1. The Lemonade Circle – This San Antonio-based nonprofit is making changes in the world of young women of color, and we’re here for it. Girls ranging from 5th grade to 12th grade are welcome to “Make LEMONADE” (Leading, Excelling, Mentoring, Overcoming, Networking, Affecting, Discovering, and Exploring) by engaging in groups called Empowerment Circles that are built based on specific “paths.” For example, the “Senior Roundup Empowerment Circle” is aimed to allow TLC members to help seniors in the community with needs. In addition, the “Mirrors and Windows Empowerment Circle” will enable members to study important tropes in media and literature in hopes of self-reflection and learning. Several other Empowerment Circles allow members to find what sparks their joy and leadership skills, and we’re excited about their future. Consider donating here quickly through PayPal Giving.
2. The Junior League of San Antonio – If you’ve ever visited the Holiday Olé Market on a chilly fall day in Downtown San Antonio, you can thank The Junior League of San Antonio. JLSA has been empowering local San Antonio-area women since 1924. Members commit to volunteering in community projects that help our community flourish while building leadership skills. Any donations can go toward community events and the leadership training of its members, helping its volunteers grow professionally and personally. You can donate here through their website. 
3. Any Baby Can – The mission of this vitally-important nonprofit is simple: help families with children facing serious health or developmental challenges. Any time a child is diagnosed with a chronic illness, disability, or developmental delay, it can cause a significant burden on the family. Still, Any Baby Can helps families get essential resources to support the family succeed at providing a bright future for the child. Donating is accessible through their Donation Portal. 
4. Children Matter Family Life Center: Supervised visitation can quickly turn into a stressful event for all involved. Luckily, Children Matter Family Life Center has created a warm, safe, and home-like environment for parents and guardians to convene safely. This way, children in the middle of a potentially messy situation can experience a less cold environment while getting much-needed family time. You can donate here or visit their Facebook page to learn more about other volunteer opportunities. 
5. Gardopia Gardens – What do you get when you add a community in need and some potting soil? Gardopia Gardens, based in San Antonio, helps those in an obesity-stricken city learn the value of freshly-grown produce and wellness. Part of their vision is to equip San Antonio youth with tools to create sustainable ways of life through the power of gardening. Visit their donation website to give, and visit their online shop to learn more about field trips, classes, and more.  

In case you missed it: Check out our last blog “The Holidays are Here… Let’s Reflect!“ to learn about the most important gift you can give your loved ones during this holiday season!

The post Season of Giving: 5 Non-Profits to Consider Donating To appeared first on SOGO Insurance.

Although Texas is one of the two states that don’t require workers’ compensation, could your nonprofit financially recover if one of your employees got hurt? An injured employee has the option to sue their employer for medical expenses, legal fees, lost wages, and more. Without a workers compensation policy, the business cannot use traditional defenses such as contributory negligence, assumption of risk, and even waiver of liability. Regardless of coverage status, if an employee gets hurt on the job, follow the six steps below to avoid future losses and ensure employee recovery.

1. Provide medical assistance
2. Report the injury
3. Gather information and testimonies of accident
4. File OSHA 300 log (if applicable)
5. Check-in with the injured regularly
6. Maintain constant communication with your insurance company and injured employee

We encourage managers of injured employees to reach out regularly to check in on the employee, letting them know they are valued, missed, and management is eager to get them back to work. Lack of communication with your injured employee leaves them feeling neglected, leading them to seek avoidable legal action. A worker’s compensation policy isn’t a quick fix to avoidable workplace hazards. Our process involves a loss control audit to address common pitfalls nonprofits face regarding employee safety.

If your organization doesn’t have a workers compensation policy or would like a workers compensation audit, give us a call. Provide a safer, more financially secure organization and reap the benefits of a fully protected business.

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Now let’s talk about common survey mistakes. Recently when filling out a post-event survey, I realized many of the questions started with leading or double-barreled wording that only allowed for positive feedback, fluff answers, or biased interpretations. A leading question could be as simple as stating, “Our last event had a 98% satisfaction rating; how much did you like the event?” A double-barreled question would read, “How satisfied were you with the event food and performances?” These questions don’t allow for your audience to answer truthfully or unbiasedly. Consider the following changes to the questions above, “How satisfied were you with the event?” and “How would you rate the food selected for the event?”. These small changes allow for a more straightforward, less biased answer from your audience, giving you more accurate data to build on. Nonprofits should use surveys to determine the demographics served and evaluate your program’s effectiveness, satisfaction, and reach. Your organization should share positive feedback with the board, staff, funders, and potential clients. 

