The Community Counsel Program is working with the DC Bar to co-sponsor a free series of five webinars for nonprofit organizations entitled:

NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE & THE REVISED IRS FORM 990 - A SERIES OF FIVE WEBINARS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU FILL IN THE BLANKS.

Your organization's Form 990 is one of your most important documents. It is the world's window into your organization. The IRS, donors, funders and the press review your Form 990 to determine such information as:

* Do you have an independent board of directors overseeing your
operations?

* Does your organization maintain high ethical standards and a culture of transparency for your donors, volunteers, clients and employees?

* How much of each donation does your organization pay its outside fundraisers and how much does it keep for its mission?

* Is your executive compensation in line with organizations in your area of similar size and with a similar mission?

In recent years the IRS has adopted a specific focus on nonprofit governance as part of its oversight of nonprofits exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The revised Form 990 requires nonprofits to describe in detail their governance practices, including such issues as how the nonprofits manage conflicts of interest and set executive compensation.

The five-part webinar series is designed to help you understand and comply with the new disclosure requirements. Each webinar in this series will discuss in-depth one of the new disclosure requirements. It will assist you in developing policies and procedures that will allow your organization to follow best practices and help inspire confidence in your funders and the general public that your organization is well run.

The webinars are held once a month. They begin at 12 noon and last approximately 60 minutes - and you never have to leave your office!

This series is designed for members of the board of directors and senior executives of nonprofits, as well as attorneys that counsel nonprofit organizations on governance matters.

To register, please click the following link:
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https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/598666041

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Schedule of Webinars:

Moderator for each webinar: Henry Lesser, Special Counsel, DLA Piper LLP (US)

December 2, 2009 - Building an Independent Board.

Presenters: Jason Harmon, Partner, DLA Piper LLP (US)
Lisa Merrill, Partner, DLA Piper LLP (US)

January 6, 2010 - Managing Conflicts of Interest.

Presenters: Lisa Merrill, Partner, DLA Piper LLP (US)
Dennis Wilson, Partner, DLA Piper LLP (US)

February 3, 2010 - Setting Executive Compensation.

Presenters: Shane Hamilton, Member, Miller & Chevalier
Judith Stein, Senior Principal, Quatt Associates

March 3, 2010 - The Role of the Board and Audit Committee in Supervising the Independent Audit and Reviewing the Form 990.

Presenters: Richard Marks, Partner, DLA Piper LLP (US)
Carl Kampel, CPA, Director, Ellin & Tucker, Chartered

April 6, 2010 - Developing a Culture of Transparency.

Presenters: Sheldon Krantz, Partner, DLA Piper LLP (US)
David Williams, CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America

Each webinar will start at 12 noon Eastern Time and last 60 minutes.