Friday, August 12, 2005

floating eyeball � Nonprofit Blogging

floating eyeball � Nonprofit Blogging: "Nonprofit Blogging
July 13, 2005 on 1:26 pm | In nonprofits, blogging |

Media hierarchies are tumbling. Blogging and social network technologies are driving innovations in communication for nonprofits, businesses and others concerened with collective, public good.

Nonprofit Blogs: Strategic Communication for Mission, Outreach and Fundraising

This memo was written to help nonprofit consultants and volunteers advance strategic web communication. It briefs readers on the rapidly changing ecosystem of web communication, mainstream news media and ideas for nonprofits to capitalize.

Special thanks to Bill Shinn, Kris Bell and the rest of the uslp crew for helping me understand this stuff.

Feedback would be sweet!"

SitNews - Column:'Death tax' debate alive and kicking in Senate By ANN McFEATTERS

SitNews - Column:'Death tax' debate alive and kicking in Senate By ANN McFEATTERS: "eath tax' debate alive and kicking in Senate
By ANN McFEATTERS
Block News Alliance



August 11, 2005
Thursday


WASHINGTON - Once again, we are about to be hit with an emotional barrage of misleading 'information' about the nation's urgent need to deal with the federal estate tax, which President Bush dubs the 'death tax' and demands 'must be repealed forever.'"

Nashville City Paper

Nashville City Paper: "Super Bowl’ of conventions could bring city more events
By Chris Lewis, clewis@nashvillecitypaper.com
August 12, 2005

If you’re planning to visit the Bluebird CafĂ©, cross Sunday off the calendar. The world-famous writers’ room is one of several venues in Music City reserved for private parties to shower the VIP treatment on a special breed of conventioneer this weekend.

The Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, which arranged for a special Bluebird concert featuring songwriters Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman, knew it had to book the venue early, said CVB President Butch Spyridon.

On Sunday, cities and hotels from all over the United States are sending representatives to town to wine, dine and entertain attendees of the annual convention of the American Society of Association Executives.
"

Norfolk-based charity gets a boost from movie ''Smile'' (HamptonRoads.com/Pilot Online)

Norfolk-based charity gets a boost from movie ''Smile'' (HamptonRoads.com/Pilot Online): "NORFOLK — The movie ''Smile'' opens in Norfolk today, giving a local charity a little face time on the big screen.

The independent film tracks the journey of a high school student who volunteers for a group similar to Operation Smile, the Norfolk-based charity that repairs facial deformities of children around the world.

Writer-director Jeffrey Kramer says the movie – which stars Beau Bridges, Linda Hamilton, Mika Boorem, Yi Ding and Luoyong Wang – is fiction, yet “based on 80,000 true stories.” One of those stories comes from his daughter, who made a mission trip with Operation Smile to the Philippines when she was 15."

adn.com | sports : Catching attention for charity

adn.com | sports : Catching attention for charity: "Catching attention for charity

KIDS: Lynn Swann is spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

By VAN WILLIAMS
Anchorage Daily News

Published: August 12th, 2005
Last Modified: August 12th, 2005 at 04:35 AM


Most people remember Lynn Swann soaring through the air and making acrobatic catches during his sparkling NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Abramoff Indicted in Casino Boat Purchase

Abramoff Indicted in Casino Boat Purchase: "Abramoff Indicted in Casino Boat Purchase
Lobbyist, Associate Charged With Fraud

By James V. Grimaldi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 12, 2005; Page A01

MIAMI, Aug. 11 -- Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a business partner were indicted by a federal grand jury in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy in their purchase of a fleet of Florida gambling boats from a businessman who was later killed in a gangland-style hit."

Bloomberg.com: U.S.-Abramoff Indictment May Echo in Other Cases, Ex-Prosecutors Say

Bloomberg.com: U.S.: "Abramoff Indictment May Echo in Other Cases, Ex-Prosecutors Say

Aug. 12 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. indictment of Jack Abramoff on fraud charges in Florida may reverberate throughout Washington as federal prosecutors increase pressure on the Republican lobbyist to cooperate in other investigations.

A federal grand jury in Fort Lauderdale yesterday charged Abramoff and business partner Adam Kidan with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud in connection with the purchase of a casino ship company in 2000. Prosecutors allege that the two provided false information on their loan application and used a counterfeit document to mislead lenders."

gwinnettdailypost.com-GA seeing record year for fundraising

gwinnettdailypost.com: "GA seeing record year for fundraising
08/12/2005

By Douglas Sams
Staff Writer
doug.sams@gwinnettdailypost.com

LAWRENCEVILLE — The University of Georgia collected $96.9 million in private donations in its recently completed fiscal year — the fifth consecutive year of record fundraising.
Contributions topped last year’s total by $19 million and pushed UGA’s capital campaign to nearly $350 million, according to a press release the University issued Thursday. The public phase of the $500 million campaign kicked off in April, though donations have been rolling in for nearly four years. "

Rocky Mountain News: Business-Nonprofits revamp fundraising

Rocky Mountain News: Business: "Nonprofits revamp fundraising

In tight, competitive market, groups seek to tailor approach

By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News
August 12, 2005

In an increasingly competitive market for charitable funds, some area nonprofits have adapted their fundraising strategies to lure more donations."

