Nation's Nonprofits Submit Recommendations to President-elect Obama 

Wisconsin Nonprofits Association was asked to provide through our national organization National Council of Nonprofits, (NCN)** to President Elect Obama's transition team with policy recommendations from the nonprofit perspective. We are delighted to share these "Recommendations to the Presidential Transition Team". So we write to share these recommendations, the following background and important analysis with you.

The package responds to the Transition Team's request for a one-page summary about specific items, plus it adds several one-page explanations to provide important background.

Please share the package with your staff members, board members, and public policy committee members because it offers key policy analysis and detail about possible new programs. No proposed policy packet ever gets 100% support, especially within a diverse membership organization that spans a state or the nation, so you may disagree with a particular item among the 27 specific recommendations, but the package as a whole serves as a great resource for several issues and shows how we can tell our story.

Your membership in WNA means we all have a greater voice, both in Madison and in DC. As noted on page 11 of the package, when the American people come together through nonprofits, we can amplify our voices. Plus, when we as nonprofits come together through WNA and then through the National Council of Nonprofits, we amplify the voices of nonprofits and the people we serve.

Finally, let me share the excitement I had when reading all of the different ideas being exchanged by all of the state nonprofit associations. As the National Council of Nonprofits wrote when sending us this final package: 

"Without your prompt expertise from the field, this rapid package of recommendations would not have been possible. Thanks for serving our collective network of nonprofits. Together, through our state focus, we have a national voice, delivering local impact."

Click here to review the package.
 

** WNA members are automatically also members of the National Council of Nonprofits.

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Your thoughts are also being requested by the transition team

Here’s another chance to share your voice go to "Ideas for Change in America" | Change.org and MySpace have joined together to launch the "Ideas for Change in America" project to find the most exciting new policy ideas for the Obama Administration. Beginning January there’s a second round of voting – speak up for the difference that nonprofits make.  AND/OR

It's easy to make your voice heard -- and give and receive feedback on questions posed by the Change.gov community.

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Important Resources for Your Organization:
Nonprofit organizations play a central role in the policy-making process by promoting the common good and providing a means for public participation. Engaging constituents in public policy and advocacy activities assists in fulfilling missions and promoting community interest. Policy Advocacy Can Serve Your Mission

Alliance For Justice
Advocacy support organization that strengthens the advocacy capacity of nonprofits. Resources include: technical assistance, workshops, publications, a lawyer and accountant network, and a wealth of tools and information. Visit their website

NP Action
MUST VISIT. Nonprofit advocacy capacity building organization hosted by OMB Watch. Resources include: Nonprofit Congress information, advocacy guides, and legal information.  Visit their website

Nonprofit Economic Vitality Center
A resouce for nonprofits coping with the economy.  The National Council of Nonprofits developed this ever-evolving resource to help nonprofits and our allies better understand the situation and have ready access to strategies to help you navigate the economy so nonprofits can serve their communities more efficiently.

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In the News:
Obama Must Mobilize Supporters to Help Nonprofits
"What the nation needs is an emergency program to rescue failing nonprofits while protecting healthy nonprofits from further job freezes and cuts. Such a program would involve two initiatives..." Read Paul C. Light's full article in The Washington Post>>

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