Beth Zemsky and Dave Mann define movements as “a collection of persons or groups who come together around a common concern.  Typically their mission is to bring about some type of societal change relative to their concern.”*   In Ms. Katcher’s article she describes the essential roles of “movement networks” and their importance for providing flexibility within networks.  She warns that traditional networks can easily become rigid and block critical work and network vitality which is detrimental to social movements.

Movement networks succeed by fostering stronger member relationships.  Networks ‘help develop a movement consciousness:  thinking of self as part of something bigger than you,’ emphasizes Dan Petegorsky, a longtime network builder in the progressive movement.    Katcher states, “members must agree that by joining together within the network, not only do they gain benefits for their own work but also the work of the network adds up to more than the sum of its parts.  Networks facilitate and support coordinated action among organizational members.  Social movements need coordinated action to build momentum, demonstrate support, and push for change”.

To support the development of social movements, organizations should understand not only their role in the movement but also what it takes for them to come together in strong, fluid, adaptive, and effective networks.  This can be challenging because the process of creating and expanding networks can be complex, however as Ms. Katcher states success begins with the ability to learn, adapt and change.

To read Ms. Katcher’s complete article please go see Non Profit Quarterly Summer 2010.

*Beth Zemsky and Dave Mann, “Building Organizations in a Movement Moment”, Social Policy:  Organizing for Social and Economic Justice, vol.28, no.3, 2008.

The Asset Development Summit was held at the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services at Institute and included over thirty participants statewide.  A sampling of attendees included the IRS, BB&T, Barbara Pryor from Senator Rockefeller’s office, WVU Extension, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Southern WV & the Panhandles, and WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities. 

The group discussed best practices for assisting the disability community and hurdles facing low-income persons with disabilities.   Issues facing many include knowing what resources are available and the impact that building wealth has on existing benefits that are affected by asset limitations.  The NDI is compiling key findings and recommendations based on the group’s conversations during the summit.

Disability outreach will include working to offer more opportunities for the free tax preparation services through the IRS’s VITA (volunteer income tax assistance) program.  If you or your organization would like to volunteer for the upcoming tax season please contact Kelli Hinkle khinkle@te-associates.com.    According to the IRS an estimated 1.3 to 1.5 million taxpayers with disabilities are not filing and missing out on an estimated one billion dollars in available tax credits.

The WV Alliance for Sustainable Families is a non-profit organization leading the Statewide Asset Building coalition and EITC outreach and managed by Terrell Ellis & Associates.

GuideStar’s President and CEO, Bob Ottenhoff stated “It’s more important than ever that nonprofits are transparent about their earnings and offerings so that donors and grant makers will know that their dollars are going to organizations that will use their gifts wisely.”

Highlights of the survey include:

• 8% of NPO’s reported that they were in eminent danger of closing
• 17% have reduced services; 11% have laid off employees
• 17% of organizations that use volunteers have converted one or two paid staff positions to volunteer positions
• 32% said they had increased their reliance on volunteers

See GuideStar’s survey results 

 As you can see from the survey it is increasing important that NPO’s maintain a competitive edge in planning, grant writing and marketing.    TEA has over 15 years experience in the non-profit management arena and currently staffs both an Executive Director and Program Manager.  We recently achieved non-profit management certification from Duke University’s non-profit management program.    TEA has extensive experience in grant writing, grant management and strategic planning and implementation.  

In WV, there are over 13,000 non-profit organizations (NPO),   this number up 25.6% from ten years ago.   NPO’s include public charities, private foundations and other groups such as social and recreational clubs and trade associations.

Land trusts use a variety of tools to help landowners protect their land. The most commonly used protection methods are land donations or the purchase/acceptance of conservation easements. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently restricts certain aspects of land use in order to protect the conservation values of the property. Land owners many either donate or sell a conservation easement.  When a landowner places a conservation easement on his or her land, he or she maintains ownership and use of the property and can sell it or pass it on to heirs. The land is subject to certain restrictions agreed upon by the landowner and the land trust. Future landowners are bound by these restrictions as well, and the land trust is responsible for monitoring the property and upholding the terms of the easement.

There are many benefits to placing land in a conservation easement. Landowners get the satisfaction of knowing their land is protected in perpetuity and may also experience tax advantages such as income tax deductions, estate tax benefits, and possibly a reduction in property taxes. Land conservation can also have larger environmental benefits such as preserving water quality, wildlife habitat, and scenic view sheds.

TEA provides day-to-day support for the WVLT but also helps guide the organization strategically.  For example, TEA is currently helping the WVLT explore ways to expand partnerships with other conservation groups, like the Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund Board, to help leverage resources.  We are also exploring new creative approaches to land conservation like mitigation banking and in-lieu fee programs.  Through these efforts, and others, TEA helps the WVLT achieve its goal of land conservation in WV.   

