NYCON webinars this week, more to come!

[Tomorrow!] NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight: Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits Every fiscal staff members best friend... Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member 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 Chief Fiscal Officer and staff have designed a "fool proof" 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! Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself. Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am  On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.

[Thursday!] Free Tour of  Grantstation.comFebruary 28th   10:00am to 11:00am  Register Today Join Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's Business Development Advisor, for a free webinar that offers a short tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers; including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the right grantmaker for any program or project. During this webinar we will also introduce GrantStation's new interactive Grants2020 visioning tool! There will be plenty of time for questions. This webinar will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013.Did You Know? As a NEW Membership Benefit of NYCON, ourprogram now also allows a discount on Grantstation Membership - which gets you full access to GS.com - for only $75! Click here for more information.

New Year, Great Time to Explore New Employee Benefits that You Can Afford!   We know that the Employe Benefits "Market" can be complicated.  Our job is to help make that world more simple, and affordable for nonprofits. To help you understand each type of benefit, it's coverage features and it's costs we are rolling out a series of short 30-minute webinar spotlights on our administered programs: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and our Vision Program - which is new for 2013! To see the online article click here.

Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield donates $5,000 Health Ministry of the Southern Tier

Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield donates $5,000 Health Ministry of the Southern Tier

Southern Tier, NY — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) donated $5,000 February 14th to support the Health Ministry of the Southern Tier, which  continues to provide medical and dental services  for people that lack health insurance. The check was presented at 2:30 p.m. at the Corning Facility located at 300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza, Corning.
The Health Ministry of the Southern Tier exists to treat those who, for lack of insurance and the ability to pay, defer doctor visits, avoid medical treatment, and neglect their health.  Though it does not provide emergency care, it offers primary care for residents with high-maintenance chronic illnesses who would otherwise have to resort to treatment at emergency rooms in their local hospitals.  
The Excellus BCBS, funding will help support the initiative to enable the centers to coordinate and support operations through centralized electronic medical records and communications as well as remote access for providers and other designated personnel.
“We’re proud to be a locally-based company and are committed to helping local organizations that share our mission of building a healthier community,” said Kevin McGurgan, regional president for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is upstate New York’s largest nonprofit health plan covering about 1.9 million people.  In addition to being one of upstate New York’s largest employers with more than 6,000 employees in about 50 locations, the health plan and its parent company are also one of its largest consumers of local goods and services, doing business with more than 5,000 companies, many located right here in upstate New York.  Together, the health plan and its parent company’s total economic impact on upstate communities amount to about $900 million a year. 

To read the online article Click Here

National Webinar Free for Your Members

Sample Promotional Language

Like yours, many nonprofit organizations often find themselves wondering...

• Do we need to have an independent audit? (And what does that entail anyway?)
• Are there special rules for us because we receive government grants?
• How can we prepare so that the process goes smoothly?
• What’s the board’s role?

To answer these questions and more, NYCON is excited to bring you Nonprofit Audits in a Nutshell, a free webinar on March 28th at [3:30pm Eastern] , hosted by our national network, the National Council of Nonprofits. This webinar features practical tips from nonprofits about their audit practices, as well as experts from BoardSource andRaffa and is designed to give you background on everything you need to know about the independent audit process (from legal requirements to practical advice).

Thanks to the support of First Nonprofit Foundation, this exclusive webinar is available, free of charge, to all members of NYCON. Don't miss this opportunity - Register Today!

Did You Know: Dental PPO Balanced Billing?

Dental Benefits: What is Balanced Billing? 

 

 

This year, once a month, Council Services Plus will be bringing you tid-bits of helpful and interesting facts and information about insurance. 

  

Last month we discussed Dental Benefit Maximums; so keeping with that theme, this month we

we'll focus on another term that often is associated with dental benefits: PPO Balanced Billing.

