Coffee and Connection with Peers in the Community

What's Happening? What's New?--Bring items to share

When:    May 30, 2013

                                        Where:   Shoreline City Hall Council Chambers

Time:   8:00-9:30am

     Refreshments Provided

Highlighted Topics:       

•   Share What You Know: Tell your peers what’s new. Bring new collateral materials for your agency.     
•  Learn about efforts to create a bus fare for low income in King County      
•  King County planning a revamp of health and human services – what will it mean for your agency?     
•    Possible new funding source for health and human services in King County

Get active in your community! Work to create community by attending NUHSA's vounteer fair and networking event from 10:00am-12:00pm at UW-Bothell Main Promenade.

Join fellow students, community members, and advocates to find out about volunteering opportunities and the Volunteer Local campaign. North King County human service organizations will be on hand to recruit and network with students and staff for volunteer and internship opportunities. Interested in fighting hunger? Mentoring children? Public health? We have your interest covered in your neighborhood!

Volunteer Local with NUHSA and UW-Bothell's Center for Community Based Learning and Research!

Light refreshments provided.

flyer:  volunteer fair flyer.pdf

Register at www.volunteerlocaluwb.eventbrite.com 

Financial literacy is a society-wide problem. Here’s a great opportunity for clients who already know they are in financial trouble, to learn knowledge and skills that will lead them to financial stability.

Hopelink is offering the FDIC approved content class “Money Smart”. Note that participants who complete the class will receive a $50.00 certificate if they bank at one of the sponsoring banks. The sponsoring banks are part of “Bank On Seattle/King County”, a county wide coalition of several dozen banks and credit unions and other interested parties, promoting the use of mainstream financial services as opposed to the alternative financial market of pawn shops and payday lenders.

Please disseminate the information on the upcoming classes to clients and other interested parties through your networks.

Thanks for helping get the word out.

Flyer: MoneySmart April2013.pdf 

Shoreline, WA- Mark your calendars: March 9th-17th is National AmeriCorps Week!

AmeriCorps, also known as the domestic Peace Corps, has over 4,400 members serving in Washington to invigorate communities throughout the state. This year the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA)  is pleased to celebrate this year with two new AmeriCorps VISTA members, Trey Baughman and Jamie Schecter. These two VISTA members  work to foster volunteerism and build-up human service non-profits and agencies in the North King County region. 

Trey and Jamie joined NUHSA in February and are serving the communities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Woodinville as Volunteer Outreach Coordinators. They work with NUHSA to build the capacity of human service agencies to recruit, engage, and utilize volunteers to better serve people in need here in North King County. Using the slogan of Volunteer Local, Trey and Jamie work to rally the residents of these cities to invest in their community by giving their time and talents to organizations that are active in these cities. 

Partnering with United Way of King County, NUHSA is working to increase the capacity of human services agencies providing vital services to residents in the community. From Hopelink and meals programs to shelter to after school mentors, the two AmeriCorps members will connect local volunteers with local needs.

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members serve a year with an organization to help build capacity of local organizations. Some branches of AmeriCorps perform direct service by providing disaster relief or helping in schools, but VISTAs focus on building long term and sustainable programs and projects for non-profits. VISTA’s have had a hand in developing the credit union, creating food cooperatives, and mentoring youth across the country.

To get involved with the Volunteer Local campaign, contact jschecter@uwkc.org or tbaughman@uwkc.org.

North King County Represented on Key King County Panels

Appointments to key new panels were recently announced by King County Executive Dow Constantine. The Health and Human Services Transformational Panel, was created by the King County Council to act in an advisory capacity to the King County Executive’s Office and the departments of Public Health-Seattle & King County and the Department of Community and Human Services. Representing North King County is Kelly Rider, a Board Member of the North Urban Human Services Alliance and Policy Director for the Housing Development Consortium. The Panel’s charge is to develop a plan for an accountable and integrated system of health, human services, and community-based prevention and wellness. The plan is due to the Council by June 1, 2013.

The second Panel, the Low –Income Fare Options Advisory Committee, was formed as a result of King County Council action, to advise the Council on the feasibility of establishing a bus fare for people with low incomes. The North King County member of this advisory committee is Rob Beem, Board Member of the North Urban Human Services Alliance and Community Services Manager for the City of Shoreline. The Committee is expected to complete the majority of its work by June 2013. North Urban Human Services Alliance  (NUSHA) Board President, Judy Parsons, noted that  “transportation has been a focus of our work for some time and we are pleased to have a board member appointed to the Advisory Committee”.

The North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUSHA) is a membership organization composed of human services agencies, local government, faith community, United Way and interested citizens that works to ensure that the needs and perspectives of North King County are included in regional planning and policy making around health and human services. For further information see www.nuhsa.org.

