Tips & Tools

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation primarily invests resources in four key areas that are essential to creating and sustaining strong communities: Education, Environment, Community Enrichment, and Entrepreneurship. Georgia-Pacific leverages these four key areas ("The Four Es") to impact communities.

Requests for support will be accepted between January 1st and October 31st. No requests will be accepted after the annual deadline. Requests should be postmarked by October 31st for current year consideration.

See http://www.gp.com/gpfoundation/ for additional details.

Grants made by MVAT are for military and veterans groups who support or provide services to promote and enrich the lives of active and retired military and their families. Included are educational and research programs that directly benefit veterans or who educate the public about veterans.  Organizations must be IRS tax exempt public charities, 501(c)(3).

See additional details at http://www.mvat.org/grants/

The Genographic Legacy Fund, a program of the National Geographic Society, awards grants for community-driven projects directly preserving or revitalizing indigenous or traditional culture.

Funded projects have included documenting a traditional language, oral history, or ceremony; creating culturally specific educational materials and programs; establishing a local museum or archive; intergenerational knowledge sharing; and preserving significant sites and artifacts.

Projects must show a strong level of local community involvement in their planning, governance, and implementation. It is strongly preferred that the project manager be a member of the indigenous community. If the project manager is from outside the indigenous community, he or she must show that they have a strong and well-documented relationship with the indigenous group.

Awards will typically not exceed $25,000. Applications are due September 15, 2013.

https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/legacy-fund/legacy-fund-grants/

The MAP (Multi-Arts Production) Fund, administered by Creative Capital, supports original new work in all disciplines and traditions of the live performing arts. MAP assists artists, ensembles, producers, and presenters of a high artistic standard, whose work in the disciplines of contemporary performance embodies a spirit of exploration and deep inquiry. MAP is particularly interested in work that examines notions of cultural difference or "the other," be that in class, gender, generation, race, religion, sexual orientation or other aspects of diversity. Grants range from $10,000 to $45,000, with an average of $25,000. Applications for MAP grants must come from U.S. nonprofit organizations. (Artists or ensembles may apply through a fiscal sponsor.) Applying organizations and artists must demonstrate at least two years of professional experience. The online letter of inquiry process opens September 9, 2013, with a due date of October 4, 2013. Invited proposals must be submitted by December 9, 2013. Visit the MAP website for eligibility information and application guidelines.

The Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund supports cities that work to engage citizens in efforts to address pressing city needs through impact volunteering. More information at the following link:

Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund

We pride ourselves in providing excellent customer service.  It is our number 1 priority as a company.  A very close number 2 is to be a responsible company utilizing resources to the best of our ability to leave the world in as best shape for the next generation as possible.

How we do this:

• Using FSC sourced 100% recycled paper
• Recycling 100% of paper products and almost all other recyclable materials used by our company
• Recycling lanyards and name badge holders
• Giving preference to eco-friendly hotel and conference centers
• Utilizing green web hosting serviced by 100% wind power
  

All the non-profits we work with are thrilled to receive a large grant or contribution.  But there are different ways to treat these occasions in your accounting.  Read this article on the topic to be prepared on how to deal with it. 

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is a nationwide program that honors young people in grades 5-12 who are volunteering in their communities. Youth who have engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred during the 12 months prior to the date of application are eligible to apply. Local Honorees are selected in November and from these winners two State Honorees are chosen in each state and the District of Columbia. State Honorees receive an award of $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC for national recognition events. Out of the State Honorees, ten National Honorees are selected to receive an additional award of $5,000 as well as a $5,000 grant for a nonprofit organization of their choice. The application deadline is November 6, 2012. Visit the Prudential website for online application information.

When it comes to hotel cancellation clauses, what you don't negotiate can cost you.  See this article from Exhibitor magazine for some good tips in dealing with hotel cancellation clauses, including a sample clause. Protect your organization!

Planning for the unplanned:
How to limit your liability

By Qualena Odom-Royes, CSEP, CMP

By definition, liability is the state of being legally responsible for something or someone because of your failure to act. True, it may not always be our fault, but as super meeting planners we must take precautions to mitigate the potential liability at each of our events.

Here are some simple tips to limit liability.

Food & beverage

We know that a little bit of alcohol can get the ball rolling at an event. We also know that there will always be someone who has had one too many:

• Serve a signature beverage instead of having a full bar.
  
• Serve just beer and wine.
  
• Opt for a cocktail hour, which can reduce alcohol consumption.
  
• Use licensed bartenders.