Michigan Nonprofit Association
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PUBLIC POLICY

Policy Portal

Issue #214
February 29, 2008

STATE NEWS

FEDERAL NEWS

MNA Action Network
The place where you can speak directly to elected officials about the issues affecting the nonprofit sector

Legislature Passes Bill on Nonprofits' Electronic Communication

SB 123 (Sanborn), a bill amending the Nonprofit Corporation Act to permit the use of electronic communication for several organizational activities, was approved by the Legislature earlier this month and has been sent to the Governor for her signature. The bill would permit the use of electronic communication for several activities, including: when the Nonprofit Corporation Act requires or permits notices to be given in writing, electronic transmission would be considered written notice; allowing a board of directors to conduct a meeting of shareholders or members solely by means of remote communication; specifying conditions under which a shareholder or member could participate in a meeting and vote by means of remote communication; allowing a nonprofit's bylaws to permit voting by electronic communication; allowing a board or committee to consent by electronic transmission to action taken without a meeting; and others.

MNA has actively supported SB 123 through the full legislative process. For a comprehensive analysis of the legislation and a listing of all the electronic communication issues it covers, view the bill analysis online at http://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2007-SFA-0123-B.pdf.

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Michigan Giving and Volunteering Celebration 2008, presented by Comcast
April 16, 2008, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
State Capitol Building, Rooms 402-403, Lansing, Michigan
Register Now!

Michigan has a rich history of giving and volunteering, with a high rate of its residents giving to and volunteering with community nonprofits every year. This annual event celebrates the Michigan spirit of giving and volunteering, honoring outstanding citizens and state leaders who take an active giving and volunteering role in their communities, and highlighting the latest giving and volunteering stats for the state. The Michigan Volunteer Champion Awards will also be presented. Boxed lunches will be provided at the conclusion of the program.

You can register now to attend the Michigan Giving & Volunteering Celebration 2008, presented by Comcast! Registration is free; however, pre-registration is required and space is limited. Register early to reserve your spot! We hope to see you there!

This event is sponsored by Comcast and co-hosted by Council of Michigan Foundations, Michigan Campus Compact, Michigan Community Service Commission, Michigan Nonprofit Association, and Volunteer Centers of Michigan.

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Legislative Breakfast Meeting in Detroit on Monday

The last in a series of legislative breakfast meetings throughout Southeast Michigan, the City of Detroit Legislative Breakfast Meeting will take place on Monday, March 3, from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. at Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (2131 Beaufait, Detroit). The meeting is designed for nonprofit representatives and elected officials who represent the citizens of Detroit, and will provide extensive networking time for policymakers and nonprofit representatives to discuss the issues currently facing nonprofits in their communities. A brief program will also be included. To register, RSVP to Deborah Foster TODAY at 313-309-1650 or dfoster@mnaonline.org.

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Bills to Ease Voter Registration Requirements Pass House Committee

HB 4774 (Melton) and HB 5739 (Pearce), two bills making it easier for college students and adults with frequent travel schedules to register to vote and allowing them and other first-time voters to vote by absentee ballot, won unanimous approval last week by the House Ethics and Elections Committee. The bills would allow Michigan citizens to register to vote at any county, city or township clerk's office. Currently, citizens are required to register to vote through the clerk's office in their home community. In addition to allowing persons to register at any clerk's office, the bills permit those who register by mail to then appear at any clerk's office to have their identification verified.

The easing of these voter registration requirements would make voter registration easier for students who attend colleges outside their home communities, as well as for other adults who travel frequently. Both bills were supported by state and local elections officials.

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Interested in Learning More about the State Budget?

The State Budget impacts the work of nonprofits across the state. Whether your organization receives state grants or funding, works closely with another organization that receives state dollars, receives flow-through or matching federal dollars, or is looking to secure state dollars in the future, the upcoming public policy training FOLLOWING THE DOLLARS: A GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE STATE'S BUDGET PROCESS will provide you with very helpful information.

FOLLOWING THE DOLLARS: A GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE STATE'S BUDGET PROCESS will give session participants an understanding of the following:

  • the basics of the state budget;
  • the timeline for the state's budget process;
  • how the Governor's budget proposal is developed;
  • how the budget travels through the legislature; and
  • opportunities for input and advocacy in the budget process.

Craig Thiel from Citizens Research Council of Michigan will be presenting.

FOLLOWING THE DOLLARS: A GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE STATE'S BUDGET PROCESS will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at GVSU's PEW Campus in downtown Grand Rapids. The cost to attend is $25, pre-registration is required, and the registration deadline is March 4. Click here to register!

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Last Chance for Nonprofit Congress Early Bird Registration Rates

On June 1-4 2008, hundreds of nonprofit professionals will converge on our nation’s capital to act collectively for positive change in our sector and in our communities. Will you be one of them? Convene in our nation’s capital, connect with peers across the country and commit to creating positive change at the Nonprofit Congress National Meeting! 

Gain inspiration from noted plenary speakers and from the work done across the country by your fellow attendees. Build on our collective successes and lay the foundation for continued work in local communities. Join together with thousands of other nonprofits who have affirmed their commitment to the values held by the sector through their daily actions. 

Nonprofit Congress 2008 - Convene · Connect · Commit will build on and celebrate the accomplishments of nonprofits committed to positive change for our sector and our communities. Don’t wait to be part of this exciting event! Early bird registration is available through February 29; regular registration rates will apply beginning March 1. For more information and to register, visit www.nonprofitcongress.org.

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Senate Launches National Service Congressional Caucus

On February 12, 2008, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) announced a newly formed National Service Congressional Caucus in the Senate. The Senate now unites with the House of Representatives, which first established a National Service Caucus on September 14, 2004.

You can help build bipartisan support for national service by encouraging your elected officials to join the National Service Congressional Caucus. For a list of current National Service Congressional Caucus members, click here. For a template letter you can use to invite your federally elected officials to join the caucus, click on the following links:

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IRS Makes Form 990-N Available for Smaller Nonprofits

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has made available the new Form 990-N Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for filings by small nonprofit organizations. A provision in the Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires small nonprofits to file a new Form 990-N if they had been exempt from filing the Form 990 because they have annual gross receipts of $25,000 or less. The due date for filing the form is the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of an organization’s tax year. This filing requirement does not apply to churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches. Failure to file the notice for three consecutive years will result in revocation of tax-exempt status. Visit http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=169250,00.html for more information.

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IRS Posts Guidance on Governance

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently posted a new document on its website that encourages best governance practices for 501(c)(3) organizations. Topics include size and composition of governing bodies; board review of financial statements and Forms 990; public disclosure of organization documents; and, policies on executive compensation, conflicts of interest, investments, fundraising, governing body minutes, document retention, codes of ethics, and whistleblower claims. The IRS acknowledges that while tax law does not mandate certain governance practices, “a well-governed charity is more likely to obey the tax laws, safeguard charitable assets, and serve charitable interests” than a poorly governed one. This guidance replaces an earlier draft of good governance practices posted early in 2007.  Visit the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html for more information. 

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United States Postal Service Announces Rate Hikes

The United States Postal Service has announced that it will be adjusting prices for mailing services, effective May 12, 2008. The price of a First-Class Mail stamp will increase a penny to 42 cents, and the average increase for both periodicals and standard mail is just under the rate of inflation, which was 2.9% over the past 12 months. Under the new law regulating the Postal Service enacted in late 2006, these prices can increase on average no more than the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. The Postal Service plans to adjust rates annually each May.   

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