About the ADVANCEMENT Discussion Forum

The ADVANCEMENT discussion forum focuses on any and all aspects of the college or university advancement department. Since advancement properly encompasses such areas as alumni relations, fund development, asset and endowment management, public relations, etc., this forum is quite broad in scope. Think of it as an extension of your advancement office where you can tap into the collective wisdom of your colleagues in other advancement offices who are facing the same kinds of challenges you are.

This forum is particularly of interest to college or university presidents, vice-presidents of advancement (or equivalent), directors of development, and other high-level members of the advancement team.  Though discussions tend to be focus on US and Canadian advancement topics, it is open to any person interested in the topic, from any country.

About the ACCOUNTING-NP Discussion Forum

The ACCOUNTING-NP discussion forum focuses on any and all accounting issues relating to nonprofit organizations/NGOs. Typical discussions include how to account for charitable contributions, financial statements, Sarbanes-Oxley (in the US context), accounting software, etc. This forum is particularly of interest to executive directors and other senior executives, accountants, lawyers and consultants.  It is open to any person interested in the topic, from any country. 

About the ACCOUNTABILITY Discussion Forum

The ACCOUNTABILITY discussion forum focuses on the question of how transparent nonprofit organizations and NGOs should be when dealing with the public. For example, what information should be made readily available to the public upon request? What should be published to the organization's or institution's web site?  What information should taxing authorities make available to the public? What should be contained in public disclosures?

This forum is particularly of interest to executive directors and other senior executives, accountants, lawyers, regulators, journalists and consultants.  It is open to any person interested in the topic, from any country.

About the ANNUAL_FUND Discussion Forum

Covers all aspects of the annual fund form of fund raising.  It is a long-standing discussion community that enjoys getting into the nuts and bolts of managing the annual fund.

This forum is appropriate for anyone who manages the annual fund such as the annual fund director or manager, or who is responsible for assessing the strategic value of such a program such as executive directors, vice presidents, board members, and consultants.  Although discussions center on US and Canadian programs, anyone involved with the annual fund from any organization or institution anywhere in the world may participate.

About the BOARDS Discussion Forum

The BOARDS discussion forum focuses on any and all aspects of nonprofit organization/NGO governance.  Discussions include board member recruitment and retention, board member accountability, charitable contributions by board members (or lack thereof), board meetings and proceedings, etc.  Discussions also include legal and ethical issues that relate to board members, such as board member liability to third parties who sue the organization, board members who seek to do business with the organization on whose board they server, excess benefit transactions and the risk of intermediate sanctions (US context), Sarbanes-Oxley (US context), bylaws, committees, etc.

This forum is particularly of interest to board members, executive directors, and senior staff officers of nonprofit/voluntary organizations.  Discussions tend to center around US and Canadian board and governance issues, but the forum is open to any person interested in the topic, from any country.

About the CANADATALK Discussion Forum

The "Big Tent" discussion forum of the Canadian nonprofit world (modeled after the popular forum CHARITYTALK).  Discusses literally any topic in the Canadian voluntary sector, with an emphasis on philanthropy.

This forum is of interest to any Canadian voluntary-sector professional who would enjoy conversing with colleagues who don't necessarily work in the same segment of the sector as you do.  As a "Big Tent" forum, the forum offers a diverse array of viewpoints — with the common touchstone being that participants are part of the Canadian third sector. 

About the CAPTALK Discussion Forum

The CAPTALK discussion forum focuses on any and all aspects of the capital campaign.  Topics include the feasibility study (including whether or not to have one), the quiet phase, the public phase, how to rescue a flagging capital campaign, hiring consultants, public relations and the capital campaign, lead gifts, board-member giving, gift planning, and more.

This forum is particularly of interest to college or university presidents, executive directors, vice-presidents, directors of development, board members, consultants, and anyone else directly involved in the capital campaign planning or execution.  Although discussions tend to revolve around US and Canadian capital campaign topics, this forum is open to anyone anywhere in any country who is interested in the topic. 

About the CFRESEARCH Discussion Forum

The CFRESEARCH discussion forum focuses on any and all aspects of corporate and foundation prospect research. Discussions are wide-ranging and tend to come from the perspective of prospect researchers, although proposal writers and corporate and foundation fundraisers are welcome. CFRESEARCH discussion topics include: differences between researching individuals and researching organizations, ethics in research, proposal writing, finding corporate and foundation funding, etc.

Anyone involved in corporate and/or foundation research will find CFRESEARCH a valuable professional resource.

About the CHARITYBOOKS Discussion Forum

The CHARITYBOOKS discussion forum focuses all aspects of writing, publishing, marketing, and review of nonprofit-sector books.

This forum is particularly of interest to colleagues who have written, are writing, and hope to write books on subjects of interest to nonprofit-sector professionals.  It is also of interest to publishers of such books as well as to those who review such books for their colleagues -- such as for CharityChannel's WE REVIEW  series. 

About the CHARITY-HR Discussion Forum

The CHARITY-HR discussion forum focuses on human resources issues and challenges faced by nonprofit organizations.  Discussions include such topics as employee policy manuals, employment law, discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, setting compensation to ensure that it is not excessive vis-a-vis the laws relating to intermediate sanctions (US context), executive recruitment, position descriptions, workplace safety, and more.

