Keystone Awards

Three Honored at 1st Annual Keystone Awards | Sheridan Media - Serving Sheridan Wyoming & Buffalo Wy

Bella Graphics and Display was pleased to support this outstanding event, honoring these fine citizens for their lifetime of community service!

Torch Award

Last night Kennon Products was among the 12 companies honored by the
Better Business Bureau of Northern Colorado and Wyoming at their
annual Torch Awards Dinner.  Torch Awards are given to businesses that
best exemplify the highest standards of business ethics in how they
interact with customers, employees and their community.  There were
about 500 people in attendance and it truly was a well produced event
with a variety of entertainers, video production, and an excellent
reception and dinner.

The top award in our category ( 25 to 100 employees) was presented to
Drahota, a Fort Collins construction firm. Their story is inspiring as
were so many told throughout the evening.  During the downturn in the
economy, instead of reducing their workforce Drahota sent their
workers into the community to do home repairs for the elderly.  They
have a wellness program for their employees and provide loaner
bicycles. They have raised thousands of dollars in special events such
as Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.

We congratulate Drahota, the winners in the other three categories and
all of the finalists.  It truly was an inspiring evening. We are proud
to be among the those honored for trust and ethics and motivated by
the many wonderful stories  to try even harder.

--
Ronald J. Kensey, President
Kennon Products, Inc
www.kennonproducts.com

At a time like this we can't afford the luxury of thinking.

President confuses charitable tax deduction with spending

I am confused.  I thought there was a difference between "revenue and expenses"  Taxing and spending .. 

In his speech last night the President of the United States said  “The tax code is also loaded up with spending on things like itemized deductions,” Obama said. “And while I agree with the goals of many of these deductions, like home ownership or charitable giving, we cannot ignore the fact that they provide millionaires an average tax break of $75,000 while doing nothing for the typical middle-class family that doesn’t itemize.”

The tax code is not loaded with spending .. your budget is loaded with spending! That's the problem! 

It is absolutely frightening when he says that charitable giving ..(non-profits) really doesn't do a thing for the middle class .. I thought that the third sector existed to help the less fortunate among us.  ...  I guess that it's only large government spending programs that do ..

Oh my Atlas Shruged.  Careful non-profits ... as goes the charitable deduction so goes you.  The government is going broke, don't expect to be funded with tax dollars or find a job in a government office building.








Read more: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/134446/20110414/obama-calls-for-limits-on-itemized-deductions.htm#ixzz1JXARLpEu

Not to non-profits who belly up to the trough

Non-profits and donors will likely be need to pick up the safety net for the least among us when the government can't pay it's bills. As my mother used to ask,"you think money grows on trees?

Washington goes down to the wire over saving only enough to pay for 2 days interest on the national debt.


I don't know many taxpayers who want to intrust the federal gov with more money as in more taxes. They obviously do not know how to balance a checkbook! I would rather give it to well run voluntary organizations. The ones that actually have donors and volunteers and do more than belly up to the troth.

Charities Aid Foundation releases "World Giving Index"

Charities Aid Foundation releases "World Giving Index"  and I don't know what to make of it. American, the former "giving" super power now ranks 5th behind Switzerland, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the leader of them all, Austrailia. 

And... The study also found that being happy is more of an influence on giving money to charity than being wealthy.  Things are not rotten in Denmark, the Danes had a score of 8.0 compared to 7.2 for the USA and Austria.  America is pretty grumpy right now because we got beat out by Canada, 7.5

Brian O'Connell a Champion of the Independent Sector

After hearing that Brian O'Connell,one of the founders of The Independent Sector had passed I couldn't help think about my mentors. Brian had worked for American Heart Association for 12 years early in his career,before my time,but Earl Beagle, John Connolly, and Warren Duntley spoke highly of Brian and shared his teachings. He was an expert at working with boards and volunteers. He was a real community organizer.

Amazingly, it was at least 30 years ago that I learned from Brian, the fact that I still remember him and his teaching and still apply it is a tribute to him. I know that he would agree with me that the third sector has a greater role to play in the future of our great country. God bless you Brian.

Tax the rich or else....

I started thinking about how non-profits could bailout the federal government because I got tired of listening to the debate over the repeal of the Bush tax rate cuts. I'm all for the wealthy contributing more to make this country a better place. I just think that volunteers make better stewards of money than are politicians.

Ask yourself, where do you think that you would you do get the biggest bang for your buck, having it distributed by politicians or by the volunteer board of the non-profits of your choice?

So, instead of fighting about tax rates and cuts in discretionary spending, let there be a choice, go ahead and fix the tax system and give those who must pay over-and-above a choice, pay it in taxes or give it to pay it to volunteer 501(c3)organizations of your choice. One will leverage that dollar by at least 10 times through volunteers and the other will not.

Which would be better for your cause?

Cause Related Marketing Takes Many Forms

There are many ways for a business to benefit by relating to a cause. A payment to the non-profit based on sales or projected sales is only one. Probably the most common.

Starbucks has built it's brand on being socially responsible. The non-profits they support have done well.

My company has a cause related marketing program that sells to non-profits at cost. It keeps our employees working when times are slow. In return we get recognition and we get business from the volunteers of those organizations, many of whom have businesses and needs of their own.

My point is, Cause Related Marketing comes in many flavors.

It is essential the business and non-profits support each other. I contend that by working together, non-profits can bail out the federal government. Or at least it is more pleasurable to think about as opposed to the national debt. ;-)

What if non-profits had all of the funds they needed?

What if non-profits had all of the resources they needed? What if they could print money? Many non-profits depend e federal or state funding. The wise ones have avoided depending on it. If the government runs out of money then what?

It the answer is to raise taxes then let's give these tax payees a choice a choice. Pay 3% more in taxes to pay for discretionary programs or the choice to personally distribute that same amount to 501c3 organizations of your choice. The goal being to have fewer government programs and over site and eventually none.

Does this sound bad or good to you? I will tell you how it sounds to an entrepreneur.

#Non-profits need to prepare to bail out the federal government

My first career was with a major voluntary health organization (17 years.)   

Then as  a business owner and defense contractor I experienced what the federal government does well and where it falls short.  I respect those who serve in elected, enlisted or civilian employment positions within the government, let's be clear about that!    

With the ever increasing federal debt, it looks like the government needs help providing a safety net for the least among us.  But wait, didn't that used to be the role of non-profits, looking after those who needed a hand up?   

There are three unique sectors that serve our society, government, business, and non-profit volunteer organizations.  Now is the time for non-profits, supported by the business sector, to bail out the federal government by assuming full responsibility for the least among us.  Uncle Sugar has run out of money.   Have faith, we did it once we can do it again! 

Blogging about the third sector