Bargain Furniture in New Orleans

LANO New Orleans will be moving to new furnished offices, and we’ve got lots of sturdy equipment and furniture that might interest organizations. These include: desks, chairs, filing cabinets, armoires, and a storage cabinet.

An inventory and price list follows as well as pictures of some of the items. Payment by cash or check. Buyers must move the furniture or equipment. For more information, contact Cory Sparks at corysparks@lano.org or 504.209.2081, ex. 315.


Furniture List


Armoire Burgundy 20D 33W 72H (2) $50
Wooden Cube End Tables (2) $20
Two Drawer Lateral Filing Cabinets Assorted Colors (5) $20
Three Drawer Lateral Filing Cabinet (Black) (1) $25
Two Drawer Vertical Filing Cabinets (Grey and Beige) (3) $10
Three Drawer Beige Vertical Filing Cabinet (3) $10
Storage Cabinet 12D 20W 50H (1) $50
Blue Reception Chairs (8) $20
48” x 76” Wooden Conference Table (1) $50
Burgundy Conference Room Chairs (8) $20
Beige Guest Chairs (2) $25
Burgundy Guest Chairs (5) $20
Black Mesh Executive Chairs (2) $20
Black and Burgundy Executive Chair (6) $20
Mauve Executive Chair (1) $20
Aqua Executive Chair (1) $20
Black Executive Chair (2) $25
Burgundy Executive Chair (4) $20
Blue Executive Chair (3) $20
48” Round Wooden Tables (3) $40
30”x60” Executive Desk (2) $50
36”x65”Executive Desk (1) $40
32”x 65” Executive Desk (1) $40
30”x 72” Executive Desk (1) $40
2 Shelf Book Case (2) $20
3 Shelf Book Case (2) $20
6’ Molded Plastic Folding Tables (7) $25
8’ Molded Plastic Folding Tables (5) $25

A Letter from LANO President & CEO, Ann S. Williamson

Dear LANO Friends and Supporters,


We are pleased to share news of an important development in LANO’s continuing work to improve accountability and raise the standard of excellence for Louisiana’s nonprofit sector.

As you know, nonprofits are essential to the vitality of communities, and public confidence is essential to the success of the nonprofit sector. High performing nonprofits that attain this confidence are those that effectively demonstrate sound management principles and business practices.

Leading the way, along with only a few state nonprofit associations, LANO implemented the Louisiana Standards for Excellence certification program ten years ago. We congratulate the achievements and dedication of our 55 seal holders, as they demonstrate excellence in nonprofit management and accountability.

After a comprehensive evaluation, LANO is redeveloping an approach to leadership in nonprofit excellence and will no longer administer the Standards for Excellence® program.

All current and prospective Seal holders will have the opportunity to continue their display of the Seal of Excellence and participate in this program through its originator, the National Standards for Excellence Institute.

This month we launch a planning process with a diverse advisory task force, engaging representatives from currently certified nonprofits, experts in nonprofit management and governance, and key stakeholders in the foundation, public and private sectors. The purpose of the task force is to develop a path to distinction and excellence for Louisiana nonprofits.

As a top strategic priority for LANO and our Board in 2011, we are excited to develop this core set of accountability principles and management practices while providing leadership, service and tools to Louisiana nonprofits that ensure excellence and sustainability. We believe that given the right tools and training, all Louisiana nonprofits can attain the public’s confidence and support.

We invite your input and feedback as we engage in this process. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, we welcome your calls and emails to Kellie Chavez Greene at 504.309.2081 ext. 316 or via email at kelliegreene@lano.org. Thank you for your collaboration and support.

Best regards,

Ann Silverberg Williamson
President & CEO
Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO)

2011 Public Policy Institute Agenda Set

It's getting close!

WHAT: LANO's 2011 Public Policy Institute
WHEN: April 6-7
WHERE: The Louisiana State Museum, Downtown Baton Rouge

Just three weeks until we gather for this year's Public Policy Institute in Baton Rouge!

Download the agenda at right to learn about the sessions, speakers, panelists and full schedule of this intensive policy and advocacy institute.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Merchants Working for a Stronger Gentilly

Tommye Myrick (l) David Baker (c) and Phyllis Johnson (r)



When Tommye Myrick and Phyllis Johnson bought the building on Franklin Avenue in New Orleans, it was knocked lopsided by the waters of Katrina. They turned it into The JuJu Bag Cafe, one of the first businesses to open in that part of Gentilly. Residents living in nearby trailers came to enjoy coffee and wireless service while they rebuilt. Over the years the JuJu Bag has remained a gathering place, holding community events, book signings, and live jazz in the rear courtyard shown above.

