Just received the rate for the next year’s health premium.  A warping increase of 40%.  The cost of health care is the biggest drag on small businesses’ ability to pay higher wages and expanding.  Health care costs are so unpredictable that a business needs to grow just to cover the increasing expense.  The key to addressing this uncontrollable cost is to create government run large group insurance plans.  I hear Congress is thinking about something in this area.  Let’s make this the next agenda item.

The Stimulus bill creates new winners and losers. How prepared is your organization to bring best price to the process? Nonprofits bring a lot of value to the competitive process especially when outcomes are expected to be delivered.  Want to be more efficient and billable, try incorporating telecommuting and video conferencing.

Create opportunities for instilling worker camaraderie and brain storming. Instead of sitting in traffic use instant messaging, blackberry, IPhone, cell phone, email or other technology features.

Downsize should be less Bricks and Mortar, not individuals.

Pic by hartboy

Another blow to the financial industry trust.  An accountant for Fireman Adviser steals 25 million from Fireman family and Charitable Foundation.

The person is described as “a trusted adviser and friend”

This underscores the need for due diligence, which means reading information and considering the source.  I would suggest there is a more neutral honest place to consider for getting direction.

Check out The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Institute for Responsible Investment (IRI).  It provides provides a platform for dialogue among financial professionals, corporate practitioners, academics, unions, public interest organizations and public sector employees on fundamental issues and theories underlying socially responsible investing (SRI) and corporate citizenship.  It’s work is designed to expand the scope of a responsible investment through research and network-building that identifies cutting issues, and catalyzes growth in emerging fields.

Feel comfortable to ask why and learn, no matter who is managing the money.  Children are not afraid to ask questions, why should you be.

(pic by daniel</geek)

Investors should be considering Nonprofit and government Bonds.  Citigroup sold 12 billion dollars in bonds at 3.25%.  The reason for the buying was it was backed by a guarantee of FDIC and it paid 1% more than Treasuries.

What investors forget is much of the tax exempt bonds are also government backed, but not by the federal government.  The federal guarantee needs to be offered for nonprofit bonds, especially in the area of affordable housing, education and energy conservation.  Promote nonprofits as a great investment.  Show how the organization is not speculative in its venture and its long term commitment to the venture fits the mission.

It is time to build those bonds with investors.

(pic by Daniel</geek)

Congress is talking and the language length but is it enough?  My review shows something for just about every industry.

Upon passage of the Stimulus bill the President has promised to allow you to track the outcomes.  If your organization wants to play, keep an eye on the Stimulus Plan by going to:

www.recovery.gov

pic by Mike Licht

If you receive funding via an earmark your organization should be planning an alternative means to obtain the funding to run the initiative.

(pic by Mike Licht)

Where is my Hamster when I need him?

Modernizing the electrical grid with high tech smart meters provides the opportunity to better manage the electrical system and give consumers the ability to allow for time of use pricing.  Thereby, giving organizations the ability to lower their costs effectively.  Technology advances for appliances, home networks and plug-in electric vehicles is allowing for low use during high demand and higher use during low peak hours.

Heating by electric with higher use during the evening hours  just might be the best conversion solution to cut the need for fuel subsidies, lower utility bills and have a cleaner environment.  Electric heating systems are considered one of the cheapest means to keep warm.

(pic by r8r)

I expect aid to states will likely be the largest outlay approved by Congress, however, expect budget cuts by state and federal government to jobs in specific states or promoting the creation of jobs in the US through tax cuts and financial incentives.  I would include unemployment and food stamps funds in this group.

I expect individual and business tax cuts to be the second largest portion of the final stimulus bill. To the degree possible nonprofits should promote how they should receive a tax benefit.

I expect infrastructure spending for highway, rail, and mass transit to be third largest.

I expect health care, education  and the environment to be the second tier for stimulus consideration.  Nonprofits are more likely to see funds from these three categories.

For those nonprofits whom have earmarks prepare to lose them.  Do not be surprised if the earmark is lowered before the fiscal year is over.

The issuing of Health care vouchers

The publishing of rates and outcomes

Obtaining medical procedures in another country or region

National portable health plan

A more educated consumer.

(pic by Yusan Moon)

The complaints are in.

War deficit is not part of the budget

Oil companies control the US economy

Foreign oil strangles the US economy

Oil profits take control of financial institutions

The US government influences of wars is being manipulated

The US is being cornered into being isolated

How is 2009 going to be different?  One Penny pinching coin at a time.

Be prepared to identify those projects your organization can take immediately if granted dollars for weatherizing or energy reduction. It will save your organization thousands of pennies every year in its future spending.