Resources
Managing Resumption Risks
June 24, 2020 To manage compliance and legal risks related to reopening offices, consider these 3 core values and 4 action items. Resumption Values Unbiased Many organizations were forced to furlough or lay off employees during the initial phases of the pandemic. Decisions about which employees will be invited to return or be rehired exposes … Continued
Politics and Vigilance: Election-Year Risks and Your Nonprofit
(download The Political Risk issue of Risk Management Essentials, here.) By Glenn Mott NRMC is grateful to attorney Cindy Lewin, Partner and co-chair of the Nonprofit Organizations practice at Venable, for speaking with us about some of the risks that nonprofit organizations face during an election cycle. Prior to joining Venable, Cindy served as executive … Continued
Politics and Vigilance: Election-Year Risks and Your Nonprofit
(download The Political Risk issue of Risk Management Essentials, here.) By Glenn Mott NRMC is grateful to attorney Cindy Lewin, Partner and co-chair of the Nonprofit Organizations practice at Venable, for speaking with us about some of the risks that nonprofit organizations face during an election cycle. Prior to joining Venable, Cindy served as executive … Continued
High or Dry: Weed and the Workplace
By Melanie Lockwood Herman Is your nonprofit workplace a “drug-free” zone? Although nonprofit leaders are in agreement that impaired staff pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of people who serve and receive services, the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana creates a host of challenges for nonprofit employers who wish to take a stand … Continued
Bylaws: The “Constitution” on Nonprofits
This webinar will address the art and science of drafting nonprofit bylaws that work. Well-written and formulated bylaws help shape power relationships within a nonprofit organization, provide unambiguous procedures to prevent disputes, and reduce the risks of litigation. Bylaws should provide answers, not raise questions. Come with questions and leave with clarity and confidence in … Continued
Lost in Space: Managing Facility Rental Risks
By Melanie Lockwood Herman The goal of maximizing the use of your nonprofit’s facilities is an admirable one. For many organizations, permitting—or encouraging—other nonprofits to use temporarily or regularly vacant space is a practical way to advance your organization’s reputation in the community and support the missions of kindred agencies. Despite the myriad potential upsides … Continued
Managing Interns & Risk: Let’s Dive In(ternships)
By Christine Smith Now that summer is officially in full swing, you may be spending part of the summer at the pool, beach, or a waterpark. I’ve opted to spend my summer interning with the NRMC! In the past month, I have started to realize why employers often prefer prospective candidates with internship experience. Thus … Continued
Foreign Agent Registration & Funding Restrictions for NGOs
By Erin Gloeckner Any U.S.-based nonprofit that operates internationally must cling to a complex web of regulations in each country where its presence is felt. Local labor laws, restrictions on financial transactions and banking, and restrictions on the use of foreign consultants are just a few of the hoops that U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must … Continued
Go Global and Get Local: Complying with International Employment Laws
By Emily Stumhofer Beginning work in a new country can be very exciting and a great way to further your organization’s goals and mission. Whether your organization provides educational opportunities or medical care or aid after an emergency, providing services in another country can open the door to a variety of new opportunities and challenges. … Continued
Contracting Risk: Frameworks for Success
Every nonprofit enters into contracts. From the simplest contract with a volunteer to a complex agreement with a technology vendor, every contract is a potential risk management tool. But a poorly written contract can expose a nonprofit to greater risk than not having a contract in the first place. This webinar explores the key elements … Continued
No Fun Until You Sign a Waiver!
