Debunking Myths About the Affordable Care Act | 6 Quick Ways to Use Social Media for Branding| The Best Credit Card Processing For Small Business Owners

Debunking Myths About the Affordable Care Act As a business owner, it's important to understand how the Affordable Care Act may affect your business. As part of our ongoing blog series to clear up misconceptions, we're debunking another common myth: Business owners will be fined if they don't provide notification to their employees about the new Health Insurance Marketplace. > Read more http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/myth-vs-fact-myth-3-business-owners-will-be-fined-if-they-don%E2%80%99t-notify-their-employees-about-new-health-insurance-marketplace New Guidance on Information Reporting Requirements Under the Affordable Care Act Under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, employers that are subject to the Employer Shared Responsibility provisions must report certain information regarding the health coverage they offer their full-time employees. Here's what you need to know. > Read more http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/myth-vs-fact-myth-3-business-owners-will-be-fined-if-they-don%E2%80%99t-notify-their-employees-about-new-health-insurance-marketplace 3 Signs That Social Media Might Not Be the Right Fit for Your Small Business As a small business owner, do you sometimes wonder, “What should I be doing on social media?” It's a great opportunity to take a step back and consider whether it’s actually a good fit for your business. Here are some signs that social media may not be right for your small business. > Read more  http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/myth-vs-fact-myth-3-business-owners-will-be-fined-if-they-don%E2%80%99t-notify-their-employees-about-new-health-insurance-marketplace Hang out with SBA & Cover Oregon for Health Care Answers Not sure how the health care law may impact your business in Oregon? SBA and Cover Oregon are teaming up to bring you another Google+ Hangout so you can learn how to access health care coverage for your small business. When: September 17 | 12 -12:30pm PT Where: Watch from either SBA’s YouTube Channel or Google+ Page  > Read more  http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/myth-vs-fact-myth-3-business-owners-will-be-fined-if-they-don%E2%80%99t-notify-their-employees-about-new-health-insurance-marketplace 6 Quick Ways to Use Social Media for Branding While there’s no overnight success when it comes to converting social media followers to customers, some strategies can help you see results. Here’s how to make sure your social media efforts convey exactly what you want about your brand. > Read more Register for a Free Affordable Care Act Webinar Throughout September, SBA and Small Business Majority will hold a weekly Affordable Care Act 101 webinar. During each presentation, small business owners can learn about the law and what it means for their company and employees.     Thursday, September 19 at 2:00 PM ET: Click to Register Thursday, September 26 at 2:00 PM ET: Click to Register The Best Credit Card Processing For Small Business Owners Are you looking to accept credit cards from your customers? Is building your company's creditworthiness essential to you? Learn how to determine which merchant for credit card processing would be best for your small business. > Read more http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/myth-vs-fact-myth-3-business-owners-will-be-fined-if-they-don%E2%80%99t-notify-their-employees-about-new-health-insurance-marketplace Leveling the Playing Field for US Small Business Exporters This month, U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will bring together exporters around the country through a series of roundtables to help document trade barriers that disproportionately affect small business exporters in the European Union. > Read more  http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/myth-vs-fact-myth-3-business-owners-will-be-fined-if-they-don%E2%80%99t-notify-their-employees-about-new-health-insurance-marketplace

Community Foundation Announces Promotions

Syracuse – September 6, 2013 – The Central New York Community Foundation has promoted two employees within the Finance and Administration department.

Dottie DeSimone was promoted to Senior Accountant. Dottie has been working with the Community Foundation since 2010 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from SUNY Plattsburgh. Prior to joining the Community Foundation, she was employed by Haylor, Freyer and Coon, Inc., the Sterling Institute in Washington, D.C. and L’Arche Syracuse, Inc. She has volunteered in a professional capacity and served as a board member for several nonprofit organizations in the Syracuse area. At the Community Foundation, Dottie coordinates the preparation of fund statements and serves as the finance liaison for affiliate fundholders. She works with deferred gifts, audits, investment allocations and financial statement preparation.

Kathleen Deaver was promoted to Fund Operations Manager. She has worked for the Community Foundation since 2008, where she previously served as Grants Coordinator. Kathie supervises the grant distribution process, as well as scholarship processing. She provides general accounting support in the finance department. Kathie holds an Associate of Science degree in Accounting from SUNY Empire State College and is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in accounting. Prior to joining the Community Foundation, she worked as the Business Manager at L’Arche Syracuse and New York Regional Secretary for Valvoline Instant Oil Change.

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 $143 million. It awarded $8.3 million in grants last year to nonprofit organizations and since its inception has invested more than $120 million in the community. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and businesses through the administration of more than 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. The Community Foundation, of 431 East Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY 13202, can be reached at (315) 422-9538 or www.cnycf.org.

