President's message:

HANO is filling the nonprofit
sector's seat at the table

In August, HANO participated in the first meeting of the Prompt Payment Task Force, created by the Legislature to look at reasons and remedies for late government payments to nonprofit providers. The task force, convened by the Department of Accounting and General Services, also included key state government department representatives, legislators and members of the community.

Our discussion revealed a complex web of processes and systems that contribute to delays in contract payments to nonprofits, including the myriad documents nonprofits must submit to initiate a contract or to be paid. The group will meet again at the end of September.

Mahalo to Hau`oli Mau Loa Foundation for supporting our work on this task force and for providing a facilitator to guide these discussions.

HANO also participated in the Honolulu City and County's Real Property Tax Commission's first two meetings. This commission is reviewing the city property tax system's classes, exemptions, credits and minimum property tax. 

In both of these efforts our job is to represent the nonprofit sector. Your HANO membership supports these efforts, building our capacity to respond effectively to these initiatives.

Upcoming Events: To hear first hand how community organizing works, come meet activist America Bracho of the Latino Health Access in California at our upcoming free event on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

And there should be something for everyone -- board members, staff, volunteers, consultants, fund raisers and funders -- at what we event planners are now fondly calling the "Mega Nonprofit Conference" on Nov. 29 and 30 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Registration information will be out shortly -- save those dates!

Thanks, and please enjoy this month's newsletter.

Lisa Maruyama
HANO president & CEO