Many times employees choose a dentist that may not participate in the "network" of dentists approved by the plan offered by the employer. Many dental plans offer out-of-network benefits and still pay claims submitted by dentists that do not participate with that plan. If your plan has out-of-network coverage (usually associated with Point of Service (POS) or Preferred Provider organization (PPO) plans) you need to be aware of the fees charged by that dentist, and what your plan deems as reasonable and customary (R&C) charges that they will pay for.

When you use a participating (or preferred) provider, that dentist has agreed to accept the company's R&C fees as the basis for their billing. For example, if a filling R&C fee is $100, then the participating dentist must charge that for a filling. If your coinsurance is 80%, then you pay $20 (20% of $100) and the company pays $80.

 

Let's now assume you go to a non-participating provider and they charge $150 for the same filling. The insurance plan will still base the amount they pay at 80% of R&C ($100) and you must pay the "balance" of the bill due to the non-participating dentist. Under this situation, your cost is $70 ($150-$80). You can see why you may "prefer" to see a "preferred" provider in a PPO plan to help keep your costs down. 

Register Now for Spring NYCON Webinars, Spots Filling Up!

Register for NYCON's Spring Webinars! Get to Know NYCON & Your Membership Benefits... February 22nd, 2013  10:00am - 10:45am Register Online Today In this session NYCON staff will tell you all you need to know about your membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE. No matter if you are a new member, a renewing member who would like more information or a non-member interested in joining, this session will be enlightening and helpful. We will be covering the following benefits:   Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional AssistanceNYCON 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 fromOffice 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

NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight: Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits! Every fiscal staff members best friend... Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member 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 Chief Fiscal Officer and staff have designed a "fool proof" 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! You have to see all the features to believe it!   Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself. Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am  On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.

Free Tour of the GrantStation.com Website  Thursday, February 28th   10:00am to 11:00am  Register Today Join Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's Business Development Advisor, for a free webinar that offers a short tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers; including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the right grantmaker for any program or project. During this webinar we will also introduce GrantStation's new interactiveGrants2020 visioning tool! There will be plenty of time for questions.This webinar will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013.Did You Know? As a NEW Membership Benefit of NYCON, ourprogram now also allows a discount on Grantstation Membership - which gets you full access to GS.com - for only $75! Click here for more information.

N.Y. cities seek revenue sources other than property taxes

ALBANY — If Syracuse raises property taxes 1 percent, the city would get about $300,000 in revenue. Its pension bill is rising by $15 million next year.

If the city of Rochester raised property taxes to its constitutional limit, it would bring in $32 million in additional revenue. That would only be enough to cover the city’s budget deficit for next year.

While much of the focus of upstate cities’ financial problems have been on rising costs for pensions and health care, they are dealing with just as many problems on the revenue side of their ledgers.

“There has been a fundamental change in these places,” Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards said. “That fundamental change means that we just can no longer generate enough revenue to pay our expenses.”

Property taxes and state aid are cities’ main revenue sources. But a dwindling manufacturing sector, a glut of vacant properties and growing poverty have made property taxes a less reliable foundation for their budgets.

“Either with abandoned properties or tax-exempt properties, you can get just so much out of the folks who are still able to pay taxes,” Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said.

Yonkers, which has property values four times higher than the average of other upstate New York cities, has also struggled with revenue. Property values declined 24 percent from 2008 to 2011 in Yonkers, a report Tuesday from DiNapoli found.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said last month that the city’s sales-tax revenue has increased in recent years, and there is some positive economic development. But it hasn’t made up for growing costs. He wants a state task force to look at cities’ problems.

“We still need to address the core issues that are facing cities,” he said after a budget hearing in Albany. “They will not be able to tax their way, cut their way nor borrow their way out of their issues. There needs to be a new matrix put in place.”

Last month, Moody’s Investors Services downgraded Binghamton’s credit rating and said it could take further steps against the city, citing its fiscal woes and diminishing tax base.

News From IHS

News From the Institute for Human Services and Non Profits in the Southern Tier

February Volunteer in the Spotlight: Shannon Carey

Shannon Carey is our February 2013 Volunteer in the Spotlight.  She was nominated by the Big Brothers Big Sisters program because of her dedication and seven years of service.  She enjoys hanging out with her "little sister" and likes being involved with the program at least once a week. Learn more about Shannon>

Girls on the Run of the Southern Tier Seeking Coaches!

