Honor an Outstanding Board Member

2013 Michael H. Urbach, CPA, Community Builders Award Now Accepting Nominations Submission Accepted through August 23rd, 2013 Sponsored by the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)   Left to right: Doug Sauer, NYCON CEO; Allen Fetterman, CPA; William F. Berardi, CPA, 2012 Urbach Award Recipient; Ellen Kotlow, NYCON Board President The New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) are pleased to announce this call for nominations.    The award is named in honor of the late Michael H. Urbach, CPA, former partner of Urbach, Kahn and Werlin, former NYS Commissioner of Tax and Finance and Chair of the State Employees federated Appeal, and board leader of a number of charities. This award is in recognition of the important role, talents and leadership that a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York State can provide as a board member for community-based charities.   Award Criteria & Submission  Candidates must: Be a CPA in good standing and a member of NYSSCPA   Have served as an Officer on at least 3 different charitable 501c(3) community-based nonprofits with service as President/Chair at least once   Have demonstrated exemplary board leadership resulting in significant and positive organizational impact including, but not limited to, financial turn-around, growth, and/or organizational re-structuring; and   Preference will be given to nominees whose board leadership accomplishments have been with community-based charities  Nominations addressing the candidate's qualifications must be received by August 23rd, 2013.  Nominators are strongly encouraged to address the qualifications related to the four (4) criteria mentioned above and to include at least three (3) letters of support from the charities who have benefited from the candidate's volunteer leadership.  To Nominate a CPA:  Email your submission to Melissa Currado at mcurrado@nycon.org or mail two (2) packets of nomination materials to: Urbach Community Builders Award Committee, NYCON, 272 Broadway, Albany NY 12204. For more information, visit NYCON on the web at www.nycon.org or contact us via phone at (800) 515-5012.    Announcement & Presentation  Craig Sickler, CPA receives the Urbach Community Builders Award at the 2006 Annual Meeting The 2013 award will be formally presented at the Annual Member Meeting of NYCON slated for the afternoon of October 10th, 2013at Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York.  The Luncheon will take place during CAMP FINANCE, a two-day retreat that provides the very best in knowledge, skill and strategy sessions for nonprofit staff and volunteer leaders.     In honor of the late Harold Mandel, a CPA who worked for Urbach, Kahn & Werlin in Albany, NY and retired in West Palm Beach, FL, the 2013 Urbach Honoree has the privilege to award one (1) nonprofit executive of their choice a Camp Finance scholarship in Hal's name.  In 2009, Mr. Mandel's family accepted a posthumous Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builders Award in his honor. Thank You to Our Supporters! NYCON and NYSSCPA would like to recognize The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Regionfor their grant contribution towards the Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builders Award. Past Urbach Award Honorees Lew Kramer, CPA and Doug Sauer,  NYCON CEO 2012 William F. Berardi, CPA Kingston 2011 Thomas D. Weddell, CPA; Newburgh 2010  Edward S. Mucenski, CPA; Potsdam    2009  Lewis "Lew" Kramer, CPA; Chappaqua    2008 Mel Zachter, CPA; Staten Island       2007 Eugene H. Fleishman, CPA; Poughkeepsie 2006  Craig Sickler, CPA Kingston  2005 Paul Battaglia CPA, Batavia Co-sponsored by The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants 　 www.nysscpa.org

2-1-1 Helpline Quarterly Newsletter from the IHS

It's National Volunteer Week!  "Celebrate Service" from April 21-27.  This is a perfect opportunity to recognize volunteers at various organizations, whether with a simple thank you, note, gift or even a celebratory event.     Volunteers truly help us to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.

The Institute for Human Services is recognizing two organizations for the first annual IHS Volunteer Partner of the Year Award to commemorate National Volunteer Week 2013.  We are "celebrating the service" of these two organizations as they support hundreds of volunteers through their programs in Chemung and Steuben Counties.  A big thank you goes out to the Chemung Volunteer Action Corps and the Steuben Office for the Aging!  These organizations will be recognized at the United Way on Friday April 26 at a press conference at 9 a.m.

-Find Hundreds of Local Volunteer Opportunities
-Volunteer Conference RFP Available
-Volunteer Opportunities
-Volunteer Tidbits

and much more! To continue reading click here!