For those looking for ways to implement surveys, check out a few of the options below: 

1. Volunteer Surveys: Surveying your volunteers is perhaps the most accessible place to start. Volunteers have already shown their desire to see the organization grow and thrive through their donations. Therefore, they’re more likely to give you honest and productive feedback. Volunteers will also appreciate your desire to listen to their input, increasing the likelihood that they would volunteer for your nonprofit again. Many grants also want nonprofits to grow their volunteer base demonstrating satisfaction from the general public and program fund management.
2. Program Outcome Surveys: Every program should have surveys conducted at the beginning and end to help you accurately gauge reportable changes among your audience’s self-assessment of their abilities or the improvements made to their lives. For example, a coding organization would send surveys to students asking questions like “how much do you code per day” or “what is your experience with coding.” Then, at the end of the program, ask these same questions again to see actual improvements in each student’s self-perceived changes in abilities. This type of surveying method is called pre and post retrospective surveys. 

Another reason to implement this surveying method into your program development is grant reporting. Often grants will ask for quantitative data to reinforce your organization’s impact, and pre and post retrospective surveys are the most accurate way to report your results. In addition, the ability to achieve your objectives when applying for funding will create future funding opportunities. 

Surveys can help a nonprofit organization gather invaluable information that can lead to three significant outcomes: increased volunteers, donations, and grants. These survey results can be made into helpful and informative marketing pieces. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to efficiently gather data on the work your nonprofit performs. 

At SOGO Insurance, we value the work our nonprofits do for our community, and we love the opportunity to support your organization through strategic partnerships. If your nonprofit has a partnership opportunity or additional questions regarding risk management and insurance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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As a partner of SOGO, we help your organization navigate the ongoing safety concerns the pandemic has brought through free and productive people risk management solutions. We have partnered with the leading-edge provider in human resource solutions with the power of real-time support from certified professionals. So whether your concern is current regulation changes at the state or federal level, employee training, prevention policies, or compliance issues, we are here to guide you.

With the rise of employment litigation surrounding Covid-19, including discrimination, workplace exposure claims, wage and hour lawsuits, and so much more, clearly outlining the financial burden Covid left isn’t close to over. For example, should employees be required to get a vaccination, return to in-person programming, be allowed to exceed sick days due to covid, be required to return to the office, etc.? Don’t subscribe to costly webinars or consulting fees to avoid future litigation claims as we are here to provide solutions free of cost.

Insurance professionals often tell you the first step to a safer work environment is a workers compensation policy. But, this statement is where we go against the grain! All clients should have an active workers’ compensation policy for accidents out of our control. Still, your insurance policies shouldn’t be a backup for ineffective or outdated policies. Our goal is to transform our client’s work environment from reactive to proactive, ensuring your nonprofit is financially secure.

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Nonprofits are often easier targets for hackers due to the amount of personal information they store on donors, their use of third-party applications, and the lack of cyber security safeguards they have in place.

The first step towards a fully protected organization is a multi-faceted risk assessment. Together we will perform a vulnerability assessment to discover potential entry points for hackers, back up all data, provide security training to employees, and create an incident response plan with clear steps following an attack. Even if your organization uses third-party applications, your cyber risks aren’t fully transferred, and it’s time to address your protective safeguards. Know that in the event of a breach, your company will suffer lost time, damaged reputation, and could even face lawsuits from stakeholders for mismanagement of personal information.

We often get questions surrounding the risk of using third-party platforms as nonprofits often outsource operations such as bookkeeping, IT consultants, payroll services, or donor and volunteer management platforms. Unfortunately, these outsourced services pose many risks as third-party vendors often don’t exercise adequate data security protection leaving the nonprofit’s data at risk. Consequently, when hiring third-party vendors for projects, make sure that you are fully versed with the firm’s security protocols and plans in case of a breach.

Employee training is a considerable concern for nonprofits as they are your first line of defense against hackers. Therefore, we will provide comprehensive employee training to address common pitfalls such as phishing attempts, overused passwords, improper storing of information, and the use of employee cellphones. In addition, we will create a cyber policy handbook to stay vigilant as regular maintenance can go a long way towards reducing data security risks.