This forum is particularly of interest to executive directors, vice presidents, and others who hire and supervise employees.  It will also be of interest to human resource directors.  Although the forum deals primarily with US and Canadian nonprofit organization human resource issues and challenges, it is open to any colleague anywhere in the world who is interested in the topic.

About the CHARITY-PR Discussion Forum

The CHARITY-PR discussion forum focuses on any and all aspects of communications between the nonprofit organization and internal constituencies, external constituencies, and/or the public.  Discussion topics include message formulation, branding, media relations, and crisis communications.

This forum is particularly of interest to executive directors, fund development professionals, public relations professionals, consultants and others who deal with communications challenges in the nonprofit organization.  Though discussions tend to be focus on US and Canadian public relations topics, it is open to any person interested in the topic, from any country. 

About the CHARITYLAW Discussion Forum

The CHARITYLAW discussion forum focuses on the US law of tax-exempt organizations.  Topics include such entity issues as formation, dissolution, conflict of interest, articles of incorporation, bylaws, minutes, etc., and such tax issues as UBIT, intermediate sanctions, acquiring and losing exempt status, IRS Form 990, etc. The forum also discusses state jurisdiction issues relating to interstate activity such as Internet-based solicitation and acceptance of charitable contributions. There are occasional discussions relating to gift planning, though such discussions primarily take place on CharityChannel's PLANNEDGIVING forum.

This forum is particularly of interest to US-based executive directors and other nonprofit-organization administrators, board members, lawyers, accountants, consultants, and others who have an interest in discussing legal issues. 

About the PLANNEDGIVING Discussion Forum

The PLANNEDGIVING discussion forum focuses on any and all aspects of gift planning and gift management in the United States. Typical discussions include use of split-interest trusts such as charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and pooled income funds; gift acceptance policies; ethical issues; brainstorming over how to structure a particular gift; tax law and regulations, etc. Although the focus is on the planning aspects, discussions sometimes arise over how to build and sustain charitable planned giving programs.

This forum is particularly of interest to those working as planned giving officers or who effectively perform as such. It is also of interest to others in a fund development office who are simply curious about planned giving. The forum is also of interest to those who advise nonprofit organizations and/or donors on gift planning, such as attorneys, accountants and consultants.

About the CHARITYTALK Discussion Forum

CHARITYTALK is the "Big Tent" discussion forum of the nonprofit world. Forum discussions are often original, and always edifying — yet always anchored to a topic of interest to busy nonprofit-sector professionals. Colleagues on the forum are some of the first members of the CharityChannel professional community. Indeed, CHARITYTALK, launched in 1992 under a different name, is the forum that sparked the creation of CharityChannel.

While other CharityChannel forums are organized according to specific subject matter, CHARITYTALK is organized on the idea that we can benefit by having a dialog with those who do not necessarily share our professional area of expertise. Thus, this forum is for anyone involved in any facet of the third sector, with any level of experience.

About the CONSULTANTS Discussion Forum

Discussions focus on the day-to-day challenges of consulting to nonprofit organizations, with an emphasis on the business challenges and opportunities.

CONSULTANTS is a forum for active consultants, and those seriously considering moving into consulting.

The forum allows for discussion of the business of consulting in relation to Canadian geography, law, government and more. The list can be also used to develop collaborations and local get-togethers. While the intent is to form a virtual Canadian community, non-Canadians are welcome if they are consulting in Canada.

CONSULTANTS-CANADA is open to Canadian consultants (self-employed, with a firm or with a nonprofit such as a management support organization) with a significant part of their work involving consulting to Canadian nonprofits. 

Welcoming Message from Jane Garthson, List Moderator

Are you a Canadian consultant to nonprofits? If so, you may belong to organization for consultants (like the Association of Independent Consultants) or one focused on your specialty (such as AFP). But you likely have no member group focused on the business of consulting to nonprofits. Only a small number of Canadians belong to the Alliance for Nonprofit Management, which is based in the USA.

I have been to four conferences of the Alliance, and always find it inspiring to be among others who build capacity in the voluntary sector. We talk about issues such as new tools and resources for consultants, how to measure our outcomes when working with nonprofits, how to help communities and nonprofits collaborate, how to competently service diverse organizations and communities, and what ethical standards we apply to our work.Whether you are in a management support organization, a foundation, a consulting firm or self-employed, this forum is to allow you to discuss these issues in a Canadian context. A significant part of your work should be with Canadian-based nonprofits. Feel free to include advocacy issues specific to any level of Canadian government and relevant to our nonprofits, remembering to do so from a consulting viewpoint not a soapbox.

Please start by introducing yourself by saying how long you have been consulting to nonprofits, where you are in Canada and mentioning one (1) current project or plan where you might want some feedback, referrals or assistance. This is to help us get to know each other — we are not your target audience for marketing pieces! Include your web site to make it easy for those who want to learn more about your business.

Think of DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE as an electronic extension of your organization's or institution's development office.  Imagine being able to tap into the collective wisdom of thousands of development professionals any time you need to.  In a very real sense, you'll be part of the largest and most knowledgeable development office in the world. 

