For every Golden Globes show, a consensus emerges as to who The Big Winner was, the Biggest Winner of all the Big Winners. And, without any doubt, the most favored of the star-studded night (beyond the impressive Sandra Oh)…was “Fiji Water Girl.”
In case you haven’t heard, Fiji Water Girl (AKA model Kelleth Cuthbert) traversed the pre-show carpet in a bold blue dress and had a knack for finding the perfect camera angles while carrying a tray of Fiji Water. Her immediate job was to hydrate the stars on the red carpet, but, she went above and beyond. By working strategically, she made it into the background of photo after photo of high profile stars. Fiji Water Girl was so noticeable she soon became a meme-worthy “celebrity” herself, and her employer undoubtedly appreciated the free/extra publicity.
Fiji Water Girl’s moment of fame is also a moment for nonprofit pros to learn three important lessons.
I don’t have to tell you not every job in the nonprofit world is glamorous. Sure, sometimes you’re receiving accolades from your peers, scoring that massive grant, or your board is celebrating a particularly successful program you started. But, often your day is taken up by gobs of paperwork, stay atop of fundraising, field messages from donors and potential donors, and handling a veritable ocean of other administrative tasks. But, when you do have to do mundane tasks, do them unceasingly well! When you keep up an enthusiasm for tasks, no matter how seemingly small, your reputation for being dependable will bode well with colleagues, donors, and board officers.
Stay Current With Your Calendar
There are certain community events that nonprofit leaders must attend. You likely know what they are in your situation, for example, the grand opening of a donor or potential donor’s business or the big annual gala in your town. Make certain that you, or representatives from your nonprofit, are properly seen at these must-attend events. The vast majority of such events will be publicized well in advance, so it might be good to do a little brainstorming at a board meeting, to identify must-attend events and decide who’ll attend on your nonprofit’s behalf. Before anyone does attend on the nonprofit’s behalf it’s a good idea to be sure they are well versed on talking points, and fully understand the connection the nonprofit has with the event.
Think about doing conventional things in unconventional ways. As many have written before, sending a receipt to a donor is mandatory – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun, imaginative, or convey a meaningful message in a memorable way. Make waves! Or, let’s say your fellow board members or staff are hesitant to invest in a set of influential, important policies. Maybe they’re dragging their feet on updating a set of outdated formational documents. Make your mark by explaining the many benefits and how it will further the organization’s mission. Or, bring in a speaker (like me!) to explain the legal consequences of NOT having quality policies and procedures in place.
In short, when you’re working with a nonprofit, you could just keep to the status quo. Or, you can seize this moment, your moment, to find your light and shine. Sure, the Internet may not make a meme of you, but you can smile knowing you’re making a difference where it matters. Want to strategize? Don’t hesitate to contact me or to read more information useful for nonprofit pros.
https://www.gordonfischerlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Screen-Shot-2019-01-09-at-10.50.48-AM.png697972Gordon Fischerhttps://www.gordonfischerlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GFLF-logo-300x141.pngGordon Fischer2019-01-08 08:44:542020-05-18 11:28:49What Nonprofit Pros Can Learn From Fiji Water Girl
Smart nonprofit boards adopt, in writing, crucial values such as honesty, integrity, transparency, confidentiality, and equity. Sure a policy or two cannot “create” a certain culture or ethical operations by itself. But, well-drafted policies CAN actively promote and reinforce ethics in conduct and decision-making to all involved within the organization.
The realities of modern communication and social media mean that just about anyone can be a publishing “journalist.” This also means that organizations, especially nonprofits, can be subject to intense scrutiny. Because of tax-exempt status and dependence on charitable donations, nonprofits tend to be held to a higher standard than their for-profit counterparts.
An ethical issue—even the illusion of one—can split boards, cause stakeholders to pull back, snap donors’ wallets shut, and even result in expensive litigation. Fortunately, there are policies and procedures that can prevent your hardworking organization from having to deal with such controversy, by deterring unethical situations from every occurring. These policies include:
Code of Ethics
Every nonprofit should adopt a set of ethical principles to guide its decisions and conduct of its board members, officers, employees, independent contractors, volunteers, and other stakeholders. These ethical principles are typically called a “code of ethics,” “statement of values,” or “code of conduct.” Regardless of the title, the purpose of formally adopting a set of ethical principles is to provide guidelines for making ethical choices and to ensure that there is accountability for those choices. When board members adopt a code of ethics, they are actively expressing their deep commitment to ethical behavior. Making such a commitment can help earn and maintain the public’s trust.