Donations to charities soar across the board - Yahoo! News

Donations to charities soar across the board - Yahoo! News: "Donations to charities soar across the board

By Frank Greve, Knight Ridder Newspapers Thu Aug 11, 1:42 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Donations to a broad array of U.S. charities soared in the first quarter of 2005, putting to rest fears that donors would bankroll tsunami relief at the expense of other causes.

'People gave to the tsunami above and beyond what they normally give,' said Jessica Harrington, the vice president for direct response at Schultz & Williams, a Philadelphia-based fundraising consultant. 'They saw it as an additional gift rather than an instead-of gift.'"

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Cisco: Giving Back Is "Good Business"

Cisco: Giving Back Is "Good Business": "Cisco: Giving Back Is 'Good Business'
CEO John Chambers says strong corporate citizenship isn't just charity, 'it's also a critical element of a company's brand and reputation'


Cisco Systems (CSCO ) Chief Executive John Chambers is known as one of tech's most successful CEOs. So it's no surprise his capitalist drive would extend even to the topic of corporate citizenship. Chambers argues that giving back to society brings benefits that far exceed any costs -- whether it's in terms of employee morale or strengthening the bran"

news - China Southern Chairman Outlines Further Charitable Giving Programs

news - China Southern Chairman Outlines Further Charitable Giving Programs: "China Southern Chairman Outlines Further Charitable Giving Programs

Nation’s Largest Airline Commitment “Unwavering” Says Airline Chairman
/noticias.info/ GUANGZHOU, China - August 11, 2005 - China Southern Airlines (NYSE: ZNH, HKSE: 1055, SHA 600029) - www.cs-air.com/en - the largest airline in The People’s Republic of China is pleased to outline its goals through its newly-announced charitable giving programs.

In a detailed interview, China Southern Airlines Chairman Mr. Liu Shaoyong outlined the airlines programs … "

Herald.com | 08/11/2005 | Boomers still want to change the world

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Herald.com | 08/11/2005 | Boomers still want to change the world: "Posted on Thu, Aug. 11, 2005

THE BUSINESS OF AMERICA

Boomers still want to change the world

BY ROSABETH MOSS KANTER

rkanter@hbs.edu

World, get ready! The Baby Boomers are becoming the Senior Boomers, and they want to change you again.

The generation that marched in Washington in the 1960s will soon be marching into hospitals, schools and homeless shelters seeking opportunities to serve. The activists who staffed the civil rights and women's movements four decades ago now want to eradicate diseases, transform education or alleviate global poverty.

Americans of all ages increasingly express their desire to perform some sort of service to their communities and nation. But those who came of age in the 1960s lead the charge, according to a recent survey by the MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures."

PND News - Impact Fund Helps Nonprofits Manage Volunteers

PND News - Impact Fund Helps Nonprofits Manage Volunteers: "Impact Fund Helps Nonprofits Manage Volunteers

The Atlanta-based UPS Foundation and two leading U.S. companies are collaborating to launch a grantmaking fund to help nonprofits manage volunteers more effectively.

Established with a $1 million, three-year grant from the UPS Foundation, and in development for the past year, Impact: A Fund for Change Through Volunteerism will pool resources from the foundation, Home Depot, and Capital One Financial with resources provided by local funders in five states to encourage organizations to work together to address challenges in volunteer management they previously have tackled alone. Eventually, the fund expects to issue calls for proposals for both national and local projects, based on the particular interests of participating funders. Management and staff support for the initiative will be provided by the National Human Services Assembly."

HoustonChronicle.com - Doctors push St. Luke's to forgo $25 million gift

HoustonChronicle.com - Doctors push St. Luke's to forgo $25 million gift: "Doctors push St. Luke's to forgo $25 million gift
Move to rename tower for a lawyer famed for his medical lawsuits hits raw nerves
By TODD ACKERMAN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital's famed medical tower will soon be renamed for a Houston lawyer who has made millions taking the health care industry to trial.


The plan to rename the edifice after John O'Quinn in recognition of a $25 million donation by his foundation has infuriated many St. Luke's doctors, who last week began circulating a petition against it and Monday night convened an emergency meeting of the medical executive committee."