Camp Finance to Welcome Dan Pallotta, October 10

Camp Finance to Welcome Dan Pallotta Keynote Address - October 10th "Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential" NYCON is pleased to welcome Dan Pallotta as this year's Camp Finance Keynote Speaker. Camp Finance will be held at the Mohonk Mountain House on October 10th & 11th. You may know of Dan Pallotta as the TED Talk Phenomenon (over 1.6 million views to date) or as the author of Uncharitable and Charity Case or as the inventor the multi-day charitable event industry with the AIDS Rides and Breast Cancer 3-Days, or as a regular blogger for theHarvard Business Review or maybe as the founder and President of the Charity Defense Council, a new national leadership movement dedicated to transforming the way the donating public thinks about charity and change... But no matter how you heard of Dan, we're sure you are going to want to be there to hear what he has to say at this year's CAMP FINANCE Conference. Register Today   Keynote Address: Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential The way we've been taught to think about charity and change is upside down. If we changed the way we think about charity, charity could change the world. Our Camp Finance Keynote, based on Dan's book, Uncharitable, the best selling title in the history of Tufts University Press, will challenge you to change the way you think about charity.  The Stanford Social Innovation Review has said Uncharitable "deserves to become the nonprofit sector's new manifesto."  Find out for yourself! About Camp Finance 2013 Given the financial challenges of the past few years, your participation at CAMP FINANCE 2013 offers a welcome opportunity for New York's nonprofits to convene, access experts and connect with peers as we look to the future. Celebrating our 12th year, Camp Finance provides the very best in knowledge, skill and strategy sessions for your staff and volunteer leaders. This year´s workshops are responsive to your professional development and organizational needs with the latest information and tools to empower you to continue to build an effective, compliant, vibrant and sustainable nonprofit organization. From basic concepts to best practices, CAMP FINANCE 2013 has something for everyone. Workshop Tracks Include: Basic Nonprofit Accounting        Accountability and Compliance Issues     Marketing, Fundraising and Communications      Nonprofit Governance Camp Finance Sponsors & Exhibitors Thank you to this year's event sponsors and exhibitors (as of May 14th, 2013)   Sponsors:    Exhibitors: JMT Consulting, Central Business Solutions, The Network Place, Inc.  Camp Finance Pricing  Information Member Full Conference Pricing(Including all meals, activities & classes on 10/10 and 10/11) is $469 per person for a double room and $569 for a single room. Non-member Full Conference Pricing is $669 per person for a double room and $769 for a single room. Day Rates are Available: Members $210 Non-Members $310 REGISTER TODAY Testimonials & Reviews for Dan Pallotta "...we've received high marks for your keynote speech along with comments such as: 'Dan Pallotta was AMAZING - I wish everyone who works for a non-profit could see him speak!!', 'Dan Pallotta was the best keynote speaker since I have been attending ACM Interactivity.'" -Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director, Association of Children's Museums  "The nonprofit world needs innovation, and Dan Pallotta is helping us see how new ideas can help make our world more successful. In these tough times, we need his out-of-the-box ideas!"  -Bobby Shriver, cofounder, Product (RED) More Testimonials for Dan Pallotta

Accelerate CNY Set for April 14 at Holiday Inn Syracuse-Liverpool

Mark your calendars to attend the 5th Annual AccelerateCNY event... where knowledge and innovation are shared!

AccelerateCNY is the region’s premier tech development conference for businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs to explore the latest trends in technology, manufacturing, energy and the environment. This year’s expanded event will feature a regional technology expo with a "Pitch-Fest" designed to showcase new technologies to the community, as well as connect regional companies with investors from across the country.

“The Spirit of Innovation - Bold ideas to reinvent businesses”
Keynote by Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza.
Program runs from 8:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Your $75 fee includes:

Informative workshops
Luncheon keynote by international business leader
Networking with industry, academic & community leaders
Free parking
Continental breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch, afternoon networking reception

2011 Nonprofit Workshop Series by CNY Community Foundation

First Workshop Starting Soon!
Creating Your Nonprofit Business Plan
A Two–Part Workshop Series at the CNY Philanthropy Center

Featuring:
Thomas Kruzcek
Executive Director
Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship,
Whitman School of Management

Dates: January 18 & January 25, 2011
Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
6:00 - 6:30 pm: Light dinner served
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Workshop
Location: Central New York Philanthropy Center
431 East Fayette Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Cost: $25 per person
REGISTER HERE

Business plans are an essential part of establishing and running a nonprofit. They are a tool for building support from funders. This workshop will help you create a business plan to use in managing your organization. You will be provided examples, given hands-on help, and leave knowing how to write a solid plan.

