October 29, 2020

Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, As we move toward the final days before the elections, we know that many in our communities are filled with emotions. These emotions stem from our collective desire for an end to Coronavirus, and end to physical distancing restrictions, and loss of income. They stem from a desire to freely engage in the community life they love. With those emotions come anxiety and trepidation for the results of this crucial moment in our history. This has been the most contentious election in my lifetime and I imagine that holds true for most others as well. Across the political spectrum, Oregonians have strong feelings about the future they want to see and strong ideas about this election. Those opinions come with deeply-held convictions of values and about what they want to see happen for their families and the communities they love. For some, there is a sense of impending triumph and for others, I dare say many others, there is a feeling of foreboding for the outcome that is overwhelming our already-taxed nerves from a year like no other in living memory. What should nonprofits consider as we draw to the final days of campaigning and Tuesday approaches? Well let’s start there…  We should all be aware that due to our vote-by-mail system in Oregon and the changes in voting systems in many other states in response to the serious health risks of COVID-19, the election will likely not be decided on election night. That is okay. The election outcome could be delayed or held up for weeks. If so, the post-election period could be troubling and used as a means to stoke fears and resentment, or even violent action. Our response during that time will be crucial in helping soothe nerves and stand for non-violence, no matter the outcome of the elections themselves. Nonprofits believe in a strong democracy. We are a direct product of our democracy and we are one of the purest manifestations of democratic ideals. We all bring that to our work every day when we give all community members voice and empowerment to solve challenges. Community members are worried. As nonprofits, many of us work with vulnerable populations, and are seeing first hand that people are worried about election-night and post-election violence. In particular, we know that immigrants, Black people, and other people of color, people in certain religious groups, women, and the elderly are more likely to be fearful. So, as a nonprofit leader, what can you do? Acknowledge the anxiety within your organization and in our communities. Recognize that the election is likely to have a significant impact on your nonprofit and on the people that you serve. Sharing the feelings you have with others in the community may help to lessen the load. Do this in calm and thoughtful ways. Think about how to stay safe. For some in our community, they may have experienced significant trauma either in their personal lives as survivors of domestic violence or collective violence as veterans of war or immigrants from a different country. Look to calm, rather than stoke fears.  Exercise your rights. Remember that it's legal for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations to take positions on policy issues and ballot propositions, and to encourage staff, volunteers and community members to participate in the democratic process. Check out Nonprofit Vote, Bolder Advocacy, and use these tips on our website to guide your engagement in advocacy.  Advocate and educate. Voice your concerns about what may happen post-election by writing to your government officials and ask them for their plans to keep your community safe. Your local elected officials have a duty to protect you. Organize. Nonprofits are the backbone of organizing and community involvement. Remember that as a nonprofit you can publicize a demonstration and encourage people to go to it. Please be fair in explaining risks and discourage people from engaging in violence. Nonprofits stand for peaceful development that benefits community. Not too late to vote! Our mail-in ballot system is much better than many states that will experience election-day challenges due to COVID-19. So, please remind your staff, board, volunteers and program participants to drop off their ballots at designated ballot sites. Elections are a vital component of democracy and our way of life. Those of you who have come to know me know that I have the rather unpleasant experience of seeing too many places in our world that do not have the tradition of democracy or the peaceful transition of power. That is not a future I would ever want to see in Oregon or America. Even with all the difficulties that America and Oregon have, the will of the people exercised through a peaceful transition of power is an indicator of our strength. That is something to be cherished and celebrated.    Regardless of the final results of this next election, we as a people are resilient and strong. Elections are one facet of that strength, but not the only one. As nonprofit leaders, we exercise our democracy everyday through dialogue, working toward solutions, and building a better Oregon where all are cared for, respected and heard. At NAO, this is core to our mission of strengthening the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofits to enrich the lives of all Oregonians.  Sincerely,

