Community Trainings & Events Calendar

Tech Networks of Boston (also known as TNB) is pleased to invite board chairs, chief executive officers, and other executive level staff members at nonprofit organizations to a Roundtable session on nonprofit collaborations and mergers from the point of view of an attorney who specializes in serving nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Our featured guest will be Jeffrey Hurwit of Hurwit & Associates.

Here’s what Jeff has to say about this TNB Roundtable session:

With careful planning, the right type of affiliation or even the right type of merger with another organization creates efficiencies and synergies that benefit both the bottom-line and the mission of the organization. However, entering a collaborative relationship with another nonprofit organization can be complicated, daunting, and stressful. In this session we will:

Look at the range of various affiliations, from contractual relationships to full mergers.

Discuss multiple factors (legal, financial, governance, and practical) to be assessed and balanced in arriving at a workable partnership.

Consider challenges and obstacles that commonly arise in sidetracking agreements between organizations.

Jeff will first provide a brief overview of these topics and then open the floor to discussion of the issues and questions that are of most interest and relevance to your organizations.

Here’s a bit more about Jeff:

As a leading expert in nonprofit law, Jeffrey Hurwit represents tax-exempt organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad. Jeff’s practice focuses on nonprofit regulation, governance, and operations. He has particular expertise in nonprofit organizational structures and business models, partnerships and affiliations, and cross-border organizational relationships. Jeff is a frequent speaker on cutting edge issues such as governance and mergers. His firm represents over 700 tax-exempt organizations in a wide range of program areas including education, health care, human services, environmental preservation, arts and culture, advocacy, and philanthropy. He formerly served as Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Division of Public Charities and as staff attorney for WGBH Educational Foundation.

Please note:

1) Disclaimer: the information contained in this presentation is intended solely for educational purposes, and is not legal advice or applicable in all jurisdictions or specific circumstances.

2) In keeping with the spirit of the TNB Roundtable series, this session will NOT be a sales pitch for any product or service. This will be a professional development opportunity for nonprofit professionals who want to learn with and from their peers in other organizations.

3) This session is for employees of nonprofit organizations. It is not designed to meet the needs of vendors, volunteers, students, consultants, job-seekers, and others.

4) Priority in registration will be given to those who are employed by nonprofit organizations that hold full membership in the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.

5) Participation in this session is free of charge for nonprofit professionals. However, you must have a confirmed reservation in order to attend.

6) If this session is booked to capacity by the time you seek to register for it, please go ahead and put yourself on the waiting list. We have a good track record of finding seats for nonprofit professionals on the waiting list.

We hope that you can join us for a vigorous and informative conversation, in which you will be welcome to share your knowledge and experience with your peers.

Tech Networks of Boston (TNB) is pleased to invite nonprofit professionals to a Roundtable session on technology procurement for nonprofit organizations. Our featured guests will Tuan Pham and Adam Lyons of Tech Networks of Boston.

Here is what Adam and Tuan say about this session:

‘We all have many problems on our plates, and all can seem equally important. The goal of this session is to help you to share challenges and concerns of future technology needs, with your peers and with procurement specialists. Expect to get an honest and intimate discussion about what “technology procurement” is and isn’t. It is better to understand and recognize a problem and gain an understanding of the constraints and processes involved with getting things from Point A to Point B, getting them Just-In-Time, and getting them in a cost-effective way.’

Please note:

1) In keeping with the spirit of the TNB Roundtable series, this session will NOT be a sales pitch for any product or service. This will be a professional development opportunity for nonprofit professionals who want to learn with and from their peers in other organizations.

2) This session is for employees of nonprofit organizations. It is not designed to meet the needs of vendors, volunteers, students, consultants, job-seekers, and others.

3) Priority in registration will be given to those who are employed by nonprofit organizations that hold full membership in the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.

4) Participation in this session is free of charge for nonprofit professionals. However, you must have a confirmed reservation in order to attend.

5) If this session is booked to capacity by the time you seek to register for it, please go ahead and put yourself on the waiting list. We have a good track record of finding seats for nonprofit professionals on the waiting list.