The concept of DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE goes back to the roots of CharityChannel's founding in 1992, when our first email-based discussion list was created to enable the development team of a US nonprofit hospital chain to discuss development issues and challenges with their colleagues in other development offices.

Discussions on DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE will mirror those that go on in development offices everywhere. Expect to see discussions on donor research, donor cultivation, donor tracking, gift planning challenges and solutions, gift acceptance policies, gift management policies, donor recognition policies, the capital campaign, grant writing, volunteer management, the annual fund, special events, and other aspects of development. Expect, also, to see issues relating to management of a fund development program, such as budgeting, hiring and firing, whether or not to start or increase support to a planned giving program, accountability, etc. These are just suggestive topics, of course -- as a broad forum, questions will be as varied as are the challenges in any development office.

While it's true that CharityChannel hosts discussion forums that focus on a particular aspect of a development program -- such as planned giving, annual fund, capital campaign, accountability, events, etc. -- there is synergistic value in participating in a broad-based discussion forum that reflects the breadth of the development office as a whole. DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE is such a forum.

DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE is particularly appropriate for executive directors, vice-presidents, and development officers.  It is open to any person working in a development office, or who advises a development program. 

While discussion will tend to focus on US and Canadian development office challenges, it is open to colleagues from any country with development-office challenges.

Development writing takes many forms and crosses many disciplines within the development arena. This is the first forum dedicated to all aspects of development writing.  Topics inlcude writing copy for appeal letters and other mailing pieces, drafting grant proposals, and just about any kind of writing that is done within the context of the development office.

The DEV-WRITING forum is for anyone working in a development office who writes as part of the fund development process.

A chief executive officer of a nonprofit organization — typically the executive director —  often can benefit from participating in a professional discussion community with others in the same role at other organizations. The EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR discussion forum is open to individuals who are currently serving as the chief executive officer of a nonprofit organization, large or small, or who have served in the role for at least one year some time within the preceding two years from joining the list.

EPHIL-TECH covers all aspects of electronic philanthropy — which includes on-line charitable giving but goes substantially beyond that subject to explore how electronic philanthropy impacts, interfaces with, and integrates with the nonprofit organization's overall development program.

The forum also discusses any and all aspects of technology within the noprofit context, making this a truly broad forum. Leading-edge Internet and other technology is being harnessed by nonprofit organizations to raise funds, manage and mine donor databases, communicate with supporters, and run more efficiently. The sheer pace of technological advances raises new questions concerning on-line accountability, ethics, privacy, law, and more. EPHIL-TECH encompasses the broader voluntary-sector social, management, strategic, legal, policy, privacy, and other issues brought about by the ever-increasing pace of technology — especially Internet technology.

This forum is particularly of interest to nonprofit organization leaders such as executive directors, vice-presidents and directors who recognize the power of a well-conceived and executed e-philanthropy component to their fund development program.  It is also for those working to build and manage e-philanthropy programs and systems, including those with hands-on technical duties. Colleagues from the consulting world, or who provide software and/or services, are welcome to participate so long as they don't push their own products and services or use the forum as a marketing opportunity (per forum rules).

Despite its name, it is not a "techno-geek" forum and welcomes individuals with little or no technical background, those who have a sweeping and in-depth knowledge of the Internet and other technologies, and everyone in between. The list is for anyone working for or on behalf of a nonprofit organization/NGO, including executive directors, vice presidents and directors who are responsible for strategic planning and resource allocation for their organization; information services professionals; consultants; software providers; service providers; attorneys; journalists; and more.

The EVENTS forum focuses on the any aspect of strategy, planning and execution of special events conducted for or on behalf of nonprofit organizations/NGOs. Discussions include the role of events in an organization's overall fund development program, planning for events, and challenges relating to putting on events.

Anyone working for or on behalf of a nonprofit organization/NGO who is involved in the strategy, planning and/or execution of events.  It is appropriate for director- and coordinator-level practitioners as well as for consultants who advise fund development programs.

The GRANTS forum focuses on any and all aspects of the foundation grant-seeking and grant-funding process. Discussions are wide-ranging and tend to come from the perspective of grant writers, though every now and again a funder will jump into the discussion since the forum subject area encompasses not just grant-seeking, but funding of grants.GRANTS is one of CharityChannel's most popular discussion communities.

Anyone involved in either the grant-seeking or funding will find GRANTS a valuable professional resources. Members of the GRANTS discussion community include grant writers who work for nonprofit organizations, as well as grant-writing consultants. The forum also is comprised of foundation board members and officers, and others involved in the funding process.

The DONORRESEARCH-L forum focuses on all aspects of donor research. The forum is a leading and essential resource for fundraisers who specialize in research and information management.

Colleagues on the forum discuss real-world challenges in development research, including the sharing of information resources, ethics, technology, legal issues such as privacy, and much more.

The popular STEWARDSHIP forum encompasses professional-level discussions of all aspects of donor relations and stewardship. Colleagues on the forum discuss real-world challenges and opportunities with each other, help each other to remain abreast of developments in the field, and discuss legal and ethical challenges. The forum has proven to be an essential resource for advancement and development professionals who are responsible for setting policy for donor relations, as well as for those who interface with donors and prospective donors.