Special 4-Day Bonus Issue from the Blue Avocado

A special 4-Day Bonus Issue from the Blue Avocado

Free Webinar! Google Analytics for the Enthusiastic Beginner
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 3:00 pm eastern /12:00 noon Pacific

Speaker:  Bonnie Massa, Massa & Company

Wonder what all the hype is about around web analytics? Thanks to Blue Avocado and American Nonprofits, you can join this overview of Google Analytics, a free web analytics tool that shows you how visitors are using your site. We will start with how to capture data on visitors and then hit the highlights of using Google Analytics to improve your website. This overview is for beginners and executives that want to know the value of the tool but not necessarily how to operate it . . . Click here to register free . . . offer closes March 15, 2013.

Another Free Webinar! Nonprofit Sustainability:  Making Strategic Decisions for Financial Viability 
April 12, 2013  12:00 pm eastern/9:00 am pacific

Speakers:  Jan Masaoka, Blue Avocado and CEO of CalNonprofits, and Steve Zimmerman, Spectrum Nonprofit Services

Too often program goals are discussed separately from financial means, although we all know that both must be discussed together. Jan and Steve will present the methodology for doing so from the book they co-authored with Jeanne Bell: Nonprofit Sustainability: Making Strategic Decisions for Financial Viability. This model can be used as an adjunct to or substitute for traditional strategic planning. Click here to register free. Offer ends March 15.

Board Recruitment Time? Learn the Blue Ribbon Nominating Committee Technique
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 3:00 pm eastern/12:00 pm pacific

Speaker:  Jan Masaoka, Blue Avocado and CEO of CalNonprofits

Board recruitment discussions usually start with the tired question, "Who do we know?" Instead, let's start with "What are the three most important things for the board to accomplish this year, and what kind of board members do we need in order to do so?" Tested successfully with hundreds of nonprofits, we'll also tackle some difficult questions such as whether and how to recruit people of different races or educational backgrounds, whether to have clients or parents (or other direct beneficiaries) on the board, and whether to have fundraising or donation requirements. Based on the tested and popular Blue Ribbon Nominating Committee technique. Click here to register free . . . through March 15 only.

Free "Gift of Learning" online courses from Cornerstone

This was such a hit in the last Bonus Issue, we’re pleased to offer this again. And we’re grateful to Cornerstone to offer this once more to Blue Avocado readers and American Nonprofit members!

The Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation established the “Gift of Learning” program to over 40 classes of downloadable e-learning content -- such as leadership training, effective communication, project management, and desktop product tutorials -- to nonprofit professionals at no cost.

The Foundation is offering this to five individuals per organization...and 300 organizations will be selelcted to receive the access to the Gift of Learning library. How do you become eligible? The first 300 Blue Avocado readers that respond on March 15, 2013 (starting 9 am Pacific/12 noon Eastern) are eligble.  Send an email to Blue Avocado's Susan Sanow at blueavocado@hotmail.com with the subject line "Gift of Learning” will be awarded the opportunity to access thousands of courses. Your e-mail must include the following information:

• Your organization's name
• Nonprofit tax ID number: you must have U.S. 501(c)(3) status to qualify
• Name of the contact person, and contact person's e-mail address and phone number

Once we reach 300 interested organizations, this offer will expire.

If your organization is chosen to participate, you will receive an introductory email directly from the Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation no later than March 29, 2013. Selected nonprofits will have access to the Gift of Learning for a three month period (April 1, 2013-July 1, 2013.)

(And if you were awarded the "Gift of Learning" last fall, please step aside and let another organization benefit!)

April 1? No Foolin'… It’s a Blue Avocado Contest!

As April Fool's Day approaches, we wonder what our best April Fool's joke news headlines would be for the nonprofit community. So give it a try. Submit your headline with a 2-to-3 sentence opening paragraph. Here is a sample to get you started:

AmeriCorps to Exclusively Serve Businesses in 2014
The AmeriCorps program announced that beginning in 2014, AmeriCorps Volunteers will only be placed in small for-profit businesses.  While historically placed with nonprofits, it is clear that nonprofits are better managed and there is a greater need to support the small business community.

Submit your April 1 headline and 2-3 opening sentences tosusan@blueavocado.org.  Use the subject line April Fool's. Send in your entry by Friday, March 22, 2013.  You may be featured in our special April Fool's Day issue!  What's in it for our top 10 favorite/funniest entries? You'll win a copy of Jan Masaoka’s book, The Nonprofit’s Guide to Human Resources. Good luck!

Broker News

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W-2 Reporting Requirement for Employers Update

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Did You Know...You Can Get Dedicated Client Consulting Through the New Blue Honors Program?