We hope that you can join us for a vigorous and informative conversation, in which you will be welcome to share your knowledge and experience with your peers!

To register, please follow this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tnb-roundtable-a-frank-discussion-of-technology-procurement-for-nonprofits-registration-34754497638?aff=mnn

Third Sector New England (TSNE) and Tech Networks of Boston (TNB) are pleased to invite nonprofit professionals to a Super Roundtable with Nicole Shiner of United Way and Jamie Kleinsorge of the Institute for People, Place, and Possibility. The setting will be the at the Boston NonProfit Center, and the topic will be using CommunityCommons.Org as a tool to support nonprofit grant writing, advocacy, and program development. CommunityCommons.Org is a free online resource.

Here’s what Nicole and Jamie say about this session:

______

Access to reliable, meaningful data can boost a grant application, help design better programs, assist in advocacy efforts, and augment evaluation efforts. CommunityCommons.Org maps and reports are easy to use and can be tailored to meet your needs. Maps and reports can be made at a variety of geographies (county, service area, region, school district or legislative district) and with over 10,000 data layers, the possibilities are endless.

A few examples of how nonprofits use CommunityCommons.Org in their day to day workflow:

– To identify populations of greatest need – looking at areas with high poverty, low educational attainment, and low access to resources like health services, fresh fruits and vegetables, and educational opportunities.

– To identify populations to serve with a new or existing program – looking for concentrations of specific races, ethnicity, seniors, low-income, individuals with disabilities, etc.

– To get data for a grant application – answer questions like, “how many people live in your service area? how many seniors live in your service area? what is the average income in your service area? how many people live below 200% of poverty? how do you know access to dental care/mental health services/etc. is a problem in your area?”

– To identify gaps in service and make the case for more types of services in an area. Mapping the number of teen suicides and number of treatment facilities in a given legislative district provides organizations with a targeted map they can take to decision makers to make a case for improved or enhanced services.

______

We hope that you can join us for a vigorous and informative conversation, in which you will be welcome to share your knowledge and experience with your peers.

Tech Networks of Boston (TNB) is pleased to invite nonprofit professionals to a Roundtable session on how nonprofits can lobby, organize, and advocate without jeopardizing their tax-exampt status. Our featured guest will be Jeff Berry, a professor of political science at Tufts University and co-author of “A Voice for Nonprofits.”

Here is what Jeff says about this session:

“How strong is your organization’s voice before government? Is your nonprofit an effective advocate before the state legislature and the agencies that regulate it? Although some 501(c)3s are effective in influencing government officials, too many nonprofits do a poor job in representing their clients and constituents. In many ways this is understandable. With scarce resources, devoting money and energy to lobbying the glacially moving state government may seem like a poor return on investment. Yet inactivity by nonprofits is frequently the result of not understanding the basics of nonprofit law. Too many nonprofit leaders neuter their own organization because they believe that they are not allowed to lobby because they have c3 status.

“These are tough times and we need nonprofits that are active and effective in the policymaking process. Let’s talk about this!”

Here’s a little more about Jeff:

Jeffrey Berry is John Richard Skuse Professor of Political Science at Tufts University. He is an expert on both national and local politics and has a strong research focus on nonprofits, advocacy, and foundations. Having served as chair of the board of directors of the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Berry is a practitioner as well as an academic analyst. In addition to “A Voice for Nonprofits,” his books include “The Outrage Industry,” “The Rebirth of Urban Democracy,” and “Lobbying and Policy Change.” He is a frequent commentator on Massachusetts politics with local media. Berry is the recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award from Tufts and of many book awards from the American Political Science Association. His current research examines the response (or lack thereof) of foundations to the Trump administration.

Please note:

1) In keeping with the spirit of the TNB Roundtable series, this session will NOT be a sales pitch for any product or service. This will be a professional development opportunity for nonprofit professionals who want to learn with and from their peers in other organizations.

2) This session is for employees of nonprofit organizations. It is not designed to meet the needs of vendors, volunteers, students, consultants, job-seekers, and others.

