Upcoming Events & Webinars

Best Practices for Internal Controls in Small Arts Organizations [NYSCA Webinar] December 4th, 2014 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM  Register Now  This webinar is free and the live version is open only to nonprofits receiving funding from the NYS Council on the Arts. The recording will be made available to NYCON Nonprofit Members.   Many small arts nonprofits have limited administrative staff, but the same expectations from funders (and regulators) regarding their organization's internal controls. NYCON has seen this issue come into sharper perspective as we, and many of our nonprofit members (including smaller arts groups) have had to go through the NYS Grants Gateway and Prequalification process in order to continue to receive our state funding. One of the biggest questions we heard during this process was "How can we possibly create, document and consistently apply complex Internal Control processes in an organization with 2 or 3 or 4.... staff people?" This training will focus on the implementation of simple, yet effective internal controls processes that allow your organization to reap the benefits of accountability, efficiency, and fraud prevention despite running a smaller nonprofit. It's Not Too Late: Year-End Major Gifts Fundraising for Nonprofits [Webinar] December 9th, 2014  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM  Presented by Andy Robinson, Consultant and Trainer Andy Robinson Consulting, LLC Cost:  $49 Member Rate $69 Regular Rate  REGISTER NOW NYCON is proud to partner with our State Association colleagues in Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina to bring you this webinar.   The most effective way to raise money is face to face -- and the most lucrative time to ask is right now!  In this webinar, Andy Robinson will walk you through the process of major gifts fundraising, step by step. Whether you're a veteran fundraiser or new to the field, you can expect to gain practical information and advice to help in: Identifying prospects Setting up appointments Meeting with donors How to structure the conversation -- and "the ask. Materials & Log-in/Call-In Instructions: Webinar materials (PowerPoint PDF and other handouts), along with instructions on how to log in and call-in, will be emailed to attendees prior to the date of the webinar. Nonprofit Committee Structures under the New Nonprofit Revitalization Act [Lunch & Learn Webinar] Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 11:00am to 12:30pm Presented by Susan Weinrich, VP of Organizational Development Services Free & Open to NYCON Members Register Today   Join us for this webinar and explore the changes in nonprofit board committee structure under the new law. Many rules have changed regarding board committees and nonprofit board governance. Gone are standing and "ad-hoc" committees. Now we define them as "committees of the board" and "committees of the corporation." Do you know who can be on each committee? Do you know what the roles and responsibilities are for each? Do you need minutes for each? Who should chair them? How do we bring non-board members onto a committee? For committees of the Board, what authority do they really have and how do we ensure they are accountable to the board?  Join us for this webinar on the practical implications of committee structure changes - and learn where to start. Nonprofit Fraud & Abuse: A Unique and Personal Perspective [Special Webinar] Thursday, December 11, 2014   11:00 am to 12:00 pm Free & Open to NYCON Members Register Today The mismanagement and misappropriation of nonprofit funds is a serious issue. Not only is it illegal, and carries with it significant penalties, it also takes valuable resources from people who truly need services and damages the brand of all nonprofits. It can also severely impact the lives of those involved with the organization. In this honest and frank webinar, you will hear from a former nonprofit executive director recently convicted of conduct relating to grants management fraud. Learn about the path he chose, the decisions he made, the lessons he learned, and, most importantly, how to avoid this type of event occurring at your own nonprofit organization. Executive Director Retreat for New Nonprofit Leaders December 10th-12th, Latham,NY REGISTRATION  INFO Participants will be introduced, through practical application, to mastery of the diverse skills necessary to achieve success in their current role. Led by a multi-disciplinary team of experienced instructors, this retreat emphasizes real world elements of nonprofit executive leadership, management and problem-solving.   Latest Job Postings on the [NEW] NYCON Nonprofit Job Board... Executive Director Brooklyn, NY Coordinator, Marketing and Communications New York City Care Managers Albany & Hudson Falls Outreach Specialist Albany, NY Community Health Specialist  Albany, NY Astronomer, Public Outreach & Education Schenectady, NY Health Care Research Analyst Rochester, NY Program Manager, Best Practices & Strategies/Community Health Improvement Rochester, NY Administrative Coordinator Troy, NY Insurance Sales and Service Positions Menands, NY Social Work Coordinator Albany, NY Director of Development and Community Relations Albany, NY All Members can Post jobs for FREE! Click to learn more.