Confidentiality
Respecting the privacy of donors, prospective donors, employees, and volunteers, as well the nonprofit itself, must be a paramount value. For example, financial information of a donor must be treated as highly confidential, and not be disclosed or discussed with anyone without the express, explicit permission.
Care should also be taken to ensure that unauthorized individuals do not overhear any discussion of confidential information and that documents containing confidential information are not left in the open or inadvertently shared. In short, it is critical to adopt a confidentiality policy regarding identity, financial institution accounts, credit card numbers, and all such information about finances.
Ethical Fundraising
Federal and state law significantly impact nonprofit fundraising. Beyond merely meeting what the law requires, nonprofits can demonstrate a first-class commitment to legal compliance by adopting an ethical fundraising policy. This would codify, for example, that all communications to donors and potential donors are honest and accurate. Another example: requirements to provide attributions for marketing imagery and never include information with minors that could be considered personal identifying information.
Nonprofit board members, both individually and collectively, owe a fiduciary duty to ensure the organization’s assets are used in accordance with donors’ intent and the charitable mission. To ensure prudent financial management, nonprofits should adopt financial management policies.
Financial management policies clarify the roles, authority, and responsibilities for essential activities and decisions. Examples of nonprofit financial policies commonly used include a description of how cash is handled; whether and how travel expenses will be reimbursed; and the board’s role in reviewing executive compensation.
Financial Transparency
Nonprofits also should adopt a financial transparency policy. An example of a fundamental financial transparency practice is to make information accessible to interested individuals regarding the nonprofit’s budget, sources of revenue, and information about board composition, programs, outcomes/impact, and staffing.
Basic “Good Governance” Practices
There are several basic practices every nonprofit should engage in to maintain “good governance”:
If you already have some (or all) of the above-listed policies in place, seriously consider the last time they were updated. How has the organization changed since they were written? Have new legislative policies impacted these policies at all? It may be time for a new set of ethics policies for your organization.
Additional Policies Need
Note nonprofits also need additional policies for optimal compliance. In addition to the ten major policies and procedures that support the best possible IRS Form 990 (such as public disclosure, gift acceptance, and whistleblower) nonprofits should have documents in place covering the topics of employment; grantors and grantees; endowment management; and legal training for directors.
Questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact me via email (gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com) or on my cell phone (515-371-6077). I’d be happy to discuss your nonprofit’s specific needs and policies promoting ethics, with you at your convenience.
Employment policies are vital to the well-being of your nonprofit. Such policies set workplace expectations, define work guidelines, reduce or eliminate confusion and misunderstanding, and provide steps for any necessary disciplinary action. Because every nonprofit organization is unique, your organization may well need a particular set of specific policies. However, the following are the general ones that benefit most all nonprofits.
Benefits of Employment Policies
An official set of employment policies provides many benefits for your nonprofit. For nonprofit employers, policies capture the values you wish to instill in your workforce, outline the standards of behavior you expect, and provide a clear guide for rights and responsibilities.
Instituting strong, fair, and unambiguous policies not only contributes to a happier workforce it can also improve employee retention. Further, employment law is vast, complicated, and can be tricky to navigate. Well-drafted employment policies can also help you avoid legal issues and costly mistakes.
Employee Handbook
Employee handbooks are not required by law, but having one is in the best interest of your nonprofit and those who work for you— even if you have just one employee! A good employee handbook effectively communicates the nonprofit’s policies and procedures and makes clear the rights and responsibilities of employees in your organization. Many disputes can be avoided by a clear, easy-to-read, and straightforward employee handbook.
Not to be confused with the handbook, an employment agreement sets the conditions, terms, and obligations between you as the employer and an employee. Employment agreements often include details regarding salary, benefits, paid time off, work schedule, mandatory mediation/arbitration, and defining the at-will employment relationship. Employment agreements need to be individualized to suit each employment relationship. It is considered a binding contract that should be administered in writing and signed by both employer and employee.
Formal Performance Review
Formal performance reviews are an assessment of an employee by a supervisor and the employee themselves. It’s a two-way, not a one-way discussion! The review should be based on jointly pre-determined goals and performance objectives. While often overlooked (and sometimes dreaded), performance reviews are of great value to nonprofit employers and their employees.
You should have in place a standardized form and consistent processes for conducting individual performance reviews of all employees. Evaluating the quality of an individual’s work, ability to meet goals, communication skills, adherence to your nonprofit’s mission, attendance, and dependability, among other criteria, is key to effective workforce management and to building trust with employees. You may also consider whether performance reviews for board members would be advantageous to the organization.
