New News Source

As a public service the Arocho Law Office has created the following news and information website at http://arocholawnews.blogspot.com/. At that site you will find links to useful news and information on business, nonprofits, regulations, government, money, credit unions, world news and matters of personal interest!

Facebook Page Posts for the weeks of July 11th &18th

This is a summary of posts for the weeks of July 11th, and 18th to the Arocho Law Office Facebook Page:

A special episode of The Simpsons to be shown on October 3rd will focus on Grameen Bank's micro-credit schemes, and feature of Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=148256

US Nonprofits' Social Media Adoption Outpaces All Other Sectors for Third Year in a Row According to New Research - http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/press/according-new-research,1398394.html

Grant Alert: TD Charitable Foundation 2010 Housing for Everyone Grant Competition Overview - http://www.tdbank.com/community/housing_grant_competition.html

Some State & Federal Lawmakers Seeking Cuts Look at Nonprofit Salaries: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/us/27nonprofit.html?_r=1

IRS Says that Nonprofit Universities Fail to Report Taxable Income: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-26/irs-survey-finds-some-nonprofit-universities-fail-to-report-taxable-income.html

Nonprofits Stretched Thin: http://www.afpnet.org/Audiences/ReportsResearchDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=4537

Arocho Law Office's Nonprofit Blog: IRS Grants Grace Period for Small Tax Exempt Organ... http://goo.gl/b/E16k

Fundraising article: Selling Cars and Selling Your Cause http://www.ammado.com/nonprofit/afp/articles/16445

How Daydreaming Could Lead to Your Next Big Idea: http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/lifestyle/article/how-daydreaming-could-lead-to-your-next-big-idea-ben-popper

Telecommuting? Some Tips for Best Work from Home Experience - http://businessforums.verizon.net/t5/Small-Biz-Blog/Telecommuting-Some-Tips-for-Best-Work-from-Home-Experience/ba-p/230846

A N.J. nonprofit restaurant in Orange follows the social entrepreneurship trend: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/nj_nonprofit_group_restaurant.html

Student run nonprofit medical clinic: For med students, financial lessons learned outside the lab at http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/07/22/am-for-med-students-financial-lessons-learned-outside-the-lab/

The IRS seeks comments on new disclosure requirement pursuant the 2010 health care reform law that requires that businesses and nonprofits, starting in 2012, to report aggregate payments to vendors in excess of $600 for goods and other property. The requirement applies for payments to all vendors, not just those related to health care. Presently, nonprofits and business are required to file Form 1099s for payment of services by independent contractors, but not for goods from vendors. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=225029,00.html

According to a recently released report by the Johns Hopkins University's Listening Post Project, there is evidence that this Great Recession has placed a significant strain on the nonprofit sector, especially those that provide services to children and family services as well as arts nonprofits, and finds that larger nonprofits tended to lay off staff more frequently than smaller ones. [Communiqué No. 19, 7/14/2010] http://www.urban.org/publications/412135.html

Fan Page Posts for Week of July 11

This is a summary of posts to the Arocho Law Office Facebook Page for the week of July 11, 2010:

• The nickel-and-dime approach by some nonprofits to encourage donations by mail: Charities mail out coins, hope for larger return - http://www.usatoday.com/news/sharing/2010-07-14-charity-coins_N.htm

• In the aftermath of a disaster or in other emergency hardship situations, individuals, employers and corporations often are interested in providing assistance to victims through a charitable organization. Before disaster strikes, review the tax rules that apply!!!!

• The Affordable Care Act of 2010 contains some tax provisions that take effect this year and others that will be implemented during the next several years and could impact your small business or nonprofit . Keep abreast of the latest information on the implementation of provisions that may affect your tax-exempt organization!!

• Something interesting to do this weekend-create a paper clone of yourself. Info and instructions at http://www.instructables.com/id/Project-Paper-clone/ :)

• A lesson for your business or nonprofit that you may find hard to believe can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc&feature=player_embedded . The lively RSA Animate illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace. www.theRSA.org

• Great new small business: Shore Kids Yoga LLC is dedicated to helping children become healthy from the inside out. At Shore Kids Yoga, they believe everyone needs an outlet to express themselves, relieve stress and have FUN. They encourage children to use their imagination, relax and become strong confident individuals. For further info please visit http://www.shorekidsyoga.com/

• The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance recently released a list of standards that national charities most commonly fail to meet when being evaluated by the Alliance against its 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. http://www.bbb.org/us/article/bbb-wise-giving-alliance-releases-top-reasons-charities-fail-to-meet-its-standards-20723

• An example of Cause Marketing for Business: Snack Firm Puts New Twist on Charity-Marketing Deals - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/business/media/12adnewsletter1.html?_r=1

• What is Cause Marketing? How To Legally Partner with a Non Profit Organization: http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Cents/How-To-Legally-Partner-with-A-Non-Profit-Organization/ba-p/23526?cm_mmc=GovDelivery-_-070110-_-weekly-_-community

• Nonprofit startup ideas: Resources for Starting a Halfway House or Transitional Housing Facility at http://community2.business.gov/t5/Business-Law-Advisor/Resources-for-Starting-a-Halfway-House-or-Transitional-Housing/ba-p/25813?cm_mmc=GovDelivery-_-071410-_-weekly-_-community

• Bootom Line News: As per a recent Canadian University report, an investment in improving the working condition of all employees can be an advantage to the bottom line both in times of economic growth and recession. You can find a summary of the report at http://www.mcgill.ca/files/ihsp/Profit_at_the_Bottom_of_the_Ladder_A_Summary_Report.pdf

• Is your nonprofit registered as a charity? Almost every state and territory regulates the solicitation activities of charities. Some exceptions may exist for religious organizations. The National Assoc. of Attorneys General and National Assoc. of State Charity Officials developed the Charleston Principles to address solicitation over the internet and it can be used as guidance for good faith compliance.

• Arocho Law Office brochure is available at http://arocholaw.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/ALO_One_Sheet_July_2010.19392528.pdf

• The Village People will have to change the lyrics to their song YMCA to The Y: The organization previously known as the Y.M.C.A. is henceforth to be called “the Y.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/us/12Y.html?_r=1&hp