[Map News Wire] MAP Newswire - How Many on Your Board?

[mapnewswire at communityforum.net]

October 5, 2005

MAP FOR NONPROFITS
25 Years of Navigating for Nonprofit Excellence
 
1. How Many Directors?
2. Board Member Brings Skills to Charter School
3. Tech Plan Helps Historical Museum See Future
4. Board Director Training 'The Best'
5. Legal Update: Documentation Affects Discrimination Case
 
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1. How Many Directors Represent Your Nonprofit?

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofit's newly revised Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence recommend no fewer than seven individuals comprise a nonprofit board of directors, to allow for sufficient deliberation and diversity of perspectives. Want to know more? Visit www.mapfornonprofits.org. Select Excellence Award.
 
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2. Board Member Brings Skills to Charter School

MAP matches skilled professionals with nonprofit boards of directors in need of new leadership. Just ask the Mary McEvoy Early Literacy Academy in Minneapolis. This public charter school asked MAP to help recruit additional members to its board of directors. MAP referred a top human resources executive, who has a master's degree in management, specializing in education; a masters degree in social work, and a completed fellowship from the New Leaders for New Schools Program in Chicago. For more information on MAP Board Recruitment, see our website, or contact Stephanie Tribby-Walbridge at 651-632-7222.

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3. Technology Plan Helps History Museum See Future

Hennepin History Museum in Minneapolis has a vision and a plan showing how technology will help them catalog, photograph and share their superb collection online, in the future. The plan allows the Hennepin County Historical Society to fundraise, budget and make purchase decisions accordingly. The plan, developed with the help of MAP, demonstrates how technology planning helps nonprofits be innovative and efficient with technology resources. For more information on this great local museum, see www.hhmuseum.org. For help with technology planning, contact Sue Ponsford at sponsford at mapfornonprofits.org.

ADC Foundation Technology Scholarship funds are available to qualifying nonprofit organizations and can help pay the cost of technology planning.

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4. Board Director Training the "best"
  
"MAP's board training was exceptional. Of all the similar trainings I've ever taken, the presenter was the best - the greatest depth of knowledge and understanding of all the issues." (Recent MAP Board Training Evaluation)

Do you have top staff or board members who should attend a Board Training? Join one of MAP's lively Board Boot Camps to learn the importance of nonprofit boards, legal considerations, board member roles and responsibilities, and board and staff relationships. Upcoming sessions: October 26, November 16 or December 14, from 8:30-10:30 a.m., at MAP's new offices, Suite 28, 2314 University Ave. West, St. Paul, $35 per participant.
 
For more information or to sign up, email classes at mapfornonprofits.org or call 651-647-1216.
 
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5. Legal Update: Documentation Affects Discrimination Case

A recent decision by the United States District Court for Minnesota demonstrates how good documentation of an employee's performance is worthwhile. A 57-year-old woman had worked for a company for 27 years with an exemplary employment record for most of those years. Following termination from the company, the woman brought a discrimination claim, alleging managers had stated she was no 'spring chicken' and had asked when she might retire. The court dismissed the claim without a trial, based on the company's documentation, which showed the employee was not meeting performance expectations. Long before terminating the employee, the company presented her with a performance development plan outlining goals and objectives for improvement. The company had followed up with nine performance improvement meetings. The employee did not dispute her deficiencies at the meetings. In light of the documentation, the court held that the employee was not qualified for her position, and could not prevail on her discrimination claim. (Special thanks to Faegre & Benson for this legal update.)
 
MAP provides a full range of legal services to nonprofit organizations, through the work of Charley Ravine, J.D., and pro bono services from Twin Cities' attorneys. For assistance with incorporation, legal projects or advice through MAP's Legal Hotline, see www.mapfornonprofits.org, Nonprofit Services, Legal; or email Charley at cravine at mapfornonprofits.org.
 
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MAP for Nonprofits 
25 years of Navigating for Nonprofit Excellence
 
MAP provides management and board recruitment services to large, medium and small nonprofit organizations in the Greater Twin Cities area. We complement the management expertise and resources of our clients with the right combination of paid staff, consultants and volunteers to achieve our clients' strategic objectives. 
 
If you would like to discuss how MAP services can help your nonprofit achieve its objectives, contact Julie Dappen at jdappen at mapfornonprofits.org.