3) Priority in registration will be given to those who are employed by nonprofit organizations that hold full membership in the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.

4) Participation in this session is free of charge for nonprofit professionals. However, you must have a confirmed reservation in order to attend.

5) If this session is booked to capacity by the time you seek to register for it, please go ahead and put yourself on the waiting list. We have a good track record of finding seats for nonprofit professionals on the waiting list.

We hope that you can join us for a vigorous and informative conversation, in which you will be welcome to share your knowledge and experience with your peers!

To find more information, or to register to participate, please follow this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tnb-roundtable-its-legal-for-nonprofits-to-lobby-organize-and-advocate-registration-35981795519?aff=mnn

It’s a special pleasure to invite you, on behalf of Tech Networks of Boston and TSNE/MissionWorks, to register for an extraordinary Roundtable session with Quintus Jett of Rutgers University!

This Super Roundtable session will have three segments:

• The doors will open at 8:00 am. We invite all attendees to join us for informal professional working, a complimentary breakfast, and a short overview of our work with nonprofit organizations.

• At 9:00 am, the segment on breakthroughs in geographic data for nonprofits will begin:

o What nonprofit organizations need to know about operating capacity
o Why nonprofits need geography-based data and reporting to assess what strategic capacity they require to fulfill their missions
o When and how to use census geography to invite and assign capacity (e.g., volunteers)

• At 10:30 am, the segment on nonprofit operational capacity analysis will begin:

o How to measure capacity within your nonprofit right now
o How to isolate a process within your nonprofit and increase its capacity
o How to increase capacity in your nonprofit without more money

Please note that this session will be tailored to the needs of any professional who is tasked with making strategic decisions for a nonprofit organization! No expertise in operations research, statistics, database development, systems administration, geographic information systems, or any other information technology specialty is needed in order to benefit from participation.

To learn more about Quintus please see his LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/quintus-jett-379131/

To find more information about this session, or to register for it, please follow this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tsnemissionworks-tnb-super-roundtable-creating-nonprofit-capacity-registration-38783108321?aff=mnn

We hope that you will join us for a lively and informative session – at which you will be very welcome to share your experience, insights, and lessons learned!

Tech Networks of Boston (TNB) is pleased to invite nonprofit professionals to a Roundtable session about how nonprofits can apply project management principles to their operational projects. Our featured guest will be Maria Latimore, founder of the Maria Latimore Group.

Here is what Maria says about this session:

“Successfully implementing operational projects is critical to every nonprofit organization’s success. Yet, research shows that most projects fail. A 2016 study by Standish Group found that about 75% of projects were not completed on time and on budget. The Project Management Institute estimates that in the US for every $1 billion invested in projects, about 12% or $122 million is wasted due to lacking project performance. That’s a lot of time and money for little return.

“In this workshop, Maria will give you some tactical tips to take back and immediately implement to make your critical projects more efficient and successful. These tips will help you and your team to define the project scope and get the right people involved at the right time. You’ll walk away with information that will help to identify when your project is going off track and actions to take to get it back on track. And we’ll have some fun in the process!”

Here’s a little more about Maria:

Maria Latimore is principal of Maria Latimore Group (MLG), a consulting practice that helps nonprofits to deliver projects that drive program services, fundraising and organizational capacity. Maria has helped nonprofits to succeed by customizing project management best practices and training to fit each organization’s context and culture. She has over 30 years of project management experience and was a vice president in State Street Corporation’s Information Technology and Business Operations Transformation divisions.

Maria is a PMP certified project manager, and has a bachelor of business management degree from Simmons College. She is on the board of directors of The Dignity Institute, the Community Engagement Committee of Nuestra Comunidad, and the Technology Committee at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Massachusetts Boston.

In keeping with the spirit of the TNB Roundtable series, this session will NOT be a sales pitch for any product or service. This will be a professional development opportunity for nonprofit professionals who want to learn with and from their peers in other organizations.

This session is for employees of nonprofit organizations. It is not designed to meet the needs of vendors, volunteers, students, consultants, job-seekers, and others.