The Girls on the Run of the Southern Tier Council is seeking coaches for their spring season of Girls on the Run.  Coaches are still needed at Cohen  Elementary in Elmira Heights, Gardner Road Elementary in  Horseheads and Southport Community Center.  Coaches will co-coach a team of 10 to 15 girls.  Teams meet twice a week for ten weeks after school from 3:30 to 5:00pm.  Learn more about this rewarding opportunity>

February is National Children's Dental Health Month!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month and a good time for parents and children to renew a commitment to healthy dental habits, including a good diet and regular check-ups. From brushing and flossing, eating healthy, and visiting the dentist, children can develop good oral health and habits that can last a lifetime. Learn More About the Simple Guidelines >

Join us for the 2013 IHS Annual Conference

Our full day conference will be held on Wednesday, March 20th at the Radisson Hotel in Corning. The day includes our Annual Meeting and three tracks, with three sessions per track, of worthwhile educational opportunities. Participants choose which session to go to at the conference. Attendees will also be able to learn more about IHS and other nonprofit agencies by visiting our Exhibitor Hall. RSVP today!  Conference Brochure and Registration >

IHS Annual Conference - Request for Exhibitors

Want to get the word out about your organization to professionals across the state?  Be an exhibitor at our annual conference. 2013 Request for Exhibitors

The Community Table's New Monthly Networking Meeting

Join The Community Table for the new monthly networking meetings, the first of which will be held on Wednesday, February 20th from 4:30 pm - 6 pm, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath. The Community Table's monthly networking meetings offer the opportunity to learn about what is and is not working in the community's efforts to end poverty, advocate for community change, and develop intentional relationships with Getting Ahead graduates, while supporting their efforts and initiatives. February's meeting will feature a presentation by speaker Nancy Reigelsperger, who offers practical budgeting advice for all.  Learn More >

Visit Provider Online to Read More...

Go to the Provider Online Website for more news, announcements and workshops.  These stories include: ArnotHealth Welcomes New Cessation Center Coordinator  CCE Schuyler County - Save Energy, Save Dollars  American Red Cross Blood Drive at Steuben County Building  Chemung ARC Earns OSHA Recognition   2013 NYS Grants for Electronic Media & Film Want us to post your news?  Submit announcements, news, events and more to provideronline@ihsnet.org. Members can post themselves through their member portal.

Job Opportunities

Go to our Classifieds section to view more! Head Start/UPK Teacher (Corning) - ProAction  Head Start Teacher (Penn Yan) - ProAction Teaching Assistant Head Start (Troupsburg) - ProAction Classroom Support Staff (2 positions) - ProAction Head Start Classroom Substitutes - ProAction Child Development Manager - ProAction Human Resources Benefits Coordinator - ProAction Program Coordinator - Arc of Schuyler Accountant - Arc of Schuyler Accounts Payable Coordinator - Chemung ARC Director of Development - Arc of Steuben RN Clinical Supervisor - Pathways Structured Day Support Staff - Pathways Residence Counselor - Pathways Teacher Aide - Pathways Respite Relief - Arc of Steuben Residential Relief - Arc of Steuben Direct Support Professional - Chemung ARC Youth Employment Counselor - ProAction For the Online version of this article click here

Show A Little Love to Your Corporate Documents

This Valentine's Day it's Time to Give Your Corporate Documents the Love and Affection they Deserve! It's the beginning of a new year and a very good time to show a little love...to your nonprofit's Corporate Documents!  Bylaws, Personnel Policies and other Corporate Documents need regular attention to ensure they are appropriate, consistent with the Nonprofit Incorporate Law in New York State and provide sufficient protection for your organization and employees. With packages for NYCON Members we can help ensure your peace of mind at a price your nonprofit can afford.

