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Charity Therapy

Charity Therapy

Auteur(s): Jess Birken MNM JD
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À propos de cet audio

 What if you could hang out with experienced nonprofit professionals and ask them your burning questions about the day-to-day life of nonprofits? What if you could take their wisdom and bring it back to your organization, for free? That's what we do on Charity Therapy. Hosted by Jess Birken - owner and lawyer at Birken Law Office. Every episode is an in-depth look at how to run a nonprofit, from fundraising to IRS woes to people problems and more! Our goal is to empower nonprofits to achieve your mission by doing things right.Jess Birken, MNM, JD 543617 Développement commercial et entrepreneuriat Entrepreneurship Gestion et leadership Économie
Épisodes
  • 149: Um, Actually... | How Many Times Should a Nonprofit Board of Directors Meet?

    149: Um, Actually... | How Many Times Should a Nonprofit Board of Directors Meet?
    Oct 16 2025

    If your board hasn’t met in ten months, that’s not just awkward — it’s a big problem.

    In this episode, Meghan and I dive into a basic (but often overlooked) part of nonprofit governance: how often a board needs to meet, and what happens when it doesn’t.

    Real Listener Question: “My wife joined the board of a small arts nonprofit, but they haven’t met once in ten months. The executive director sends quarterly updates by email — that’s it. Is that legal?”

    A board that never meets isn’t really a board — it’s a liability. Meghan and I talk about what state laws and bylaws actually require, what fiduciary duties board members are neglecting when they don’t meet, and how to raise the issue without making enemies. We also unpack what counts as a real “meeting,” why email updates don’t cut it, and what to do if you’re stuck on a board that’s asleep at the wheel.

    What You'll Learn:

    • The bare minimum number of meetings a board should have each year
    • Why your bylaws matter more than you think
    • What fiduciary duties mean — and how ignoring them puts you at risk
    • Why a one-way email is not a valid board meeting
    • How to raise governance concerns without burning bridges
    • When (and how) to walk away from a dysfunctional board

    Bottom line: If your board isn’t meeting, it’s not leading. You can’t fulfill your fiduciary duties by inbox — and sometimes, the bravest move is to speak up or step out.

    Resources from this Episode

    • Learn about fiduciary duties here: https://birkenlaw.com/cornerstone-content/what-does-it-mean-to-be-nonprofit-board-member/
    • Previous Episode: When Nonprofits Should (Or Shouldn't!) Use PEOs for Their HR with Jess Holst: https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct148/
    • Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CT149_Trasncript.pdf

    Connect with Us

    • Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/
    • Meghan Heitkamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-heitkamp-829254115/

    Listen & Engage

    • Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music
    • Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review"
    • Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-story

    Stay Connected

    • Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/
    • Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
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    18 min
  • 148: Type A Personalities Unite! | When Nonprofits Should (Or Shouldn't!) Use PEOs for Their HR with Jess Holst

    148: Type A Personalities Unite! | When Nonprofits Should (Or Shouldn't!) Use PEOs for Their HR with Jess Holst
    Oct 2 2025

    Think a PEO will solve all your nonprofit’s HR headaches? Not so fast — the fine print might surprise you.

    In this episode, I’m joined by HR consultant Jess Holst from Aligned HRC to answer a listener’s question about whether a professional employer organization (PEO) is the right solution for their growing nonprofit.

    Real Listener Question: “We’ve grown from four employees to nearly twelve. I’ve been handling payroll and HR myself, but it’s becoming too much. A board member suggested a PEO, but it feels too good to be true. Should we do it?”

    PEOs get sold as a one-stop HR solution, but the reality is more complicated. Jess Holst and I unpack the promises versus the pitfalls: from hidden compliance traps, to the limits of what PEOs actually cover, to the unexpected costs that nonprofits often don’t see coming. We also explore alternatives like fractional HR support and how to make smarter choices about employee benefits.

    What You'll Learn:

    • What a PEO actually does — and what it doesn’t
    • The real reason many nonprofits consider a PEO (hint: health insurance)
    • Why compliance gaps and hidden costs can make PEOs risky
    • How pairing a PEO with fractional HR could be a smarter move
    • Why shopping with a benefits broker might save you more than a PEO
    • How to know when your nonprofit is ready for outside HR help

    Bottom line: A PEO isn’t a magic HR fix. For some nonprofits, it might be a tool. For many, it’s a costly distraction. What matters most is building a strong HR foundation — whether that’s with fractional HR support, a trusted benefits broker, or a thoughtful plan for growth.

    Resources from this Episode

    • Learn more Jess and Aligned HRC: https://alignedhrc.com/
    • Previous Episode: Are Nonprofit DEI Initiatives Illegal? with Megan: https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct147/
    • Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CT148_Transcript.pdf

    Connect with Us

    • Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/

    Listen & Engage

    • Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music
    • Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review"
    • Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-story

    Stay Connected

    • Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/
    • Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
    Voir plus Voir moins
    20 min
  • 147: Keep Doing You, Boo | Are Nonprofit DEI Initiatives Illegal? With Guest Megan Fuciarelli

    147: Keep Doing You, Boo | Are Nonprofit DEI Initiatives Illegal? With Guest Megan Fuciarelli
    Sep 18 2025
    Worried your nonprofit’s DEI programs might be illegal now? You’re not alone — and I can bet you won’t be able to find the right answer on social media. In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Fuciarelli from US2 Consulting to dig into what the latest EEOC guidance actually means for nonprofits trying to foster inclusion. Real Listener Question: “My nonprofit has employee resource groups (ERGs) for LGBTQ+, Latinx, Black, and AAPI staff. They’re popular, but I heard the EEOC says they might count as discrimination now. Do we need to shut them down, or is there a way to keep them safely?” New EEOC guidance has nonprofits questioning whether DEI work — especially ERGs and affinity groups — puts them at legal risk. Megan and I break down what the rules really say, what’s changing, and how nonprofits can protect themselves without abandoning their values. We also dig into the difference between ERGs and affinity groups, what’s safe, what’s risky, and why “don’t panic” should be your new mantra. What You'll Learn: What the new EEOC guidance actually says about workplace DEI initiativesThe key legal differences between ERGs and affinity groupsHow to structure ERGs to stay compliant while fostering inclusionWhy shutting everything down out of fear might not be the right moveHow executive orders, memos, and guidance impact nonprofit policiesWhy reviewing your internal policies and documents is critical right nowHow to keep advancing DEI goals while reducing legal risks Bottom line: You don’t have to throw out your DEI work just because the rules are shifting. With clarity, intention, and the right structures, your nonprofit can keep doing the work that aligns with your values — and stay compliant. Resources from this Episode Learn more about Megan and US2 Consulting: https://us2consulting.com/Read the EEOC guidelines: https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-dei-related-discrimination-work and https://www.eeoc.gov/what-do-if-you-experience-discrimination-related-dei-workPrevious Episode: Why Record Retention & Data Management Systems Matter for Nonprofits: https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct146/ Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CT147_Transcript.pdf Connect with Us Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/Megan Fuciarelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganfuciarelli Listen & Engage Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon MusicRate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review"Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-story Stay Connected Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
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    23 min
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