From the Editor:

    CDP and the non-profit world are growing in leaps and bounds! There are so many more avenues available to today’s non-profit manager than there were just 10 years ago. Websites, Donate Now buttons, online event ticket purchasing, emails with the ability to distribute video and pictures to a vast audience, online newsletters, and well, you get the idea. The list goes on and on. And with so many of these exciting opportunities focusing on technology, we wanted to dedicate this issue of CDP Program News to a few of those online options.

    Of course, while we embrace these wonderful technologies, it is very important to remember that, since you are operating as “a project of CDP,” we need to evaluate and approve project listings and be sure that your relationship with CDP is clear to visitors and potential donors.

    In addition to becoming online savvy, we want to keep you up-to-date and informed about two of our most recent policies. Please read below to learn about the Office Reimbursement Policy and the Nondiscrimination Policy that can also be found on our website under the Operational Policies tab found on the left Link Menu.

    In our next newsletter, look forward to an entire issue devoted to Fundraising and a link to our new Fundraising Manual!

In this Issue:

• Office Reimbursement Policy
  
  
• Making an Online Presence
  
  
• Nondiscrimination Policy
  
  
• Helpful Tips
  
  
• Program Spotlight:
  The Naga-American Council

Office Reimbursement Policy:

    Do you rent a suite, office or use a portion of your home to run your program? Do you have a cell phone or laptop dedicated for program use? If so, you will need to register this information with us for payment and reimbursement. To streamline the process, we have combined our rent, utilities, cell phone, PDA and laptop polices all into one easy to read document for your convenience. Turn in this one form and you are covered for all future office related expenses!

    To run a successful program you must have space to operate and grow. Therefore, we outline the procedures for renting office space or operating the program out of your home. If you plan to rent office space, be sure to send us a copy of the lease agreement between yourself and the landlord (the agreement must be in your name, not that of CDP or your Program). We will need to approve it before it is signed. To run your program from a home office, make sure that you have dedicated 100% of that space to be used for program operations. This can be an empty bedroom, home office, a finished basement, etc.

    Keeping in touch with your donors, staff, and the community you serve is essential for any business environment, both for- and non-profit. This is why we included a detailed section on cell phone and PDA use. This section summarizes the IRS regulations regarding the personal and business use of a cell phone. To complete this section, send in a current cell phone bill with your program-related calls highlighted. The number of calls is calculated into a percentage of the bill that can be paid for through your program’s available funds – it is very important to appropriately distinguish your calls between personal and office use.

    Laptops and computers are vital to operating a program in today’s technological world. This section of the policy will inform you on purchasing and accounting for a laptop or computer for your program.
    To view the Office Reimbursement Policy in its entirety and other CDP policies please visit our website, www.cdprograms.org. and click on Operational Policies in the link menu.

Creating an Online Presence

    Facebook, MySpace, JustCauseIt..."Oh My!" The variety and scope of online communities dedicated to or facilitating charities and projects of CDP like yours is mind-boggling! These sites give you a chance to expose your program and, in some cases, to raise funds for it. Blogs, websites, and newsletters can often be more effective and less expensive means of communication than the more traditional media and press coverage. To succeed in this world of online social networking, you first need to outline what you want to accomplish, who you are trying to reach, and what resources you are able to use and maintain.
    Is your program focused on a specific gender, age group, or community? Do you want to have a blog, newsletter, or online discussion? Or do you want to just have a presence and raise funds for your program? All these questions must be answered before you can decide which social network you want to participate in online and how much time you can dedicate to its upkeep. There are a number of options and most are very easy to use.
         

    Facebook and MySpace are both excellent choices for a beginner. They are free to the public, user-friendly, and reach a large population. A MySpace page allows you to interact with your public, have discussions, and post materials to your audience. Facebook has much of the same though in a slightly different format but allows for donations via a special add-on application called “Facebook Causes”. You can set up a Facebook page and receive donations through the Facebook Causes program that are sent on to CDP.  For any of these social networking sites (often referred to as “Web 2.0”), we ask that you contact us for details on how to set up such a page to be sure you are recognized correctly as a project of CDP. You may contact Jan Feuchtner for specific questions. (Remember, donations must come directly to CDP via our online donation system – PayPal and other 3rd party vendors are not permitted.)
    Get started and join the online movement! The beauty of these online resources is that they are time and cost effective to set up. However, in order to reach the masses, you will have to invest time in posting, blogging, making ‘friends’, and generally promoting your program to others within the social network. The tools provided by Facebook, MySpace, and others are out there waiting to be used. So get started!

