NonprofitMaine

June 19, 2012 – Portland

Our democracy requires an informed and engaged public, and who better to educate and motivate our citizens than Maine’s nonprofits close to the issues and our communities?  501(c)(3) nonprofits are prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for public office, but there are plenty of election-related activities that are legal, appropriate and essential for nonprofits.  Join us for a full day of training on what nonprofits can, can’t, and should do during an election season.  Be inspired to integrate voter engagement into your yearly activities.

Nonprofits & Elections: What’s Appropriate?
9:00 am – Noon

Join staff from MANP and the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices for this half-day training on what types of election season activities are legal and appropriate and how to report them.

Voter Engagement Basics for Nonprofits
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Join Nonprofit Vote, the leading national source of nonpartisan resources for nonprofits, for this half-day introduction to nonpartisan voter engagement for nonprofits.

These SkillBuilders were designed for nonprofit staff and board members who are interested in expanding their impact through policy advocacy and voter engagement.  You can attend one of these events, or join us for both at a discounted price!

(Members: $50 each or $80 total for both sessions; Nonmembers: $80 each or $160 total for both sessions)

*The discount is not available through our online registration system.  Please call us at 871-1885 to register for both.  Lunch will be provided for those who attend both the morning and afternoon sessions.

June 1st is the deadline for nonprofits incorporated in the State of Maine to file their annual report with the Secretary of State’s office. The annual filing may be done online or by mail and there is a $35 fee. For more information, visit the Bureau of Corporations’ website or contact the Bureau at  (207) 624-7752.

Nonprofits that fail to file their annual report on time will be subject to late fees or may face administrative dissolution.  Dissolution can also result in the loss of IRS tax-exemption so it is critical that nonprofit corporations stay on top of this annual filing date.  If you file annually online, you will receive a reminder each year; however, if you file a paper report, there is no reminder system and you will need to have a system in place to ensure that you meet the deadline.

The report is easy to complete and you will need the following information to do so:

• Your Charter Number (not your tax ID number)
• Name & Address of your Registered Agent (This may or may not be a “commercial” registered agent.  A Commercial Registered Agent is just someone you hire to be a responsible legal contact for the organization.  It could be your executive director, a board member, or other person whose connection to the organization and mailing address are stable.)
• Names & Addresses of your current board of directors (These may be work addresses, but they must be street addresses.)

Dear Nonprofit & Community Leaders,

The critically important budget for the Department of Health & Human Services is being negotiated today by the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs. The proposal that will be voted out of committee will go to the House and Senate next week for a vote. A large percentage of the Maine nonprofit sector, and those we serve, will be impacted by the decisions made this week and next in Augusta.  The decision makers need to hear from you.

As originally proposed, the Governor’s budget eliminates funding for Head Start, the Drugs for Maine’s Elderly Program, many Fund for a Healthy Maine programs, optional adult dental, vision, podiatry and other Medicaid services, and several other programs. It also reduces funding for residential services, crisis services and family reunification services, among others.  Republican leadership proposed an amended version which mitigates some of these cuts and restores some municipal General Assistance funds that were vetoed by the Governor in the previous budget.

Now, while the Appropriations Committee and the Legislature are making decisions, please let them know about the work you do and the importance of a strong partnership with the nonprofit sector in protecting Maine’s most vulnerable residents and promoting strong, vibrant local economies.

• Contact members of Appropriations: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/afa.htm
• Contact Your Legislator: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/townlist.htm
• Contact the Governor: http://www.maine.gov/governor/lepage/citizen_services/index.shtml

Nonprofits can and should add their voices to the policy debate. Download our “Raise Your Voice” toolkit to learn about your legal rights and responsibilities. You can also learn about the economic and social impacts of Maine’s nonprofits in our bi-annual report Partners in Prosperity and share this important data with your legislators.

The MANP staff will headed out of the office on Monday, June 18th for our 7th Annual Staff Volunteer Day, and we are looking for a project.

Because we support and value the work you do as part of Maine’s nonprofit community, this is our way of saying thank you for all you do.

Here are the details:

The MANP staff is available to volunteer for a MANP member organization on Monday, June 18th from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Our staff of eight will come to your organization and volunteer for the day to assist you with your proposed project. Projects can be outside or inside, and might include painting your office space, building a fence, yard/garden work, or something totally unexpected that can be accomplished in a day. We will provide our own transportation to and from your location and welcome proposals from nonprofit members throughout the state.

In the past, we’ve enjoyed the following projects:

• Painted a lot of rooms at one of Day One‘s facilities and at the Franco American Heritage Center
• Planted gardens with St. Mary’s Health System‘s  Lot’s to Gardens program
• Restored a garden with Goodwill Industries of Northern New England
• Spiffed up a playground for the Children’s Center in Augusta

Proposals should include:

• Information about your organization including contact information for a member of your staff (phone number and email address) and project location
• Your organization’s mission
• A description of the job to be completed by MANP staff

MANP members are encouraged to submit projects to Jessica Lantos by May 18th. The lucky organization will be informed by the end of May.