Jim White NAO Executive Director

NAO News Thank you to NAO nonprofit members who participated in voting for NAO’s 2021 Board of Directors. We are pleased to announce that NAO nonprofit members voted to renew the terms of four current board members who were up for re-election. They are:   Rick Jung, Executive Director – Portland Gay Men’s Chorus Carla Penn-Hopson, Sustainability Officer – Self Enhancement Inc. Lea Sevey, Director of Capacity and Programming – Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence Janet Yousey, Executive Director – Shangri-La   Congratulations to Rick, Carla, Lea, and Janet! We thank them for their willingness to serve another three-year term in service to Oregon’s nonprofit sector! They will be joined by the following current seated NAO board members:   Merten Bangemann-Johnson, CEO – NeighborWorks Umpqua Sprinavasa Brown, Founder/Executive Director – Camp ELSO Noreen Dunnells, President/CEO – United Way of Lane County Celeste Hill-Thomas, Executive Director – Mid-Columbia Health Foundation Kecia Kubota, Executive Director – Camp Fire Central Oregon Mac Prichard, Founder/President – Prichard Communications Raziah Roushan, President – Raziah Roushan Inc. Brad Russell, CEO/Executive Director – Rogue Valley Family YMCA Chris Watson, Executive Director – Warm Springs Community Action Team Amory Zschach, Strategic Communications Manager – National Indian Child Welfare Association    We look forward to working alongside this great group of dedicated leaders in 2021 and continuing NAO’s important work of serving all of you and Oregon’s nonprofit sector – thank you!    Did you know that this week is National Pro Bono Week? Thank you to all in our communities who support nonprofits with their pro bono work throughout the year – we so appreciate you! One NAO Business Verified Business Member we appreciate is ReputationUs, a communications and reputation management firm, that is partnering with NAO again this year to provide one lucky NAO 501(c)(3) Member with six months of free reputation management support in 2021! NAO 501(c)(3) members must submit a short application by November 20, 2020. The lucky winner will be selected randomly on November 24 – just in time for Thanksgiving! For more information and to apply, click here.  NAO is shining a light on the great work our NAO nonprofit members are doing in their communities with “We Are Oregon’s Nonprofits” hosted by NAO’s Membership and Partnerships Manager Marie Manuel. Check out our latest spotlight on Coos Arts Museum located on Oregon’s Southern Coast, featuring its Executive Director Steven Broocks. If you’ve missed past spotlights, check them out here.

At the Federal Level Coronavirus Relief Package With Members of Congress out of D.C. campaigning, attention switches to what, if anything, can be accomplished during a lame-duck session. Much depends on the outcome of the election. Conventional wisdom would have it that a Democratic sweep of the White House and Senate means that no COVID relief would be enacted until next year under the theory that Democrats wouldn’t settle for half solution now when they might have it all in 2021. That view neglects the fact that several policy decisions shouldn’t wait, such as funding for a COVID-19 vaccine and testing, restoration of unemployment benefits, relief for businesses and nonprofits through a new round of PPP, and extension of the state deadline for spending Coronavirus Relief Funds. Also, Republicans facing a (potential) loss of power would be motivated to make a deal in order to get liability protections enacted while they have any real say in the matter. On the other hand, a Republican win of the White House and retention of the Senate may mean that there is motivation to capitalize on that position and try to get a deal struck quickly, even in a lame duck session.  Nonprofits need to keep advocating for our policy priorities as aggressively as ever regardless of the outcome of the elections. We will continue to keep you all up to date on the latest thinking and the opportunities that may arise for our community-centered agenda to move forward after the elections.  The New York Times published a letter to the editor titled: Covid Relief for Nonprofits by our friend Tim Delaney, CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. The piece is brief and well worth a read, but here’s a flavor of what Tim had to say: “Without another relief package immediately, tens of thousands of additional nonprofit employees will go from helping others to needing help themselves.” We need to continue to push forward our advocacy on behalf of our staff, volunteers and the missions we support.

