December 18, 2013

2014 Risk Webinars: Practical, Convenient Risk Management Training

The Nonprofit Risk Management Center is pleased to announce a brand-new line-up of Risk Webinars for 2014. A new, recorded program will be released during the first week of each month during 2014. These new programs are grouped into four modules: General Risk Management, Legal Risk, Governance and Risk Oversight, and Managing Human Resource Risk.

Also brand new in 2014, the Center will host quarterly “open-door” sessions exclusively for webinar participants. During each of these sessions you will be able to ask questions about any risk topic in an interactive, 30-minute audio conference with Executive Director, Melanie Lockwood Herman.

The new recorded webinar format and the addition of open door sessions are two ways we’re making risk management training convenient and affordable for our clients and members. As a reminder, Affiliate Members enjoy free access to all of the 2014 webinars, as well as access to the webinar vault containing more than 100 recorded programs. Not an Affiliate Member? Visit www.nonprofitrisk.org/affiliates/default.asp to sign up, or call Kay Nakamura @ (202) 785-3891 for information about our membership program.

Managing Holiday Party Risks

By Arley Turner

It’s time to celebrate! Whether your nonprofit landed a new grant, improved service to consumers, or logged a record number of volunteer hours this year, a celebratory party is overdue. Office parties are a great idea for numerous reasons. They provide an opportunity for telecommuters to reconnect with traditional commuters, they remind us that relationships in the workplace are valued more than compensation, and they afford the chance to take a breath and relax before the impossible deadlines and goals of the New Year are upon us.

But despite the potential for fun, camaraderie and celebration, holiday parties also present risks to employers and employees. Mission-eroding party outcomes include:

• Physical or emotional injury resulting from alcohol consumption
• Harassment suits alleging inappropriate conduct at a party
• Violations of the employee code of conduct
• Irreparable harm to relationships in the workplace

Before you cancel your upcoming fete, review the following tips to increase the safety of your holiday party. After all, a party should be a time of celebration, not a time to create evidence that will be used in a lawsuit against the nonprofit. more…