Now that we’ve taken care of the housekeeping items let’s briefly discuss cyber liability insurance. Even with every I-dotted and T-crossed, hackers can still gain access to your network; that’s where an insurance policy would provide protection. Insurance policies are available to cover financial and reputation losses following a breach.
According to the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, there are three keys steps in purchasing cyber-liability insurance: (1) Understand how a breach of privacy could affect your nonprofit; (2) Work with a knowledgeable insurance agent or broker who not only understands how different cyber liability policies differ in their coverage but also understands your nonprofit’s operations and activities well enough that s/he can break down your nonprofit’s exposures with you; and (3) as with all insurance, take a hard look at the cost of the annual premium.
Yes, the idea of someone hacking your nonprofit’s website or data storage is frightening, but in today’s world, such incidents have become commonplace. Failing to assess and address cybersecurity risks is like failing to get your oil changed.

Every state has data breach notification laws in place, so be sure you monitor changing regulations regarding cyber trends and nonprofits.
SOGO Insurance will help you stay current on changing cyber laws and trends while providing a cyber insurance policy that protects your organization from security nightmares, legal fees, and reputation loss. So give me a call for your complimentary risk assessment today and determine the following steps to protect your organization.

The post Straight From the Sales Director: Why Cybersecurity Remains King in 2021 appeared first on SOGO Insurance.

The Basics

You surely caught our earlier blog, “The Who, What, and How to Onboarding your Board of Directors,” so you are well-versed in rolling out the red carpet for your new board members, but what about your advisory board? Are the roles similar? Are the responsibilities different? How do I select an advisory member and form a committee? Nonprofit organizations are legally required to have a Board of Directors but not an advisory board, although the bylaws may mandate one.

How Is an Advisory Board Different From a Board of Directors?

An Advisory Board is a group of people with a specific skill set to support the board of directors. Your advisory board has no governing authority, unlike your board of directors. However, your board of directors has many responsibilities, and without support, they will have a hard time fulfilling all the requirements of their position. This is where your advisory board would come in; they could offer fundraising, event, or even programmatic support. Your advisory board should understand their responsibilities and the organization’s goals; since they are often the individuals who are the hands, feet, and voice of the nonprofit.

How to Create the A-Team of Advisory Board Members

You’ve got the background, and now it’s time to assemble. When recruiting your Advisory Board, keep in mind the following:

• Be transparent about the role. Share with the potential Advisory Board member that they will be a contributing member, but not a voting one. Clearly outline the role description and provide measurable goals.
• Recruit members across industries. Consider where your nonprofit needs the most help and start from there. For example, if you are a nonprofit working closely with families raising school-age children, it would be great to bring on educators. It also never hurts to have an attorney or two sitting on your Advisory Board, as they can help and share advice on any legal issues that arise.
• While the Board of Directors has voting power on financial decisions, the Advisory Board doesn’t. Members of the advisory board are welcome to make suggestions and requests on behalf of the organization. They will provide data and reports to support pending proposals, so the board can make educated and informed decisions.
• Be sure to recruit individuals who are passionate about and align with the mission of your agency. There is nothing worse than onboarding someone who does not believe in the purpose of your nonprofit.

When evaluating your nonprofit’s future Advisory Board (and other organizational insurance logistics), consider SOGO Insurance to be the experts. We are ready to guide you through any insurance-related decisions that will keep your organization protected and thriving.

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• Cyberattacks – According to score.org, 50% of nonprofits worldwide have experienced a ransomware attack. Attackers target nonprofits due to the vast amount of donation or funding data they acquire and their lack of funding to address cybersecurity concerns. Additionally, these costly attacks can lead to a D&O claim as stakeholders allege that leadership didn’t implement a cybersecurity plan.

• Social and Environmental activism continues to influence the D&O market. Movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have caused organizations to face scrutiny for their lack of equality or diversity in the workplace and alleged or actual sexual misconduct. Organizations of all sizes are at risk; if an employee is visiting a client and expresses to you or management that they experienced sexual harassment and you fail to respond adequately, you could be held liable.

• COVID-19 and a global recession forced many nonprofits to make staff, financial, and overall operation pivots. However, these changes can lead to legal implications as stakeholders claim that leadership inadequately managed the organization’s direction, appropriately respond to the threat, or prepare for economic disruption.

