May 1-31, 2014

May 1, 2014 - May 31, 2014

Lead Stories

Spectator Who Helped Game Officials Is Protected Volunteer

Holder of first down marker is not liable when football player runs into pole during game

Whistleblower Retaliation Claim Does Not Stop Removal of Director

California Court refuses to extend whistleblower protection to prevent removal of volunteer

Church Did Not Violate Consumer Protection Laws in Tourist’s Trip Over Step

Court also denies liability under state’s recreational use statute when visit was free

Ready Reference Page

IRS Issues Streamlined Form 1023-EZ For Exemption of Small 501(c)(3) Groups

Only organizations expecting less than $50,000 a year may use it; Critics are concerned about lack of specific data and possible abuse

Your Legal Questions Answered

Can an unpaid volunteer sue for harassment?

I am an unpaid volunteer editor of a nonprofit organization’s newsletter. I am being harassed and retaliated against. Life has been made hell by the president and her friend the treasurer. They are out to get me. Can I file a lawsuit or an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint? Do I have a voice?

Lessons from Litigation

Lawyer disciplined for bi-state practice, misleading communication

Board can’t pass standards expressly delegated to committee

Employment Law

Whistleblowers’ retaliation charge dismissed

Tax Matters

Court says façade easement is worth nothing

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.

Most boards are somewhere in between. Functional perhaps, but not fully functional. More like what you would call semi-functional.

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.

Learn more and register

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

New Subscribers can have full access to the entire website and all editions for 3 months for only $17.95.

Subscribe Today

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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

YOUR ONE-STOP PLACE FOR NONPROFIT LAW YOU NEED TO KNOW

May 1-31, 2014