Nonprofit Utopia Podcast

The Role of the Church in Community Development

Today’s episode is “The Role of Church and Community Development”.  We will discuss the history of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and its impact on community and society in particular and the role of the Church, in general, and its responsibility to community. 
Our guest for today is Rev. Albert D. Tyson III, the Presiding Elder of the North District, Chicago Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. The AME Church was founded in 1787, and has a mission to minister to the social, spiritual, and physical development of all people.
Elder Tyson is highly involved in the AME Church, and the community and civic affairs of Chicago and beyond.  His resume is extensive, and time does not permit me to share it all, but here are a few highlights.  Elder Tyson is a member of the Board of Examiners of the Chicago Conference African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served as the Vice-President and and the Parliamentarian of the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Organizing Project (IOP).  Elder Tyson also has served as the Treasurer, and eventually, the President, of the Near Westside Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC). He is a former member of the Board of Trustees for Chicago City Colleges and was recently appointed as a commissioner with the Chicago Public Building Commission. 
Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

'Tis the Season for Compliance

Being a member of the board of directors for a nonprofit organization is not to be taken lightly.  There are a number of responsibilities, including maintaining compliance with regulators and funders.  On top of that, the political season is upon us, and church and nonprofit leaders would like to engage in civic affairs without jeopardizing their organizations’ tax-exempt status.
Tune in to Nonprofit “U” when  Jody Adler, the Director of the Law Project, discusses the board’s role in maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations; differences between political activities and lobbying; activities in which tax-exempt organizations and churches can and cannot engage; and an overview of the Law Project’s Compliance Institute. member of the board of directors for a nonprofit organization is not to be taken lightly.  There are a number of responsibilities, including maintaining compliance with regulators and funders.  On top of that, the political season is upon us, and church and nonprofit leaders would like to engage in civic affairs without jeopardizing their organizations’ tax-exempt status.
Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.
 

Fundraising Strategies That Work

Brenda Palms Barber moved to Chicago 15 years ago and started the North Lawndale Employment Network to assist returning citizens transition back to society through employment and other resources. Under her leadership, NLEN has grown from 2 to 21 employees, and provides job training and financial literacy to over 2,000 men and women.
Tune in to Nonprofit “U” when Brenda discusses proven strategies for effective fundraising.  Topics will include stakeholder engagement, diversifying income streams, social enterprise and nonprofit compliance. Brenda will also share a case study written by Kathleen Fletcher so that participants can immediately apply lessons learned and discuss them. Download the case study at https://www.scribd.com/doc/296594725/Fundraising-Training-What-is-the-Color-of-Their-Money-2
Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

TIF Notes

 
The TIF Illumination Project  produces reports to track the performance of Chicago’s TIFs. Among their findings were:  Total expenditures from Chicago’s TIFs in 2014 were $638.3 million. This represented an increase from 2013 of $265.4 million or 71%) This is how much all of Chicago’s TIF districts spent in 2014. The biggest spender was the Near South TIF with $102.3 million. $28 million will go to subsidize the development of the Marriot’s Hotel on the McCormick Place campus. $53.2 million went to the Board of Education for the Jones College Prep High School. $11.6 million went to the CTA for construction of the new Cermak Road Green Line station.
 Join us as we talk with Tom Tresser,  the lead organizer for the TIF Illumination Project to discuss the pros and cons of TIFs and their impact to Chicago and local communities. Here is a link to the 2014 TIF Analysis. http://www.tifreports.com/2014-tif-analysis/
Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.