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Upcoming Events & Trainings

The Five "I's" of Fundraising [Lunch & Learn Webinar] November 14th, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Presented by Susan Weinrich, VP of Organizational Development & Capacity Building Services, NYCON Free for NYCON Members Only  Register Geared towards the Board members, participants will learn how fund development fits within their overall board responsibilities and how to organize themselves to help address this challenging area. This session covers a range of strategies for generating revenue with an emphasis on fundraising. Topics include: Creating a development plan Organizing a fund development committee Fundraising strategies for success Staff & board roles in fund development Most importantly, it will help Board Members overcome their fear of fundraising and recognize that their involvement is critical to the success and sustainability of the organization. NYS Grants Gateway Info Session: Best Practices for Nonprofit Governance & Policy Creation [Vestal]  Friday, November 15, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Presented by Michael West, Esq., Legal Advisor, NYCON  REGISTER  Are you in the process of becoming 'prequalified' with New York State in order to receive funding for a contract currently in place or for future funding for which you'd like to be considered?  Your prequalification status may be delayed for multiple reasons. If your application is being held (or if you haven't been able to complete it) due to questions about any of the following reasons this workshop will be a great resource for you. Operational documents (charitable determination letter from the IRS, audit, IRS Form 990, Organizational chart, etc.) Governance Policies & Practices (internal controls, separation of duties, nepotism and other clauses in your bylaws and personnel policies) Other Documents or Governance Policies that you don't have and aren't sure how to create. In this session we will be focusing on best practices for nonprofit governance and policy creation as they relate to the Grants Gateway portal, the prequalification questionnaire and the online Document Vault. We will also be discussing the options and process for NYCON assistance available to you as a member.    Striving for Self-Sufficiency: Earned Revenue & Entrepreneurial Strategies [Utica]  November 21, 2013 from 9:00AM - 11:30AM Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO, NYCON   Cost is $10 (At the Door)  A Program of the Mohawk Valley Nonprofit Leadership Group  Register  There was a time where the most stable and viable nonprofits were those that relied on the traditional business model of contributions and government grants. Dependency on the "market" forces of philanthropic and taxpayer support is increasingly being viewed a limitation regarding sustainability as often they are outside of the influence and control of the nonprofit. Achieving self-sufficiency involves a third leg to the revenue stool - earned revenue, where there is a direct exchange of a product, service or privilege for monetary value. Participants in this workshop will have an opportunity to discuss and learn about earned revenue and entrepreneurial strategies - the pros, cons, and preparation and cultural shifts necessary to proceed down the entrepreneurial path.   This presentation is being funded by the Cororate Partners of The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties.   We appreciate their support.Please visit their website for more information, www.foundationhoc.org    How Changes in New York's Unemployment Program Affect Your Nonprofit [Lunch & Learn Webinar]  November 22, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Presented by Cecilia Piazza, Director, Unemployment Program, First Nonprofit Companies  REGISTER  This webinar will discuss, in detail, the various unemployment insurance  coverage options currently available to nonprofit organizations, and specifically how unemployment compensation rates are assigned, the upcoming tax cost increases in New York State and various federal and state unemployment insurance benefit programs for claimants.  Did You Know? Nonprofits Have Options Nonprofits typically have fewer unemployment claims than the private sector; therefore, they often subsidize the state unemployment fund by paying more than necessary. Federal and state laws allow 501(c)(3) organizations to reimburse the state unemployment fund, rather than pay the UI tax in advance of having actual claims. FNC's unemployment programs may well reduce your unemployment costs if you currently participate in the state tax system, and can provide you with a safety net if you have already chosen the reimbursable option. Participation in FNC programs provides: Unemployment insurance savings of as much as 60% No pooling or shared risk Fixed annual cost Fully insured option to eliminate risk or Stop Loss Insurance with customized attachment points to minimize your exposure Professional representation in unemployment hearings and claim amount auditing included Access to training and services that can decrease the number of invalid claims If your nonprofit employs 10 or more people, this is an option worth learning about and exploring. FNC covers over 1,500 nonprofit employers across the country. They want to help even more organizations save money and avoid risk - starting right here in New York. Beyond Collaboration: Exploring & Navigating Corporate Affiliations [Hudson]  December 11, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM   A Workshop Provided by the New York Council of Nonprofits with Support from The Dyson Foundation Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO and Dave Watson, Senior VP of Legal Accountability and Compliance Services & General Counsel  Register Today      FREE Perhaps now more than ever, community-based nonprofits are seeking ways to do businessdifferently and are exploring whether affili  ation may be a path to sustainability and growth.  