Bill of Rights

Our most recent political discourse seems to be focused on the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  The first 10 amendments, collectively known as The Bill of Rights, are widely used and quoted, misused and misquoted, to defend a particular political ideology or position.

I propose a series of 10 Amendments to the Constitution, collectively to be known as the Bill of Responsibilities, and accompanying each of the original 10 amendments:

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment I-A
Everyone has the responsibility to ensure that all religious beliefs are protected, that no religion or set of religious beliefs shall be more protected than others.  That we have the responsibility, individually and collectively, to ensure that our free speech shall not inflict harm on others.  That as we peaceably assemble, we recognize the rights of others.  That when we petition the Government for redress of grievances, our grievances shall be of significance to ourselves and others and not petty grievances.

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Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment II-A
That we recognize that the State has the authority to regulate, per the Constitution, our arms and how they are used, and that this does not infringe on our rights.  That we understand safety and security are not the same, and that we take responsibility for the safety of ourselves, our family and others as we exercise our right to bear arms.

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Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment III-A
That we, as a People, shall take responsibility to honor and respect those who Serve in our Armed Services.

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Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment IV-A
That we have the responsibility to assist our law enforcement officers without endangering ourselves or submitting to unlawful or unreasonable search and seizure.

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Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment V-A
That we have the responsibility as a People to conform to just laws and act in accordance with the Rule of Law.

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Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VI-A
That individuals must act in our own defense, we must also provide witness and assistance to those unjustly accused.

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Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VII-A
That we must not engage in frivolous suits and use the law to our own selfish purposes.

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Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment VIII-A
That we define cruel and unusual punishments and ensure that all laws and punishments are justly and equally applied.

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Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment IX-A
That we bear the responsibility to ensure that the rights that may not be mentioned in this Constitution are nonetheless real, that we may not deny the People's rights, nor restrict those rights except as defined by the Constitution of the United States.  

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Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendment X-A
That it is the responsibility of all citizens to respect the rights of others, to recognize and respect the powers and authority of the United States and the various States, and to act in accordance with the law.  But that civil disobedience is a right we claim under Amendment IX of the Constitution, where unjust laws may have been imposed and that unlawfully deny or disparage the Constitutional rights of the People.

No more excuses.

The election is over.  The fiscal cliff  has been avoided.  Yes, there are still political maneuverings and economic and tax and fiscal policies to be determined.  But the direction of the country, at least for the next four years, is clear.

So there can be no more excuses for inaction, no more "wait and see" attitudes.  Make the investment in your workforce, in upgrading technology and equipment.  Buy the land, break ground.  Start the new enterprise, the new initiative.

And those venture capital investments you have been holding off?  Do it now.

Charitable contributions?  The need has never been greater, and the opportunities for improving our community, our world, are there for you.

No more excuses.  Hire.  Invest.  Contribute.  Grow.

If you don't, you, with all of the rest of us, will fall even further behind our economic competitors.

There might not be another chance at economic recovery.  Seize the moment.

A New Day: The End of Fundraising

It began in 2008.

As the economy slid over the edge of the cliff, the Nonprofit Sector knew things would change.  But it never imagined things would change so drastically, that they would never be the same again.

"Disposable income", even among the wealthy, is no longer in the equation.  Nor is "Discretionary Spending."

As in Capital Fundraising Campaigns, nonprofits should be looking not at income, but at assets.

Yours, not theirs.

It's time for the Nonprofit Sector to focus on building assets.  Financial assets.  Capital assets. Intellectual assets.  Human assets.  Relationships.  Partnerships.

These are the assets that will drive revenue from this point forward.  Fundraising is no longer the means of generating sustainable revenue.  Asset building is where nonprofits need to focus their efforts.

Development will need to communicate the new focus.  When soliciting investment in a particular project or program, it is not enough to show the process, then the outcome.  It is not enough to demonstrate the positive impact on those being served.  You must show that an asset is being developed for the community, that this asset is how the donor/investor can realize their Return on Investment.

And you leverage their investment to grow assets within the organization -- more revenue, intellectual property, human assets that maximize potential, capital projects that become part of the community infrastructure.

And that you build relationships with your partners, your investors, and your clients.  Public/Private Partnership is no longer just a government/business alliance, it must include the Nonprofit Sector as a necessary partner.

As your organization builds these assets, it grows stronger, more sustainable.  Until the organization itself is recognized as a valued asset in the community, one which attracts investment and more assets.

It's a New Day.  Stop fundraising, start building assets.

Public/Private Partnership

At no time in our nation's history has there been as great a need to engage the public, private and nonprofit sectors in partnership.

And not just a funding partnership, where government and business provide funding for nonprofits.  A true partnership, with mutually determined goals and objectives, defined roles and responsibilities and a set of projected outcomes that benefit all.

It seems simple, and yet communities across the country fail to grasp the opportunity that such a partnership offers.  Either government over reaches, business fails to step up or nonprofits reject anything that involvesfor profit enterprise.

But there have been successes.  The Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce in Rome, GA (www.romega.com) has forged just such a partnership, and government, private enterprise and nonprofits are working together for the betterment of the community.

How does it work? 

It requires communication, a process to bring the parties together, and most of all, effective leadership.  All of the good intentions in the world, or the best facilitators, can't succeed without strong, effective leadership.  And the stronger the leaders from each sector, the stronger the partnership and the more successful it will be.

Where to start?

