PANO Involvement in Public Policy

6/29/10 PANO visits federal elected officials. On Thursday, June 24, 2010, Joe Geiger, Executive Director; and interns Elizabeth Myers and Crystal Dargay travelled to Washington D.C. to discuss issues that impact Pennsylvania Nonprofits. The bipartisan visits were with Congressman Holden and his legislative director Keith Pemrick, Congresswoman Schwartz’s legislative assistant Brandon Casey, Congressman Pitt’s legislative assistant Ben Stoltzfoos, and Congressman Altmire’s legislative assistant Cara Toman, along with Congressman Dent’s legislative assistant Kristin Dini. Mr. Geiger met with Congressman Platts and his staff Scott Miller, Chief of Staff and Rebeccah Wolfkiel, Legislative Director.

It is important to give special kudos to Congressman Platts for being the first republican to cosponsor “The Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act.” We thank Congressman Platts and his staff for their time and support of this essential bill that could strengthen the relationship between the federal government and the nonprofit sector. In addition to Congressman Platts, each of the visited legislators was expressly asked to sponsor The Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act.

The team from PANO also addressed nonprofit capacity building. The legislators were also asked for their support in reauthorizing the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act that provides $50 million and the Serve America Act that provides $5 million.

Government contracts and grants processes were brought to the attention of the federal legislators. Specifically, we discussed the lack of cost of living adjustments and interest payments accrued by nonprofit as a result of late contract payments from the government.

The PANO team additionally encouraged the reintroduction of bills to support standardizing charitable mileage reimbursement rates with business mileage reimbursement rates and the Public Good IRA Act to promote older Americans to make charitable donations.

A number of Pennsylvania constituents including nonprofit organization leaders are still concerned about the extension of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Act. Unfortunately, it was learned that on Friday, June 25, the extender’s bill was blocked and shut down for a lack of supporting votes in the Senate. This represents a loss of $850 million in revenue to Pennsylvania.

For additional information please contact Joe Geiger at: joe@pano.org, or 717-236-8584, x1007.

7/15/09 PANO Represents Your Organization’s Interests in Washington D.C.  Press Release

On July 14, Joe Geiger, Executive Director, Jennifer Ross, CIO, and David Ross, Policy Officer, along with representatives of other State Associations from across the country, met with Michele Jolin, Senior Advisor for the President for Social Innovation and Civic Participation, in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Ms. Jolin explained the priorities of this agency. Tim Delaney, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, and its board members, expressed our interest in continuing an ongoing dialog about issues critical to the sector. We will be contacting members for input as we receive requests from Ms. Jolin and her colleagues. Please share feedback so your needs will be heard.

Dr. Lester Salamon, Director of the Listening Post Project at Johns Hopkins University, also shared the findings of the “Impact of the 2007-09 Recession on Nonprofit Organizations.” We encourage you to review this informative research and learn more about the Listening Post here: http://www.ccss.jhu.edu/index.php?section=content&view=9&sub=5. 

Today, PANO Public Policy Officer David Ross and Public Policy Intern Emily Lai, are visiting with Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. as part of the National Council of Nonprofits’ 2009 Lobby Day. This is a vitally important opportunity for PANO to network with influential members of state and federal government as well as share ideas and build relationships with nonprofits from around the country, to further amplify the voice of Pennsylvania’s nonprofit sector.

National Council of Nonprofits’ 2009 Lobby Day kicked-off with a policy briefing where Theresa Pattara, Tax Counsel to Senator Charles Grassley (IA-R) and leading staff members of the US Senate Finance Committee engaged in the critical discussion of how Congress and the Administration can better partner with America’s 1.4 million nonprofits, build nonprofit capacity, and bring much needed healthcare coverage to small nonprofit employers. Watch for more details soon about these priorities.

Following the briefing, David Ross and Emily Lai, visited 11 of Pennsylvania’s 19 Congressional offices on the issues of health care reform, nonprofit capacity building, nonprofit access to stimulus funds, expanding the IRA rollover charitable giving incentive, and raising the volunteer mileage rate.

Learn more about the National Council of Nonprofits here: http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/.  Nonprofit organizational members of PANO are also members of our National Council.

Celebrate “Pennsylvania Nonprofit Day”-- April 17, 2008   

Join PANO and Pennsylvania’s nonprofits on April 17, 2008 on the floor of the State House in Harrisburg, for the first Pennsylvania Nonprofit Congress.  Yesterday afternoon (4/9/08), the State Senate, in support of PANO, NCNA and the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Congress, adopted Senate Resolution 293 hereby recognizing that…April 17, 2008, is "Pennsylvania Nonprofit Day" throughout the Commonwealth.

The Resolution was introduced by State Senator Andrew Dinniman of Chester and Montgomery Counties.  Senator Dinniman and his staff are dedicated to the causes championed by PANO on behalf of the nonprofit community and has publicly demonstrated this commitment.  He has also agreed to serve as the Senate Chair for the Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit CAUCUS, a new initiative spearheaded by PANO and the United Way of Pennsylvania, to be launched later this year.   