VOLUNTEER-ISSUES focuses on all aspects of managing volunteer resources for nonprofit organizations/NGOs. Discussions are wide-ranging and often are keyed on topics first introduced on CharityChannel's VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT REVIEW. VOLUNTEER-ISSUES is open to anyone interested in the topic, especially those who manage volunteers for nonprofit organizations.

You are welcome to search the CharityChannel LISTSERV archives for each list to which you have selected "On the List." The archives require you to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. This box is where you indicate a password of your choice. This password is separate from and need not be the same as your CharityChannel login password. The password may be anything you like, and does not effect your password for logging in to the main CharityChannel website. 

About the ACCOUNTABILITY Archive

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The ACCOUNTABILITY archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the ACCOUNTABILITY list to access the ACCOUNTABILITY archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for ACCOUNTABILITY, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the ACCOUNTABILITY archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the ACCOUNTING-NP Archive

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The ACCOUNTING-NP archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the ACCOUNTING-NP list to access the ACCOUNTING-NP archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for ACCOUNTING-NP, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the ACCOUNTING-NP archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the ADVANCEMENT Archive

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The ADVANCEMENT archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the ADVANCEMENT list to access the ADVANCEMENT archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for ADVANCEMENT, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the ADVANCEMENT archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the ANNUAL_FUND Archive

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The ANNUAL_FUND archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the ANNUAL_FUND list to access the ANNUAL_FUND archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for ANNUAL_FUND, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the ANNUAL_FUND archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the BOARDS Archive

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The BOARDS archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the BOARDS list to access the BOARDS archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for BOARDS, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the BOARDS archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CANADATALK Archive

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The CANADATALK archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CANADATALK list to access the CANADATALK archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CANADATALK, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CANADATALK archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CAPTALK Archive

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The CAPTALK archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CAPTALK list to access the CAPTALK archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CAPTALK, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CAPTALK archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CFRESEARCH Archive

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The CFRESEARCH archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CFRESEARCH list to access the CFRESEARCH archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CFRESEARCH, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CFRESEARCH archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CHARITYBOOKS Archive

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The CHARITYBOOKS archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CHARITYBOOKS list to access the CHARITYBOOKS archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CHARITYBOOKS, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CHARITYBOOKS archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CHARITY-HR Archive

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The CHARITY-HR archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CHARITY-HR list to access the CHARITY-HR archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CHARITY-HR, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CHARITY-HR archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CHARITY-PR Archive

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The CHARITY-PR archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CHARITY-PR list to access the CHARITY-PR archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CHARITY-PR, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CHARITY-PR archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CHARITYLAW Archive

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The CHARITYLAW archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CHARITYLAW list to access the CHARITYLAW archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CHARITYLAW, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CHARITYLAW archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CHARITYTALK Archive

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The CHARITYTALK archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CHARITYTALK list to access the CHARITYTALK archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CHARITYTALK, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CHARITYTALK archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CONSULTANTS Archive

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The CONSULTANTS archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CONSULTANTS list to access the CONSULTANTS archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CONSULTANTS, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CONSULTANTS archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the CONSULTANTS-CANADA Archive

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The CONSULTANTS-CANADA archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the CONSULTANTS-CANADA list to access the CONSULTANTS-CANADA archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for CONSULTANTS-CANADA, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the CONSULTANTS-CANADA archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE Archive

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The DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE list to access the DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the DEV-WRITING Archive

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The DEV-WRITING archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the DEV-WRITING list to access the DEV-WRITING archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for DEV-WRITING, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the DEV-WRITING archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR Archive

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The EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR list to access the EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the E-PHILANTHROPY Archive

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The E-PHILANTHROPY archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the E-PHILANTHROPY list to access the E-PHILANTHROPY archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for E-PHILANTHROPY, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the E-PHILANTHROPY archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the EVENTS Archive

[ Click to Launch Archive ]

The EVENTS archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the EVENTS list to access the EVENTS archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for EVENTS, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the EVENTS archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the GRANTS Archive

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The GRANTS archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the GRANTS list to access the GRANTS archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for GRANTS, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the GRANTS archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the PLANNEDGIVING Archive

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The PLANNEDGIVING archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the PLANNEDGIVING list to access the PLANNEDGIVING archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for PLANNEDGIVING, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the PLANNEDGIVING archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the DONORRESEARCH-L Archive

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The DONORRESEARCH-L archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the DONORRESEARCH-L list to access the DONORRESEARCH-L archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for DONORRESEARCH-L, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the DONORRESEARCH-L archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the STEWARDSHIP Archive

[ Click to Launch Archive ]

The STEWARDSHIP archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the STEWARDSHIP list to access the STEWARDSHIP archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for STEWARDSHIP, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the STEWARDSHIP archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the TECHNOLOGY Archive

[ Click to Launch Archive ]

The TECHNOLOGY archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the TECHNOLOGY list to access the TECHNOLOGY archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for TECHNOLOGY, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the TECHNOLOGY archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the VOLUNTEER-ISSUES Archive

[ Click to Launch Archive ]

The VOLUNTEER-ISSUES archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the VOLUNTEER-ISSUES list to access the VOLUNTEER-ISSUES archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for VOLUNTEER-ISSUES, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the VOLUNTEER-ISSUES archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

Instructions

The CharityChannel professional discussion lists date back to our founding in 1992. Indeed, CharityChannel began as a professional electronic discussion list, which later became CHARITYTALK -- a popular discussion list that is still going strong. A discussion list is a forum conducted primarily by email, though it is possible to participate via the list archives using a web browser.

