Policy Update

National Council of Nonprofit Associations (NCNA) Public Policy Committee Minutes

6/07/2005

I.    Introductions

Catherine Carabetta, Donors Forum of Chicago

Linda Czipo, Center for Non-profit Corporations, Inc. (New Jersey)

Nora Duncan, Connecticut Association of Nonprofits

Ken Larsen, California Association of Nonprofits

Katherine Long, Vermont Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations

Brian Magee, Montana Nonprofit Association

Mark McCrary, Mississippi Center for Nonprofits

Anthony Petty, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits

Brenda Peluso, Maine Association of Nonprofits

Jon Pratt (Chair of Committee), Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Michael Ripple, Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers

David Ross, Pennsylvania Nonprofit Association

Jon Small, Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York

Mark Turner, Colorado Association of Nonprofit Organizations

Lary Wells, Michigan League for Human Services

NCNA Staff:  Erica Greeley

 II.     Federal Policy Updates: For additional information, go to www.ncna.org/policy

A.     Advocacy Rights:
NCNA and NonprofitAdvocacy.org collation met with IRS officials about the 2004 Political Intervention Program (PIP). PIP is the program that audited over 60 nonprofits last year during the general election cycle. The  meeting established a working relationship where NCNA and the coalition will provide feedback to the IRS and assist with educational efforts.

B.      Legislative Updates:
IRA Rollover bill is gaining more sponsors; regulatory proposals may be added to the Senate CARE Act but there is still no parallel bill in the House; the Senate is considering timing and content of an estate tax bill

 III.    Oversight and Accountability

 A.     Update:
House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on tax-exemp hospitals; Sen. Grassley sent a letter to hospitals asking for information about tax-exempt operations; Sen. Santorum sent a letter to Grassley warning of “unintended consequences” of new regulations; conservative groups are pushing back against new regulations; the next report from the IS Panel is expected June 20; the Senate is not likely to introduce legislation before July (for more information: www.ncna.org/policy)

B.      Discussion:
Most participants on the call reported low local interest in this issue –  the budget crisis is taking priority in CO; education funding is the priority in MS; there is very little awareness of this issue in NC; NJ members are interested but not prioritizing this issue; IL saw a bad turnout at the public meeting on oversight issues; CA has battle fatigue from state accountability battles last year; NY and MA noted that the technical nature of some of these issues makes it hard for members to engage/respond

C.     Action:
NCNA will draft two letters for distribution.

          1.     A template for an op ed opposing the limitation of deductions on non-cash contributions to be placed in local papers. Specifically, the letter will oppose change to existing rules, preserve incentives for charitable giving, and describe the benefit of non-cash donations. State associations will add their own local anecdotes to this last point.

           2.      A sign on letter for members of state associations to send to their Senators once legislation is introduced.

 IV.     NCNA Conference:
Policy Committee & Affinity Group Meetings

 A.     Next meeting:
Public policy Committee meeting, July 14, 8-10 AM

 1.    Each state association will give 3-5 minute highlights of policy actions, successes, and lessons from the last year, as well as samples of policy related materials to share. NCNA will send out a detailed description of what to present and bring.

 2.         Informal policy affinity groups will meet throughout the day in the networking room on Thursday, July 14. Schedule and topics are listed below.

i.        10:15 -11:30 -- Building Organizational Capacity for Advocacy: discussion will include how and why every state association should “take the H election” that streamlines advocacy reporting and register a staff member lobby on behalf of nonprofits and the community; we will also discuss strategies for funding advocacy

ii.      1:45 - 3:00 – Issue Roundtable: In-depth conversation on spread of state-level revenue caps, the implications of Sarbanes Oxley, and more 

iii.    3:00 – 4:15 – Engaging in Voter Registration: Comprehensive engagement in policy includes weighing in on policy decisions and registering community members to vote for politicians that will best represent the needs of the community, learn how state associations can help 501(c)(3)s incorporate voter registration into current programs