Over the next two weeks the LANO Public Policy department will be conducting Advocacy 101 trainings around the state.
The trainings will answer the following questions:
What is lobbying?
Can nonprofits legally do this?
How do you develop a policy platform?
What's the process of a bill becoming a law?
In addition, the training will provide nonprofits with the tools they need to leverage their knowledge and resources to influence and inform public policy. The training will convey formal training as well as real life experiences of navigating lobbying, advocacy and the legislative process.
Organizations will learn how to advocate for a cause at all levels of government and build relationships with legislators. Finally, nonprofits will also learn how to navigate the state budget and Capital Outlay process, as well as cover IRS guidelines for nonprofit lobbying and advocacy activities.
The following are the dates and times of the upcoming trainings:
2/25/10 - 9:00am - 12:00PM, Baton Rouge
2/26/10 - 9:00am - 12:00PM, New Orleans
3/04/10 - 9:00am - 12:00PM, Alexandria
3/04/10 - 9:00am - 12:00PM, Shreveport
$20 LANO Members; $30 Nonmembers
Please register by visiting LANO's website.
News and commentary from Louisiana's nonprofit sector
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Nonprofits Eligible for Community Resiliency Grant
Today the Louisiana Recovery Authority announced a new grant opportunity called the Community Resiliency Program. The program contains funds totaling $10 million to help communities develop polices and plans that help them become more resilient in the event of future disasters.
The program is a pool of federal Community Development Block Grant funds that will support non-construction projects such as planning for land use, the creation of forward-thinking zoning ordinances and the augmentation of local code enforcement staffs.
The application deadline is March 17th.
The program aims to help communities affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike create plans to be more resilient in the event of future disasters and recruit staff in pivotal code enforcement roles.
Non-profits with substantial involvement in promoting resiliency and smart development (such as regional economic development organizations, statewide or regional planning non-profits, and regional planning organizations) are eligible to apply under Category 1.
Category 1: Plan or Zoning Ordinance Development: Open to public entities and non-profit organizations and to finance the development of forward-thinking plans related to land use, economic development, resiliency and water management and development of local zoning ordinances that will help prevent or dramatically minimize business, housing, and infrastructure damage from future storm events.
Application documents can be downloaded by clicking here.
The program is a pool of federal Community Development Block Grant funds that will support non-construction projects such as planning for land use, the creation of forward-thinking zoning ordinances and the augmentation of local code enforcement staffs.
The application deadline is March 17th.
The program aims to help communities affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike create plans to be more resilient in the event of future disasters and recruit staff in pivotal code enforcement roles.
Non-profits with substantial involvement in promoting resiliency and smart development (such as regional economic development organizations, statewide or regional planning non-profits, and regional planning organizations) are eligible to apply under Category 1.
Category 1: Plan or Zoning Ordinance Development: Open to public entities and non-profit organizations and to finance the development of forward-thinking plans related to land use, economic development, resiliency and water management and development of local zoning ordinances that will help prevent or dramatically minimize business, housing, and infrastructure damage from future storm events.
Application documents can be downloaded by clicking here.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Nonprofits Encouraged to Comment on National Disaster Recovery Framework Draft
Nonprofits are encouraged to weigh in on the recently released draft of the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF).
The goal of the framework is to outline pre and post disaster responsibilities at every stakeholder level. The NDRF falls under the responsibility of President Obama’s Long Term Disaster Recovery Working Group, which was created last fall to oversee gathering information from every stakeholder to provide core values and ideas that would shape the NDRF.
The NDRF draft does recognize the role of the nonprofit sector however your organization may have further ideas that need to be incorporated about how nonprofits should be involved throughout a long disaster recovery.
Public comments are due next week by February 26 and can be submitted by going to the following website.
Full details on the submission process are also available.
The goal of the framework is to outline pre and post disaster responsibilities at every stakeholder level. The NDRF falls under the responsibility of President Obama’s Long Term Disaster Recovery Working Group, which was created last fall to oversee gathering information from every stakeholder to provide core values and ideas that would shape the NDRF.
The NDRF draft does recognize the role of the nonprofit sector however your organization may have further ideas that need to be incorporated about how nonprofits should be involved throughout a long disaster recovery.
Public comments are due next week by February 26 and can be submitted by going to the following website.
Full details on the submission process are also available.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Free Webinar: IRS Filing Requirements for Nonprofits
The National Council of Nonprofits will host two free webinars presented by the IRS for nonprofit organizations to learn about the resources available and answer questions about filing your IRS Form 990.
These webinars will include:
These webinars will include:
- Critical steps to take now in order to protect and preserve your tax exemption.
- Review of the filing requirements for nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, and the consequences of not filing (or filing an incomplete) Form 990-series return. Tax-exempt organizations now stand to lose their tax-exempt status if they do not file the Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N (e-postcard) for three consecutive years-these revocations will begin in 2010).
