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Nonprofit Day 2007

Nonprofit Day 2007
Looking into the Crystal Ball - Where do we go from here? September 26, 2007
Lansing Center, Lansing MI

Full Agenda available below.

Making the Most of Your Trip to the Capitol

Sponsors

Contact Erin Skene or Tiffany Aurora at 517-492-2400 for more information.

Nonprofit Day 2007
Looking into the Crystal Ball - Where do we go from here? September 26, 2007
Lansing Center, Lansing MI

AGENDA

Registration
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Opening Plenary
Where Do We Go From Here?
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. 

This year has been an extremely active one for the legislature as they have grappled with the state's fiscal deficit. As we move into the next fiscal year beginning October 1, legislative leaders will join us for a discussion on upcoming priorities for the legislature. The following panelists have been invited: Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop; Speaker of the House Andy Dillon; Minority House Leader Craig DeRoche; and Minority Senate Leader Mark Schauer.

What Does This Mean for Nonprofits?
10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

In response to the comments from legislative leaders, a panel of nonprofit leaders will offer their thoughts on what the future holds for nonprofits in Michigan.

Break
10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

Breakout Sessions
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 

Evaluation and Assessment of Advocacy Activities - Watch Out!
How do we evaluate long-term advocacy efforts? The buzz words of evaluation and outcome assessment seem to be here to stay, and we as advocates need to figure out how to show results for money invested to influence public policy. This session will introduce you to some practical techniques to assess the outcomes of your advocacy activities.

Presenter: Jeff Padden, Public Policy Associates.

Ballot Initiatives - What's Looming for the '08 Election?
The 2008 elections may seem far way, but there is already a great deal of talk on possible measures that will be on the ballot. Will the Stop OverSpending proposal return? Will there be a statewide tax increase on the ballot? Presenters will look into their crystal balls to assess the possibility of these and other measures making it on the 2008 ballot.

Presenters: Earl Ryan, Citizen's Research Council; Jeff Williams, Public Sector Consultants.

What's Up at the Capitol?
This year has proven to be another interesting policy year both here in Michigan and in D.C. Join us for a discussion regarding the latest news on changes to regulation of the sector, advocacy rights, the budget and more.

Presenters: Rob Collier, Council of Michigan Foundations; Erin Skene, Michigan Nonprofit Association; and Evie Zois, Dykema.

I Can Do What?
Organizations often say that their reason for not becoming involved in public policy or election work is that they believe their involvement will jeopardize their tax-exempt status. This workshop will put all these myths to an end and provide an overview of the legal do's and don'ts for lobbying and election-year activities.

Presenter: Lary Wells, Michigan League for Human Services.

Navigating the Internet Highway for your Advocacy Efforts
Many organizations are utilizing the internet for their advocacy efforts, but is this an effective way to build grassroots networks and to communicate with elected officials? Presenters will shed light on the pros and cons of e-advocacy and will provide some tips for making the most of your online efforts.

Presenter: Andy Wolber, NPower Michigan.

Luncheon
How Do We Create Change?
12:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Legislators are invited to join us for lunch at Nonprofit Day. The Nonprofit Champion Awards will be presented during the luncheon to individuals in public service who have demonstrated extraordinary work to support the nonprofit sector and the communities nonprofits serve.

Following lunch, Miles Rapoport, president of DEMOS will join us to provide insight on the public's perception of government, election reform and how nonprofits can create social change.

Break
2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Capitol Tour
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Back by popular demand, this VIP tour of the Capitol building will introduce you to the history and workings of state government. In addition, expert tour guides will give you the insider's perspective on being an advocate at the Capitol. This tour is graciously provided by the Friends of the Capitol and Ed Blews with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan.

Making the Most of Your Trip to the Capitol

Individual Meetings with Legislators

We encourage you to make an appointment with your legislator or legislator's office prior to the conference and to meet with them during the afternoon sessions.

Making an appointment with your legislators can be accomplished in three easy steps:

1. Find the name and contact information for your State Representative at www.house.mi.gov and the name and contact information for your State Senator at www.senate.mi.gov.

2. Copy and edit the following letter and send it to your legislators.

<Date>

The Honorable <First Name> <Last Name>
<State Senator or State Representative>
<Address>
Lansing, MI 48909

Dear <Senator or Representative (Last Name)>:

I will be in Lansing on September 26 to attend the Michigan Nonprofit Association’s Nonprofit Day conference on September 26 at the Lansing Center.  I would like to arrange a short meeting with you during this day.  As you may already know, <Tell something about your organization such as 1-5>

1. My organization’s mission is to…
2. It has been in existence since…
3. We have XX number of members…
4. We have served XX number of persons…
5. We have enjoyed strong partnerships with <others public, private organizations>…

I am available to meet with you or your staff anytime during the day; I will contact your office next week to confirm a time to meet. If you would like to contact me, I can be reached at < telephone number>.

For more information regarding Nonprofit Day, please call the Michigan Nonprofit Association at 517/492-2400 or visit the MNA Web site at www.mnaonline.org.

Thank you for your commitment and interest in <name of your nonprofit organization>.

Sincerely,

Name
Title
Organization

3. Call your legislator a week after you send the letter to set up an appointment to meet.

Sponsors

The Michigan Nonprofit Association is grateful to the following organizations for their generous support of Nonprofit Day 2007:

Conference Sponsor:
W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Conference Co-Sponsor
Michigan Health and Hospital Association
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)

Conference Partner
Michigan Association of United Ways
Public Policy Associates, Inc.
Public Sector Consultants, Inc.

Conference Friend
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan
ArtServe Michigan
Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM)
Council of Michigan Foundations
Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Grand Valley State University
Michigan Environmental Council
Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan