How does your brand effect your nonprofits’s ability to reach Donors? What level of trust has your organization created for the donor? How well known is your brand in the community you serve? When branding include the logo and motto of your organization.

Debt Collection agencies.

When debt collection agencies call your employees during this time of financial hardship make sure your employee understand their rights. Too many of the debt collectors use techniques that people do not know are wrong. Do not let the debt collectors tone or use of the English language make your employee feel stressed out or feel they are at risk of immediate harm. Help an employee stand up for their rights. It is as simple as letting them know to contact their state Consumer Affairs Office or Division of Banks for knowing their rights. Many of these rights can be found on line.

In Massachusetts anyone can Know their rights by going to the Office of Consumer Affairs: The summary below is from the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries web site.

209 CMR 18: Conduct of the Business of Debt Collectors and Loan Services, Division of Banks. “The purpose of 209 CMR 18.00 is to establish standards, by defining unfair or deceptive acts or practices, for the collection of debts from persons within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by debt collectors and third party loan servicers, and to establish procedures and requirements for the licensing and supervision of debt collectors and the registration and supervision of third party loan servicers.”

940 CMR 7: Debt Collection Regulations, Attorney General. “The purpose of 940 CMR 7.00 is to establish standards, by defining unfair or deceptive acts or practices, for the collection of debts from persons within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

If your employee is having problems with the debt collector in Massachusetts they can file a compliant form with the Division of Banks which can be obtained from the Division of Banks web site.

The continuing violence against women has highlighted again the lack of adequate services for women and their children to access.  The most serious need is housing. The services should include childcare to allow employment opportunity and the housing of the women and her children.  The housing must be both permanent for families and temporary for initial emergency intake.

The majority of those making decisions to fund services are white males who have never had their life at risk.  Women should not vote for men who do not take their needs seriously.  Set an agenda that prioritizes where housing and Domestic Violence services are needed to allow equal and equitable access to services.  If elected officials do not support the agenda then make sure that the community is educated about the position of the officials.

This cartoon depicts a manner in which to create a message against Domestic Violence and Children Witnessing Violence.  Logos that are visual have a more lastly effect for people to remember. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization that is a health care insurance entity. The CEO was paid 1.36 million in 2006 and 3.6 million in 2007. The Chairman was paid 1.73 million in 2007. The former chairman received 16.4 million to retire in 2007. Average premiums increased 7.5 percent.

The CEO of Harvard Pilgrim was paid 1.38 million in 2007. The CEO of Tufts Health Plan was paid 1.19 million in 2007.

If the President of the USA can be paid a salary of $400,000 then that should be enough for any executive of a nonprofit regardless of revenues.

Since these organizations are acting like for-profits in the manner in which they run their organization compensations and incur costs should they be stripped of their nonprofit status?

The states should allow access to the nonprofit organizations to have their employees be on the state medicare system for a flat fee per month. This will give the medicare and nonprofit system better pricing options.

The other option is to have nonprofits create a cooperative insurance company that they have better control over for costs and benefits.

Health care insurance and medical expenses should not have to make you bleed money as well!!!

Social Responsibility has been on the rise among college graduates. However, there has been a huge barrier created by the institutions of higher education preventing them from following their heart and soul to make a difference. College loans debt is their barrier to choose the job he/she would love to take in the nonprofit field providing public good.

 Providing loan relief provisions in your recruitment will increase the number of credentialed candidates that will apply to work for your organization.

Government support of a living wage will allow more individuals to accept jobs providing public good.

There is a mix message playing out in the world of nonprofit and government jobs. What does it take to recruit qualified individuals to positions with major responsibilities? What is the definition or measure to define major responsibilities? The common thread between nonprofits and government is that they exist to perform public good.

Therefore, if someone says that the nonprofit needs to pay the President of the Red Cross $500,000 or the President of the Blue Cross a $6.3 million does that mean that individuals running for the President of the USA are less qualified.

In government and nonprofit positions it first takes a persons dedication, smarts and heart to really make a difference. The meltdown of the financial markets and the ongoing examples of manipulation in companies by high paying executives shows that the incentive of money can corrupt any institution.  A board needs to make sure that its mission comes first and that any candidate that says money is what it takes for them to take the job is focus more on making a living than focusing on the organization’s mission.