- Tuesday, February 23 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Central
- Registration Deadline: February 19, 2010
- Tuesday, March 23 2:30 pm - 3:30pm Central
- Registration Deadline: March 19, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Covington Member Meeting Update
With regional Mardi Gras and New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl celebrations in full swing on the Northshore, LANO will move this week's scheduled Covington speaking engagement to a later date more convenient for local attendees.
Louisiana Budget Project (LBP) Director Edward Ashworth and LANO Vice President of Public Policy, Dr. Alison Neustrom, will return, post-Mardi Gras season, to deliver prepared presentations on how the state budget shortfall impacts nonprofits; how Census 2010 data can strengthen federal allocations to Louisiana; and on LANO's public policy agenda for the coming year.
To greet any association members or interested public citizens who planned to attend the scheduled presentations, a LANO representative will be on hand at 9:00 am, Wednesday, February 10, in the Covington Council Chambers, 222 Kirkland Street.
Census 2010 and LBP informational materials, plus lagniappe LANO "throws" will be available.
Happy Mardi Gras and Go Saints, Louisiana!
Louisiana Budget Project (LBP) Director Edward Ashworth and LANO Vice President of Public Policy, Dr. Alison Neustrom, will return, post-Mardi Gras season, to deliver prepared presentations on how the state budget shortfall impacts nonprofits; how Census 2010 data can strengthen federal allocations to Louisiana; and on LANO's public policy agenda for the coming year.
To greet any association members or interested public citizens who planned to attend the scheduled presentations, a LANO representative will be on hand at 9:00 am, Wednesday, February 10, in the Covington Council Chambers, 222 Kirkland Street.
Census 2010 and LBP informational materials, plus lagniappe LANO "throws" will be available.
Happy Mardi Gras and Go Saints, Louisiana!
Monday, February 1, 2010
White House Calls about President's FY11 Budget
Nonprofits are invited to attend White House telephone conference briefings occuring this week to discuss the President's proposed FY2011 Budget.
The briefings cover specific topics of potential interest to different segments of the nonprofit sector.
In the past, these briefing calls typically have lasted about an hour, with the first half devoted to presentations by Administration officials and the second half reserved for questions. Please feel free to call in to learn more about the President's budget proposal that the Administration is sending to Congress.
The White House encourages people to dial in a few minutes early to ensure participation in the entire call. Please note the call times are Eastern Standard Time.
Tuesday 2/2/10
11:00AM Technology and IT Investment (800) 230-1951 Confirmation Number: 145414
2:00PM Health Care (888) 276-9996 Confirmation Number: 145415
2:30PM Environment and Natural Resources (800) 230-1059 Confirmation Number: 145416
3:00PM Rural (800) 553-0327 Confirmation Number: 145417
Wednesday 2/3/10
1:00PM Disability (800) 288-8968 Confirmation Number: 145418
1:30PM Seniors (800) 230-1093 Confirmation Number: 145419
2:00PM Small Business (800) 288 8974 Confirmation Number: 145468
Veterans (877) 209-9920 Confirmation Number: 145470
3:30 PM K-12 Education (800) 398-9367 Confirmation Number: 145420
4:00PM Youth (800) 553-0272 Confirmation Number: 145421
4:30PM Higher Education (866) 269-9612 Confirmation Number: 145422
Friday 2/5/10
3:30PM Military Families (800) 230-1766 Confirmation Number: 145424
4:00PM Urban (800) 230-1059 Confirmation Number: 145425
The briefings cover specific topics of potential interest to different segments of the nonprofit sector.
In the past, these briefing calls typically have lasted about an hour, with the first half devoted to presentations by Administration officials and the second half reserved for questions. Please feel free to call in to learn more about the President's budget proposal that the Administration is sending to Congress.
The White House encourages people to dial in a few minutes early to ensure participation in the entire call. Please note the call times are Eastern Standard Time.
Tuesday 2/2/10
11:00AM Technology and IT Investment (800) 230-1951 Confirmation Number: 145414
2:00PM Health Care (888) 276-9996 Confirmation Number: 145415
2:30PM Environment and Natural Resources (800) 230-1059 Confirmation Number: 145416
3:00PM Rural (800) 553-0327 Confirmation Number: 145417
Wednesday 2/3/10
1:00PM Disability (800) 288-8968 Confirmation Number: 145418
1:30PM Seniors (800) 230-1093 Confirmation Number: 145419
2:00PM Small Business (800) 288 8974 Confirmation Number: 145468
Veterans (877) 209-9920 Confirmation Number: 145470
3:30 PM K-12 Education (800) 398-9367 Confirmation Number: 145420
4:00PM Youth (800) 553-0272 Confirmation Number: 145421
4:30PM Higher Education (866) 269-9612 Confirmation Number: 145422
Friday 2/5/10
3:30PM Military Families (800) 230-1766 Confirmation Number: 145424
4:00PM Urban (800) 230-1059 Confirmation Number: 145425
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