roadmap to HR Success in Challenging, Changing Times
December 1, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Christine Frazer, Christine Frazer HR Strategist
Remote working arrangements are quickly becoming our new normal. In this virtual network session, Christine Frazer will discuss remote work policies that will set you up for success and help you learn how to manage employees with greater flexibility while fostering shared accountability as we settle into these long-term working conditions. More details and registration information here.
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NAO Member Pass – Deadline to purchase is Sunday!
NAO Member Pass holders may register for events across all six of NAO’s networks now through 2022. The unique discount code may be used for 10 registrations (per pass). Passes are shareable across your organization - Purchase now through October 31, 2021.
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NAO Webinars
Effective Supervision Practices for Advancing Equity and Inclusion (Two-Part Webinar)
December 1 and 8, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Presenter: Cliff Jones, Capacity Building Partnerships
Employees are your organization’s greatest resource. Effective support and direction for your staff, as well as understanding ways to work across differences will help create an environment where people can fully contribute and advance your organization’s mission and goals. In this two-part series, we’ll explore the most essential elements of a supervisor’s role with a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. Cliff will offer insight into the specific challenges of supervision in the nonprofit environment to help you identify concrete goals and changes that you can implement with individual staff and teams. Participants will also examine strategies to address unclear expectations between staff and supervisor, ambivalence about authority, low pay, and heavy workloads. More details and registration information, click here.
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Thank you to the following FUNDERS and SPONSORS who are supporting NAO’s online events and communications during these challenging times. Their support is vital in helping NAO to bring much-needed resources and information to Oregon’s nonprofits – thank you. |
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