An organization in choosing its leader needs one whom lives by equality principles, dedication, and a commitment to take on a job that takes ones heart, soul and brains to make the necessary impact the organization exists to make.

Where is the leadership? How many have to die? Thousands of youth killed by youth. Youth have been speaking out and seeking relief but find adults not willing to listen and support them. WHO MUST BE SACRIFICED IN DEATH TO MAKE THE ISSUE IMPORTANT?
How many Virginia Tech’s, Northern Illinois and Columbine’ killings have to happen before you pay attention to the crisis? Did the government forget to tell us that there was another battle going on here in this country?

What donor will make an impact? What organizations will make an impact? What will Obama, Clinton, or McCain do about this War in the USA? Which Candidate has the ability to reach this generation and have the biggest impact? What will you do?

Serious issues and Generation O wants to be heard. EMO speaks out through his weekly cartoon: http://mynonprofitwebsite.com/blog/category/emo-cartoon/

In 2004 in the USA:
Total Homicide deaths 16,611
Total Suicide deaths 31,647
Total Injuries due to Firearm deaths 29,036

Ages 1-4 Homicide is 4th likely means of death (354) 2.2 per 100,000 (car accidents is first)
Ages 5-14 Homicide is 4th likely means of death (318) .8 per 100,000 (car accidents is first)
Ages 5-14 Suicide is 5th likely means of death (292) .7 per 100,000 (car accidents is first)
Ages 15-24 Homicide is 2nd likely means of death (4,877) 11.7 per 100,000 (car accidents is first)
Ages 15-24 Suicide is 3rd likely means of death (4,214) 10.1 per 100,000 (car accidents is first)
Ages 25-44 Homicide is 5th likely means of death (4,877) 8.5 per 100,000 (car accidents is first)
Ages 25-44 Suicide is 4th likely means of death (11,403) 13.6 per 100,000 (car accidents is first)

With the billions being spent overseas to keep other countries safer for their citizens, many individuals are at risk here. Should there be a stronger policy on domestic violence? How many people must die before we each make it a priority. I ask, is it time to declare War against the youth dying in our own streets each day?

Protect our Children: Create the support to stop the thousands killed each year by those who kill. Teach our youth and citizens that killing others does not solve the problem or that killing of one self does not solve the problem.

The degree to which the USA is dependent upon outside financial support, the more likely that its independence is influenced by other countries. Two of the largest influences come from China imports and the purchase of foreign oil. The USA has the ability today to change its dependence upon oil and China imports.

Similarly, organizations depend upon outside financial support for their organizations. Due to the fact that the federal or state government may place restrictions or requirements on an organization receiving its funding, some choose not to accept government funding. However, unless self-supporting, the more that an organization is dependent on annual fund raising, the more the influence on what it does by outside influences.

Strategic Planning is a key component to utilize in implementing your annual giving campaign for your organization’s mission. Your brand and message should be evaluated annually and adapted to reach the organization, its supporters and the community it serves.

The Regis and Kelly show is an example of another form of just talking and not doing anything about making an impact to improve the lives of others. Can a show like Regis and Kelly motivate people to make change? Can a show like Regis and Kelly lead and declare war on an important issue?

The presidential candidates are asking each of us to consider who will make the greatest impact. Will Obama, Clinton, or McCain be your voice to declare war on your most important issue?

If you do not vote you will deserve any negative result you feel you get. You have no right to complain if you do not participate. Make a difference, give your time or money or both.

True leaders are willing to lead and not wait to follow. Are you willing to be one of them? Is your organization willing to be a leader?

When is information gathering and censorship by one entity too much? MA Bell was broken up when their monopoly controlled price and access. Standard Oil was broken up when they controlled too much. Microsoft was force to open access when they controlled to much.

When trying to market or promote your brand does Google give you a fair shake? If you are placed 10,000 in a search is that a form of censorship? Laws have been passed to protect your personal information, stop marketers from calling and sets standards for gathering information but the Internet has not been regulated. Is it time to make the Internet a mandated required open source service to all? What is the basic level of privacy and access everyone should expect. Today, there is no limit.