Bylaws & Personnel Policy Review [Get Started]  Whether you are a newly created organization or a long standing one, risk management is the keystone for good governance of your organization.  Two important tools for protection of your organization from mission killing liability and litigation is the creation and annual review of corporate bylaws and personnel policies.  Our attorneys and legal staff will dissect your corporate documents and review same for legal pitfalls, returning same to you with revision comments and "best practice" advice within 30 days. A Bylaw Review is $500. A Personnel Policy Review is $700. Package price for both is only $1,000.  Want to Learn More? Click here and let us know and we´ll have one of our legal staff get back to you to start the process!

Corporate Document Review [Get Started]  Another important element of risk management is the maintenance of the proper form of corporate existence.  Our attorneys and legal staff will analyze your Certificate of Incorporation, and any Amendments for consistency between them and your internal corporate documents and Bylaws, returning the same to you with revision comments and "best practice" advice within 15 days.A Corporate Document Review is $300.  Want to Learn More? Click here and let us know and we´ll have one of our legal staff get back to you to start the process! To see the article online Click Here

Affiliation Solutions Provided by NYCON

Affiliation Solutions Provided by NYCON

We Educate Guide and Support
NYCON knows nonprofits and we know the anxieties, risks and
opportunities that come with the consideration of affiliating
with another organization.  NYCON educates by providing training sessions on affiliation in communities across the state for
nonprofits and funders, and providing our members with informational resources and tools through our website or upon request.  NYCON professionals are available to advice and consult
our members throughout the process, from the very earliest
stage of thought and inquiry, to actively engaging a partner.
We have successfully completed over 100 affiliations in the past
10 years, our staff have experienced the nuances of affiliation as
well as the social, political, and regulatory hurdles occasionally
placed before it and have provided time-and-time again a comprehensive, tailored solution to achieve success.
Our Service Package
NYCON offers a unique, comprehensive and coordinated package of professional services delivered in a proven multi-phased
approach to affiliation that is designed to support decisionmaking, due diligence, and successful implementation and affiliation success in the future.
Expert Services Provided Include
•  Assistance in exploring partners & options
•  Facilitation, documentation and logistical management of
the negotiating process
•  Financial analysis & budgeting
•  Direct accounting, board and program  assistance if there
are “fix-it” items important to the process and it’s success

Please contact Doug Sauer, CEO
Ph: (800) 515--5012 ext. 103  --5012 ext. 103  
Email: dsauer@nycon.org
•  Program assessment & planning
•  Human resource planning & patterning, including comparative personnel policies & compensation/benefits
analysis
•  Cost savings analysis for the short and long-term
•  Strategic advice regarding messaging, communications
and funder engagement also for the short and long-term
•  Legal support services:
⇒ Corporate document review & amendments, as necessary for success (Certificates of Incorporation, Charters, Bylaws, etc.)
⇒ Analysis & advice as to legal options
⇒ Preparation of board and/or membership resolutions
⇒ Analysis of contracts, state and national affiliation
arrangements, and regulatory or licensing requirements that may impact on affiliating
⇒ Facilitation with regulatory agencies and their Counsel’s office
⇒ Legal representation (via the Endorsed Corporate law
firm of Watson & West, PLLC) including issuance of
legal opinions, preparation of dissolution & merger
documents, purchases and sales, etc.
Sometimes it is necessary or determined to be best that an
organization dissolve or simply go out of business.  Sometimes a formal merger is what is best.  Our staff are conversant in all of the forms of affiliation and look forward to providing you with assistance.

Click Here to see the flyer.

IHS 2013 Annual Conference

Institute for Human Services 2013 Annual Conference

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

8:30 am - 4:10 pm

Radisson Inn, Corning, NY

Please save the date for the Institute for Human Services' Annual Conference. Participants will get the chance to meet with staff members from other regional organizations, learn about valuable community resources, and attend professional development workshops. 

• To learn more about the schedule, workshops, and registration, click here to download the conference brochure. 
• If you are interested in participating in the Exhibitor's Hall, click here  to download more information.

