April 16-May 15, 2010

April 16, 2010 - May 15, 2010

Lead Stories

National Girl Scouts May Force Local Councils to Reorganize

Court says enforcement of Wisconsin franchise law would violate Scouts’ right of free expression

Temple Director Has Right To Contact Information of Other Directors

Court says directors had no “reasonable expectancy of privacy” in info necessary for business

Homeowners Policy Excludes Coverage for “Business” Activity

Individuals who ran nonprofit animal sanctuary and related for-profit not covered for accident

Risk and Reward

What charitable solicitation registration requirements would be in play?

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization. A 501(c)(6) business membership association is starting to show strong support for us, as our research is valuable to them. Can the (c)(6) trade association ask its national membership to support us (either directly, or by collecting donations from members and then sending us one large donation check)?

What charitable solicitation registration requirements would be in play? We know that most "member" organizations are exempt from registrations, but if they are soliciting on behalf of our 501(c)(3), the waters seem to get muddy. Help!

Lessons from Litigation

Court dismisses sex abuse case

Did insurance holding company bribe charities to accept stock?

Tax Matters

Deductions denied without substantiation

Organization can’t sue without counsel

Title Holding Company partially exempt from real estate tax

Employment Law

Worker fired for unauthorized vacation loses bias claim

Employee may pursue ADEA claim after termination after merger

May Webinar

Getting Beyond a
Semi-Functional Board
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
1:30-3:00 PM ET

Do you have a rockstar board?

Or does it limp along listlessly performing the minimum necessary to keep the organization going? Pushed by the CEO because no one on the board wants to be responsible for leadership.

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This webinar will help you get beyond a semi-functional board. By acting intentionally at every step of the governance process, you can improve your organization’s capacity, resilience and effectiveness.

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Nonprofit bylaw review

Don Kramer will review and comment on your own current or proposed bylaws

Do your Bylaws reflect the way you actually operate? Do they protect the interests of those who should be protected? Do they spell out clearly how to deal with governance issues? Or do they create uncertainty for those who have to implement them?

Most nonprofits don't spend a lot of time looking at their Bylaws until there is a question or a dispute. That's when you need bylaws that are clear and unambiguous, so your questions on how to proceed are already answered. That's when bad bylaws can lead to unnecessary controversies or even costly litigation. Nonprofit Issues editor Don Kramer will review your current or proposed Bylaws to see if they work for you.

Learn more

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SAY THAT AGAIN?

April 21, 2025

Those old enough to remember what it meant to say a story appeared “above the fold” on the front page of a newspaper may appreciate this story. People used to want to place stories above the fold because readers would at least glance at the story in the top half of the page that was visible when they picked up the paper before they looked at stuff that was below the fold and not immediately visible.

The printed version of the Philadelphia Inquirer had a four column picture and article about Pope Francis on the day after Easter that was written and printed before the Pope had died but seen by morning readers after his death had been widely reported. The fold divided the two-line headline so only the top line was visible. The top line said: “Pope meets Vance, then”

We can only imagine what readers were thinking before they flipped the page to read: “decries ‘the logic of fear’”

See our "Say That Again" collection

Special Report Available

Increasing Gender Diversity on the Boards of Nonprofit Eds and Meds: Why and How to Do It

This report provides a rare inside view on barriers women face to selection and success that are particular to nonprofit organizations and makes specific recommendations on how to improve the gender ratio.
Download the full report free

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