Pre-conference Day

To register for our pre-conferences, please click here.

Worry-Free Advocacy: Understanding the Rules of Nonprofit Advocacy and Election-Related Activity
Monday, May 12, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lansing Center
333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing

During this one-day pre-conference for nonprofit managers, staff and volunteers, our attorney-trainers will teach you the rules so that you can answer qusetions such as:
-What is lobbying?
-How much can our 501©(3) lobby?
-What are the state rules and regulations we need to be aware of?
-What types of election-related activity can our 501©(3) abd 501(c)(4) engage in?

During the first half of the day, Alliance for Justice will explain the federal laws governing 501(c)(3) lobbying. You will discuss how to calculate your lobbying limits under the insubstantial part test or the 501(h) expenditure test, definitions of direct and grass roots lobbying, and the application of these rules to ballot measure activities. The morning will also highlight exceptions to lobbying and include a discussion of record keeping techniques.

The afternoon will bring discussions about the federal tax law restrictions on election related activity by exempt organizations. The IRS's "facts and circumstances" review of 501(c)(3) election-related activity will be explained, highlighting guidance from the IRS on ballot measure activity,issue advocacy, voter education, voter registration and get-out-the-vote activity, candidate education and individual activity.

Presented by: Alliance for Justice, Melissa Mikesell and Nancy Chen
Registration fee: $50 per person

Tools for a Learning Organization
Monday, May 12, 2008
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lansing Center
333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing

This workshop will provide participants with skills to help their nonprofit organizations further along the road to becoming learning organizations. The key to learning is systematically collected data on questions important to organizational mission. Learn to identify and use data to document successes, identify weaknesses and problems, and measure progress toward goals. Make decisions and allocate resources based on evidence of what is working and what is not. This workshop will include practical approaches, and participants will leave with tools to support a new mindset that embraces data as an essential tool for improvement.

Presented by: Michigan Association for Evaluation
Registration: $35 per person