Please take the time to renew your IHS membership or consider becoming a member today!  The membership form is in the conference brochure.   

To register for the conference please print the form, complete it, and email a scanned copy or fax it back to us.  We look forward to seeing you at the Conference. Until then, if you have questions, please contact Kelli Mannon at  (607) 776 - 9467 x226 or fax (607) 776 - 9482 or email mannonk@ihsnet.org. 

The Institute for Human Services is a non-profit management support organization founded in 1984. The Institute provides management support, information and referral, organizational development, research and technology services to planners, funders and providers serving the Southern Tier of New York State. For more information please visit www.ihsnet.org. 

Ideal Ware:Best February 2013

Best of the Web: February 2013

The Idealware “Best of the Web” is a monthly roundup of the top nonprofit resources from the Idealware blog, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed to help you make the right technology decisions.

Infographic: Social Media’s Impact on Giving in 2012 (Nonprofit Quarterly) 

A look at how social media has affected online giving.

How-to: Quickly Optimize Your Website for Mobile Devices (NTEN)

How do you get the most bang for your buck when investing in the mobile web?

On Demand Tactical Technology Planning (Idealware)

All your tactical technology planning needs in one on-demand package to solve your organization's current problems and avoid future issues.

Secrets to Finding Out What You Need - Good Questions to Ask During a Technology Assessment (The Data Bank)

When you start by asking the right questions, your organization will be in the best place to plan for the future.

Getting Started With Data-Driven Decision Making: A Workbook (Idealware/NTEN)

Could you use more help thinking through how to use data to help your organization make decisions? This workbook Idealware prepared for NTEN is the perfect place to start.

I Could Be Your Next Monthly Donor. So Call Me, Maybe? (NTEN)

Tips on how to recruit, retain, and upgrade monthly donors.

5 Smartphone Apps for Nonprofits (About.com)

Use these apps to keep up with the rapid growth of mobile.

The eMail Guide Email Marketing Glossary (The eMail Guide)

The 325 email marketing terms everyone needs to know.

Power through schedules with 21 Google Calendar tricks (PC World)

Save time and increase your organization's productivity by becoming a Google Calendar whiz.

A Guide to Synagogue Management: Research and Recommendations (Idealware)
We looked at a variety of donor and constituent management systems to create an overview for a complex and niche market

New Benefits & New Webinars for Members

NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight: Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits! Every fiscal staff persons' best friend... Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member 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 Chief Fiscal Officer and staff have designed a "fool proof" 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! You have to see all the features to believe it!   Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself. Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am  On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.

Pros and Cons of  Restructuring a Nonprofit: What it Means for your Staff and Board February 13th, 2013   10:00am to 12:00pm Doug Sauer, CEO, NYCON Last Chance to Register This thought provoking, insightful event will provide you with knowledge gleaned from decades of Doug's work with hundreds of nonprofits in various stages of formal restructuring, shared service models and, certainly, merger. Doug, perhaps more than anyone on the national nonprofit "scene," knows first-hand that merger (or any type of structural "re-engineering" of your organization) is a serious solution to the very complex issues facing today's nonprofits. Join us and learn from Doug's real world and very practical experiences. Doug will be talking about the variety of options available for restructuring a nonprofit, what the potential benefits and very real risks are -- as well as what the process of going "beyond collaboration" is really like.There will be time for Q&A at the end of the online session so make sure you take advantage of having our resident expert available to you. Last Chance to Register

Free Tour of the GrantStation Website for NYCON Members Thursday, February 28th   10:00am to 11:00am  Register Today Join Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's Business Development Advisor, for a free webinar that offers a short tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers; including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the right grantmaker for any program or project. During this webinar we will also introduce GrantStation's new interactive Grants2020 visioning tool! There will be plenty of time for questions. This webinar will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013.Did You Know? As a NEW Membership Benefit of NYCON, ourprogram now also allows a discount on Grantstation Membership - which gets you full access to GS.com - for only $75! Click here for more information.