Archive for the ‘Current Affairs’ Category

With a brief shutdown, some of these functions might elicit ho-hum responses, but other shutdown dynamics might hit nonprofits where they are vulnerable:

In the 1995 and 1996 shutdowns, payments to federal contractors affecting approximately 20 percent of the dollar volume of contracts were “affected adversely by the funding lapse” according to the CRS. Nonprofits know what that means. Grant awards and contract reimbursements will be delayed – on top of those already delayed, as NPQ has reported.

And the pain will spread to the states. Many state and local program staff are partially paid for by federal dollars. As those payments slow and stop, state governments will either have to temporarily replace federal dollars with their own resources, in short supply, or simply lay people off and shutter programs. As a result, federal grant and contract payment delays will add to delays for nonprofits at the state and local levels.

Provided by: The Nonprofit Quarterly, Rick Cohen

It’s getting cold in the Washington, DC area, and when I
pick my husband up from the bus stop he likes the car to feel warm. So, I used
to leave the car running until he’d arrive 15-20 minutes later. And, knowing
that I would just be sitting in the car, I would just wear my slippers and a
light jacket.

Well, a very good friend of mine (Laura Allen) educated
me to the fact that not only was I wasting gas, but I was adding to the
pollution. Now, I dress appropriately for the weather. I arrive closer to the
time I need to meet him, so I don’t run the car engine at all.  I’m doing my bit to improve our climate conditions.

What are you doing to live greener, and preserve our
world? Check out the Blog Action Day site for suggestions.