Air Scamerica - Editorials/Op-Ed - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

Air Scamerica - Editorials/Op-Ed - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper: "high-ranking executive siphons off government money intended for inner-city children. The company tries to wash its hands of the problem. Where is the New York Times to cover the story? Where are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to demand money and an apology?
We're talking about Air America's emerging charity scandal. Liberals wish it would go away. It won't, not least because over the weekend it emerged that New York state attorney general Eliot Spitzer has opened an investigation. "

The Connecticut Post Online - Opinion-"Full audits urged of bribe case firms

The Connecticut Post Online - Opinion: "Full audits urged of bribe case firms

State and federal agencies are urged to act swiftly to audit the financial books of Progressive Training Associates, the Bridgeport job training agency whose executive director and founder pleaded guilty last week to bribery and embezzlement charges.

It's imperative — and certainly in the taxpayers interest — to determine how much in state and federal funding may have been misused or wasn't used for the vocational training for low-income people that PTA offered.

Warren Keith Godbolt, the agency's CEO and chief operating officer, admitted during a guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport that from January 2002 and continuing through January 2005, he and another person embezzled between $70,000 and $120,000 of PTA's funding"

Whittier Daily News - Opinion-Stop charitable funds siphons

Whittier Daily News - Opinion: "Stop charitable funds siphons

HERE'S a message to all the board members working long, volunteer hours keeping charitable organizations in the black:

Something's gone terribly wrong if your charity isn't receiving at least half of the dollars generated by fund-raising events.

As chronicled by Staff Writer Esther Chou in Monday's front- page story, some have ended up with as little as 14 percent of monies raised. That's just too little payback for the planning, participation and just plain hard work that goes into fund- raising."

‘Boardroom is not where corporate governance is born’ - Newindpress.com

‘Boardroom is not where corporate governance is born’ - Newindpress.com: "‘Boardroom is not where corporate governance is born’
Thursday August 11 2005 00:00 IST

CHENNAI: True movement on corporate governance will not happen from the board of directors of companies, but from mature NGOs, according to Nachiket Mor, executive director, ICICI Bank.

He was addressing a gathering at the Director’s Power Breakfast Series 2005 organised by the Asian Centre for Corporate Governance, here on Wednesday.

Advocating the cause of non-governmental organisations in re-examining the corporate governance aspects, Mor said, “It should be public interest driven. India needs to follow the similar trend in Korea where NGOs set the agenda for corporate governance issues.”"

New Statesman - The hot look everyone wants

New Statesman - The hot look everyone wants: "In the current climate of fear and uncertainty, acts of charity help us feel better about ourselves. But mixing caring with posing is itself a dangerous business. By Joshua Blackburn

Once upon a time, Britain was a society of conspicuous consumption. Today, as the hangover from Live 8 fades, it is compassion that we flaunt: celebrities launching charities . . . charities creating fashions . . . businesses which simply love to love. Our heritage of Victorian philanthropy has given way to a new culture of caring designed for the consumer age.

For celebrities, consumers and businesses alike, charity is the 'hot look' that everyone wants. We have created a conscience industry that is fast transforming our notion of charity into a lifestyle concept, conveniently packaged and highly desirable. For £1.95, your silicone wristband tells the world, 'I care' - about what, it doesn't always seem to matter."

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Tycoon honoured for philanthropy

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Tycoon honoured for philanthropy: "Tycoon honoured for philanthropy
Sir Tom Farmer used his fortune to help others

Scottish businessman Sir Tom Farmer has been awarded a prestigious international award for philanthropy.

The founder of the Kwik-Fit car repair business is one of six people who will receive the Andrew Carnegie Medal 2005.

The ceremony is due to take place at the Scottish Parliament on 4 October - the first time the awards will have been held outside the US.

The accolade is given to people deemed to have dedicated their private wealth to public good"

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Charity blues - Parry Sound North Star

Mention of the AFP State of Fundraising Survey

Charity blues - Parry Sound North Star: "Charity blues
by Sarah Bissonette

PARRY SOUND - Many area charities worked harder and hosted more fundraising events in 2004 than in previous years, yet they didn't raise substantially more money.

'I think there's a lot more charities and charity events that are looking for funding than in the past,' said Parry Sound Kinsmen Club director Wade Perkins.

According to the State of Fundraising, a study released in July by the North American-wide Association of Fundraising Professionals, Parry Sound area's charities fit in with the 12 per cent across Canada that received the same amount of donations in 2004 as in 2003. Meanwhile, many area organizations also fell into the same category as the 69 per cent that met their financial goals.

In addition, the study found that 62 per cent of charities in Canada raised seven per cent more in 2004 than in 2003."