Often without knowing exactly why, the leaders of most youth-serving organizations recognize the inherent weakness in asking children to sign contracts. Therefore, it has become common practice to either ask parents or guardians to waive their right to sue the nonprofit for injuries their child sustains, or to ask both the child participant and a … Continued
EPLI: What You Need to Know
Employment practices liability insurance has been available to nonprofit employers for decades. EPL policies generally respond to claims alleging wrongful employment practices, such as sexual harassment and illegal discrimination. This webinar will cover the “ins” and “outs” of EPLI so you can gauge the coverage your nonprofit needs. Topics to be covered include nuances of … Continued
Federal and State Employment Law Update
This webinar will offer a fast-paced update on the changing landscape of federal and state employment laws. Attend this session to learn about new laws (e.g., ban the box” legislation and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act), amendments to existing laws (e.g., the Dodd-Frank Act amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act), and new interpretations of … Continued
Risk-Aware Contracting: What You Don’t Know Could Cost You
Contracts are unavoidable. They are the mainstay of relationships with independent contractors, vendors, other service providers, landlords, to name a few. Yet negotiating sound contracts requires time, understanding and some practical experience with contracting potholes and pitfalls. This webinar will identify common contracting mistakes and offer practical steps to steer clear of the dangers that … Continued
Whistleblower and Retaliation Claims: Policies that Protect Your Nonprofit
A nonprofit organization has a responsibility to the public, the clients, its employees, volunteers, and donors to conduct its affairs ethically and in compliance with laws and regulations. When a volunteer or employee challenges a nonprofit’s conduct by “blowing the whistle,” legal protections apply that all nonprofits need to be prepared to handle expertly. Failure … Continued
Employment Practices Litigation: Lessons for Nonprofit Employers
Claims alleging wrongful employment practices are among the most costly claims filed against nonprofits. And, according to several insurers, employment claims represent more than 90% of all claims filed under nonprofit directors’ and officers’ liability policies. This Web Seminar will explore lessons learned from employment litigation involving nonprofits. Watch this Web Seminar if: You want … Continued
Mind the Paper and the Vapor: Document Destruction and Your Nonprofit
What to keep and what to toss. Can paper and electronic files come back to help or haunt your nonprofit? This 60-minute session will provide you with what you need to know to make the decisions and set a plan in motion to clean house. Share this webinar with colleagues responsible for hiring/supervising/firing, financials and … Continued
Managing Domestic Violence in the Workplace: Protecting Your Staff and Your Nonprofit
Employers who address domestic violence can provide real help to victims and reduce the associated risks to the nonprofit. Domestic violence can affect the workplace in many ways from lost productivity, to the failure to accommodate a worker that may be mandated by federal or state law. Learn about new laws in a growing number … Continued
Contracting Do’s, Don’ts & Musts for Nonprofits
Nonprofit managers and leaders sign contracts on a regular basis. But too often we take pen in hand without first taking time to make certain that we understand the language in front of us. Even fewer people give contracts the time they require to understand whether they are in the nonprofit’s best interests or require … Continued
Managing Legal Risks in a Nonprofit
The American legal system is the subject of ongoing debate, countless publications, and a growing number of television dramas and situation comedies. It’s even the stuff good novels are made of. Yet the legal field is intimidating – many laypersons (non lawyers) feel that lawyers speak a different language, view the world through a lens … Continued
Third-Party Harassment: Is Your Nonprofit at Risk?
This 60-minute seminar offers a practical look at the topic of third-party harassment. While most nonprofit leaders are aware of their obligations to reduce the risk of harassment between staff members, greater awareness of third-party harassment is needed to adequately protect an organization. Do your supervisors know that the organization could be found legally responsible … Continued
Regulating Conduct Outside Work Hours: Practical Strategies for Nonprofit Employers
Recent litigation against employers has established the legality of regulating out of office conduct by employees under certain circumstances. A closer look at litigation in this area reveals practical lessons for the uncertain nonprofit employer. Watch this Web Seminar if: Your nonprofit has existing rules which prohibit or require certain behavior by staff when they … Continued
Respect Your Intellect!
November 12, 2015 From time to time the Center receives questions about intellectual property rights and the potential exposure facing a nonprofit when it “borrows” narrative or graphic content. We urge our clients and members to not only protect their intellectual property but to also respect the intellect of others by managing the risk of … Continued
Great Communication Mitigates Risk
By Melanie Lockwood Herman Last week we welcomed a new staff member to the Center, Arley Turner. At the Center, communication skills top the list of what it takes to get hired and succeed. So for this week’s RISK eNews, we decided to try something new: a conversation about the interplay of communication, risk and … Continued
Employee or Independent Contractor? Making the Proper Determination in Your Nonprofit
This 60-minute seminar provides practical tips on determining whether someone working on your behalf is an employee or an independent contractor. Unfortunately, many nonprofits get into trouble by choosing the most convenient option, versus what is legally required. Does your nonprofit have a framework for determining the classification of workers? Do you know what questions … Continued