April 2011

Assessing a Trade Association's Tort Liability Risk
When assessing potential sources of legal liability for trade associations, threats from products liability litigation probably is not one of the first topics that comes to mind. This is so because causes of action in products cases are often founded on theories of both warranty and tort law, claims that do not normally find their way into complaints filed against trade associations or other organizations outside of the stream of design and production. However, to an increasing degree, trade associations have found themselves targets of products liability litigation lawsuits in state and federal court. Understanding how this can happen and what theories plaintiffs have relied upon to bring products cases against trade association defendants can provide valuable information for developing a strategy to avoid-or successfully defend against-these types of lawsuits.
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Philanthropy Leaders Call for Further Government Oversight of Nonprofit Sector
Stronger government oversight is critical to ensuring the health and sustainability of the nonprofit community, according to philanthropy leaders who headlined a Leadership Summit on Global Philanthropy convened by the Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising (scps.nyu.edu/philanthropy) at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies (NYU-SCPS).
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Credit Cards, Associations and the Internet
In the .com heyday, a magazine chronicling the rise of the Internet proclaimed that online access was a serious threat to the traditional, membership-based association because of its ability to foster communities independently. It is of no small irony that the aforementioned publication has since folded, while the association industry continues to thrive.
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Four Ways To Make Social Technologies Relevant to Your Association
Social media/networking and the collection of tools they have spawned have moved solidly into the strategy toolbox for organizations. If you want to be the Zen master of social tools, then first understand the need to implement elements of social that will both drive revenues, and cut back office costs. Too many people think of social tools as only being for sales and marketing when in reality, there are valuable uses in the back office. With that thought firmly implanted, there are a handful of social tech concepts that are mandatory for every organization today.
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Personal Finance: The Intelligent Way To Give
It hasn't been a good time for good deeds in recent years. In 2009, estimated charitable giving in the U.S. declined by 3.6%; giving to foundations dropped 8%; and foundation grant-making fell by 8.9%. It's clear that philanthropy has been impacted to a degree because of uncertainty in the economy, but many high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals remain passionately committed to helping other, and generosity levels are still impressive. In 2009, philanthropists gave $303.75 billion, which represents 2.1% of Gross Domestic Product, close to the historical high of 2.3%.
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Meeting Planners Asked To Predict the Future
Do you remember what the meetings industry was like 25 years ago? Can you imagine an industry without iPads and virtual meetings?
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America's Nonprofits Struggle To Meet Fast-Climbing Demand for Services
America's nonprofits are expecting 2011 to be another tough year for their organizations, and for the people they serve, according to a survey released by Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), with support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. The survey of more than 1,900 nonprofit leaders in markets nationwide found that while there are some signs of hope, many nonprofits are straining under year-after-year increases in the demand for services.
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Craig Newmark Launches Craigconnects
Craigslist founder Craig Newmark launched craigconnects, a web-based initiative to help people work together for the common good using the Internet. Craigconnects seeks to identify, connect and protect organizations engaged in work that is truly sustainable - socially responsible, self-perpetuating and replicable. The initiative's primary platform is a new website, www.craigconnects.org.
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Nine Best Practices for Using Social Media to Win Your Dream Job
In today's tough employment market, your social media presence can make you (as you tweet your way to a new job) or break you (as that regrettable Facebook photo sends your crumpled résumé sailing into the trash). Yes, like it or not, the social in social media is misleading: The phenomenon has now fully permeated our professional lives, and that means if you're one of America's 13.9 million unemployed or if you're just looking to make your next career move, it's time to consider how to use that reality to your advantage.
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NYSAE Salutes Oustanding Executives, Associations, and NonProfits
Recognized at NYSAE's April Synergy Awards Luncheon were (front row, left to right): Joan La Rosa, Long Island CVB; Kristen Matejka, Long Island CVB, CyberSpace Award recipient; Claire Rosenzwieg, CAE, Chair, NYSAE; Ricardo Wilches, Long Island CVB; Kathy Brown, CAE Lymphoma Research Foundation, Distinguished Service Award recipient; Wells Jones, CAE, Guide Dog Foundation For the Blind, Social Responsibility Award recipient; Raphael Badagliacca, Spacemaster, Outstanding Associate Member Award recipient; and Lee Hornstein, cSystems, Outstanding Committee Chair Award recipient. Pictured top row (left to right): Brian Reaver, Hawaii Convention Center, NYSAE New Star Award recipient; Roy Arbeit, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, CyberSpace Award recipient; Cindy Menz-Erb, Computers For Youth, Outstanding Technology Leadership Award recipient; Robert Lehrman, Hundred Year Association, XV+ Award recipient; and Michael Kercheval, International Council of Shopping Centers, Outstanding Association Executive Award recipient.
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