TSNe-Bulletin: June 2010

Welcome to the TSNe-Bulletin, providing non-profit professionals and capacity builders with tips, ideas and information on issues affecting our sector.

In This Issue:

• Have You Filed Your 990?
• Be Sure Your Employees Are Correctly Classified
• New Executive Transitions Case Study
• Shape Your Message
• Nonprofit Compensation Survey
• Happy Birthday, e-Bulletin!
• ED Forum: Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act
• Consultants Corner: Identify Your Work Style
• Personal Responsibility and the Oil Spill
• Staff Pick
• Sectorwide Trainings and Jobs

Has Your Organization Filed Its Form 990 Yet?

In 2006, Congress passed legislation requiring that all nonprofits -- including those with annual receipts of $25,000 or less -- file Form 990 to retain their tax-exempt status. Organizations who do not file for 3 consecutive years will have their status revoked.

The filing deadline passed on May 17 with many nonprofits unaware that they needed to file. If you missed the deadline, the IRS is encouraging you to file ASAP so they can help keep your nonprofit status intact. It could be as simple as an eight-question electronic postcard.

Are You Classifying Your Employees Correctly?

Classifying workers as employees or independent contractors may be the hottest and most contentious issue in human resources management. It is also one that creates confusion and potential problems for nonprofits.

The issue is hot because the U.S. government and state officials are aggressively pursuing employers who misclassify employees. Does this impact you? Learn more in this first column from our new human resources e-newsletter.

When Change at the Top Is an Opportunity

What happens when an organization's long-time director leaves? Learn about the effects and steps of a robust transition process in this case study from our Executive Transitions Program.

Shaping Your Message

Does your organization have an elevator speech, a positioning statement? Don't let your nonprofit's message get lost in the daily flood of information. With buy-in from across the organization, shape your message to strengthen your brand in support of your programs.

New Compensation Survey

It takes competent, committed staff to help nonprofits serve constituents well despite current budget challenges. But with those funding challenges, how do we ensure that we are fairly compensating and can compete for top-notch staff?

TSNE, with the support of a number of partners, is sponsoring a compensation study for nonprofits in Massachusetts and contiguous communities.

Please help this study succeed by filling out the survey. By completing it, you will help us compile a wealth of information on current compensation realities as well as trends - and you will receive a free copy of the final study.

What Would You Like to See?

The TSNe-Bulletin just turned 5! Help us navigate through the next 5 years by taking a short survey, and be entered to win a free copy of Shared Services: A Guide to Collaborative Solutions for Nonprofits.

ED Forum

Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., just introduced the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act. Its primary goals include improving the government's understanding of the sector and strengthening the relationship between nonprofits and the federal government. Learn more.

Consultants Corner

Appreciating your own (and others') work style can be a vital part of effective team building.

Green Tip

With the oil spill in the Gulf in the news and on our minds, the NonProfit Center's Jackie Cefola discusses personal responsibility and steps we can take in our own lives to reduce oil consumption.

Staff Pick

Deb Linnell, director of programs, recommends The Thin Book of Naming Elephants to foster better and more honest communications -- thereby increasing organizational performance.

Happenings and Opportunities in the Non-profit Sector

TSNE is pleased to announce upcoming activities and events from across the sector, as well as new resources available for non-profit professionals.

This month we’ve included information on:

•  Employment Opportunities
•  Workshops and Trainings

Have a job opening, grant opportunity, publication or event to announce? Send your sectorwide announcements -- including a URL for job postings -- with subject line News Submission to info@tsne.org.