NAO thanks all of you who are responding to so many crises and disasters in our communities. We have curated a set of resources and links with our COVID-19 resources and Oregon Wildfire Response Resources pages that we’ve created to help you and your organizations navigate these difficult times.  If your nonprofit is responding to communities impacted by the fires, please be sure to connect with your FEMA coordinators (called VALs), Regional Solutions, local Office of Emergency Management, United Ways and County/Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COADs). A coordinated disaster and recovery response is imperative! Please be part of the solution by sharing what you’re doing. You can connect to the Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (ORVOAD) by clicking this link and connecting to these other groups.

Upcoming Online Sessions Telling Your Best Story – The Key to Successful Fundraising, Friday, October 30, 10 a.m. – Noon PT: This webinar is intended for organizations that serve and are located in rural communities. Ron Frey, Principal at Frey Resource Group will help you tell your best fundraising story in a way that touches the mind and heart, and open the door to significant gifts. Details and registration information here. Small Town Strategies for Better Fundraising – Five Essential Principles for Long-Term Success, Friday, November 6, 10 a.m. – Noon PT: This webinar is intended for organizations that serve and are located in rural communities. In this session Ron Frey, Principal at Frey Resource Group will share a strategic management framework for accelerated income growth, with practical, actionable steps you can take to raise more money now. Details and registration information here.   Merger and Strategic Partnership for Nonprofits, Tuesday, November 10, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: Scott Schaffer, Principal of Public Interest Management Group, will discuss a range of options to restructure organizations, with goals of having a greater mission impact and financial sustainability. Details and registration information here. QuickBooks Made Easy Webinar: Desktop, November 10, 11, and 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. PT: Gregg S. Bossen, CPA of QuickBooks Made Easy, is partnering with NAO to offer an updated three-part QuickBooks® training webinar for nonprofits. This webinar is for the Desktop edition of QuickBooks. Details and registration information here. Effective Supervision Practices for Advancing Equity and Inclusion (two sessions), Wednesdays, November 11 and 18, 2:30 – 4 p.m. PT: A two-part series with Cliff Jones, Consultant Partner at Capacity Building Partnerships. In this two-part series, we will explore the most essential elements of a supervisor’s role with a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. Details and registration information here. Maintaining Internal Controls in the Remote Work Environment, Monday, November 16, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: Join Jessica Yoder, Shareholder at McDonald Jacobs and Erin Zollenkopf, CEO at Susan Matlack Jones & Associates to learn more about how you can maintain strong controls to keep pace with the current ever-shifting environment. Details and registration information here. QuickBooks Made Easy Webinar: Online, November 17, 18, and 19, 11 a.m. – 1 pm. PT: Gregg S. Bossen, CPA of QuickBooks Made Easy, is partnering with NAO to offer an updated three-part QuickBooks® training webinar for nonprofits. This webinar is for the Online edition of QuickBooks. Details and registration information here. How to Communicate Your Impact: Four ways to Measure and Communicate Your Impact, Thursday, November 19, Noon – 1 p.m. PT: Steve Patty, Founder of Dialogues in Action, will explore four ways to evaluate your impact and four ways to communicate your impact. Details and registration information here.   How to Read Financial Statements, Wednesday, December 2, 3 – 4:30 p.m. PT: Erin Zollenkopf, CEO at Susan Matlack Jones & Associates presents this session on how to read financial statements. More details and registration information here.   Revenue Recognition: Topic ASC 606, Wednesday, December 9, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: Join Jessica Yoder, Shareholder and Jeffrey Lester, Senior Assurance Manager, both at McDonald Jacobs for a webinar on reviewing examples and best practices for implementing new revenue recognition standards on topic ASC 606. More details and registration information here.

Thank you to the following SUPPORTERS and SPONSORS who are supporting NAO’s online COVID-19 events and communications during these challenging times. Their support is vital in helping NAO to bring much-needed resources and information to Oregon’s nonprofits – thank you.

SUPPORTERS

FRIEND PLUS PARTNER SPONSORS

FRIEND PLUS SPONSORS

FRIEND SPONSOR

FOLLOW NAO ON SOCIAL MEDIA

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