Nondiscrimination Policy

    Set an example for others! As with any business, CDP wants to call upon all of its programs not to discriminate in its employment or hiring process against any individual for any reason. Please see our Nondiscrimination Policy found on our website, www.cdprograms.org, for further definition. Add this policy to your employee manual or handbook; post it on your website.  We are continuing to strengthen our Human Resources Policies for our programs which are hiring individuals (both as contractors and employees). If you have specific questions regarding the hiring process, please contact Susan Andalora.

Helpful Tips:

          Did you know that CDP…

• Can now accept Discover and American Express credit card donations? It is another option for our program managers to offer to their donors – we are trying to open every door to facilitate giving!
  
  
• Is now able to process donations via E-Check from your online donation page? Or, you may also fill out the paper form with all the correct information and we take it from there. Please check with the bank for the ABA number.
  
  
• Accepts digitally signed Disbursement Request Forms? This means that you can email your request form, invoices, and scanned receipts from anywhere in the world! Send them to cdp@nhf.org.

CDP Spotlight on Programs:

CDP wants to encourage communication among our Program Managers. Knowledge about programs with similar purposes and operating scopes can create relationships that benefit both the public and all CDP Programs. If you would like to submit your program for “CDP Spotlight on Programs” send a statement of purpose, website address, and completed article to Katie@nhf.org. Submissions may be edited for content.

This Month's Spotlight:

MALCOLM, THE FIRST CAT TO BE A DIPLOMAT AND TO RAISE
MONEY FOR THE ORPHANS OF NAGALIM 

      Washington, DC – The Naga-American Council (NAC) is a non-partisan, project of the Congressional District Programs, a non-profit 501(c) (3) public charity, (Tax ID# 65-0970090) whose mission is to address the Naga people's right to self-determination from India. NAC is rolling out an innovative multi-track strategic campaign using a cat as a diplomat.   "The Malcolm Project" was conceived last October when a delegation from Nagalim came to Washington, DC to testify before Congress about their political conflict with the Indian government. After looking around the city, the Naga delegates noticed and commented on the extravagant clothing, toys, furniture and foods we have for our pets. One member of their government said, "Americans spend more on their pets then we could ever on our children. We have an orphanage called the Gilgal School that houses approximately 70 children.  What you spend on one pet in a year could feed all our children for at least six months. I wish Americans would consider donating their money to help our orphanage."
      In response, Grace Collins, the Honorary Ambassador of Nagalim, suggested her cat, Malcolm, could help raise money for Naga orphans. "Malcolm is an Exotic Short-haired Blue cat and has such a lovable charismatic personality that he is a perfect mascot to encourage peaceful resolution of the Naga conflict. Malcolm's genealogy is "bluer" then the King of England!  He is not just another pretty face.  ‘Noblesse oblige' -- He should do more than just the cat show circuit.  I think it says a lot about how blessed America is."
      Tim Murphy, owner of the cattery, www.snugharborkats.com, bred Malcolm and said, "He has an impeccable pedigree and comes from five generations of Grand Champions."  Murphy, a national judge and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA), said, "You know Malcolm's brother won the coveted title of 2007 Kitten of the Year by the ACFA.  He certainly has a lot to live up to!" 
      Collins also explained that given Malcolm's love of clothes, it was natural for him to come out with a "uni-pet" and unisex clothing line with inspired slogans spreading peace for Nagalim geared towards the D.I.W.P. - Dual Income With Pets generation and singles population S.I.W.P.  According to the cover of the August 6, 2007 Business Week magazine, the pet industry generates over $40 billion dollars, and is expected to grow to $52 billion within the next two years. Also, it is the largest and fastest growing retail sector in the US. The Naga - American Council recognizes this, and is creating products for pet owners to purchase as a means to help raise funds for the Nagas. 
      Animator and the logo designer of The Malcolm Project, John-Marc Grob of JMG Studios, will create comic strips for inclusion in newspapers and websites. Malcolm will also be the star of his own reality show on YouTube.  The soap opera series will document his political "Paws for Peace of Nagalim" campaign and a sub story will profile his personal life.
      Please come meet Malcolm and sign his petition at the 7th Annual World of Pets Expo on January 25-27, 2008, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD (next to the petting zoo-booth 303).  For details about the expo contact, Jeanne Emge, Owner and President of Premier Events at  800-882-9894 and for more information about Malcolm's cause, visit the www.MalcolmProject.org website.

For more information, contact
Amanda Grey
Phone: 202-352-7164
E-Mail: info@nagalim.us