WAACO Is Excited to Announce our

2013 Nonprofit Legal Training Schedule

Payroll Taxes and Withholding: A Webinar Designed To Help Your Nonprofit Understand What It Needs To Know

Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Presenters: Marianna Dyson, Miller & Chevalier and Regina Hopkins, Assistant Director, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Progam

This webinar is FREE of charge.

This webinar will discuss in more detail what an employer’s responsibilities are: what penalties the IRS can impose for failure to comply with the withholding rules; when officers and directors can be held personally liable for payroll and income taxes; what an employer can do to avoid problems with the IRS; and what steps it can take to address problems if they happen.

Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/697585881.

Bylaws Workshop

Thursday, March 28, 2013, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (Brown Bag lunch)

Presenter: Judith Andrews, Law Offices of Judith Andrews

2100 Building, 2100 24^th Avenue South, Seattle, WA

This workshop is intended for nonprofit staff and board members to understand the purpose and use of nonprofit organizational bylaws.  Participants will learn what the key components of nonprofit organizational bylaws are and how to individualize template bylaws for your own organization.  

$25 registration fee.  Online registration at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/322483 or email contact@waaco.org.

“Can We Be Sued?” - Liability Issues for Nonprofits

Thursday, April 25, 2013, 12:00 – 2:00 pm (Brown Bag Lunch)

Presenter: Peter Smith, Apex Law and

2100 Building, 2100 24^th Avenue South, Seattle, WA

This seminar is for nonprofit board members and staff to learn about what their risk of being sued as a board member or nonprofit organization.   All nonprofit board members should understand what their liability exposure is and how minimize it.  The question of what type of insurance should a nonprofit have will be addressed. Topics covered will include common liability risks of nonprofits, high risk activities, liability waivers, Directors and Officers insurance and other types of insurance.

Registration fee $25. Online registration at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/322520 or email contact@waaco.org.

Employment Law For Nonprofits

May 13, 2012,

Community Foundation of North Central Washington Nonprofit Summit, Campbell’s Resort, Chelan, WA

This training for attorneys and nonprofit leaders will discuss employment law topics relevant to nonprofit organizations. Topics will include: independent contractor vs. employee; "wage and hour" topics that include working with volunteers; and relevant labor law issues, including the use of social media by employees.  Gil Sparks and Ernest Radillo of Ogden Murphy Wallace will be the presenters.

Online registration will be available through North Central Washington Community Foundation. 

Serving Nonprofits from the Inside (Board Service) and Out (Counsel)

May 23, 2013, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Speakers: Judy Andrews, Law Offices of Judith Andrews, Jeanne Marie Clavell, Professional Responsibility Counsel, WSBA, Kirstin Humann Thomson, Stoel Rives, Amy Zimerman, Leaping Dolphins, LLC

One Union Square, The Board Room, 600 University Avenue, Seattle

This seminar will examine the roles and responsibilities of attorneys as both board members and legal counsel of nonprofit organizations. We will explain how to effectively and ethically wear both your board member and your attorney hats, as well as the basics of nonprofit law that every attorney working with nonprofit organizations should know. We will answer the following questions and more.

• ·         What is your role as an attorney-board member?

• ·         How can you ensure that the nonprofit you are serving meets all legal requirements to stay healthy and effective?

• ·         What ethical traps should you avoid as a nonprofit board member or advisor?

3.75 CLE credits, including 2 ethics credits, approval pending. Online registration is not yet available. 

Fiscal Sponsorship

Thursday, June 6, 2013, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Southwest Youth & Family Services, Seattle

Speakers: Judith Andrews, Law Offices of Judith Andrews and Steve Daschel, Southwest Youth & Family Services

This seminar will explain the fiscal sponsorship relationship between, including when and why a nonprofit organization would enter into a fiscal sponsorship relationship, the key components of that relationship, drafting a fiscal sponsorship agreement, common pitfalls and misunderstandings of fiscal sponsorship agreements.  Speakers will share both legal requirements and practical tips on making a successful fiscal sponsorship relationship.

Registration fee $25. Online registration is not yet available.  For more information, email contact@waaco.org.

Nuts & Bolts of Representing Nonprofits, Part 2: Maintaining Nonprofits

Wednesday, October 16, 2013, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Seattle

Speakers: Judith Andrews and Lorri Dunsmore

This seminar will cover corporate, state and federal tax exemption status requirements and issues.  Topics will include: fiduciary duties of directors and officers, Charitable Solicitation Act, governance policies, Form 990 reporting, private inurement and private benefit (executive compensation), lobbying and political activities, charitable contribution issues, unrelated business income and other issues.  This seminar is ideal for attorneys and nonprofit staff who have already taken WAACO's Nuts and Bolts of Nonprofit Law seminar or have some experience working with nonprofits.