Priority in registration will be given to those who are employed by nonprofit organizations that hold full membership in the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.

Participation in this session is free of charge for nonprofit professionals. However, you must have a confirmed registration in order to attend.

We hope that you can join us for a vigorous and informative conversation, in which you will be welcome to share your knowledge and experience with your peers!

To find more information about this session, or to registe for it, please follow this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tnb-roundtable-how-nonprofits-can-effectively-manage-operational-projects-registration-38852343405?aff=mnn

If this session is booked to capacity by the time you seek to register for it, please go ahead and put yourself on the waiting list. We have a good track record of finding seats for nonprofit professionals on the waiting list.

Tech Networks of Boston is pleased to invite you to a Roundtable session for nonprofit organizations that want to do public advocacy.

Here’s the registration link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tnb-roundtable-using-nonprofit-advocacy-rules-to-meet-your-mission-registration-41245710029?aff=mnn

The title of the January 26th session will be “TNB Roundtable: Using Nonprofit Advocacy Rules to Meet Your Mission,” and the featured guest will be Betsy Schmidt, the author of “Nonprofit Law: The Life Cycle of a Charitable Organization” and a professor of practice at UMass-Amherst’s school of public policy.

Here’s what Betsy says about this session:

“In this increasingly politicized world, nonprofit leaders often realize that they can serve their clients best by advocating for policy changes. How do they do that and stay within the boundaries of the law? In this Roundtable, you’ll learn how to differentiate advocacy, lobbying, and political campaign intervention. You’ll learn what you can and cannot do in each of those situations, and you will leave, inspired to further your organization’s mission through advocacy and lobbying. We will also make sense of the pronouncements and possible changes in the Johnson Amendment—the part of Sec. 501(c)(3) that prevents nonprofits from engaging in political campaign activity.”

We do hope that you will join us on January 26th!

Please note that registration is free for employees of nonprofit organizations; however, you must have a confirmed registration in order to attend. It would break our hearts to turn you a way for lack of one, so please do register today.

If we are booked to capacity by the time that you go to register, please put yourself on the waiting list. We have a very good track record of finding seats for nonprofit professionals who are interested in participating.

Please RSVP by January 26.

Are you a leader of an existing nonprofit organization or have an interest in creating a new one? Do you have questions and concerns about incorporating and/or filing for tax-exempt status? All nonprofit start-ups are invited to attend this legal seminar for nonprofits, led by experienced nonprofit attorneys. At this group session, we will assist your organization in understanding the complicated processes of formalizing a nonprofit in Massachusetts by addressing questions regarding:

For-Profit or Not-for-Profit?
What is a Not-for-Profit?
Incorporating & Structuring the Not-for-Profit
Option of Fiscal Sponsorship
State Reporting & Regulation
Federal Tax Exemption
Ongoing IRS Reporting & Regulation

Presenters: Jim Grace, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston/Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts; Susan Abbott, Goodwin; Josh Sattely, TSNE MissionWorks.

Co-sponsors: Goodwin, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston/Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Third Sector New England.

Nonprofits and social enterprises of all shapes and sizes utilize NetSuite technologies and employee pro bono services to transform their back office and amplify their social impact.

Oracle NetSuite Social Impact will be hosting an informational webinar for US nonprofit organizations <$5M in annual revenue who may qualify for our Product Donation and Capacity Building resources.

Learn about how your nonprofit can benefit from our FREE technology resources to accelerate your mission.

Who should attend?
• Nonprofit organizations interested in streamlining business operations.
• This information session is ideal for Executive Directors, Nonprofit Leaders, CFOs/Controllers/Accountants, COOs, CTOs/CIOs and Technology enthusiasts.
• Organizations who have outgrown Excel and/or their Financial Management tools.

What will we cover?
• The webinar will provide an overview of the Oracle NetSuite Social Impact Product Donation, Pro Bono and Capacity Building Resources.
• A Solutions Consultant will provide a brief live demonstration of NetSuite Core Financials.
• A Social Impact Account Executive will walk you through the Product Donation application process.