To learn more about conserving land in WV and how you may protect your property please visit the WVLT website or call 304-346-7788.  To learn more about how TEA can help your organization grow and thrive contact us.

Loans are available to repair or replace homes, business properties, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Working capital loans can also be provided to assist organizations in meeting their financial obligations during the disaster recovery period. Approved loan applicants may also be eligible to receive additional funds to pay for improvements to help mitigate the impacts of future disasters.

To learn more about the loans and other SBA programs visit www.sba.gov or contact the West Virginia District Office at 304-623-5631 or wvinfo@sba.gov. The filing deadline for physical property damage is May 3. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 2.

Changes on the 2009 Form include alterations in almost all sections. New questions have been implemented in Part IV, Checklist of Required Schedules and Part XI, Financial Statements Reporting. Also for 2009 a new glossary definitions in the Instructions has been included. McNeely suggests that the additional requirements in Part III, Statement of Program Service can provide non-profit organizations a useful marketing tool.

For a complete listing of changes visit the IRS website:
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=218938,00.html.

The filing deadline for calendar year non-profits is May 17, 2010.

Terrell Ellis and Associates (TEA) is responsible for the WVASF portion of the grant which is to provide overall administration and also to coordinate the outreach and enrollment activities at the volunteer income tax assistance sites throughout the state as the eligibility guidelines for the earned income tax credit (EITC) and CHIP very similar there is expected to be a lot of overlap with clients.

Other outreach and enrollment is being done by the other partners through health care providers at local clinics and hospitals throughout the state and at the grass roots level through faith based community organizations.

For more information on the expansion efforts, contact Calah Young at Terrell Ellis & Associates, Inc., (304) 342-6972.

For families that work hard, the credit provides a windfall that can support the achievement of long-term economic success.  When family household income goes up, child well-being indicators improve, and families have opportunities for asset development around education, small business, and home ownership.

According to staff at Terrell Ellis and Associates (TEA), the EITC also has a significant impact on our state’s economy.  The money returned to families and thus spent in local communities circulates seven times.  Last year alone TEA reported that West Virginians received over $260 million in EITC refunds.

TEA works directly with the West Virginia Alliance for Sustainable families to manage the EITC program through West Virginia.

If you have questions or would like more information about the EITC, please call Kelli Hinkle-Burgess at 304-342-6972 or email khburgess@te-assoicates.com. Ms. Hinkle-Burgess serves as the Program Manager for the EITC Campaign for the West Virginia Alliance for Sustainable Families.

The Special Places Award is presented annually to an individual(s) who has significantly benefited the WVLT’s long-range vision for land protection in our state. The award recognizes a commitment to achieving the WVLT conservation objectives for a specific piece of property as well as a commitment to broader conservation objectives for throughout the state.

This year, the WVLT has elected to honor Joyce McConnell, who has been instrumental in furthering land conservation efforts in West Virginia. Ms. McConnell is currently serving as the Dean of the WVU College of Law and is a past president of the WVLT. She has worked hard in both her professional and personal life to promote land preservation in West Virginia.

While the event will honor Ms. McConnell, it will also serve as the primary fundraising opportunity for the WVLT.  Revenues from sponsorship will be used to protect special places throughout our state through conservation easements, working with local landowners and land trusts to support their efforts, providing leadership at the State and local levels, and managing and protecting existing easements.

Sponsorship levels range from $10,000 – $250. Corporations interested in sponsorship should contact Calah Young at cyoung@te-associates.com or contact the WVLT at 304-346-7788.To learn more about the event and the mission of the WVLT please visit www.wvlandtrust.org.

Volunteers help individuals complete and electronically file their tax returns—all for free.  Refunds can be deposited into a bank account in as little as 7 days at no cost.

Last year dedicated volunteers recruited by Terrell Ellis and Associates (TEA) and seven regional outreach coordinators helped to prepare nearly 30,000 tax returns bringing in $27 million in total refunds. With the success of our efforts last year, additional volunteers are needed to meet the growing demands.

In addition to recruiting volunteers to assist with tax returns, TEA provides staffing for the West Virginia Alliance for Sustainable Families (WVASF) to assist in the establishment of VITA sites in all 55 counties. These sites are located in offices, churches, libraries, colleges, and universities and are open from January through April.

In 2009, 77 sites operated throughout the state. TEA is pleased that seven additional sites have already been announced for 2010.  However, additional sites are still needed to serve individuals and families. According to Kelli Hinkle-Burgess, who serves as the program manager for this initiative, sites are still needed throughout the state, particularly in the Eastern Panhandle.

Do you have an idea for a potential VITA site in your county? Do you know someone who would make an excellent volunteer? Do you know of a corporation that would like to get involved as a site or have employees serve as volunteers? Let us know by calling 304.342.6972 or email khburgess@te-associates.com.