LETTER: Help for boards of nonprofits

I applaud Susan Repa’s letter on “Common sense rules for money handling in nonprofits.” As a former executive director of a nonprofit, former owner of a bookkeeping business, and current nonprofit board member, I echo her rules for making simple accounting changes to help prevent embezzlement.

I propose one additional step. Take advantage of the workshops and information offered by the Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership. The partnership offers free monthly Brown Bags and low-cost seminars for board members, executive directors, staff, volunteers and, frankly, anyone interested in nonprofits. Their eNewsletter is packed full with workshops and nonprofit resources, from financial management to board development to fundraising to human resources. One recent tip included a website focused on accounting for small nonprofits — a must read for all volunteer and one or two employee nonprofits.

When I was first introduced to the Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership, by attending several of their Brown Bag seminars, I quickly began to encourage my fellow board members and peers in the nonprofit community to attend their nonprofit management education workshops and to sign up for their eNewsletters. Now that I’m on their Steering Committee, I have seen how board members, armed with best practices and information, are able to more effectively manage the nonprofits they serve.

Plus, I have timely news to share. Susan Repa asked for a forum on how nonprofits can secure their finances. It’s coming! Through a partnership among the Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership, Flathead Valley Community College, and Applied Materials Foundation, there will be a 16-hour class on financial management for nonprofits in July 2016. In addition, Park Side Credit Union and the Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership are working on details and timing for a one-day workshop on financial management for nonprofits. Go to NpDP.org and sign up for our newsletter. You’ll get information on all our upcoming educational opportunities.

I am thankful for the support of our sponsor Flathead Community Foundation as well as our community supporters Flathead Valley Community College, Park Side Credit Union, Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation and other nonprofits and individuals in the community dedicated to providing effective, local, nonprofit management education. Let’s serve our community well! —Kristin Bruninga, Kalispell