Many nonprofits are now considering to increase their advocacy activities. It is critical for these nonprofits to review the rule of engagement in this area so as to remain in compliance with pertinent laws and regulations. They may also consider whether it is feasible to form a 501(c)(4) arm. This seminar will give a general overview of basic federal tax and lobbying law for 501(c)(3) organizations, and discuss best practices including the following questions:

– What is the difference between advocacy and lobbying?
– When and how is it okay for a nonprofit to lobby and what happens if a nonprofit crosses the line?

Presenter: Teresa Santalucia, Partner, Klein Hornig LLP

Forget everything you think you know about Technology Planning for your organization and get ready for a Tech Planning Smackdown. In this workshop we will examine real examples of nonprofit technology plans and explore ways you can incorporate some leading practices from other organizations – after all, the best form of flattery is imitation! Come prepared to have some fun as we start to think out-of-the-box and get your creative juices flowing in this interactive Tech Planning Smackdown

Participants will come away with:
+ Understanding the flavors of technology plans: Tactical, Strategic, Mission-Based
+ Clear and achievable steps to implement new technology with available resources
+ Creative ways to involve your entire organization and build innovation into your technology plans
+ Methods to redirect the focus of your technology plans where it is needed most

Presenter:
Steve Heye is a Principal Solutions Consultant at Oracle-NetSuite Social Impact, where he acts as a technical expert on the Social Impact team which donates the NetSuite solution to nonprofits. With over 20 years experience working with nonprofits and technology, Steve brings a real passion and unique set of experiences to the NPTech community. Previously Steve was the Manager of Technology at The Cara Program. He was responsible for driving the organization’s strategic use of technology. He also has experience as the Digital Content Services Manager at the YMCA of Metro Chicago. He was responsible for managing all aspects of the YMCA’s digital content creation including the web sites, intranet and social networking. A key role in Steve’s past was with the Technology Resource Group at the YMCA of the USA for about ten years. He provided resources, conferences, and training that allows YMCAs nationwide to better leverage business systems and technology. Steve has a Bachelors degree in Finance from North Central College. He is also the author of Chapter 1 on Aligning Tech to Mission in the Managing Technology to Meet your Mission book.
Twitter: @SteveHeye
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveheye/

Our Facilitators:
+ Associate Grant Markers:
AGM’s mission is to promote the practice and expansion of effective and responsible philanthropy to improve the health and vitality of its region.
– Learn more go to www.agmconnect.org

+ Oracle NetSuite Social Impact:
Oracle NetSuite Social Impact’s mission is to accelerate the social impact of nonprofit and social enterprises globally, regardless of ability to pay, with our software donations and pro bono services. Suite Pro Bono connects our nonprofit and social enterprise customers with Oracle NetSuite employees who give their time and expertise to help organizations accelerate their social impact.
– Learn more about our Product Donation Program at www.netsuite.com/socialimpact

Join our webinar on how your org can receive FREE Technology

Nonprofits and social enterprises of all shapes and sizes utilize NetSuite technologies and employee pro bono services to transform their back-office and amplify their social impact.

Oracle NetSuite Social Impact will be hosting an informational webinar for US nonprofit organizations <$5M in annual revenue who may qualify for our Product Donation and Capacity Building resources.

Learn about how your nonprofit can benefit from our FREE technology resources to accelerate your mission.

Who should attend?
• Nonprofit organizations interested in streamlining business operations.
• This information session is ideal for Executive Directors, Nonprofit Leaders, CFOs/Controllers/Accountants, COOs, CTOs/CIOs and Technology enthusiasts.
• Organizations who have outgrown Excel and/or their Financial Management tools.

What will we cover?
• The webinar will provide an overview of the Oracle NetSuite Social Impact Product Donation, Pro Bono and Capacity Building Resources.
• A Solutions Consultant will provide a brief live demonstration of NetSuite Core Financials.
• A Social Impact Account Executive will walk you through the Product Donation application process.