PANO & Coalition of Charities Hold Legislative Breakfast for New Legislators. On January 30, PANO leading a coalition of five statewide charities, hosted a legislative breakfast at the Capitol in Harrisburg, honoring the 55 freshman legislators of 2007. Participants included PANO as organizer, the Pennsylvania Alliance of YMCAs, United Way of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Association of Goodwill Industries, and Pennsylvania Chapters of the American Red Cross. The event addressed the need to establish a closer working relationship with the legislature. Pictures.

PANO Gears-Up for Advocacy in 2007

As 2006 draws to a close, PANO wraps-up its public policy activities for the year, and gears-up for an exciting 2007 legislative season. PANO wishes to thank our member organizations, our colleagues and our friends, who answered call-to-actions, engaged in the public arena, and helped us successfully advocate for those we serve.

2007 will be no less of a challenge, but PANO will continue to provide members with solid public policy analysis, advocacy and leadership. Your input is valued and always welcome. Your involvement is crucial. Please contact David Ross PANO Public Policy Officer at david@pano.org  to ask how you can get involved, to provide feedback and/or for more information on any of the items below. Together we can build a stronger charitable sector and improve the quality of life for all communities.

Town Hall Meetings 2005/2006

The Pennsylvania Nonprofit Town Hall Meeting in Bethlehem on Monday November 7^th was a resounding success.  Stuart Weiser presented the Nonprofit Employment Report and the impact of nonprofit arts organizations as an engine for growth.  Joe Geiger presented on the role of PANO, and offered an updated of legislative issues impacting the sector.  Phil Hayne, Senior Vice President of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley addressed the impact of human services charities on the community they serve.  All three presentations were informative, engaging and well received by an audience of more than 70 representatives of nonprofits in the Lehigh Valley.      

US Senator Rick Santorum was the special guest speaker.  The Senator arrived during the 10:30 am break, took the podium at 11:00 am and spoke for about 30 minutes on the pending nonprofit reforms, charitable incentives in the various hurricane relief acts, and the current hurdle of federal budget reconciliation.  The Senator then sat as a panelist with Joe, Stuart, and Phil, and answered questions from the audience about nonprofit issues. 

Media in attendance included PCN, who filmed the entire 2 ½ hour event, television channel 69, who filmed most of the event, the Morning Call newspaper, WAEB AM radio news and their sister FM radio station B-104 news.  PCN has not yet scheduled a broadcast time or date.  We will keep you posted as to when it will air.  This event generated the type of attention and recognition that will help promote PANO’s reputation into new markets.

PANO would like to thank Bill Kleintop, Bill Ender, Mike Wilson, Santo Marabella (Moderator), and Irvin Rokke, (President of Moravian College) for their hard work and their hospitality.  We would also like to thank Phil Hayne Senior Vice President of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (Panelist) for his most welcome assistance.  We look forward to future opportunities to build upon these new and productive relationships.  

October 19, 2005 (717) 236-8584

Senator Santorum to join PANO and Moravian College for Town Hall Meeting on nonprofit employment and legislative issues Monday November 7 in Bethlehem

Bethlehem, PA- Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), United Way of Pennsylvania (UWP), The Allied Art Fund, and Moravian College Comenius Center will hold a Pennsylvania Nonprofit Town Hall Meeting on Monday, November 7, 2005, at Foy Hall, in Bethlehem, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.

This forum will focus on issues that impact Pennsylvania’s nonprofit sector:

• Nonprofits have become a major economic force in Pennsylvania. 1 out of every 9 workers in Pennsylvania is employed by a nonprofit.
• Nationwide, nonprofit arts organizations generate $10.5 billion in Federal personal income tax revenue. In Central Pennsylvania alone, nonprofit arts organizations generate $43 million in revenue annually.

Presenters include:
• Joe Geiger, Executive Director, PANO, will discuss how Pennsylvania nonprofits have become a major source of employment. Mr. Geiger will also present on current State legislation that will impact the nonprofit sector.
• Stuart Weiser, President, AAF, will present PANO’s 2005 Nonprofit Employment Study by Johns Hopkins University. He will also address how nonprofit arts organizations a become an engine for regional economic growth.
• Phil Hayne, Senior Vice President of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley will address the essential role of charitable nonprofits in providing human services and promoting a healthier community.

Special Guest speaker:
• Rick Santorum, US Senator for Pennsylvania since 1995. Senator Santorum will present on the CARE Act, the Hurricane Relief Act, and nonprofit reform legislation.

This Pennsylvania Nonprofit Town Hall Meeting is part of PANO’s on-going effort to advance the work of Pennsylvania’s charitable nonprofit sector through education and advocacy. “This is a chance for the entire community to ask questions and voice concerns directly to leaders of Pennsylvania’s nonprofit sector.” said PANO Executive Director Joe Geiger. “This kind of exchange helps us better provide leadership on the critical issues that impact Pennsylvania’s nonprofits and the communities we serve.” "Pennsylvania’s nonprofits are a major economic force in every region of the state,” said UWP President Tony Ross. “The fact that the sector continues to grow is a clear indication of its significance, influence and potential.”

The Bethlehem Nonprofit Town Hall Meeting was one in a series of five public Meetings held throughout the Commonwealth, developed by PANO and co-sponsored by regional leaders of the nonprofit sector. Other Town Hall Meetings included: October 21, 2005- Philadelphia, January 6, 2006- Harrisburg, January 24, 2006- Pittston, and May 17, 2006- Hanover.