Employee Personnel File
A personnel file is a hard copy folder and/or digital file that contains information related to every new, existing, and former employee. Knowing what needs to be stored (and what should not) in a secure personnel file will help your nonprofit in promotion and termination decisions; provide a means of tracking vacations, training, and achievements; and is necessary to comply with regulations.
A personnel file should only contain items related to his or her job or employment status. These include, but are not limited to:
Application and resume
Signed acknowledgment page from the employee handbook
Pay information including time sheets, W-4s, and withholding forms
Just as important as having the right information in a personnel file, is to avoid placing the wrong documents in a personnel file. Some items that should not be in an employee’s personnel file include:
Medical information and accommodation requests
Whistleblower complaints
Court orders, such as garnishment or restraining orders
Self-employed, freelancer, consultant…people who provide goods or services to your nonprofit, but are not your employees, are considered independent contractors. Independent contractors differ from employees in that they control their financial and work-related relationships and pay their own self-employment, Social Security, and Medicare taxes.
When you hire an independent contractor, you should have a written and signed contract that clearly outlines the scope of work, rate/payment, severability, deliverables, and clearly identifies the person as an independent contractor. Also, you can minimize and avoid legal liability by placing the right provisions in an independent contractor agreement.
Updating Employment Policies & Additional Policies You Need
If you already have some (or even all) of the above-listed employment policies in place, when were they last updated? Think about the many ways your organization has changed since they were written, including new employees you hired and existing employees whose roles have evolved.
Changes to state and federal laws may have rendered some elements of your employment policies incomplete or out of compliance. It may be high time to renew your commitment to a productive, happy workplace by revising employment policies.
Also, be aware this memo discusses only employment policies. To work toward optimal IRS compliance, you should adopt the nine key policies and procedures which appear on IRS Form 990. Also, you should consider having documents in place relating to the organization’s ethics, grantors and grantees, endowment management, and legal training for board directors.
To discuss further, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email (gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com) or on my cell phone (515-371-6077). I’d be happy to speak more to the particulars of employment policies, with you at your convenience.
What Nonprofit Pros Can Learn From Fiji Water Girl
NonprofitsFor every Golden Globes show, a consensus emerges as to who The Big Winner was, the Biggest Winner of all the Big Winners. And, without any doubt, the most favored of the star-studded night (beyond the impressive Sandra Oh)…was “Fiji Water Girl.”
In case you haven’t heard, Fiji Water Girl (AKA model Kelleth Cuthbert) traversed the pre-show carpet in a bold blue dress and had a knack for finding the perfect camera angles while carrying a tray of Fiji Water. Her immediate job was to hydrate the stars on the red carpet, but, she went above and beyond. By working strategically, she made it into the background of photo after photo of high profile stars. Fiji Water Girl was so noticeable she soon became a meme-worthy “celebrity” herself, and her employer undoubtedly appreciated the free/extra publicity.
Fiji Water Girl’s moment of fame is also a moment for nonprofit pros to learn three important lessons.
Everything you do, do well
There’s an old saying in Hollywood regarding bit parts, “there are no small roles, only small actors.”
I don’t have to tell you not every job in the nonprofit world is glamorous. Sure, sometimes you’re receiving accolades from your peers, scoring that massive grant, or your board is celebrating a particularly successful program you started. But, often your day is taken up by gobs of paperwork, stay atop of fundraising, field messages from donors and potential donors, and handling a veritable ocean of other administrative tasks. But, when you do have to do mundane tasks, do them unceasingly well! When you keep up an enthusiasm for tasks, no matter how seemingly small, your reputation for being dependable will bode well with colleagues, donors, and board officers.
Stay Current With Your Calendar
There are certain community events that nonprofit leaders must attend. You likely know what they are in your situation, for example, the grand opening of a donor or potential donor’s business or the big annual gala in your town. Make certain that you, or representatives from your nonprofit, are properly seen at these must-attend events. The vast majority of such events will be publicized well in advance, so it might be good to do a little brainstorming at a board meeting, to identify must-attend events and decide who’ll attend on your nonprofit’s behalf. Before anyone does attend on the nonprofit’s behalf it’s a good idea to be sure they are well versed on talking points, and fully understand the connection the nonprofit has with the event.