$80 for WAACO volunteers, $60 for nonprofit leaders; $100 for all others.  2.75 hours of CLE credit approval pending.

Social Media and Intellectual Property for Nonprofits and Businesses

            Thursday, September 26, 2013, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

            Stoel Rives, 600 University Avenue, 36th Floor, Seattle, WA 98101

This seminar is for nonprofit leaders, business owners and attorneys who have little or no experience in intellectual property law and is intended to provide a basic overview of intellectual property law and common issues involving the use of social media and intellectual property. Topics will include using photos of people on websites and marketing materials, using volunteers to create content for websites, employee’s use of social media and searches on perspective employees, name and trademark issues, negative online reviews, and other issues. Jennifer Jolley, Jolley IP, Michelle Bomberger, Equinox, a, nd Lisa Oratz, Perkins Coie will be the presenters.

$80 for WAACO volunteers; $60 for nonprofit leaders (including public interest attorneys); $100 for all others.  2.75 hours of CLE credit approval pending. Online registration is not yet available.

For more information on any of our trainings, check our website: www.waaco.org; or email contact@waaco.org. 

Jodi Nishioka

Program Manager

Washington Attorneys Assisting Community Organizations

P.O. Box 2134

Seattle, WA 98111-2134

Office Ph. 1-866-288-9695

Cell Ph. 425-785-3619

www.waaco.org

Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-Attorneys-Assisting-Community-Organizations-WAACO/180536038674001

Many families are eligible for valuable tax credits every year which bring millions of dollars to residents of North King County Cities. Residents in turn spend their refunds in local communities, helping support local businesses and contributing to community vitality.

To receive refundable tax credits, you must file a tax return. When you file your taxes, make sure you ask about these credits and be sure to use one of the free tax preparation sites shown below.

• The federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for families that pay for child care when they go to work. This credit is worth up to $2,100.

• The federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) is for families raising children (under 17). This credit is worth up to $1,000 per child, and is refundable for families earning at least $3,000.

• The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is designed to boost the wages of eligible families. This refundable credit is worth up to $5,891 and is available to married couples earning less than $50,270 or singles earning less than $45,060. The average refund to Shoreline residents in 2010 was $1,491. Nationally, the EITC is the second most important federal anti-poverty program after social security, lifting an estimated 6.6 million adults including 3.3 million children out of poverty.

Save even more by using one of the free tax sites (Call 2-1-1 for a list of all free sites)

Hopelink has non-English language staff as follows: Wednesdays Korean; Thursdays Chinese and Saturdays Spanish.

What To Bring: photo ID, social security cards and birth dates for each person on the return, W-2’s or proof of income, any 1099 forms for income from interest, dividends, ($3,200 limit on investment income) retirement, social security or unemployment, last year’s return if you have it. If filing jointly both filer and spouse must be present to file electronically. For child dependent care tax credit name address and tax payer identification number of child care provider. Other items: student loan payments and records of payments for educational expenses and bank account number for direct deposit.

Help Spread the Word

Use your internal newsletter, social media and other outreach techniques to let clients and residents know about the federal tax credits and the free tax sites. Groups who may not know about tax credits but who may qualify include anyone whose marital status changed during the past year, grandparents raising grandchildren, limited English speaking, self employed, people receiving disability pensions or who have children with disabilities and the unemployed.

New officers and board members were elected December 4^th at the Annual Meeting of the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA). Judy Parsons, Staff Coordinator for the NorthShore/Shoreline Community Network was chosen as President for a second Term, Leslie Brooks, Manager, Hopelink’s Shoreline Center, was elected Vice President, Joanne Donahue, Vice President, Senior Services was elected Secretary and Diane Kolb, Executive Director of Children’s Country Home was re-elected as Treasurer.

Newly elected board members include Ed Sterner, former Lake Forest Park Council member and attorney in private practice, Janelle Kitson, Volunteer Program Manager for Hopelink and Candace Ives, Resident Services Coordinator, King County Housing Authority.

NUSHA’s mission is to increase the capacity of the community to support a sustainable system of human services in North King County comprising the cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Kenmore and Woodinville. In partnership with United Way of King County, NUHSA launched a new initiative this year to engage social and health service agency managers in ways to improve the recruitment, retention and use of volunteers. Work on the volunteer engagement project will continue in 2013.

 NUSHA also partners with the Affordable Housing and Homelessness Work Group and the North King County Mobility Coalition. The focus of these two groups is to increase affordable housing and improve mobility in North King County for youth, older adults, people with language barriers and low income families.