In recent months, The JuJu Bag has hosted two meetings of an emerging merchants association that is working to strengthen the rebuilding Gentilly area. Gentilly is a vibrant part of New Orleans with more than twenty neighborhoods, four universities and three commercial thoroughfares. Unfortunately, business development has lagged residential recovery in the area. Gentilly is seriously underserved in its retail needs.

The merchants association is the vision of David Baker, Web and Associate Editor for the Louisiana Weekly newspaper. The Weekly and the JuJu Bag are business members of the organizing group, along with NOYO Designs, Chinese Tea Garden, Sweet Savors Bakery, Merlin’s Place, and Gentilly Vision Source, among others.

Capital One Bank has provided funds to LANO to support the development of the merchants association. The goal is to create a best-in-class group that will make a measurable difference in Gentilly.

The association will promote business retention, increase the diversity of stores, and decrease the volume of blight and vacant commercial property. All of these efforts will help to keep more revenue circulating within the community. Working with elected officials and neighborhood associations, the businesses will play a critical part in promoting a more prosperous community.

For more information about this project, ways to create an association like it in your area, or nonprofit start up tools, contact Dr. Cory Sparks, Director of LANO New Orleans.

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DHH Seeking Nonprofit and Community Partners in Medicaid Applications

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals / Medicaid is actively recruiting new Medicaid Application Centers. The purpose of these centers is to assist individuals and families with the Medicaid application process. This includes submission of applications to the local Medicaid office via fax, mail or electronically through a web-based online application.

Centers are compensated $14.00 for each complete application that is submitted on behalf of a potential Medicaid client. This opportunity is open to community-based organizations, medical clinics, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations and other community groups.

For more information on the process for becoming a Medicaid Application Center, please contact Shakeysha Johnson at (225) 342-0462 or via e-mail at Shakeysha.johnson@la.gov.

Member Offers Patient Centered Medical Workshop

LANO member the Louisiana Primary Care Association, and the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum present the NCQA Workshop: "HOW DO WE ACHIEVE PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL HOME(PCMH) RECOGNITION?"

Dates: March 9th and 10th— 8:00am-5:00pm

Location: Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, 201 Lafayette Street, Baton Rouge, LA (limited space available)

Participants can expect the following training:

• Standards on how to achieve Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition
• 1/2 Day training on crosswalk between PCMH AND Meaningful Use
• Provide a roadmap to improve outcomes and the experience of care for patients and Clinicians
• How to better plan, manage and coordinate care for patients
• Last opportunity to be trained under 2008 standards, which are good for 3 years

Price: $200.00

For More Information or to register please contact:

Tonya Hollins
225-927-7662 Ext. 205
thollins@lpca.net

Nonprofit Lobbying: File the 501(h) Election!

Have you ever heard, "We can’t do that -- nonprofits can’t lobby!"
That is incorrect - and a myth that we hear all too frequently at state and national level. The National Council of Nonprofits has written an easy-to-read guide that provides nonprofits, board members, and the public with the legal basis for why charitable nonprofits can engage in advocacy. Read more about nonprofit advocacy- it’s legal, it’s needed, and it’s easy.

Most Nonprofit Public Charities that do any amount of lobbying should file IRS form 501(h). Here's why:
By filing one simple form, IRS Form 5768, a charitable nonprofit can protect itself from penalties for engaging in "too much" lobbying. (Charitable nonprofits can lobby; read why lobbying is legal.) A charitable nonprofit can only spend an insubstantial amount of its activities on lobbying. But there is a hazy ill-defined line between what "activities" are considered "substantial" and which are "insubstantial."

By filing IRS Form 5768 (also referred to as "taking the 501(h) election") instead of being judged by the uncertain “substantial part” test that evaluates undefined "activities" -- your nonprofit will have the added protection of being evaluated with a more specific test called the “expenditure” test that offers a bright line based on how much money the nonprofit spends on its lobbying activities. Read all about the advantages of taking the 501(h) election on the National Council’s website.

**Note: Private foundations, churches, and integrated auxiliaries of churches are not permitted to file the 501(h) election.