If your agency qualifies for the Blue Honors program, you will be eligible to utilize Excellus BlueCross BlueShield's Information Connection. Information Connection is an online tool that allows brokers to pull specific information, whether it be by book of business or individual groups.
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Creditable Drug Coverage and Medicare Part D – What It Means to Employer Groups

Creditable coverage is non-Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as (i.e., pays, on average, as much as or more than) standard Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. When a person becomes eligible for Medicare Part D, they must maintain creditable drug coverage, and not have a break in coverage for 63 or more days.
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Excellus BCBS Awards Hospitals $26 Million for Quality Improvements

Fifty-four upstate New York hospitals and health centers last year earned $26 million in quality improvement incentive payments from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as part of their Hospital Performance Incentive Program (HPIP). In the past nine years, quality performance incentives from Excellus BCBS have exceeded $145 million.
Read more >>

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Build Healthier Communities – Learn More About Our Service to the Community

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Build Healthier Communities - 2012 Annual Report of Caring tells how we collaborate with other nonprofits, providers and government and civic agencies to make a difference where we work and live.
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Regional Economic Development Council Awards

Regional Economic Development Council Awards

A list with descriptions of 2012's council awards.

Click Here

Regional Economic Development Council Awards

Regional Economic Development Council Awards

A list with descriptions of 2012's council awards.

Click Here

Nominate an Outstanding CPA; Join the NYCON Board

2012 Michael H. Urbach, CPA, Community Builders Award Now Accepting Nominations Submission Accepted through August 24th, 2012 Sponsored by the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) Lewis Kramer, Urbach Award Recipient and Doug Sauer, CEO, NYCON The New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) are pleased to announce this call for nominations for the Ninth Annual Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builders Award. The award is named in honor of the late Michael H. Urbach, CPA, former partner of Urbach, Kahn and Werlin, former NYS Commissioner of Tax and Finance and Chair of the State Employees federated Appeal, and board leader of a number of charities. This award is in recognition of the important role, talents and leadership that a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York State can provide as a board member for community-based charities. Award Criteria & Submission Candidates must: Be a CPA in good standing and a member of NYSSCPA. Have served as an Officer on at least 3 different charitable 501(c)(3) community-based nonprofits with service as President/Chair at least once. Have demonstrated exemplary board leadership resulting in significant and positive organizational impact including, but not limited to, financial turn-around, growth, and/or organizational re-structuring. Preference will be given to nominees whose board leadership accomplishments have been with community-based charities. Deadline - August 24th, 2012 Nominations addressing the candidate's qualifications must be received by August 24th. Nominators are strongly encouraged to address the qualifications related to the four (4) criteria mentioned above and to include at least three (3) letters of support from the charities who have benefited from the candidate's volunteer leadership. Send two (2) packets of nomination materials to: Urbach Community Builders Award Committee New York Council of Nonprofits 272 Broadway Albany NY 12204 or email the packet to Melissa Currado, Executive Assistant to the CEO at mcurrado@nycon.org. NYCON Now Accepting Applications for Board Membership A great opportunity to volunteer your time and lend your expertise to help nonprofits of all types improve the quality of life in New York State. The New York Council of Nonprofits' Board Development Committee is now accepting applications for nominees for its Board of Directors. Terms are for three years, starting January 1, 2013, with a three consecutive term limit. Successful nominees will be presented for election to our Membership at NYCON's Annual Meeting on October 4th in New Paltz. Applicants must be individuals of high integrity, demonstrate commitment to our state's nonprofit sector, and be willing to invest the time, effort, expertise and influence necessary on a regional and statewide basis to further NYCON's mission. All applications will be considered by the Board Development Committee however priority consideration will be given to individuals who meet more than one of the following characteristics: Resides in Hudson Valley, Metro New York or Central New York regions Has public policy knowledge & expertise, particularly with respect to state government Has marketing & Media Relations expertise Is affiliated with Organized Philanthropy Has Banking & Corporate Business expertise & affiliations Is a racial or ethnic minority Applications are due by August 27th, 2012. If you are interested we encourage you to review the NYCON "Board Brief" document and complete the application below: Download an application Download the NYCON "Board Brief" Candidates are recommended to the Board by the Committee and the Board in turn recommends a slate to the NYCON Membership which convenes for our Annual Meeting at Mohonk Mountain House on October 4th during Camp Finance. Board members elected by the members begin service in January 2012. Questions?Please contact us.

All About the Board Members... Nominate an Outstanding CPA Board Member by August 24th Are You Interested in Joining the NYCON Board? Thank You to Our Supporters! NYCON and NYSSCPA would like to recognize The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region for their grant contribution towards the Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builders Award. For More Information visit NYCON at WWW.NYCON.ORG or contact Melissa Currado at (800) 515-5012 or mcurrado@nycon.org Co-sponsored by The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants 　 www.nysscpa.org