You will learn:

• Essential components of a business plan
• The difference between a strategic plan and a business plan
• Why the Executive Summary will be the most important two pages you will ever write
• How to create financial projections that need to be included
• Key nonprofit elements for the business plan that make it different from a typical business plan

More Spring Workshops:
Introduction to Grant Writing
February 24, 2011
Strategic Partnerships
March 29, 2011

Contact Us
Central New York Community Foundation
431 East Fayette Street, Suite 100
Syracuse, NY 13202
www.cnycf.org * 315-422-9538 * info@cnycf.org

SBA, Microsoft create technology guide, online course

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced a new technology resource is available for small business owners.

The SBA and Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft Corp. have teamed up to create "Business Technology Simplified," a free guidebook that offers tips on how to use technology and innovation to make businesses work more efficiently, the SBA said in a news release.

The guidebook includes material on simplifying work tasks, do-it-yourself marketing, time management, and finding and cultivating customers.

"Business Technology Simplified" is available in a printed format at the SBA Syracuse district office. Computer users can also access the guidebook online at the Microsoft website.

It's also available as a free distance-learning course, according to the SBA.

The course is available at www.sba.gov/training.

Syracuse's Unemployment at 7.9 percent

The Central NY Business Journal reported that New York's unemployment rate climbed to 9 percent in August, up from 8.6 percent in July, according to new data the state Labor Department released today.

August's rate was the highest since April 1983, according to the department. The state's unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in August 2008.

New York's private-sector job count fell by about 2,200 in August, less than 0.1 percent, to about 7.1 million.

In Syracuse, the number of private-sector jobs fell 2.5 percent, about 6,800 jobs, between August 2008 and August 2009. The unemployment rate was 7.9 percent last month, down from 8.1 percent in July and up from 5.5 percent in August 2008.

'Road Show' series to encourage business development in Onondaga County

The Central NY Business Journal reported that the Onondaga County Office of Economic Development today announced a series of meetings aimed at helping business owners make their companies more successful.

Businesses that would benefit include technology and biotech firms, manufacturers, agribusiness operations, startups, distributors, and professional services firms.

Representatives from 16 economic development organizations and government agencies will be available to answer questions about financing, work-force development, energy efficiency, and business planning.

The first session of the road show series is set for Sept. 22 at Camillus Town Hall. A second is scheduled Oct. 13 at the Salina Town Hall. The remaining two sessions are scheduled for Oct. 20 at the Orchard Valley Golf Course in LaFayette and Oct. 28 at Fire Station Two in East Syracuse.
For more information, visit www.syracusecentral.com/roadshow

Will you take advantage of these meetings? It seems now is the time for nonprofits to show up and take advantage of these services offered.

State grants to help local governments study service consolidation

The Central New York Business Journal reported that Several communities in Onondaga County have received state grants to help consolidate services and explore potential partnerships across municipal lines.

The grants are among 41 awards totaling $5.2 million that Gov. David Paterson announced today. Altogether, Central New York is receiving 10 grants totaling more than $830,000. Read more here.

$1.5 million New York state grant to Syracuse business incubator will focus on 'green' companies

The Post-Standard reported that The Tech Garden business incubator center in Syracuse has won a $1.5 million state grant to assist entrepreneurs and startup companies in the fields of renewable energy and clean technology, Gov. David Paterson announced Tuesday.


The grant, one of four to institutions across New York state, is aimed at helping "green" companies in a 12-county region of Central New York, said Linda Dickerson Hartsock, who recently joined the Tech Garden as director of its Center for CleanTech Entrepreneurship.

During the four years covered by the grant, Tech Garden employees will collaborate with colleagues at the Syracuse Center of Excellence, the Metropolitan Development Association and Central New York colleges and universities to assist new companies involved with renewable energy or clean technology.

The article also mentions Paterson's announcement about the energy-efficiency programs that NYSERDA will undertake during the next few years with $277 million in additional funding to be collected from utility ratepayers.

The state Public Service Commission in mid-2008 authorized an increase in energy-efficiency funding from $175 million a year to $347 million a year through 2011. The money is collected through the "system benefit charge" on utility bills. Some goes to NYSERDA, some to utility programs.


Here's how NYSERDA will spend its new money:

• $16.9 million for technical assistance to businesses, nonprofits and schools.

Read more here.

Accelerate Central NY Conference Announced

Accelerate CNY is a conference presented by regional business and economic development organizations seeking to foster economic vitality and environmental stewardship in New York’s Creative Core. The event caters to businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals interested in learning about the latest trends in technology, manufacturing, energy and the environment.

The half-day program provides a compact schedule, perfect for professionals, and will be held at the Convention Center at Oncenter. Continental breakfast, a networking reception and 13 educational workshops organized into four tracks; including technology, manufacturing, business growth, and sustainability and energy.