Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, |
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I hope you are enjoying the cooler temperatures and the rain – it has been a welcome bit of relief for us at NAO.
As usual, there is a lot happening politically right now that impacts us all. At the federal level, veteran Reuters correspondent Pete Schroeder summed it up best earlier this week on Twitter when he said “I’m a broken record here, but whatever is happening on Capitol Hill right now is functionally incomprehensible to anyone whose full-time job isn’t paying attention to it.” The Washington Post breaks down the four big things happening right now that will have impacts on all Americans.
Luckily, Congress passed short-term bills today to fund the government to avoid a partial government shut-down at midnight tonight. This is great news for everybody and I’m particularly glad that Oregonians who are federal employees and contractors will continue to have work and that essential government programs like SNAP, WIC, and the Oregon Health Plan that our communities rely on will continue running without interruption or delay.
I’ll be keeping a close eye on what’s happening in Washington D.C. and will provide relevant updates to nonprofit leaders as needed.
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Jim White
NAO Executive Director
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Sage Summit is Coming Up!
October 14, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Pacific Time)
In just two weeks, NAO is combining the High Desert Conference and the Eastern Oregon Nonprofit Conference into one virtual summit with keynote speaker, Carol Cheney, Chief Executive Officer at the Collins Foundation! We have an exciting line-up of sessions, speakers, and panels planned. If you’re a nonprofit leader in Oregon, particularly in Eastern or Central Oregon, don’t miss the opportunity to attend.
NAO’s Sage Summit packs in all the learning, networking, and collaboration that you have come to expect from our conferences and we cannot wait for you to experience this one-day event with us.
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New Political Maps Passed
On Monday, Oregon lawmakers passed new political maps. Bills to rearrange the state’s 90 legislative districts and to give Oregon a sixth congressional district passed the House largely along party lines. Governor Brown signed the bills Monday evening, making Oregon the first state to pass a congressional redistricting plan this year. You can find more information on the votes as well as the new map here. As mentioned before, these political districts will have impacts on the way communities and nonprofits interact with government. It is well worth your time to take a peek at these maps and familiarize your teams with where the district boundaries overlap with your program impact areas of service.
Oregon Is Getting Ready to Welcome Afghan Refugees
Oregon will receive about 180 Afghanistan refugees in the next few months, the Biden administration told Governor Brown’s office earlier this month. Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Catholic Charities of Oregon, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon are the three federally contracted refugee resettlement groups in the state. The Biden administration has requested funding from Congress to help resettle 65,000 Afghans in the United States by the end of September and 30,000 more over the next year. This recent allocation of refugees for Oregon is through the end of March 2022, the governor’s office said.
The Refugee Care Collective, a local organization that works with resettlement agencies, has raised more than $82,000 in the latest fundraising push to support arriving Afghan families. The funds will go to emergency housing, restart kits full of essential household items, gift cards for foods, and providing family and youth mentorship among other services. There is more help needed for long-term housing, storage, and donations – to donate to help these efforts, visit here.
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This week’s Federal updates are on pieces of legislation that are “live” and new information and changes seem to be happening every hour. We are tracking all this information and have been providing more updates in real time on our Twitter account - give us a follow if you haven’t already.
Congress Averts Government Shut-down: The House and Senate both passed short-term bills today to avoid a government shut-down at midnight. The funding stopgap sustains federal agencies’ existing spending until December 3, at which point Congress must adopt another short-term fix, called a continuing resolution, or pass a dozen appropriations bills that fund federal agencies through the 2022 fiscal year. The new measure also includes billions of dollars to assist in responding to two recent, deadly hurricanes that battered the Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard, as well as other money to aid in resettling refugees arriving from Afghanistan.
Infrastructure & Reconciliation: The House is scheduled to vote Thursday on the Senate-passed bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, H.R. 3684, but the outcome of that vote is uncertain. On Tuesday, Speaker Pelosi indicated that the budget reconciliation bill will not be ready for action this week, causing progressive Democrats to threaten to vote down the infrastructure bill. President Biden has personally been negotiating with moderate Senators Sinema and Manchin seeking to adopt a framework for the budget reconciliation measure. Today Senator Manchin said that he could not support a social safety net bill of more than $1.5 trillion, less than half the size of the package that President Biden and Democratic leaders have been trying to push through Congress.
Debt Ceiling: Treasury Secretary Yellen reports that the federal government will default on its debts as early as October 18 unless Congress raises or suspends the debt ceiling and allows Treasury to borrow more funds. Today, Secretary Yellen argued that the debt ceiling should be abolished entirely to eliminate the turbulence of a default.
