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What is the Caucus? The Pennsylvania Nonprofit Caucus
is a bipartisan, bicameral forum through which lawmakers can
collaborate on legislative and regulatory issues impacting
charity and philanthropy in Pennsylvania. The Caucus was
developed by Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit
Organizations (PANO) and United Way of Pennsylvania (UWP)
and established on June 17, 2008 by members of the
Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Caucus is innovation at
work and virtually guarantees a seat at the table for
Pennsylvania’s 501(c)(3) charities & foundations. We are
excited at the prospects of what this Caucus can achieve.
What is the Purpose of the Caucus? The Caucus
strives to enhance the ability of Pennsylvania’s charitable
nonprofit organizations to achieve their mission on behalf
of the Commonwealth, their local communities, and those they
serve. To accomplish this goal, the Caucus monitors
legislative and regulatory issues that impact Pennsylvania’s
nonprofit sector and serves as a resource for information,
education, vision and advocacy on these issues. The Caucus
works to spark a newfound and directed sense of corporate
citizenship, promote charitable governance standards,
encourage volunteerism, and enhance opportunities for
charitable giving.
Who is the Caucus? The Caucus is chaired by, PA
Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-19), State
Rep.
Mario Scavello (R-176) and Senator Michael
Brubaker (R-36). The Caucus focuses primarily on issues that
globally impact the nonprofit sector, but subsector issues
are open for discussion, and can even be addressed through a
Caucus task force. As of October 22, 30 Pennsylvania State
Legislators have expressed their support for the Caucus. We
expect that this number will grow in 2009.
Who is the Caucus Advisory Committee?
Approximately thirty statewide 501(c)(3) purely public
charities and foundations representing arts and culture,
education, religion, health care, human services and
numerous subsectors serve the Caucus Legislators in an
advisory capacity. This number will grow as the Committee
takes shape. The Caucus was designed to open channels of
communication between Pennsylvania nonprofits and the State
Legislature, but also to open channels of communication
among nonprofits --to bridge the sector. Through
collaboration, the Caucus can enhance nonprofit networking,
capacity and effectiveness.
How Can I get Involved? If you have an idea that
could improve charitable giving, governance, or nonprofit
resources, the Caucus would like to hear from you! Send your
legislative proposal to the Caucus to be considered for
inclusion in the 2009 Caucus agenda. Contact David A. Ross,
PANO Public Policy Officer at
david@pano.org or
at (717) 236-8584 for more information or to submit your
proposal.
The Caucus is a new and exciting opportunity for the
entire nonprofit sector. Your participation is essential to
its success.
The
Caucus Advisory assembled for its first
general meeting on September 4, 2008 in Harrisburg. The
purpose of this meeting was to address the group
culture, expectations and discuss the Caucus Agenda
for 2009.
Launch: The Caucus was
launched on Tuesday, June 17, 2008,at a Legislative Breakfast &
Press Conference hosted by PANO and the
United Way of Pennsylvania
(UWP),
Pennsylvania Alliance of YMCAs,
Pennsylvania Association of Goodwills, and the
Pennsylvania Chapters of the American Red Cross.
From Left to Right:
Rep. Siptroth (D-189), David Ross (PANO),
Tracy McCurdy (PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations)
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