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From Policy to Practice: Optimizing Your Nonprofit Personnel Handbook
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
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How good is your personnel policy handbook?

Whether your nonprofit has 10 employees, 200 employees, or more than 1000, you probably have a personnel policy “handbook.” You give it to new employees and require that they sign to acknowledge receipt.

But do they actually read it? If they do, does it cover the policies you want them to understand? Does it reflect the type of working environment you want to maintain? Does it cover issues required by law? In a way that complies with the law?

Does it cover available leaves? Disciplinary procedures? Remote work? Whistleblower protections? Conflicts of Interest? Social media policies?

Does it protect your ability to change the policies? Do you have a way to update it regularly, with changes going to all employees?

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Do your Bylaws reflect the way you actually operate? Do they protect the interests of those who should be protected? Do they spell out clearly how to deal with governance issues? Or do they create uncertainty for those who have to implement them?

Most nonprofits don't spend a lot of time looking at their Bylaws until there is a question or a dispute. That's when you need bylaws that are clear and unambiguous, so your questions on how to proceed are already answered. That's when bad bylaws can lead to unnecessary controversies or even costly litigation. Nonprofit Issues editor Don Kramer will review your current or proposed Bylaws to see if they work for you.

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SAY THAT AGAIN?

May 30, 2025

The loan agreement says: “All contractual rates of interest chargeable on the outstanding Term Loans shall continue to accrue and be paid even after default, maturity, acceleration, judgment, bankruptcy, insolvency proceedings of any kind or the happening of any event or occurrence similar or dissimilar.”

A former banker friend says that “any event or occurrence similar or dissimilar” is some lawyer “fancy talk” for “the kitchen sink!”

See our "Say That Again" collection

Special Report Available

Increasing Gender Diversity on the Boards of Nonprofit Eds and Meds: Why and How to Do It

This report provides a rare inside view on barriers women face to selection and success that are particular to nonprofit organizations and makes specific recommendations on how to improve the gender ratio.
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Can restricted gifts be used for general operating expenses?

Our bylaws provide that our Board Chair can vote only in the case of a tie. Isn’t that a good idea?

Board populated with members only?

When bylaw and mission statement are amended, who should be notified?

Can we use as an incubator until we get 501(c)(3) status?

Can a co-founder ethically become an executive director?

Can the Executive Director of a nonprofit corporation fire a director for not agreeing with him?

How long must nonprofit retain financial book and records?

May we pay achievement bonus?

May we treat musicians as independent contractors?

How do we confront board for improper conduct of traveling group?

Is board liable on 20-year lease?

How can we deduct gift to injured friend?

I won dinner at charitable lottery. Isn't that great?

What happens if synagogue didn't file for exemption?

We have been told that the President of our Board has no vote. Says who?

If I convert from a for-profit to nonprofit, can I keep my trademark?

Include rental income from our apartment house on line 6 of Form 990, is that correct?

Should we share Board Minutes with former Board Member?

Can the directors of our nonprofit vote by proxy?