So what’s next

1. Examine your organization’s current cybersecurity plan, which should include a cybersecurity checklist, employee security training, a yearly vulnerability assessment, and an incident response plan. If your organization doesn’t have a current program in place, reach out for a free assessment and tools to mitigate these risks.
2. Talk with your leadership team to ensure a formal process for documenting complaints about misconduct and reach out for complimentary employee training.
3. Give us a call for a complimentary review of your current D&O policy or to request a quote.

The post Straight From the Sales Director: What I Need to Know About Buying D&O Insurance appeared first on SOGO Insurance.

Ishekia (Kia) A. Harris Tattegrain, MNA, is an eclectic entrepreneur who has a love for God, people, and cultures. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Dare Humanity, a nonprofit in Southern California that partners with communities in Haiti and California to create opportunities for self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, and wellness. Kia obtained a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco. She sat with me to share her best-kept secrets of how to keep your Board of Directors involved, engaged, and committed to your mission.

1. As a risk manager specializing in nonprofits, I rely on agreements and contracts to help my clients ensure they are managing their risks appropriately and are aware of all roles and responsibilities in our partnership. Often nonprofits stray away from contractual agreements because they feel it pressures people into participating in their organization. They have a board agreement but it hasn’t been updated in years, they aren’t routinely using one, or they don’t have one at all. Do you have any suggestions for an effective board agreement? Do you think they are imperative to a nonprofit’s success?

Board agreements are essential to a functioning nonprofit. I often tell my clients, they need active board members, not place fillers. One way to ensure board involvement and participation is through an agreement. The organization can tailor the agreement to their specific preferences, but I recommend having one in place and referring to it regularly.

Here are a few key areas to include in a board agreement:

• A place for each board member to include their name and signature – this creates accountability and demonstrates acknowledgment and agreement from the board member.
• Statements that reflect the organization’s values and board member’s fiduciary responsibility (to summarize, acting in the best interest of the organization) – allowing board members to not only understand their responsibilities but accept and apply them.
• Statements that reflect board commitment and involvement – this section can highlight member terms, meeting and event participation, and fundraising requirements.
• Financial contribution statement – board members are required to assist with fundraising (and if your board is not, you will want to have a conversation with them) so include language in the agreement to reflect this. It may also include an exact amount members are required to give per year or an open statement about giving within the year (your organization may create a Give or Get policy for additional accountability).
• What the organization will provide for the board member – the organization should be supporting board members with their efforts as members and provide information that will encourage team success. This can be demonstrated by the organization stating what member’s contributions will go towards, the response from leadership on inquiries, etc.

Make sure your organization has accompanying policies to include with the board agreement, including a conflict of interest policy, bylaws, etc.

2. Recently, when talking with a nonprofit director, he shared his organization is struggling to get their board to contribute. We all know it’s imperative to the organization’s success that the board donates. How do you address the issue of nonparticipating board members?

Nonprofits can face challenges when funding sources are limited, but board members have a fiduciary obligation to contribute to the mission of the organization. First, address the situation upfront with board members individually. Offer different donation options such as; a monthly or quarterly basis and continue to share the importance of their contribution. If the initial conversation does not result in changed behavior, you will want to address their position on your board and have another conversation about their commitment.

3. As a nonprofit consultant, I’m sure you’ve seen it all in regard to the conflict between a board member and the executive director. What are some ways to help prevent conflict between the board and senior leadership?

I’ve often encountered organizations having challenges within the leadership dynamic because of the lack of distinction between roles. This happens when board members’ oversight goes too far, and they began to manage day-to-day activities (which is the Executive Director and leadership team’s role). Conflict also arises when the leadership team doesn’t consider the board’s decisions which can hinder the organization’s success. When conflicts occur, it is essential to address them directly. A toxic team creates a toxic organization. If the conflict stems from an individual, address the individual. If it is a leadership or board issue, address it as a team (and the board chair can take the lead on this). Keep your communication open among leadership, board members, staff and volunteers -all around the organization. Don’t be afraid to have hard conversations, especially when the health of the organization is at stake, and remove harmful pieces of the organization (including people).