Please join us for our 4th Shaper Talks – “Musings on the Social Sector” lecture delivered by Yolanda Coentro – organized by Boston Shapers, an association of young leaders affiliated with the World Economic Forum.

Refreshments will be provided at 6:00pm, and the lecture will be delivered at 6:30pm.

Offered in collaboration with the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. Learn how to identify the universal and make people care about your organization. Tips for shining a light on issues and experiences others might not be aware of and offering a glimpse of another perspective.

Hannah Van Sickle is a freelance writer.

Please join us on Thursday, October 4th at 9:30am for a panel discussion, “The Power of Volunteerism,” to hear from five inspiring local leaders in volunteer engagement as they discuss best practices for recruiting, engaging, and retaining volunteers to make a difference in their communities and organizations.

Meet our inspiring panelists!
Michelle Caruso, CAVS, Director of Volunteer Services at Beth Israel Deaconess-Plymouth
Barry Glass, Director of TELEM: Jewish Youth Making a Difference Together
Laura Mulvey, Program Manager – Community Service Center, Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, Bridgewater State University
Peg Page, Board President, Plymouth Center for the Arts and Volunteer, United Way of Greater Plymouth County
Jennifer White, Vice President, Community and Public Relations, HarborOne Bank and President, HarborOne Foundation

Registration for this event is $10/person. Please register by September 28th by clicking the link below!

This panel discussion is sponsored by the Southeast Massachusetts Volunteer Council (SMVC), a partnership with the United Way of Greater Plymouth County comprised of individuals devoted to voluntarism in our local communities.

SMVC’s Three Goals:

* Promoting Voluntarism

* Connecting Volunteers with Opportunities

* Engaging and Training Volunteer Leaders

The SMVC meets bi-monthly on the 2nd Tuesday from 9am to 10am. If you are a member of a non-profit organization, business, or are a community member interested in joining the council, please contact Jean-Marie Finn, Volunteer Coordinator at Old Colony Elder Services for more information at (508) 584-1561, ext. 275, JFinn@ocesma.org.

Join Nonprofit Tech Club Boston for our panel and open discussion event on Cloud Migration!

About This Event
As nonprofit professionals, we have all heard of the importance to move over to the “Cloud”. Some organizations have already made the transition, some are evaluating their options, and some don’t know where to begin.

Nonprofit Tech Club Boston will present Cloud Migration for Nonprofits — a panel and open discussion on cloud migration, the successes and failures, as well as the strategies nonprofits should take while planning a transition to the cloud.

Moderator:

• Monica Garfield – Professor of Computer Information Systems at Bentley University

Speakers:

• Gavin O’Brien – Manager of Program Data at Community Servings

• Russell Greenwald – Vice President at Insource Services

Who Should Attend:
Nonprofit professionals, board members, volunteers, and nonprofit advocates who are interested in learning more about best practices in moving to the Cloud.

Light Snacks + Drinks will be provided.

Tickets are limited, so register online today!

Directions:
This event will be held at WeWork Fort Point (51 Melcher Street, Boston, MA 02210). The WeWork Fort Point location is a short walk from South Station (Red/Silver/Commuter Rail).

Sponsors:
Thank you to WeWork for providing the event space and Insource Services for contributing to refreshments.

Join Philanthropy MA as we welcome a panel of funders with a range of interest areas that impact our community fabric. From housing to health, transportation, and food systems, this is an all-star line up!

Meet our Team:

Moderator:
Marc Draison, Executive Director, Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Panelists:
Jeff Bellows, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship + Public Affairs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Kurt Gaertner, Land Policy and Planning Director, MA Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs
Ruth Goldman, Consulting Program Officer, Merck Family Fund
Soni Gupta, Director of Neighborhoods and Housing, The Boston Foundation
Lisa Jacobson, Program Officer, Mobility, Barr Foundation

Meet-the-Donors provides firsthand information about the specifics of each grantmaking organization on the panel and also tips that will help your grantseeking efforts in general. We cover a lot of material – from some basic do’s and don’ts to more in depth discussion. They are great programs for those new to grantseeking as well as seasoned pros!

Hope to see you there!