Pro Bono Partnership

237 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605  914.328.0674  203.357.1111
744 Broad Street, Suite 1815, Newark, NJ 07102  973.273.0600
www.probonopartnership.org

Spring 2004

What’s New at the Pro Bono Partnership

 

The Pro Bono Partnership has named its 2003 Volunteers of the Year:  Anahaita Kotval, David Fritz and Susan Corcoran, the Johnson & Johnson legal department, and Robinson & Cole.   Read all about it.

 

The Pro Bono Partnership is pleased to welcome new volunteers since January 2004:  Click Here for a listing of new volunteers from the following corporate legal departments and law firms: 

 

New Publications posted on the Pro Bono Partnership Website

 

We are pleased to announce that the following new publication is now available on our website:

  • “Can I disclose this information?” Confidentiality Issues for Nonprofits.   This article, reprinted with permission from Community Action Program Legal Services, Inc., summarizes basic legal issues faced by all nonprofits when confronting privacy and confidentiality issues.  Click Here

·         We’ve also added two helpful links from our Publications page to the Independent Sector’s Sample Code of Ethics (http://www.independentsector.org/members/code_main.html) and to a quick tutorial on federal lobbying law that can be found on Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest’s web page at  (http://www.clpi.org/lobby_law.html).

 

Spotlight on Clients and Volunteers
  • Merck & Co.  volunteers assist Parkside Business and Community Partnership in Camden, NJ  Read all about it.
  • Michelle Riordan of Jackson Lewis LLP assists in a Connecticut wage and hour matter, relieving a Partnership client of thousands of dollars in back wages, interest and penalties.  Read about it.
  • Attorneys from Honeywell International, Pitney Hardin, Shipman & Goodwin LLP and Wiggin & Dana assist nonprofits in recent mergers.  Read all about it.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Every day nonprofits call the Partnership’s office with questions about their day-to-day operations.  New questions addressed in this issue include:  What sorts of situations result in conflicts of interest?  When is a board member liable for accounting errors?  Do board meetings have to be open to the public?  What steps can a nonprofit take to protect its name and logo?  By following this link to the Partnership’s website, you can review our staff attorneys’ responses to these frequently asked questions.  Click Here

 

Upcoming Legal Workshops

 

The Pro Bono Partnership offers LEGAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS that are designed for staff and trustees of nonprofit organizations.  Click here for a schedule of upcoming workshops.

 

Legal Alerts and Recent Developments

 

Updates concerning the Internal Revenue Service

·         The IRS is planning to unveil an electronic filing process for 990’s this spring.  But be aware, if you plan to attach any documents, such as recently amended Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, you won’t be able to file electronically, since attachments are not possible through the electronic filing method.

  • The IRS has issued a revised publication that covers a variety of issues relating to charitable contributions. Click Here to view the updated IRS Publication 526.

 

Two new IRS Publications are available on the IRS website that provide helpful information:  IRS Pub. 4221 is an on-line brochure that provides guidance for nonprofit organizations on record keeping and public disclosure requirements. IRS Pub. 4220 is an on-line brochure outlining the process of applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Both publications are available from the IRS Web Site.

 

New York:

·        Reminder:  Charities are not permitted to engage a professional fundraiser without first receiving written confirmation that the fundraiser has registered with the Attorney General pursuant to Article 7-A.  www.oag.state.ny.us/charities/statute_booklet.pdf.  If the fundraiser fails to register, the Attorney General can suspend or deny the registration of either the charity or the fundraiser. The requirement to register applies only to outside consultants; not employees, volunteers or trustees, who are engaged in fundraising.

 

Connecticut:

·       Don’t forget:  CT nonstock corporations have two different annual state filing requirements.  Organizations are required to file an Annual Report with the CT Secretary of State, updating its information on file with that office; additionally, nonprofits that solicit are required to register, and annually file, with the Public Charities Unit (a joint unit of the Dept of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General) under the CT Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act.  To learn more about this Act, Click Here. 

 

·        ]The website for the State of CT Department of Labor also provides useful information for employers and employees, including frequently asked questions on unemployment insurance benefits.  Click Here.

 

New Jersey: 

·         The Department of Labor, State of NJ provides two helpful resources: one, a downloadable booklet covering the state’s Unemployment and Disability Insurance Program, describes regulations governing temporary disability and unemployment insurance benefits.  Click Here.  The other resource is an internet site which answers frequently asked questions about wage and hour laws, such as overtime and payroll deductions.  Click Here.  

 

                                                                                              

 

To apply for legal assistance from the Pro Bono Partnership

 in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, please

 click here.

 

The information provided in this email newsletter was prepared by Pro Bono Partnership for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter; nor does the distribution or receipt of this e-newsletter signify an attorney-client relationship between Pro Bono Partnership and the recipient.  The content of this e-newsletter is subject to copyright protection.