Around the Web Jan 21 for NPO’s

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Greetings from a light snowy Northeast…it has been a while.

1. Does Your Nonprofit Need Legal Counsel About Using Social Media? from Beth”s Blog:

“CYA – Consult Your Attorney!”

Now, I have another great resource to share,   Good Counsel:  Meeting the Legal Needs of Nonprofits by Lesley Rosenthal, the astute General Counsel of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.   It is an thorough guide for the most common legal, governance, and fundraising compliance issues facing nonprofits.     Her writing style is less lawyerly, and well, human.   The book is filled with stories, practical resources, and tools.      The book is written for staff and board members.      While the advice in the book

does not replace an attorney,  having this on your reference desk can help you be more efficient your attorney’s time because you’ll come to meetings educated.

2. Nonprofit Governance: How Small All-Volunteer Organizations Can be Successful from Susan Hammond, scHammond Advisors:

This all prompted me to think about what it takes to run an all-volunteer organization.  Here are a few of my thoughts:

1. Mission. All board members need to agree and be able to articulate to the public what the purpose the organization serves.
2. Vision. We all need to agree on the value the organization will provide to the public
3. Strategy.All decisions and activities then need to be driven by what the shared vision and mission is. The two most important questions to answer are:
   1. How does this decision, be it an expenditure or activity, further the

      organization’s mission & vision?

   2. Is this the mosst resource efficient and impactful way to approach this expenditure or activity?

3. I put this in because it happen to us at The Non-Profit Toolbox… No, You Can”t Pick My Brain. It Costs Too Much from Forbes: Adrienne Graham, Contributor

I can’t tell you how flattering it is to be approached by representatives from major companies seeking my wisdom and advice. It shows they are listening, and like what I have to say.

But often I find the road ends when they are just on a fact finding mission. That mission is to pick my brain to gather as much free intel and knowledge they need to make their jobs easier.

4. 12 ways to use Pinterest for your nonprofit from John Haydon a guest post from my good friend Noland Hoshino. Pinterest is the hottest, newest thing…with many people writing about it…

There is a new darling in the social media world and her name is Pinterest. A virtual, interactive bulletin board where individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can pin their interests and drive traffic to their website.

What is Pinterest?

Pinsterest is basically a vision board or scrapbook that you put together while surfing the internet. According to the website, “Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who

share your interests.”

Other Pinterest articles:

• Steal these 42 Creative Pinterest Ideas for Nonprofits
• HOW TO: Get Your Nonprofit Started on Pinterest
• Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr Today: Inspiration from Pinboard

5. How to Turn Your Super Bowl Party into a Fundraiser from by geofflivingston on Inspiring Generosity:

Winter isn’t the best time for fundraisers, but it’s sure great for football! Why not do both, and turn your Super Bowl party into a fundraiser?

The key to turning a successful Super Bowl party into a winning fundraiser is fun. You have to make your fundraiser fun, something people can enjoy. It should fit within the larger context of the Super Bowl party.

Some suggestions to build an event around your cause: