NYCON webinars this week, more to come!

[Tomorrow!] NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight: Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits Every fiscal staff members best friend... Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member that will truly be the "best friend" of every fiscal person who uses it!  Designed with the needs and resources of the smaller to medium sized nonprofit in mind, NYCON's Chief Fiscal Officer and staff have designed a "fool proof" tool for developing a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget.   The features of the Budget Toolkit include: Built in instructions on "Getting Started" and"How to Develop Your Budget" Built in formulas and linked spreadsheets Definitions & Glossary on types of budgets, frequently used budgeting terms & more Helpful notes that 'pop up' as you create your budget spreadsheet  Quick and easy allocations (for shared costs like space and supplies, etc.) Templates that your organization can utilize to customize for your own organization's budget and salary and fringe expenditures. And more! Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself. Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am  On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.

[Thursday!] Free Tour of  Grantstation.comFebruary 28th   10:00am to 11:00am  Register Today Join Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's Business Development Advisor, for a free webinar that offers a short tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers; including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the right grantmaker for any program or project. During this webinar we will also introduce GrantStation's new interactive Grants2020 visioning tool! There will be plenty of time for questions. This webinar will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013.Did You Know? As a NEW Membership Benefit of NYCON, ourprogram now also allows a discount on Grantstation Membership - which gets you full access to GS.com - for only $75! Click here for more information.

New Year, Great Time to Explore New Employee Benefits that You Can Afford!   We know that the Employe Benefits "Market" can be complicated.  Our job is to help make that world more simple, and affordable for nonprofits. To help you understand each type of benefit, it's coverage features and it's costs we are rolling out a series of short 30-minute webinar spotlights on our administered programs: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and our Vision Program - which is new for 2013! To see the online article click here.

National Webinar Free for Your Members

Sample Promotional Language

Like yours, many nonprofit organizations often find themselves wondering...

• Do we need to have an independent audit? (And what does that entail anyway?)
• Are there special rules for us because we receive government grants?
• How can we prepare so that the process goes smoothly?
• What’s the board’s role?

To answer these questions and more, NYCON is excited to bring you Nonprofit Audits in a Nutshell, a free webinar on March 28th at [3:30pm Eastern] , hosted by our national network, the National Council of Nonprofits. This webinar features practical tips from nonprofits about their audit practices, as well as experts from BoardSource andRaffa and is designed to give you background on everything you need to know about the independent audit process (from legal requirements to practical advice).

Thanks to the support of First Nonprofit Foundation, this exclusive webinar is available, free of charge, to all members of NYCON. Don't miss this opportunity - Register Today!

Did You Know: Dental PPO Balanced Billing?

Dental Benefits: What is Balanced Billing? 

 

 

This year, once a month, Council Services Plus will be bringing you tid-bits of helpful and interesting facts and information about insurance. 

  

Last month we discussed Dental Benefit Maximums; so keeping with that theme, this month we

we'll focus on another term that often is associated with dental benefits: PPO Balanced Billing.

Many times employees choose a dentist that may not participate in the "network" of dentists approved by the plan offered by the employer. Many dental plans offer out-of-network benefits and still pay claims submitted by dentists that do not participate with that plan. If your plan has out-of-network coverage (usually associated with Point of Service (POS) or Preferred Provider organization (PPO) plans) you need to be aware of the fees charged by that dentist, and what your plan deems as reasonable and customary (R&C) charges that they will pay for.

When you use a participating (or preferred) provider, that dentist has agreed to accept the company's R&C fees as the basis for their billing. For example, if a filling R&C fee is $100, then the participating dentist must charge that for a filling. If your coinsurance is 80%, then you pay $20 (20% of $100) and the company pays $80.

 

Let's now assume you go to a non-participating provider and they charge $150 for the same filling. The insurance plan will still base the amount they pay at 80% of R&C ($100) and you must pay the "balance" of the bill due to the non-participating dentist. Under this situation, your cost is $70 ($150-$80). You can see why you may "prefer" to see a "preferred" provider in a PPO plan to help keep your costs down. 

Register Now for Spring NYCON Webinars, Spots Filling Up!

Register for NYCON's Spring Webinars! Get to Know NYCON & Your Membership Benefits... February 22nd, 2013  10:00am - 10:45am Register Online Today In this session NYCON staff will tell you all you need to know about your membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE. No matter if you are a new member, a renewing member who would like more information or a non-member interested in joining, this session will be enlightening and helpful. We will be covering the following benefits:   Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional AssistanceNYCON empowers our members with the best practices, policies, and procedures as well as information on ever-changing regulations, funding, accountability and more Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits NYCON leverages the purchasing power of thousands of nonprofits to bring you economies of scale on everything fromOffice Supplies to Fundraising Software.   The Nonprofit Voice in New York State NYCON represents our members on the local, state and national level, giving voice to small and medium sized nonprofits everywhere

NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight: Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits! Every fiscal staff members best friend... Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member that will truly be the "best friend" of every fiscal person who uses it!  Designed with the needs and resources of the smaller to medium sized nonprofit in mind, NYCON's Chief Fiscal Officer and staff have designed a "fool proof" tool for developing a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget.   The features of the Budget Toolkit include:   Built in instructions on "Getting Started" and"How to Develop Your Budget" Built in formulas and linked spreadsheets Definitions & Glossary on types of budgets, frequently used budgeting terms & more Helpful notes that 'pop up' as you create your budget spreadsheet  Quick and easy allocations (for shared costs like space and supplies, etc.) Templates that your organization can utilize to customize for your own organization's budget and salary and fringe expenditures. And more! You have to see all the features to believe it!   Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself. Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am  On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.

Free Tour of the GrantStation.com Website  Thursday, February 28th   10:00am to 11:00am  Register Today Join Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's Business Development Advisor, for a free webinar that offers a short tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers; including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the right grantmaker for any program or project. During this webinar we will also introduce GrantStation's new interactiveGrants2020 visioning tool! There will be plenty of time for questions.This webinar will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013.Did You Know? As a NEW Membership Benefit of NYCON, ourprogram now also allows a discount on Grantstation Membership - which gets you full access to GS.com - for only $75! Click here for more information.

Broker News

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Tax Update

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Tax, also known as the Comparative Effectiveness Research Fee, is a fee paid to the government to fund Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) research. One of the main goals of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is to foster a healthier population through improvements to the health care system.
Read more >>

W-2 Reporting Requirement for Employers Update

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) contains a requirement for employers to report the cost of health coverage under an employer sponsored group health plan on an employees' W-2 form. The cost includes both the cost paid by the employer and contributions from the employee.
Read more >>

Did You Know...You Can Get Dedicated Client Consulting Through the New Blue Honors Program?

If your agency qualifies for the Blue Honors program, you will be eligible to utilize Excellus BlueCross BlueShield's Information Connection. Information Connection is an online tool that allows brokers to pull specific information, whether it be by book of business or individual groups.
Read more >>

Creditable Drug Coverage and Medicare Part D – What It Means to Employer Groups

Creditable coverage is non-Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as (i.e., pays, on average, as much as or more than) standard Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. When a person becomes eligible for Medicare Part D, they must maintain creditable drug coverage, and not have a break in coverage for 63 or more days.
Read more >>

Excellus BCBS Awards Hospitals $26 Million for Quality Improvements

Fifty-four upstate New York hospitals and health centers last year earned $26 million in quality improvement incentive payments from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as part of their Hospital Performance Incentive Program (HPIP). In the past nine years, quality performance incentives from Excellus BCBS have exceeded $145 million.
Read more >>

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Build Healthier Communities – Learn More About Our Service to the Community

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Build Healthier Communities - 2012 Annual Report of Caring tells how we collaborate with other nonprofits, providers and government and civic agencies to make a difference where we work and live.
Read more >>

N.Y. cities seek revenue sources other than property taxes

ALBANY — If Syracuse raises property taxes 1 percent, the city would get about $300,000 in revenue. Its pension bill is rising by $15 million next year.

If the city of Rochester raised property taxes to its constitutional limit, it would bring in $32 million in additional revenue. That would only be enough to cover the city’s budget deficit for next year.

While much of the focus of upstate cities’ financial problems have been on rising costs for pensions and health care, they are dealing with just as many problems on the revenue side of their ledgers.

“There has been a fundamental change in these places,” Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards said. “That fundamental change means that we just can no longer generate enough revenue to pay our expenses.”

Property taxes and state aid are cities’ main revenue sources. But a dwindling manufacturing sector, a glut of vacant properties and growing poverty have made property taxes a less reliable foundation for their budgets.

“Either with abandoned properties or tax-exempt properties, you can get just so much out of the folks who are still able to pay taxes,” Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said.

Yonkers, which has property values four times higher than the average of other upstate New York cities, has also struggled with revenue. Property values declined 24 percent from 2008 to 2011 in Yonkers, a report Tuesday from DiNapoli found.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said last month that the city’s sales-tax revenue has increased in recent years, and there is some positive economic development. But it hasn’t made up for growing costs. He wants a state task force to look at cities’ problems.

“We still need to address the core issues that are facing cities,” he said after a budget hearing in Albany. “They will not be able to tax their way, cut their way nor borrow their way out of their issues. There needs to be a new matrix put in place.”

Last month, Moody’s Investors Services downgraded Binghamton’s credit rating and said it could take further steps against the city, citing its fiscal woes and diminishing tax base.

Community Foundation Invites Local Nonprofits to Learn About Partnerships & Collaborations

February 22, 2013 (Syracuse, NY) – The Central New York Community Foundation will be hosting a Nonprofit Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations Symposium from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Genesee Grand Hotel, 1060 East Genesee Street, Syracuse on March 27. This special one-day event will be presented by Jo DeBolt of LaPiana Consulting, David J. Watson of New York Council of Nonprofits, and other local nonprofit leaders.

The Community Foundation invited these national consultants to Syracuse, to help nonprofit leaders and board members explore and discuss well-planned strategic partnerships. With a well matched partnership, nonprofits can enhance their missions, build credibility, strengthen their brands, engage more individuals, create efficiencies, and making a bigger difference in the community. To register and see more details, visit www.cnycf.org or call 315-422-9538.

This event would not be made possible without the support of the sponsors: The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, Richard S. Shineman Foundation, the Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation, the Gifford Foundation, the Allyn Foundation and the Central New York Community Foundation.

About the Speakers

Jo DeBolt brings nearly 30 years of experience as a nonprofit executive and consultant. As a consultant and nonprofit leader, much of Jo’s work involves starting and growing organizations including designing and developing systems, building boards and staff, implementing new programs, translating vision into action, and ensuring that mechanisms were in place to measure the impact of these new ventures.

David J. Watson has been employed by the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. since 1991. The proactive services provided by the Legal Accountability and Compliance Service division requires a sophisticated knowledge of and sensitivity to nonprofit issues as well as an ability to present complicated legal information to nonprofit managers and Boards of Directors.

About the Community Foundation

Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region.  The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $130 million. It awards close to $6.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and corporations through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org.

Cayuga Fund Accepting Grant Applications

February 20, 2012 (Syracuse, NY) - The Cayuga Community Fund is now accepting grant applications from tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations [501 (c)(3) or other publicly supported organizations] that reside within, or serve residents of Cayuga County.

The application deadline is March 29, 2013. Requests may range from $500 - $5,000. Grants must directly benefit the residents of Cayuga County. Visit www.cnycf.org/cayuga to access the grant application and guidelines.

The Cayuga Community Fund, created in 2008, is a geographically specific fund created to serve as a source of permanent charitable dollars available to nonprofits serving residents of Cayuga County. Grants are awarded from endowment funds annually to aid vital programs in education, health, social services, the arts, civic and environmental concerns, as well as the preservation of historic resources in Cayuga County. The Cayuga Community Fund has granted $89,485 to nonprofit groups since 2010.
Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region.  The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $130 million. It awards close to $6.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and corporations through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org

Show A Little Love to Your Corporate Documents

This Valentine's Day it's Time to Give Your Corporate Documents the Love and Affection they Deserve! It's the beginning of a new year and a very good time to show a little love...to your nonprofit's Corporate Documents!  Bylaws, Personnel Policies and other Corporate Documents need regular attention to ensure they are appropriate, consistent with the Nonprofit Incorporate Law in New York State and provide sufficient protection for your organization and employees. With packages for NYCON Members we can help ensure your peace of mind at a price your nonprofit can afford.

Bylaws & Personnel Policy Review [Get Started]  Whether you are a newly created organization or a long standing one, risk management is the keystone for good governance of your organization.  Two important tools for protection of your organization from mission killing liability and litigation is the creation and annual review of corporate bylaws and personnel policies.  Our attorneys and legal staff will dissect your corporate documents and review same for legal pitfalls, returning same to you with revision comments and "best practice" advice within 30 days. A Bylaw Review is $500. A Personnel Policy Review is $700. Package price for both is only $1,000.  Want to Learn More? Click here and let us know and we´ll have one of our legal staff get back to you to start the process!

Corporate Document Review [Get Started]  Another important element of risk management is the maintenance of the proper form of corporate existence.  Our attorneys and legal staff will analyze your Certificate of Incorporation, and any Amendments for consistency between them and your internal corporate documents and Bylaws, returning the same to you with revision comments and "best practice" advice within 15 days.A Corporate Document Review is $300.  Want to Learn More? Click here and let us know and we´ll have one of our legal staff get back to you to start the process! To see the article online Click Here

Affiliation Solutions Provided by NYCON

Affiliation Solutions Provided by NYCON

We Educate Guide and Support
NYCON knows nonprofits and we know the anxieties, risks and
opportunities that come with the consideration of affiliating
with another organization.  NYCON educates by providing training sessions on affiliation in communities across the state for
nonprofits and funders, and providing our members with informational resources and tools through our website or upon request.  NYCON professionals are available to advice and consult
our members throughout the process, from the very earliest
stage of thought and inquiry, to actively engaging a partner.
We have successfully completed over 100 affiliations in the past
10 years, our staff have experienced the nuances of affiliation as
well as the social, political, and regulatory hurdles occasionally
placed before it and have provided time-and-time again a comprehensive, tailored solution to achieve success.
Our Service Package
NYCON offers a unique, comprehensive and coordinated package of professional services delivered in a proven multi-phased
approach to affiliation that is designed to support decisionmaking, due diligence, and successful implementation and affiliation success in the future.
Expert Services Provided Include
•  Assistance in exploring partners & options
•  Facilitation, documentation and logistical management of
the negotiating process
•  Financial analysis & budgeting
•  Direct accounting, board and program  assistance if there
are “fix-it” items important to the process and it’s success

Please contact Doug Sauer, CEO
Ph: (800) 515--5012 ext. 103  --5012 ext. 103  
Email: dsauer@nycon.org
•  Program assessment & planning
•  Human resource planning & patterning, including comparative personnel policies & compensation/benefits
analysis
•  Cost savings analysis for the short and long-term
•  Strategic advice regarding messaging, communications
and funder engagement also for the short and long-term
•  Legal support services:
⇒ Corporate document review & amendments, as necessary for success (Certificates of Incorporation, Charters, Bylaws, etc.)
⇒ Analysis & advice as to legal options
⇒ Preparation of board and/or membership resolutions
⇒ Analysis of contracts, state and national affiliation
arrangements, and regulatory or licensing requirements that may impact on affiliating
⇒ Facilitation with regulatory agencies and their Counsel’s office
⇒ Legal representation (via the Endorsed Corporate law
firm of Watson & West, PLLC) including issuance of
legal opinions, preparation of dissolution & merger
documents, purchases and sales, etc.
Sometimes it is necessary or determined to be best that an
organization dissolve or simply go out of business.  Sometimes a formal merger is what is best.  Our staff are conversant in all of the forms of affiliation and look forward to providing you with assistance.

Click Here to see the flyer.

Friends of the Zoo names Murray new director of operations

Friends of the Zoo names Murray new director of operations by Maria Carbonaro 2/13/2013 11:35:00 AM

SYRACUSE — Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo has appointed Lorrie Murray as its new director of operations. Murray will oversee volunteer services, gift shop, and food operations at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. She will also administer the zoo’s IT services and handle project management. “Lorrie served in three previous positions in her eight-year tenure at the zoo. She is an invaluable member of our team and brings a profound institutional understanding to her new role,” Janet Agostini, president of Friends of the Zoo, said in a news release. Murray began working at the zoo in 2004 as an assistant gift shop manager. In 2007, she was promoted to membership manager. By 2010, her title was changed to membership manager and IT administrator to encompass her role as a liaison for various IT support teams, according to Friends of the Zoo. Murray holds an associate degree in business administration from Cayuga Community College. She has more than 25 years experience in quality control, operations, and customer service. Founded in 1970, the Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) support organization to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, which is operated by Onondaga County Parks. The Friends of the Zoo supports the zoo with marketing efforts, as well as fundraising and development activities. The nonprofit operates the gift shop, catering department, and the Jungle Café. It also provides educational programming to zoo visitors and the surrounding community. Contact Carbonaro at mcarbonaro@cnybj.com For the online version Click Here

40 Below Upcoming Events

Public Arts Task Force Snow Show
Upcoming Events:
Snow Show

2/18-2/23 @ 317 W. Fayette St.

The Snow Show is a snow party and gallery exhibit featuring artworks by the Public Art Task Force collective and friends. Coinciding with the event, there will also be a snow sculpture extravaganza on the front lawn at the Most on Saturday the 23rd from noon - melt. All are welcome to participate, bring your own tools and supplies to help create a great sculpture!

• Reception will be held Thursday, February 21 from 6:00-9:00 pm
• Gallery hours will be from 5:00-7:00 pm
• Snow Sculptures will be held on Saturday, February 23rd.

A Civic Engagement Soiree

Tuesday, 2/26, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm @ Maxwell School Public Events Room (220 Eggers Hall on the SU campus)

Join 40 Below and Syracuse University for an evening of networking and civic engagement. United Way of Central New York President and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Professor, Frank Lazarski will speak about involvement in the community and how it can build your resume. Network with local organizations and community leaders following the speaker. 

New Year, New You

Wednesday, 2/27, 5:30-7:00 pm @ Fleet Feet (5800 Bridge St, E. Syracuse)

Become a "new you" in the New Year! Sit in on a panel discussion featuring experts in nutrition, fitness, and mental wellness. A special 40 Below running workshop will follow the discussion for interested attendees. To RSVP, email Liz LaBeau.

Future 40 Below-ers Job Shadow Program

March-June 2013, @ your place of business

Join 40 Below's Civic Engagement Task Force and bring a Syracuse City School District student to work for the day. Help students get their first real professional experience in the workplace. We are in need of young professionals to host high school or high achieving middle school students. If interested, email CETF Co-Chair Odean Dyer.

Syracuse Coworks

 Syracuse Coworks is now caffeinated! Cafe Kubal and Syracuse Coworks are teaming up to provide coffee to Syracuse Coworks members every day.

For more information on Syracuse Coworks, email Jamie White.

 Check out Syracuse Coworks on Twitter and Facebook!

and follow our sponsor, Harris Beach, on Twitter!

Community Events

Local Thirst

Tuesday, 2/19 5:30-7:30 pm @ Landmark Theatre

Join the SyracuseFirst family at the Landmark Theatre to kick off the 2013 Local Thirst Series.The monthly networking event is designed to connect those interested in creating a vibrant, healthy economy and community. Join SyracuseFirst for a tour of the Landmark, drinks, a raffle, and a good time with the community.

Volunteer Opportunities

 Human Dogsled Race during Winterfest

Saturday, 2/23 12:00-1:30 pm

Help out this Winterfest tradition and volunteer at the Human Dogsled Race on February 23rd! We still need 4-6 volunteers to judge the best sled, watch the start and finish line, and keep track of winning sleds. Click here for more information about the Human Dogsled Race and if interested in volunteering email Bill Cooper.

Task Force Meetings

"It's All Here!" Task Force 

Next Meeting: 2/21, 5:30 @ Syracuse Coworks

Public Arts Task Force (PATF)

First Thursday of every month at 5:30 pm, Everson Museum

Next Meeting: 3/7, 5:30 @ Everson Museum 

Civic Engagement Task Force

First Monday of every month at 5:30 pm, CenterState CEO

Next Meeting: 3/4

For the full online version Click Here