Join NYCON's highly experienced staff experts in learning about the various forms, processes, potential benefits and risks associated with corporate affiliations,including merger, acquisitions, subsidiary relationships and shared service arrangements. This initiative is available to help nonprofit organizations, libraries or units of government based in the Mid-Hudson Valley (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster counties) move from the exploring the feasibility of strategic restructuring, to planning the restructuring and implementing the plan, to enhancing the restructured entity. Funding is available for additional technical assistance, consulting, training or meeting facilitation and more. If, after this session, your organization is contemplating a serious merger or restructuring, then we encourage you to take advantage of this valuable resource through The Dyson Foundation. The "Beyond Collaboration" Workshops are provided as a part of The Dyson Foundation Nonprofit Strategic Restructuring Initiative. New Tools for Creating a Vibrant, Engaged and Energized Board in the 21st Century [Lunch & Learn Webinar] December 13, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (EST) Presented by Andrew Marietta, Regional Manager, NYCON Central New York Office and Valerie Venezia, VP of Membership & Marketing Free for NYCON Members; $50 for Non-Members While we still have to recognize the traditional factors that motivate our Boards of Directors, we also need to acknowledge the fact that the most successful ways to connect with these individuals may have completely changed. Models of board meetings & board communication have not caught up with the current ways we engage in our "everyday" communication. This session will help identify motivating factors (both old & new), identify and discuss new ways of recruiting & engaging board members and how new online tools can help make the best use of everyone´s time and accomplish more with less. For those of you who attended this workshop at Camp Finance, on this webinar we will be able to spend more time on areas of concern like: managing & directing cultural change within your organization and additional specifics on tools you can use to make your (and your board members) life easier. Free for NYCON Members; $50 for Non-Members

Announcement: Upcoming NYCON Events & Trainings

Compliance Check: Revising Your By-Laws  [Free Lunch & Learn Webinar for NYCON Members] July 11th, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (EDT) Presented by Dave Watson, VP of Legal Accountability & Compliance Services (LACS), NYCON and Michael West, Esq. Legal Advisor, New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. Register Now Though many nonprofit staff and board members may think that bylaws are just something you have to do have to start your organization - oftentimes drafted, reviewed, approved and promptly shelved away -what some don't realize is that your organization is governed by that document and, as such, bylaws spell out what you can and can't do by way of good board governance. Our webinar is designed to help you understand key bylaw clauses, how they affect your organization and how the new developments in New York regarding nonprofits may impact your bylaws. Large structural changes to the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York will be discussed briefly, and detailed questions will be referred to the August and September during the two 'Revising You By-Laws to Comply with New York's Nonprofit Revitalization Act'.  Any Package Bylaw-Personnel Policy Reviews throughout the remainder of this year will include free updates of language and bylaw clauses when NYCON's team of attorney's develops them to meet these new obligations  Register Now  [Benefit Spotlight] The Budget and Cash Flow  Toolkits for NYCON Members... Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Presented by Michelle Jarvais, CFO of NYCON and Beth Mathews, Senior Accountant at NYCON Register Now If you missed our previous "Budget and Cashflow Toolkit Webinars" don't worry because there's another one coming up in July! Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, we've developed a new benefit for our members that will truly be the "best friend" of every fiscal person who uses it! Designed with the needs and resources of the smaller to medium sized nonprofit in mind, NYCON's CFO and her staff have designed a "foolproof" tool for developing a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget.  