How to Join a Discussion List. To participate on a discussion list, join the list. Here's how:

1. Complete the fields for first name, last name, email address, and password. 
   
   Please Note: Your first and last names, and email address, are linked to your main CharityChannel record. If you change them here, they will be changed in your official CharityChannel records. So unless you have a good reason to change them, we recommend leaving them the same. However, the password field is not connected with your main CharityChannel password. It is used for (optionally) viewing the lists' archives. It may be the same as your CharityChannel password, but need not be.
   
2. Move the list's selector to "On the List." Then click SUBMIT. (Don't forget to click SUBMIT, since otherwise you will not be added to the list.)

How to Leave a Discussion List. To leave, or unsubscribe from, a discussion list, move the selector to "Off the List." Then click SUBMIT. (Don't forget to click SUBMIT, since otherwise you will not exit, or unsubscribe from, the list.) If you are leaving for vacation, please remember to leave each list first, then re-join on your return.

How to Set List Delivery Options. You may set your list delivery options by moving the "Options" selector that appears after you have selected "On the List." We recommend that you keep your list delivery options to "Normal Delivery." The other two options are DIGEST and INDEX. Here is a summary of the three list delivery options:

• NORMAL DELIVERY (recommended). When a colleague posts to the list, you receive the email seconds later. It then becomes easy to reply: You simply reply to the email and send. By default, all CharityChannel lists are set to send replies back to the list with the exception of the PRSPCT-L list, which sends replies to the individual who posted. This option is recommended, because it is easiest to reply to individual postings -- and replying to your colleagues on the list is in keeping with the spirit of the CharityChannel discussion community.

• DIGEST. The day's postings are collected into one email that is sent once per day, with the full text of the postings provided in the email.

• INDEX. The day's postings are collected into one email that is sent once per day, with only the email's subject provided. You may then click a link to view the full posting on the list's archive.

How to Post. Please click the Rules, Policies and Procedures link.

Introduction

CharityChannel was established in February, 1992 as an online discussion community of nonprofit-sector professionals. It quickly grew into the largest nonprofit-sector on-line community in the world, serving more than 100,000 professionals as of March, 2002. 

Over the years the professionals of the vibrant on-line community participated in the expansion of CharityChannel’s discussion communities into dozens of individual forums created around sustainable subject areas that mirror the many disciplines of the nonprofit world itself. 

Despite the dozens of forums, the rules and procedures for these forums are both simple and consistent from forum to forum. Thus, if you join and become familiar with the rules and procedures of, say, CHARITYTALK, you will have no difficulty joining, say, STEWARDSHIP or GRANTS and jumping in to the discussions there. 

Despite the rapid growth of the CharityChannel on-line professional community, the staff remains committed to providing prompt and individual attention should you need it. Of course, we ask that you first review this Guide before seeking our help – we should be contacted only as a last resort. To contact us, please write to editors@charitychannel.com or use our Live Support page on the CharityChannel web site.

This Guide is divided into a section on rules, a section on policies, and a section on procedures. 

Note: You may download these Rules, Policies and Procedures here.

Rules

1. Professional Community. Every CharityChannel forum is comprised of professionals who either work directly for, or in some manner serve through, nonprofit, educational, governmental or voluntary organizations and institutions. Subscribers include many of the sector’s leaders – persons often quoted in major newspapers and magazines seen on evening news broadcasts – down to the person who is entering the sector for the first time and has a thousand questions. Besides a desire to make this world a better place, each participant is a professional who wants and deserves to be part of a professional on-line community that accords a high level of professional respect to all its members. CharityChannel discussion forums are known for fostering a safe and warm professional environment that encourages the very best from each member. The rules are few but are designed to work together to foster a positive and professional discussion environment.

2. Monitored forums. Postings to a forum are typically not reviewed in advance by CharityChannel. However, they are closely monitored for compliance with the rules and procedures set out here. Participants who do not comply with forum rules, policies and/or procedures may, at the discretion of CharityChannel, with or without notification, be set to moderation, meaning that submissions are first reviewed by CharityChannel staff members or volunteers before being released to the forum. For serious or consistent violation of the rules, policies and/or procedures, a participant may be removed from the forum with or without notice. 

