Social Entrepreneur blog for the world changers
Social Entrepreneurship
Brooklyn Flea’s Innovative Take on an Old Idea
May 25th
A flea market as restaurant incubator, hipster destination and, yes, great place to find a lamp.
The Man Making Jet Packs Possible
May 24th
Flying high with a water-powered jet pack can now be a reality for thrill-seeking tourists thanks to Raymond Li's invention.
Entrepreneur’s 100 Brilliant Companies — 2013
May 23rd
Companies that are identifying and solving the problems we face every day.
The Serial Entrepreneur Who Is Tackling E-Waste With EcoATMs
May 23rd
Automated kiosks that buy back used electronics aim to ease the electronic waste burden and put cash in consumers' pockets.
Startup Weekend and Startup America Partner to Jumpstart Global Entrepreneurship
May 23rd
With the support of AOL Co-Founder Steve Case, new organization UP Global aims to accelerate startup communities around the world.
5 "Murphy’s Law" Scenarios For Your Special Event
May 23rd
Murphy's Law dictates that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Veteran special event planners swear by this rule, which is why they are always prepared for the worst possible scenario for their events. Paranoid? Maybe, but you can't argue they aren't being careful enough.
Special events inherently have an element of risk involved, explained Organic Events Founder Marika Holmgren in “Nonprofit Management 101.” While she wrote that there is no foolproof way to predict what issues will arise, that doesn't mean planners shouldn't prepare for every single scenario possible.
Holmgren identified five of the most impactful worst-case scenarios and suggested reviewing these and others to identify what needs to be done in each case and how to reduce the risk and liability of the organization:
Special events inherently have an element of risk involved, explained Organic Events Founder Marika Holmgren in “Nonprofit Management 101.” While she wrote that there is no foolproof way to predict what issues will arise, that doesn't mean planners shouldn't prepare for every single scenario possible.
Holmgren identified five of the most impactful worst-case scenarios and suggested reviewing these and others to identify what needs to be done in each case and how to reduce the risk and liability of the organization:
- Event income or registration does not meet your goals, financial or otherwise;
- Natural disasters (hurricane, earthquake, etc.);
- Hotel strikes and boycotts;
- A key team member or event planner leaves the project; or,
- A keynote speakers falls through.
U.S. Entrepreneurship Climbs to Highest Level in More Than a Decade (Infographic)
May 22nd
More than one in 10 Americans were developing their own business in 2012, according to the U.S. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor released today. Here's a look at the demographics of the community.
Ex-Nonprofit Director Sentenced
May 22nd
The ex-director of a nonprofit in Sanford, Maine was sentenced Tuesday to 2 1/2 years in prison for stealing more than $900,000 from the organization over six years. He was also ordered to pay $1.35 million in restitution and will report to prison on June 18.
According to a report in the Portland Press Herald, Thomas Nelson embezzled the money from York County Community Action (YCCA) from 2004 until his resignation in 2010. The organization provides services for low-income women and children.
Nelson's attorney, Jeffrey Silverstein, said that his client stole the money to fuel his gambling addiction, a habit he has since stopped. Nelson apologized for his actions in court, saying he let down YCCA.
"They trusted me, treated me well and I let them down."
Nelson transferred the money he stole from YCCA to a consulting firm outside Maine that returned part of the money in cash or payments toward his personal finances, according to court records. He continued to work for other nonprofits after he left YCCA in 2010, working as an executive director for Rockingham County Community Action in New Hampshire until, when faced with charges of embezzlement, he pleaded guilty in 2012.
The U.S. Attorney's Office recommended a reduced prison sentence for Nelson since he cooperated fully with investigators. Judge Nancy Torresen accepted this recommendation for this reason and because she wanted Nelson to return to the workforce quickly so he could repay his debt.
"From my point of view, you stole money from people who could least afford to lose it," Torresen told Nelson. "I consider this crime shameful."
In a written statement, Barbara Crider, YCCA's current executive director, thanked the U.S. Attorney's Office for their efforts and said that no program funds were taken as a result of Nelson's actions, and that services were not interrupted. The organization has also recovered a significant amount of the lost funds from its insurance bond.
You can read the full story in the Portland Press Herald.
According to a report in the Portland Press Herald, Thomas Nelson embezzled the money from York County Community Action (YCCA) from 2004 until his resignation in 2010. The organization provides services for low-income women and children.
Nelson's attorney, Jeffrey Silverstein, said that his client stole the money to fuel his gambling addiction, a habit he has since stopped. Nelson apologized for his actions in court, saying he let down YCCA.
"They trusted me, treated me well and I let them down."
Nelson transferred the money he stole from YCCA to a consulting firm outside Maine that returned part of the money in cash or payments toward his personal finances, according to court records. He continued to work for other nonprofits after he left YCCA in 2010, working as an executive director for Rockingham County Community Action in New Hampshire until, when faced with charges of embezzlement, he pleaded guilty in 2012.
The U.S. Attorney's Office recommended a reduced prison sentence for Nelson since he cooperated fully with investigators. Judge Nancy Torresen accepted this recommendation for this reason and because she wanted Nelson to return to the workforce quickly so he could repay his debt.
"From my point of view, you stole money from people who could least afford to lose it," Torresen told Nelson. "I consider this crime shameful."
In a written statement, Barbara Crider, YCCA's current executive director, thanked the U.S. Attorney's Office for their efforts and said that no program funds were taken as a result of Nelson's actions, and that services were not interrupted. The organization has also recovered a significant amount of the lost funds from its insurance bond.
You can read the full story in the Portland Press Herald.
Participate In The 2013 Nonprofit Salary And Benefits Survey
May 21st
The 2013 Nonprofit Salary and Benefits Survey is the chance for you to be a part of the solution for your nonprofit and organizations across the country. Participants will also get a number of benefits for their time: Just for completing the survey your organization will get a FREE Executive Summary of the Survey, with full salary data for all positions. Everyone who completes the survey will receive 50% off the full report ($285 currently).
There are also some new features for this year's survey. We know that your time is valuable so we have streamlined the survey so that it will be even quicker to complete. In addition, if you have previously completed the 2011 or 2012 surveys, you now have the ability to jump start the 2013 survey completion process–you only need to change the data that is different.
Other new features include:
Other new features include:
- The survey is now compatible with all major Internet browsers including Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.
- We've made it easier and more intuitive to enter data. We've also added more prompts to guide users.
The deadline to complete the 2012 Salary and Benefits Survey is July 31, but that doesn't mean you should wait. Head to our website today to start the survey and help all nonprofits. Results will be distributed to participants in October 2013.
Participate In The 2013 Nonprofit Salary And Benefits Survey
May 21st
The 2013 Nonprofit Salary and Benefits Survey is the chance for you to be a part of the solution for your nonprofit and organizations across the country. Participants will also get a number of benefits for their time: Just for completing the survey your organization will get a FREE Executive Summary of the Survey, with full salary data for all positions. Everyone who completes the survey will receive 50% off the full report ($285 currently).
There are also some new features for this year's survey. We know that your time is valuable so we have streamlined the survey so that it will be even quicker to complete. In addition, if you have previously completed the 2011 or 2012 surveys, you now have the ability to jump start the 2013 survey completion process–you only need to change the data that is different.
Other new features include:
Other new features include:
- The survey is now compatible with all major Internet browsers including Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.
- We've made it easier and more intuitive to enter data. We've also added more prompts to guide users.
The deadline to complete the 2012 Salary and Benefits Survey is July 31, but that doesn't mean you should wait. Head to our website today to start the survey and help all nonprofits. Results will be distributed to participants in October 2013.
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