Steering Committee Update

The Southern Tier ED Group Steering Committee held a conference call on Friday, November 21st. The participants included: Pat Rogers, IHS; Sara Palmer, Community Foundation of Elimira-Corning and the Finger Lakes; Elaine Farwell, Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum; and Andrew Marietta, CCSNYS.

This conference call was held to start the conversation on next steps for the Group and questions that need to be addressed. The following ideas were suggested for the Group's first program meeting. First, Institute for Human Services' ED Pat Rogers offered to host the first ED Group program meeting at his upcoming IHS conference (most likely set for March 18th in Painted Post). The meeting would feature lunch and a program. Program ideas discussed included online technologies or an overview of www.nyned.org as an online resource. Other ideas to be discussed. After lunch, a "graffiti" exercise would be used to address 5 or 6 priority questions for the ED Group. Participants would be split into groups of 5 or 6, and cycle around the room answering each question. The feedback collected would be used for program ideas and Group focus and structure. Possible questions are: What do you want out of this Group? or How can the Group help you on a regular basis? Questions will be collected and discussed at face-to-face meeting.

There are plans to hold a face-to-face Steering Committee meeting in January. The location will most likely be Corning (checking on Corning Library). The suggested time is 9am on one of the following dates: Jan 13, 16, 23, or 28. This meeting will focus on creating a statement of purpose for the Group. An e-mail will go out to help pick the best possible date for everyone.

In the mean time, a survey will be sent out to interested EDs getting feedback on possible meeting dates for 2009 (with idea that meetings would be quarterly).

Budget Development Guidance Request

An executive director is asking for guidance or assistance in transitioning her nonprofit from a line item budgeting process to a functional expense budget (at the suggestion of her auditors). She is looking for help in translating the nonprofit's operating expenses into the functional categories. Does anyone have any suggestions or resource recommendations? Please post them here.

Some suggested resources:

• Alliance for Nonprofit Management offers a great overview of this issue and offers a concrete example here: The Helpful Organization: A Sample Cost Allocation Methodology
• New York State Society of CPAs offers the following article

Upcoming Corning Nonprofit Workshops

Jumping through the Legal Hoops of Starting Up a Nonprofit
Presented by: David Watson, Esq. Sr. VP of Legal Accountability & Compliance, CCSNYS

This seminar will help those interested in starting a nonprofit organization or those in the beginning stages of operation. Participants will learn the basic steps of getting their nonprofit started while also being compliant with the New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.

Co-sponsored by the Southeast Steuben County Library and the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes. Thanks to the generous financial support of the Community Foundation, which has supplemented class costs, the fee for each session is only $5.00.

Date: Monday, November 17th, 2008
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cost: $5
Location: Southeast Steuben County Library
Laura Beer Community Room
300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza
Corning, New York
Click here to Register

Accountability Trends for Nonprofit Boards
Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO, CCSNYS

This workshop will highlight ongoing and major developments in accountability trends for nonprofit board members.

Co-sponsored by the Southeast Steuben County Library and the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes. Thanks to the generous financial support of the Community Foundation, which has supplemented class costs, the fee for each session is only $5.00.

Date: Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
Time: 9:00am to 12:00 pm
Cost: $5
Location: Southeast Steuben County Library,
Laura Beer Community Room
300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza
Corning, New York
Click here for more information