3. Signature Rule. As a professional community, your colleagues need and deserve to know who is submitting a posting to their on-line community. The signature rule requires that, as a minimum, you provide the following information at the bottom of your posting:

a. Basic requirement

i. Name. Your first and last name.

ii. Organization. The name of your organization.

b. Alternative. If for some reason you prefer not to provide the name of your organization, or if you are not with an organization per se, you may provide the following information as your signature.

i. Name. Your first and last name.

ii. Location. City/State or City/Province (or equivalent).

c. Optional Additional Information in Your Signature. You may provide additional information in your signature, such as:

i. Physical and/or mailing address.

ii. Phone and/or fax numbers (but not a toll-free telephone number)

iii. Email address.

iv. Web site URL.

v. The title of a book you have authored (but not its ordering information).

d. Exception to Signature Rule. In rare circumstances a forum member may have a bona fide reason, such as sensitivity of the submission, to post without including the signature. In such a case, the member may request that an editor make the submission anonymously. Whether or not an anonymous submission will be made is subject to the discretion of the editor. To request assistance in making an anonymous posting, please contact the CharityChannel editors at editors@charitychannel.com, or use the Live Support system.

e. Prohibited Signature Content. You may not provide information in the signature that is overtly commercial or promotional in nature. See “Commercial Postings,” below. Tag lines are ALWAYS prohibited in the signature, such as "Serving Nonprofits Since 1909" or "The Capital Campaign Firm of Choice," etc.

f. Editors May Correct Signatures. The editors reserve the right to insert a signature or make a correction to a signature to bring it into compliance. However, they are not obligated to do so and are more likely to reject the posting and inform the participant to re-compose the posting with a proper signature and resubmit to the forum.

4. Over-quoting. Most email programs have a feature that permits the quotation of the original message. This gives rise to frequent and unnecessary over-quoting. It is impermissible to quote the text of a prior submission unless and to the extent that it is integral to the response. The editors reserve the right to remove quoting that is not integral to a reply.

5. Relevancy. Postings must relate to the subject-matter of the forum. A posting that is off-topic for a particular forum may either be rejected by the editors, or posted without prior notice to one or more other CharityChannel forums where the posting is relevant. If rejected, the participant will be informed of the rejection by email. If the editor posts the submission to a different forum, the editor will first subscribe the member to such additional forum(s) so that the member can share in the ensuing dialog. Examples of off-topic postings are:

a. Does not relate for forum subject area;

b. Flames (see “Personal Attacks,” below);

c. Spam-like postings (mass-mailed postings that happen to list the forum address as a recipient);

d. Commercial postings (see “Commercial Postings,” below);

e. “Housekeeping-type postings.” A housekeeping-type posting addresses the rules, policies or procedures of the forum. Only the CharityChannel editors are permitted to make housekeeping-type postings, which will be clearly labeled as such; and

f. Press releases. Press releases may be posted to CharityChannel’s CHARITYWIRE, but not to a discussion forum. Although press releases often do relate to a forum topic, they are not of themselves a discussion-type posting. If, however, a participant wishes to quote from a press release and integrate such quotes into a discussion, then it would not be the posting of a press release per se but rather a genuine contribution to the dialog. 

6. Cross-posting. Cross-posting is the technique of posting a submission to two or more CharityChannel forums. 

a. By a Participant. Subscribers may cross-post to up to three forums without prior consent of the editors. 

b. By an Editor. Occasionally a posting will be relevant to one or more additional CharityChannel forums. An editor may, without prior notice to the participant, submit such a posting to one or more additional forums where the submission is relevant. 

7. Personal Attacks (so-called “flames”). Personal attacks on a fellow participant, also known as a “flame,” are prohibited. However, the “flame” rule does not prohibit a posting from aiming the full force of its argument against the subject-matter of another colleague’s submission. There often is a subtle distinction between a prohibited personal attack and a permissible criticism of the substance of another participant’s posting. If in doubt, write to the editors off-forum by using our contact page on the CharityChannel web site to seek prompt guidance. 

8. Libel, Privacy and Copyright

a. Libel. Participants may not post information that is defamatory.

b. Privacy. Participants may not post information that violates the privacy rights of another.

c. Copyright. Submissions may not violate the copyright interests of another. For example, newspaper articles may not be posted unless prior written permission is secured and provided to the editors at via our contact page.

d. Trademark. Submissions may not violate the trademark interests of another.

e. Legal or other advice. No posting may render legal, accounting, financial or other advice that is ordinarily rendered by a duly-licensed attorney, accountant, securities broker, real estate broker or agent, life insurance broker or agent, or other such licensed professional. Never rely upon a submission to a CharityChannel or other forum as a substitute for the advice of a competent and licensed professional. 

f. Indemnity. Members agree to indemnify and hold CharityChannel LLC harmless for the violation by the member of any rule of the section.

9. Commercial or Promotional Postings.  Postings that promote the member’s service, product, or other commercial are inconsistent with the spirit and purpose of a professional discussion forum, and are prohibited. CharityChannel makes available suitable advertising opportunities where ads on its web site and in its newsletters may be purchased. Advertising not only provides an effective and acceptable means of reaching your colleagues, but helps to sustain CharityChannel. To learn more about advertising with CharityChannel, telephone us between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific, Monday through Friday, holidays excepted, at +1 949 589-5938. 

a.  Modified Commercial Posting Rule. The nature of the E-PHILANTHROPY, TECHNOLOGY and CHARITYSOFT forums, where there is heavy and desirable participation by for-profit vendors, gives rise to a modified commercial posting rule: It is permissible, within the context of a discussion on these forums, to describe the systems, processes, challenges, and so on of the participant’s own company or firm. The emphasis here is on a substantive discussion – merely puffing one’s own company or firm is prohibited. 

