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

More Fall St.Louis Nonprofit CE Coming

• Community Service Public Relations Council meeting -- Empowering Your Board Members to Advocate & Communicate --Oct. 12, 11:30-1:15, Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel, $35 for nonmembers, call 314-415-2237 no later than noon Oct. 8.
• AFP St. Louis Fall Fundraising Seminars-- Oct. 13, 20 and 27--8:30 - 11:30, St. Patrick Center, $49 - session, $135 - series, go to AFP link at right or call 314/416-2238.
• NPML's Developing an Effective Communication Plan for Your Nonprofit, Oct. 20. 3-5pm, UMSL campus, $30 go to NPML link at right or call 314/516-5948
• Young Nonprofit Professional Network's 2nd annual Yearn2Learn Education Fair Meets Happy Hour, Oct. 20, 5-8pm, Llywelyn's in Webster Groves, $5 for nonmembers, , e-mail ynpnstl@gmail.com

Get Nonprofit Social Networking Tips

The G&FC invites area nonprofit staff and volunteers to come get tips from St. Louis ARCHS on how to maximize the power of social networking (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter) to advance your nonprofit's socal mission and business strategies.

This free 90-minute session will begin at 3 pm Sept. 22 in the auditorium here. It is cosponsored by ARCHS (Area Resources for Community & Human Services) the nonprofit overseeing lifelong learning programs in partnerships with government, nonprofits and businesses. E-mail us with any questions and your daytime phone if you want to sign up.

More St. Louis Area Nonprofit Cont. Ed.

Sept. 15 -- new Nonprofit Webinar Series being offered by NSC $35 (see partner link at right)
Sept. 16 -- Youthbridge Social Enterprise & Innovation Competition kick-off and free 4-session Skandalaris Seminar Series for Nonprofits at Wash. U. contact www.ideabounce.com for more info or to enroll.
Sept. 22 - Legal Issues for Nonprofit Board Members, 3-5 pm, $20 at NPML (see partner link at right)
Oct. 5 - U.S. Census & American Sommunity Survey Overview, 11:30-1:30, American Association of Grant Professionals, $15, contact 314-608-1816 for more information