PANO Involvement in Public Policy

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.