Myths About Online Volunteering / Myths About Virtual Volunteering

Myths About Online Volunteering / Myths About Virtual Volunteering: "Myths About Online Volunteering (Virtual Volunteering)


Online volunteering means unpaid service that is given via the Internet. It's a method of volunteering I have been using, studying, documenting or promoting since 1995, first independently, then with the Virtual Volunteering Project, and then with the UN's Online Volunteering service. It's also known as virtual volunteering, online mentoring, ementoring, evolunteering, cyber volunteering, cyber service, telementoring, and on and on.

Now, 10 years on, I'm stunned at how many myths are still out there about the concept. Here is a list of 12 of the most common myths, and my attempt to counter them:

Slovak news: Non-profit organizations receive Sk878 million from taxes

Slovak news: Non-profit organizations receive Sk878 million from taxes: "Non-profit organizations receive Sk878 million from taxes

SLOVAK non-profit organizations received Sk878.4 million (€22.54 million) from the two-percent tax that individuals and companies could allocate from their taxes until the end of July, news wire SITA wrote.

Robert Merva, spokesman for the Slovak Tax Directorate, further announced that corporate entities allocated Sk579.4 million (€14.87 million); the rest came from personal income taxes."

United Way Donations Increase

United Way Donations Increase: "United Way Donations Increase
Private Gifts, Not Federal Workers', on Rise After Scandal

By Jacqueline L. Salmon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 10, 2005; Page B07

The local United Way's most recent fundraising drive raised $39 million, increasing for the first time since a scandal hit the organization nearly four years ago.

Officials of the United Way of the National Capital Area said they were pleased with the 2 percent increase, especially because it was driven by pledges from Washington area corporations.


'That's clearly the key to our future,' said Charles W. Anderson, chief executive of the local United Way."

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Students | Charity case

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Students | Charity case: "Charity case

After spending a year volunteering for an environment project in Belize, Luke is keen to join a charity. But is his gap year experience and his degree in geography enough? Debbie Andalo finds out

Wednesday August 10, 2005
The Guardian

Luke, 22, has just returned from a gap year volunteering for an environment project in Belize. He left university with a 2:1 in geography and is keen to work for a charity.

1 Competition for charity jobs is fierce. Luke must forget about any dreams he has of stepping into a campaigning or field worker post - he will have to start at the bottom. First, he must make sure he has built up at least a year working as a charity volunteer so that he understands the ethos of the sector. It is essential he is computer literate and can get to grips with Microsoft Word; PowerPoint, Excel and the database programme Access. He might then apply for administrative posts with a salary starting at around £15,000."

Thomas W. Langfitt, 78, Former Leader of Pew Charitable Trusts, Dies - New York Times

Thomas W. Langfitt, 78, Former Leader of Pew Charitable Trusts, Dies - New York Times: "Thomas W. Langfitt, 78, Former Leader of Pew Charitable Trusts, Dies

By WOLFGANG SAXON
Published: August 10, 2005

Thomas W. Langfitt, who led the Pew Charitable Trusts to prominence in the 1980's and 90's, died on Sunday at his home in Wynnewood, Pa. He was 78.

Xinhua - English-Businesses urged to give more to charity

Xinhua - English: " BEIJING, Aug. 10 -- The carnage wrought by Typhoon Matsa has prompted at least one businessman to give more to charity.

Bai Qinghua, chairman of a Shanghai tour company, saw the typhoon rip through the city and surrounding areas last weekend.

As a result, Bai's company, the Easy Business Travel Co Ltd, has teamed up with the China Charity Federation."

Island Packet Online: Island computer club aids other nonprofits byte by byte

Island Packet Online: Island computer club aids other nonprofits byte by byte: "Island computer club aids other nonprofits byte by byte

BY JUSTIN PAPROCKI, The Island Packet
Published Wednesday, August 10th, 2005

When organizers of The Deep Well Project wanted to start a Web site, they turned to the Hilton Head Island Computer Club.

Free of charge, the club pulled resources from its membership to quickly put a site online for its fellow nonprofit organization at deepwellproject.org.

'They totally designed our Web site and are helping us maintain it,' said Betsy Doughtie, Deep Well's executive director. 'They've been a great help.'

Non-profit wages catching up

Non-profit wages catching up: "Non-profit wages catching up
By MICHAEL McBRIDE
mtmcbride@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE - Employment in Indiana is growing fastest in the non-profit sector, according to a recent report by the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Center on Philanthropy at IU.

And the wages those employees earn are catching up with wages in the for-profit and government sectors.

So are the benefits, according to Julie Hankins, director of emergency services for the past six years at the Muncie office of the American Red Cross."