When Kia is not consulting nonprofit organizations, she is acting as an Advisory Board Member of the Master of Nonprofit Administration Program (AB-MNA) at the University of San Francisco’s School of Management, gaining her own personal experience of both sides of the table – nonprofit consultant and board member. She’s seen both sides of the coin and has offered several organizations her professional help with consulting, management, marketing, and communications, strategic management, development, social media, and nearly every aspect of a nonprofits organization’s structure. She’s a motivational speaker with a health background and a Spanish minor in her back pocket. You can follow her on Instagram: @kiahtattegrain or on her website at www.kiaharris.com.

In case you missed it: Check out “The Who, What, How to Onboarding Your Board of Directors” to read more about how you can dazzle your VIP board members with a hearty welcome and onboarding experience.

The post Straight from the Sales Director: Meet Nonprofit Superstar Kia Tattegrain appeared first on SOGO Insurance.

Board Agreements- Don’t let a non-participating board member take up valuable space on your board; set clear expectations with a written agreement signed by all individuals. Although these contracts are not legally binding agreements, they turn regular job duties into board and organization expectations, ensuring all parties understand their role. Board contracts address the following: common board failures, personal giving requirements, conflicts of interest, committee and meeting obligations, a confidentiality clause, liability protection, and a clear job description. If you don’t have a board agreement or need your current one reviewed, give me a call.

Board Member Orientation- All new staff goes through a formal onboarding; why shouldn’t your board? This process allows each member to familiarize themselves with the team, review current initiatives, relevant financial data, events calendar, and committee openings. If your building space permits, host orientation at your office, allowing the board members to meet the team. Be sure to provide board members with a “swag bag” with items such as a t-shirt, laptop sticker, and a coffee mug. Making your new colleagues feel welcome will go far as they advocate for your organization.

Be Efficient and Organized – Your new board member is graciously donating their time, so showing up disheveled and unorganized might leave them second-guessing their commitment. Arrive prepared with a “run of show” detailing the day and overall onboarding process. Keep meetings concise and information-filled, and say thank you often. Have a packet including contact information, the latest financial reports, past meeting minutes, or other noteworthy items.

By bringing on a new board, your organization has the opportunity to make a memorable first impression of the exciting future to come with your nonprofit. I know change is not always easy, but I’m here to support your nonprofit organization with guidance regarding board management, updated contracts, and Directors’ and officers’ insurance. Stay tuned for my next blog with a special guest interview.

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Make Recruitment and Applications Effortless – Imagine feeling motivated and eager to donate your time to a cause, just to end up discouraged and unable to navigate the organization’s website let alone find a volunteer application. On average users spend less than 15 seconds on a website, so ensure your recruitment process is streamlined and the application is easy to locate on your website. The last thing you want is volunteers perceiving your unorganized recruitment process as a preview to volunteer efforts as a whole. If your nonprofit needs a volunteer application, contact us and we’d be happy to provide one.

Find New Volunteers Using Your Existing Pool – One of the easiest ways to find volunteers for a new project is to tap into your current altruistic group. Conduct a “Call to Action Campaign” with your current database and entice them to recruit friends and family on your behalf. Create easy to share social posts and reward them with small incentives, like branded giveaway items, for successfully recruiting volunteers. When you have a pool of individuals who interact with each other regularly, they have a higher chance of holding each other accountable and staying engaged making it easier for you to manage larger groups at a time.

Reward and Recognize – You don’t have to break the bank to show your volunteers your appreciation. Try doing a “Shoutout Session” at the beginning of your next volunteer meeting recognizing individuals’ contributions to your organization. Verbally acknowledging and praising efforts helps recharge the batteries of your volunteers and encourages them to show up and stay longer.

Communicate Efficiently – Don’t keep your volunteers in the dark. Volunteers need to know that their work isn’t going to waste, so keep the lines of communication open; be direct and efficient when communicating information on upcoming events. Think of their efforts in numbers, as if they were hourly consultants, and treat their time as valuable.

At the root of volunteer management, remember to be genuine in all that you communicate and ask. Your sincerity will shine through and your organization will gain loyal volunteers. Other resources your nonprofit should consider for volunteer recruitment and management: Catchafire and GivePulse both global volunteer platforms. Benevity and Charity First both comprehensive donor/volunteer management platforms.

In case you missed it: Check out “How to Prevent Donor Fatigue” for two ways to prevent donor fatigue and ensure your asks don’t fall on deaf ears.

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