Define areas of common interest.  Who benefits when each sector succeeds?  Private enterprise creates jobs, which generate worker incomes, who pay taxes, that build roads and schools and provides public safety services, that grows the economy and the population, that creates demand for social services and arts and recreational opportunities and other quality of life issues, that are paid for by public and private investment in nonprofit organizations, that provide these things that enhance the quality of life, that attract new residents and businesses to the community, thus helping create more new jobs and businesses.

This interdependency is acknowledged, but seldom leveraged for optimum benefit.  You can't separate community development from economic development, they are so intertwined that you must address them together.

Return on Investment

By investing in the community, with specific expectations from the investors, a clearly defined set of outcomes are drawn.  These outcomes represent the Return on Investment for each partner -- public, private and nonprofit.  Each sees and receives value from the partnership and from the outcomes.  Without capital investment, there are no outcomes.  Without outcomes, there can be no Return on Investment.  Each partner has a job to do.

Making it Work

The intersection of the three sectors may be the local Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Agency, United Way, Community Foundation or other institution.  But convening the partenrs is the first step.  Leaders from each sector must step up and make it work, they must be committed to making it work.

Commitment comes with a cost.  In a bacon and egg breakfast, the chicken was involved, but the pig was committed.  Leaders must be more than involved and engaged.  They must commit to the work, to the partnership, and to the outcomes.

Nonprofit Sustainability: Social Enterprise

As we emerge from the Great Recession, not-for-profit organizations have multiple challenges to face.

Increased demand for social services, but decreased funding.  Decreased attendance and funding for arts and cultural programs.  Decline in religious giving and church attendance.  Pressure from federal, state and local government on tax exempt status and direct competition from government on funding for services.

Dwindling tax revenue has pushed government into direct competition with nonprofits to fund essential social services.  And in Washington, DC, lawmakers' talk of tax reform increasing includes discussions on the tax exempt status of nonprofits. 

Banks are renewing their call for elimination of tax exempt status for credit unions.  For-profit hospitals pressure Congress to "level the playing field" and eliminate tax exemption for nonprofit hospitals.  And so it goes.

Churches and religious institutions are safe, for now.  But nonprofit educational institutions, membership organizations, mutual associations --- all may see their tax exempt status disappear, or at least, see the charitable deduction disappear.

Many organizations will not survive, if this occurs.  Others will embrace entrepreneurial ventures to support their missions, creating a new revenue stream based on delivery of goods or services for pay.

"Social Enterprise" has been around for some time.  Not-for-profit organizations engaging in for-profit enterprises to support their missions.  Goodwill sells second hand clothing.  Girl Scouts sell cookies. These are Social Enterprises.

More organizations are looking at this model, finding ways to support their mission by competing in the marketplace, without risking their mission.

Some money-making ventures can be a part of a 501c3 organization's programs, others may require a separate for-profit venture to be formed.  For revenue streams that are not part of an organization's core mission, Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) must be paid.  Sales tax must be collected and paid, the same as any small business.

But Social Enterprise may be a sustainable revenue opportunity for many organizations.

A valuable resource is the Roberts Enterprise Development fund (www.redf.org).  This organization helps nonprofits determine if they should start a Social Enterprise, and how to go about doing it.

The Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida is offering a fundraising workshop on August 24th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the UNF University Center, Bldg. 43, 12000 Alumni Dr. Jacksonville, FL 3222.  Call 904.620.2476 for more information, or register on their website at https://www.sbdc.unf.edu/register-workshop-series.php?workshop_groups_id=4#w74.

Nonprofits must rise to the challenge by asserting themselves into the marketplace, and understanding their economic impact and value.  Social Enterprise may be part of the answer.

Wall Street Explained

Wall Street is, essentially, a poker room.

You've got all these poker players sitting at tables. One table has all the pharmaceutical companies playing Texas Hold-em. The next has all the auto companies playing 7-Card Stud. Another has the banks sitting around playing draw poker, jacks wild.

And lined up against the Wall ... are Wall Street brokers. They are making side bets, with investors' money, on each hand of poker. The bigger the pile of chips in front of each player, the bigger the side bet (or stock price)will be for that player.

Some brokers are actually taking side bets that one or more players will lose each hand.

And the House (Wall Street) wins every time, since they get a piece of the action from everyone.

The brokers charge you for the bet, not for the wins. So they can't lose. The only losers are the investors.

It has very little to do with how well each of the players performs, and more on how willing someone is to make a substantial side bet to keep that player in the game.

Over in the corner, at the small stakes tables, are the small businesses. No one is making side bets for them. Occasionally, one of the investors goes over, watches a few hands, and slips a few chips to a player. But largely, they are ignored.

And at the end of the day, the main room has a few big winners and a lot of losers. The small stakes tables are pretty much sharing the pot, although every now and then, one of them gets hot and rakes in a pile. If they do that often enough, they get invited to the main room.

Wall Street is Vegas, baby!

Strangenomics

The New Economics. Post World War I, America embarked upon rapid expansion of it's industial infrastructure. Accelerated this post WWII. Massive investments in innovation. Exported expertise in manufacturing and process management to developing world. Developing world created a labor cost savings for manufacturing. Less investment in innovation, more investment in labor cost savings (i.e. offshoring jobs). American manufacturing declines. Quality of manufactured goods declines. Costs of manufactured goods declines, then begins to rise as labor costs and shipping costs increase. American unemployment rises.

Time for a new industrial revolution. Investments need in innovation, lean manufacturing, higher production of high quality products with fewer workers, but more, and smaller, manufacturing plants. Highly automated, highly skilled workers making higher salaries, but producing more for less.

Requires major investment in infrastructure, worker training, education.

Regain American pre-emminence in manufacturing.

America = Innovation = Stronger Global Economy