10. Commercial or Promotional Misuse of the CharityChannel on-line Community. No commercial or promotional use of the CharityChannel discussion lists or other systems is permissible, except for paid advertising. The occasional, off-forum, non-systematic contact of fellow members of the CharityChannel on-line community is both expected and healthy. It is, however, an abuse of the privilege of participating on CharityChannel forums to engage in the systematic or mass, off-forum solicitation of CharityChannel participants. Please report such contacts to the editors, at editors@charitychannel.com.

11. Sharing Files.

a. GuestShare. Members of CharityChannel may log in to contribute a file to the GuestShare system. Once contributed, you may notify your colleagues of its available so that they too may log in and retrieve the file. The advantage of using GuestShare is that over time, it builds a repository of files that colleagues may benefit from who haven't necessarily seen the discussion thread that prompted the file to be shared.

b. File Attachments to Discussion List Postings - Prohibited. To protect CharityChannel’s on-line community from receiving a file attachment that might harbor a virus, Trojan horse or worm, file attachments are prohibited. Exceptions: The following two discussion lists permit attachments to be made to special posting addresses created for this purpose:

PRSPCT-L
Post file attachments to this special list address:
PRSPCT-L-ATTACHMENTS@charitychannel.com

STEWARDSHIP
Post file attachments to this special list address:
STEWARDSHIP-ATTACHMENTS@charitychannel.com

c. Virus-Protection Systems. Every subscriber to CharityChannel is required, as a condition of subscribing to any forum or eNewsletter, to install and maintain a reliable virus-protection software package with up-to-date virus definitions. Failure to do so could expose you and your colleagues to the unwanted spread of harmful viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Although CharityChannel's systems are typically configured to automatically strip off file attachments from forum postings, and we employ a server-based anti-virus protection system for the forums, we do not guarantee that every email you receive from us will be free of possibly harmful file attachments. 

12. Intellectual Property. As a condition of contributing to forum discussions, submissions to CharityChannel are deemed submitted to the public domain unless the participant includes a copyright notice at the end of the submission. Contributors to a CharityChannel forum discussion grant to CharityChannel a world-wide perpetual license to re-publish the submission on its web site archive system, in any other Internet-based or printed copyrighted work, and in any CharityChannel print publication or publications, without further permission of the creator and/or copyright holder of the work.

13. Related Messaging. 

a. WHAT'S NEW AT CHARITYCHANNEL?. CharityChannel is a large, diverse on-line community. As an important online community-building feature, CharityChannel posts a WHAT'S NEW AT CHARITYCHANNEL? “catch-up” email feature. By subscribing to one or more CharityChannel forums or eNewsletters, you are opting in to receive this weekly feature. If you do not wish to receive the Weekly Review feature, unsubscribe from all CharityChannel forums and eNewsletters. (See the “Procedures” section, below for instructions on unsubscribing.)

b. Other Messages. From time to time CharityChannel will send subscribers announcements and communications by email. These include HOUSEKEEPING messages, announcements of new forums, eNewsletters or other features, and so on. By subscribing to one or more CharityChannel forums or eNewsletters, you are opting in to receive such messages and announcements by email. 

14. Polls and Surveys. Third-party polls and surveys, that is, polls and surveys not conducted by CharityChannel, are prohibited. However, it is permissible to advertise a third-party poll or survey as a paid advertisement.

15. Changes to Rules. CharityChannel’s rules rarely change. In fact, they have stood the test of time – most have been in place since 1992. However, if they do change, the changes will be announced to all currently-subscribed members of the CharityChannel on-line community. They will also be available for viewing from the CharityChannel web site in the forums section.

Policies

1. Advisory Board. CharityChannel rules, policies and procedures are informed by a voluntary advisory board consisting of leaders in the nonprofit sector who have been active participants on CharityChannel forums for years.

2. All Views Permitted. Provided that a submission comports with forum rules (see “Rules,” above), no submission will be excluded because of any particular viewpoint. 

3. Privacy. Years before online privacy entered the public consciousness as a major concern on the Internet and in the nonprofit sector, CharityChannel followed a strict policy on maintaining the privacy of its online professional community. As we have since the beginning, we take the privacy of our on-line community very seriously. If you have any questions or concerns about CharityChannel's privacy policies or practices, please visit the Privacy page on the CharityChannel web site.

4. Opt in. All forums and eNewsletters are double opt-in, meaning that you must specifically subscribe to a forum or eNewsletter (or visit the web site), then confirm your desire to subscribe, to receive it. There are certain messages that are sent to all forum and eNewsletter subscribers (see “Related Messaging,” above), but these are received by virtue of subscribing to a CharityChannel forum or eNewsletter and can be discontinued by unsubscribing from all CharityChannel forums and eNewsletters (see below, “Procedures,” for information on how to unsubscribe).