The features of the Budget Toolkit include: Built in instructions on "Getting Started" and "How to Develop Your Budget" Built in formulas and linked spreadsheets Definitions & Glossary on types of budgets, frequently used budgeting terms & more Helpful notes that 'pop up' as you create your budget spreadsheet  Quick and easy allocations (for shared costs like space and supplies, etc.) Templates that your organization can utilize to customize for your own organization's budget and salary and fringe expenditures. And more!  On our webinar we will also show you an example of the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.   With funding being tight and payments from state contracts and other funders becoming less timely and reliable, it is essential for a nonprofit to attempt to monitor its own cash flow. This toolkit, like our Budget Toolkit, takes the mystery out of forecasting and helps to guide you step-by-step through the process. See how these tools can help your nonprofit. Register Now    Get to know your NYCON Benefits NYCON Membership Benefits OrientationNew Dates Added in July, August & September 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (EDT) Presented by Valerie Venezia, VP of Membership and Marketing and Amber Vanderwarker, Membership & Marketing Associate Register Now In our "Get to Know Us" Sessions, NYCON staff will tell you a lot more about our membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE.  We will be talking about these benefits...    Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional Assistance NYCON empowers our members with the best practices, policies, and procedures as well as information on ever-changing regulations, funding, accountability and more.    Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits NYCON leverages the purchasing power of thousands of nonprofits to bring you economies of scale on everything from Office Supplies to Fundraising Software.    The Nonprofit Voice in New York State NYCON represents our members on the local, state and national level, giving voice to small and medium sized nonprofits everywhere. Find out how NYCON Membership will benefit you by attending this 1-hour session  Register Now    Camp Finance 2013: Rethink, Retool & Reboot!  Preparing for Better Days Ahead October 10th & 11th, 2013    New Paltz, NY  With Special Keynote Speaker Dan Pallotta Register Now Camp Finance is an unparalleled opportunity for your staff and board members to retreat, learn, network and make lasting connections with peer and nonprofit experts. Here's just some of  what some of last year's attendees said about Camp Finance: "Knowledgeable speakers and real life experiences." "Gave me take away tools I can use." "It was a great time to step away and reflect on some critical issues for our organization in the context of a great group of professionals. I had some important questions answered and discovered some new questions I needed to be asking." "The speakers were very approachable and helpful as were all NYCON staff. Of course the setting and food served were very WOW." Camp Finance has always been a source of information, encouragement and support for nonprofits in New York State - especially through our most challenging times.   It's a chance to engage with leading nonprofit experts, your nonprofit peers, and take back useful knowledge and tools to your nonprofit. We hope to see you there!  Register Today!            Check Out Our Recorded Webinars! Thanks to the support of CS Plus,NYCON's popular Lunch & Learn Webinars are now being recorded and will be available for members for up to six months!  NEW: Workers Comp Issues for Nonprofit Arts Organizations [Webinar for NYSCA Grantees]  Social Media Myth Busting: If You Build it Will They Come? Beyond Collaboration: A Special Session with Doug Sauer NYCON Policy New and Updates: Campaign to End "The Overhead Myth NYS Grants Portal Opens: A "One- Stop Shop" Schneiderman implements additional disclosure rules for nonprofits Audit Guide for Charitable Nonprofits Other Events & Webinars of Interest to NYCON Members: FROM IDEALWARE Getting Started with Social Media Fundraising June 27, 1:00 pm -2:30 pm Eastern.$40.00 Nonprofits are using social media, but how do they use it for fundraising? Yes, social media can be used for fundraising, and organizations are already doing so. In this new session, developed specifically for the Day of Giving Toolkit, we outline the how social media can integrate with fundraising efforts and be an effort on their own. register > Donor Management Systems Toolkit  July 9, 1:00 pm -2:30 pm Eastern.$225.00   Most nonprofits care a lot about their donors. But do you have the right donor management system to help you keep track of them? Navigating the choices you have when choosing a donor management system can be daunting. That's why Idealware has created the online course, "The Donor Management Systems Toolkit", to help you navigate the choices. Telling Your Story Through Blogs, Photos, and Videos  July 9, 1:00 pm -2:30 pm Eastern.$40.00 Idealware will cover the principles of good storytelling, look at examples and research about what's working for nonprofits, and then discuss the tools that can help you put them online.