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NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities |
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Virtual Nonprofit Learning Cohorts
Growing Future Leaders: Creating a Path and Thinking Ahead (Regular)
October 1 – 29, 12 – 1 p.m. | Facilitator: Jess Hampton, NAO
Join this cohort of peers to learn about nonprofit best practices while gaining insight from each other’s challenges and solutions, and problem solving together. This five-part series is geared for nonprofit staff and board members who are strategizing creative ways to strengthen succession and leadership planning among the changing landscape we find ourselves in. We know that our organizations are changing and adapting at a fast clip and these sessions will help to build understanding of ourselves, and how we work, and develop skills and tools that will respond to the need for more effective succession planning. More details and registration information here.
Building a Robust Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan (Regular)
October 3 to November 17, 11 – 12:15 p.m. | Facilitator: Gerardo Ochoa, Ed.M., Linfield University
Join a cohort of nonprofit practitioners to ideate, collaborate, and start an organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategic plan. Nonprofit leaders at every level are often tasked with creating and implementing DEI strategies. In this series, participants will design community-centered strategies for the community they serve. Cohort participants may choose to design their own organizational strategic plan or support the development of a peer’s strategic plan. More details and registration information here.
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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. Members can purchase our Member Pass for a deep discount and priority registration for up to 10 sessions. Member Pass sales are available now through October 31, don't wait! Members and non-members can also purchase individual tickets to any sessions.
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The Art and Practice of Adaptive Leadership
October 13, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Steve Patty, Ph.D., Dialogues In Action
The times we live in require leadership. One of the key characteristics of a leader is the ability to take a group of people to a place they would not have gone otherwise. This is much more than managing people. This is seeing the good potential in people and providing thoughtful, skillful, and courageous engagement that calls them forward and develops them in service to a virtuous cause. Adaptation, in an evolutionary sense, is about people developing new ways of facing the challenges and making the most of opportunities to thrive and help others thrive in a changing world. More details and registration information here.
Creating Gender Inclusive Spaces - Understanding Pronouns
October 14, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Kaig Lightner Quantum Gender Personal pronouns are a common part of speech that many people in Western cultures pay little attention to, however, pronouns are a critical part of everyone’s identity. In the last decade a significant cultural shift has begun that has brought a spotlight on the use of pronouns, gender neutral language and the appropriate ways to show respect to people of all gender identities/expressions. This workshop uses practical examples and personal stories from the presenter’s own lived experience as a transgender person. More details and registration information here.
Compliance Concerns and Considerations for Federal Funds
October 21, 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Presenter: Lesley Bennett, CFO Selections
Many organizations received increased federal funding or received federal funding for the first time since the pandemic began. Does your organization have compliance measures in place to meet the requirements of these funds? What is a federal audit? This session will address these issues and answer your questions about federal funding compliance. More details and registration information here.
How to Manage the Opportunities and Challenges of Shifts in Funding
October 27, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Lesley Bennett, CFO Selections
Since the beginning of the pandemic, many organizations have seen major shifts in funding. What are the common pitfalls of short-term changes in funding? What should organizations do to weather these shifts in funding? This session will focus on how to manage short-term shifts in funding without overextending their long-term capacity or missing the opportunity to build for the future. More details and registration information here.
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.
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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These sessions are Member Pass eligible!
NAO Member Pass holders may register for events across all six of NAO’s networks. 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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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 are available to nonprofit leaders in these regions: Linn and Benton Counties (Oct 12 - Nov 2); Douglas County (Oct 21 - Nov 11); and Yamhill County (Nov 2 – 23). More details and registration information, click here.
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NAO Webinars
Board Bright: NAO's Quarterly Board Roles & Responsibilities Training
October 5, 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenter: Jess Hampton, NAO
In this 90-minute webinar, participants will learn about the fundamentals of nonprofit governance and gain an understanding of the board’s role in the management of the organization. This quarterly learning opportunity is designed for emerging and seasoned board members alike, and anyone else looking for a governance refresh! More details and registration information here.
Let’s Talk: Tips for Emerging Nonprofits
October 19, 11 – 12:00 p.m. | Hosted by: Rational Unicorn Legal Services
NAO is co-hosting a virtual panel discussion with our friends at Rational Unicorn Legal Services to talk about nonprofit law and compliance, programming, best practices, and tips for emerging nonprofits! Join us and ask them all real questions you might have about your nonprofit. More details and registration information here.
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Thank you to the following SUPPORTERS 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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FRIEND PLUS PARTNER SPONSORS |
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FOLLOW NAO ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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