Go Ahead and Rock the Boat
Think about doing conventional things in unconventional ways. As many have written before, sending a receipt to a donor is mandatory – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun, imaginative, or convey a meaningful message in a memorable way. Make waves! Or, let’s say your fellow board members or staff are hesitant to invest in a set of influential, important policies. Maybe they’re dragging their feet on updating a set of outdated formational documents. Make your mark by explaining the many benefits and how it will further the organization’s mission. Or, bring in a speaker (like me!) to explain the legal consequences of NOT having quality policies and procedures in place.
In short, when you’re working with a nonprofit, you could just keep to the status quo. Or, you can seize this moment, your moment, to find your light and shine. Sure, the Internet may not make a meme of you, but you can smile knowing you’re making a difference where it matters. Want to strategize? Don’t hesitate to contact me or to read more information useful for nonprofit pros.
The Ethical Nonprofit: Beneficial Policies
NonprofitsActing ethically as a charitable organization is paramount to success. Even the illusion of unethical operations can cause lasting damage to your organization. (Case in point: Look at what happened to the Donald J. Trump Foundation and, by association, Eric Trump’s foundation.)
Smart nonprofit boards adopt, in writing, crucial values such as honesty, integrity, transparency, confidentiality, and equity. Sure a policy or two cannot “create” a certain culture or ethical operations by itself. But, well-drafted policies CAN actively promote and reinforce ethics in conduct and decision-making to all involved within the organization.
Major Benefits of Promoting Ethics
The realities of modern communication and social media mean that just about anyone can be a publishing “journalist.” This also means that organizations, especially nonprofits, can be subject to intense scrutiny. Because of tax-exempt status and dependence on charitable donations, nonprofits tend to be held to a higher standard than their for-profit counterparts.
An ethical issue—even the illusion of one—can split boards, cause stakeholders to pull back, snap donors’ wallets shut, and even result in expensive litigation. Fortunately, there are policies and procedures that can prevent your hardworking organization from having to deal with such controversy, by deterring unethical situations from every occurring. These policies include:
Code of Ethics
Every nonprofit should adopt a set of ethical principles to guide its decisions and conduct of its board members, officers, employees, independent contractors, volunteers, and other stakeholders. These ethical principles are typically called a “code of ethics,” “statement of values,” or “code of conduct.” Regardless of the title, the purpose of formally adopting a set of ethical principles is to provide guidelines for making ethical choices and to ensure that there is accountability for those choices. When board members adopt a code of ethics, they are actively expressing their deep commitment to ethical behavior. Making such a commitment can help earn and maintain the public’s trust.
Confidentiality
Respecting the privacy of donors, prospective donors, employees, and volunteers, as well the nonprofit itself, must be a paramount value. For example, financial information of a donor must be treated as highly confidential, and not be disclosed or discussed with anyone without the express, explicit permission.
Care should also be taken to ensure that unauthorized individuals do not overhear any discussion of confidential information and that documents containing confidential information are not left in the open or inadvertently shared. In short, it is critical to adopt a confidentiality policy regarding identity, financial institution accounts, credit card numbers, and all such information about finances.
Ethical Fundraising
Federal and state law significantly impact nonprofit fundraising. Beyond merely meeting what the law requires, nonprofits can demonstrate a first-class commitment to legal compliance by adopting an ethical fundraising policy. This would codify, for example, that all communications to donors and potential donors are honest and accurate. Another example: requirements to provide attributions for marketing imagery and never include information with minors that could be considered personal identifying information.
Financial Management
Nonprofit board members, both individually and collectively, owe a fiduciary duty to ensure the organization’s assets are used in accordance with donors’ intent and the charitable mission. To ensure prudent financial management, nonprofits should adopt financial management policies.
Financial management policies clarify the roles, authority, and responsibilities for essential activities and decisions. Examples of nonprofit financial policies commonly used include a description of how cash is handled; whether and how travel expenses will be reimbursed; and the board’s role in reviewing executive compensation.
Financial Transparency
Nonprofits also should adopt a financial transparency policy. An example of a fundamental financial transparency practice is to make information accessible to interested individuals regarding the nonprofit’s budget, sources of revenue, and information about board composition, programs, outcomes/impact, and staffing.
Basic “Good Governance” Practices
There are several basic practices every nonprofit should engage in to maintain “good governance”:
Updating Ethics Policies
If you already have some (or all) of the above-listed policies in place, seriously consider the last time they were updated. How has the organization changed since they were written? Have new legislative policies impacted these policies at all? It may be time for a new set of ethics policies for your organization.