5. Who May Participate? Any nonprofit-sector professional or colleague working in an educational institution, whether working for a nonprofit/NGO/voluntary organization, educational institution, a private company or firm, or a governmental entity, from any country in the world may participate. 

6. Archives. All forum postings are archived for later review by current members of the forum. Archives for individual forums may be reviewed from the archives section of the CharityChannel web site. CharityChannel cannot remove individual postings from the archives.

7. Removing a Member. CharityChannel reserves the right to deny access, temporarily or permanently, to a forum, eNewsletter, the web site, or other system or feature if the staff determines it to be in the best interests of the CharityChannel on-line professional community to do so. The decision to exclude a member is within the sole discretion of the CharityChannel staff.

8. Responding to Requests for Assistance. CharityChannel staff shall endeavor to respond within 48 hours to requests for assistance. In most cases, response is substantially more prompt. 

Procedures

1. Subscribing, Unsubscribing and Other Forum Functions. Individuals may participate on CharityChannel forums by email or on the web-based forum section of the CharityChannel web site. To participate in forum discussions by email or from the web site, it is necessary to subscribe. 

a. Members. To subscribe to a discussion list, log in and navigate to the Discussion Forums page. For each discussion forum that you would like to subscribe to, check "On the List."

b. Non-Members. Colleagues who have not joined CharityChannel or whose membership has lapsed will be removed from all discussion lists.

2. How to Post to a Forum. There are two methods to post to a forum: the email method and the web-based method.

a. The email method. To post by email, address your email submission to FORUMNAME@listserv.charitychannel.com, where the word FORUMNAME is replaced by the name of the forum.

Example: GRANTS@listserv.charitychannel.com

Example: EVENTS@listserv.charitychannel.com

b. Web-based Method. Log in to the CharityChannel site at http://charitychannel.com. Navigate to the Discussion Forums page. Click on the forum archive link, which takes you to the page where you may post. You may be prompted to submit a password of your choice, and confirm it by email. If so, this is not necessarily the same password as needed to log in to CharityChannel.

3. Getting Help. CharityChannel staff shall endeavor to respond promptly to requests for assistance. We may be contacted by any of these methods:

a. Email. Write to us at editors@charitychannel.com

b. Online. Use the Live Support page to open up a live, interactive keyboard chat with us.

c. Telephone. You may phone us at +1 949 589-5938 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. Pacific to 4 p.m. Pacific.

Changing Your Email Address

The form displays your email address as it exists in your official CharityChannel membership record. If you change it here, it will be changed for all communications from CharityChannel as well as for any professional discussion lists that you join. 

About the IRS-FORM-990 Discussion Forum

The IRS-FORM-990 discussion forum focuses on the legal, accounting, accountability, and public relations aspects of the Form 990 nonprofit-organization tax return.

The Form 990 is the IRS filing required of most U.S. nonprofits. It has been significantly amended. In addition to the "core" portion that must be filled out by all organizations, there are now numerous schedules that may be required, depending on the organization and operation of the particular nonprofit. It should be noted that the instructions have only recently been issued in final form. The new form will be required for large organizations beginning this year (reporting for 2008, filed in 2009), with a phase-in for most nonprofits over the next two years.

Because of the significant changes and the increased complexity, any organization that does not know what is required by the new form might find itself either without the information needed to complete it, or in a position where its answers might be found by potential contributors as well as the IRS itself, to have an adverse impact on the organization. 

Some of the issues discussed on this forum:

1. What organizations must file using the form?

2. Who needs to be involved in the preparation and review of the form?

3. Why the 990 is too important to be left to the accountants?

4. Does the IRS have a role in corporate governance?

5. What is an independent director; do your directors need to be independent?

6. Is there a legally mandated “correct” answer to the questions being asked?

7. Does your organization need to adopt new policies?

a. Conflicts of interest policy

b. Whistleblower policy

c. Record Retention and Destruction policy

8. The impact of various fundraising methods.

9. What compensation issues are addressed by the form?

10. The impact of having related organizations.

This forum is particularly of interest to US-based executive directors (and other high-level staff officers), lawyers, accountants, board members, consultants, journalists, and others.

About the IRS-FORM-990 Archive

[ Click to Launch Archive ]

The IRS-FORM-990 archive is maintained separately from the main CharityChannel web site. Please keep the following in mind:

• You must be a member of the IRS-FORM-990 list to access the IRS-FORM-990 archive. As long as you selected "On the List" for IRS-FORM-990, and submitted the form, you are a member of the list.

• When accessing the archive, you need to log in separately from the main CharityChannel web site. To log in, enter your email address and the password you provided on the form below this About message. The password is separate from, and not necessarily the same as, your main CharityChannel password.

• Though most colleagues participate on discussion lists by email, you may post from the IRS-FORM-990 archive.

• Though it's possible to change your list delivery options while logged in to the archives, we recommend that you use the form beneath this About message to update your delivery options.

About the TECHNOLOGY Discussion Forum

Technology can be one of the most important allies to nonprofit organizations and those who work for and on behalf of them. This forum discusses any and all aspects of technology and how it can best be harnessed to reduce costs, gain efficiency, and attract support ("ephilanthropy").