"Book Talk" for Artists, Writers, Filmmakers, Musicians Jan. 12

Working artists, is there one book that affirmed or inspired your desire to create? Or, is there another that gave you practical advice on how to earn money with your work?. Bring your lunch to Schlafly library from noon -1:30 on Thursday, Jan. 12 for our third annual information and networking session for individual artists who want to move their careers to the next level. Sue Greenberg, executive director of Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts in St. Louis and a professional dramatist and writer/editor herself, will share her list of most helpful reads. I'll point out some library resources for individual artists that you might not be aware of. Everyone is encouraged to bring a personal favorite book or website to add to the list. Hot beverages will be provided; just let us know if you plan to come, weather permitting.

G&FC Programs: Past and Future

We're taking a break from offering G&FC programs here at the library this month. Thank you to all our 2011 program partner organizations --NPML, VLAA, ARCHS, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, AFP, BoardLinkStL, & NSC --as well as to The Foundation Center --for providing information and leadership to the more than 600 attendees (thanks also to each of you who came).
We're delighted to be working with these groups, as well as three new program partners, so far --Nonprofit Missouri, the St. Louis chapter of the Grant Professionals Assn., and the Young Nonprofit Professional's Network, as we put together our 2012 program schedule.
Feel free to contact me about any nonprofit and grants topics you'd like us to include.

Guide to Sarbanes-Oxley Highly Recommended

To help you select your nonprofit/fundraising reading , we asked VLAA interns to describe and comment on some of the books available in our G&FC collection (and elsewhere.) Here's another review for use in this political season:

Sarbanes-Oxley for Nonprofits by Peggy Jackson and Toni Fogarty

This is one of the best, if not the best, guide that I have reviewed thus far. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was passed in 2002 and completely changed the playing field for nonprofit organizations. This guide is a must-read for any new or established 501(c)(3) organization that has not implemented policies and procedures specifically designed to insure compliance with the Act. Unfamiliarity with the ramifications of the Act does not bar nonprofits from liability, so it is essential that the governing members of all nonprofits have a clear understanding of their legal obligations. The Act centers on transparency and accountability, and the author is thorough and effective in attempting to provide organizations with all of the information and tools necessary to strengthen their infrastructures accordingly.

More specifically, the author delves deep into topics such as finance, document retention, governance, and whistleblower protection policies. For those organizations who do not appreciate the importance of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the author has included a section titled, “Five Myths That Hold Small Nonprofits Back” at the end of the guide. Compliance with the Act depends heavily upon organizations’ policies and procedures, samples of which can be found in the appendices.

-- Shannon Martínez, VLAA Intern, Law Student at Saint Louis University School of Law