Additional Policies Need
Note nonprofits also need additional policies for optimal compliance. In addition to the ten major policies and procedures that support the best possible IRS Form 990 (such as public disclosure, gift acceptance, and whistleblower) nonprofits should have documents in place covering the topics of employment; grantors and grantees; endowment management; and legal training for directors.
Questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact me via email (gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com) or on my cell phone (515-371-6077). I’d be happy to discuss your nonprofit’s specific needs and policies promoting ethics, with you at your convenience.
Smart Employment Policies for Nonprofits
NonprofitsEmployment policies are vital to the well-being of your nonprofit. Such policies set workplace expectations, define work guidelines, reduce or eliminate confusion and misunderstanding, and provide steps for any necessary disciplinary action. Because every nonprofit organization is unique, your organization may well need a particular set of specific policies. However, the following are the general ones that benefit most all nonprofits.
Benefits of Employment Policies
An official set of employment policies provides many benefits for your nonprofit. For nonprofit employers, policies capture the values you wish to instill in your workforce, outline the standards of behavior you expect, and provide a clear guide for rights and responsibilities.
Instituting strong, fair, and unambiguous policies not only contributes to a happier workforce it can also improve employee retention. Further, employment law is vast, complicated, and can be tricky to navigate. Well-drafted employment policies can also help you avoid legal issues and costly mistakes.
Employee Handbook
Employee handbooks are not required by law, but having one is in the best interest of your nonprofit and those who work for you— even if you have just one employee! A good employee handbook effectively communicates the nonprofit’s policies and procedures and makes clear the rights and responsibilities of employees in your organization. Many disputes can be avoided by a clear, easy-to-read, and straightforward employee handbook.
Employment Agreement
Not to be confused with the handbook, an employment agreement sets the conditions, terms, and obligations between you as the employer and an employee. Employment agreements often include details regarding salary, benefits, paid time off, work schedule, mandatory mediation/arbitration, and defining the at-will employment relationship. Employment agreements need to be individualized to suit each employment relationship. It is considered a binding contract that should be administered in writing and signed by both employer and employee.
Formal Performance Review
Formal performance reviews are an assessment of an employee by a supervisor and the employee themselves. It’s a two-way, not a one-way discussion! The review should be based on jointly pre-determined goals and performance objectives. While often overlooked (and sometimes dreaded), performance reviews are of great value to nonprofit employers and their employees.
You should have in place a standardized form and consistent processes for conducting individual performance reviews of all employees. Evaluating the quality of an individual’s work, ability to meet goals, communication skills, adherence to your nonprofit’s mission, attendance, and dependability, among other criteria, is key to effective workforce management and to building trust with employees. You may also consider whether performance reviews for board members would be advantageous to the organization.
Employee Personnel File
A personnel file is a hard copy folder and/or digital file that contains information related to every new, existing, and former employee. Knowing what needs to be stored (and what should not) in a secure personnel file will help your nonprofit in promotion and termination decisions; provide a means of tracking vacations, training, and achievements; and is necessary to comply with regulations.
A personnel file should only contain items related to his or her job or employment status. These include, but are not limited to:
Just as important as having the right information in a personnel file, is to avoid placing the wrong documents in a personnel file. Some items that should not be in an employee’s personnel file include:
Independent Contractor Agreement
Self-employed, freelancer, consultant…people who provide goods or services to your nonprofit, but are not your employees, are considered independent contractors. Independent contractors differ from employees in that they control their financial and work-related relationships and pay their own self-employment, Social Security, and Medicare taxes.
When you hire an independent contractor, you should have a written and signed contract that clearly outlines the scope of work, rate/payment, severability, deliverables, and clearly identifies the person as an independent contractor. Also, you can minimize and avoid legal liability by placing the right provisions in an independent contractor agreement.
Updating Employment Policies & Additional Policies You Need
If you already have some (or even all) of the above-listed employment policies in place, when were they last updated? Think about the many ways your organization has changed since they were written, including new employees you hired and existing employees whose roles have evolved.
Changes to state and federal laws may have rendered some elements of your employment policies incomplete or out of compliance. It may be high time to renew your commitment to a productive, happy workplace by revising employment policies.
Also, be aware this memo discusses only employment policies. To work toward optimal IRS compliance, you should adopt the nine key policies and procedures which appear on IRS Form 990. Also, you should consider having documents in place relating to the organization’s ethics, grantors and grantees, endowment management, and legal training for board directors.
To discuss further, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email (gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com) or on my cell phone (515-371-6077). I’d be happy to speak more to the particulars of employment policies, with you at your convenience.