Hiring Personnel for
a Nonprofit
By Alpa Patel
Hiring personnel for a nonprofit is very different from hiring staff at a for-profit organizations. This primer on nonprofit HR and nonprofit hiring explains what you ought to consider as you recruit nonprofit employees.
If you started your nonprofit with hopes of supervising a large staff earning better than average salaries, prepare to be disappointed.
There is a world of difference between hiring workers for a business and staffing a nonprofit organization with quality personnel. Even so, thousands of other nonprofits have done it and you can do it, too - if you know what to look for.
The most significant hurdle that needs to be addressed in nonprofit staffing is cash. Nonprofits aren't known to pay high salaries and most can't afford to compete with their for-profit counterparts. That means you'll have to either find something else to entice staff recruits or get creative. Typically, nonprofits do a little bit of both.
Board Members
The first and most obvious place to look for people to staff your organization's programs and projects is your board of directors. Board members are unpaid, but committed individuals who probably expect to be asked to donate some of their time. However, be careful not to overload your board members. If you demand too much of them, you may lose them altogether.
Volunteers
Since you can't rely exclusively on your board members, you're going to need to find another source of cheap labor to get the job done. That's where volunteers come in. Believe it or not, there is a sizeable group of individuals in your community who are willing to work for your organization for free. Your job is to find them. The fact that volunteers tend to donate money as well as time is the icing on the cake.
Second Career People
Volunteers have limitations. Sometimes you need to bite the bullet and hire full-time, paid staff. A good place to begin your search is with retirees and second-career individuals. These types of recruits often possess skills and experience that easily transfer from the corporate world to a nonprofit setting. Also, salary level is less of an issue with these folks, making it easier for them to devote their time to a cause they truly care about.
Job Sharing
If thinking outside of the box interests you, you may want to consider staffing certain positions through job sharing. Sometimes nonprofits will share a full-time worker (like a bookkeeper) between their organizations. It might also be possible to convince a for-profit company to donate the time of one or more of their employees as a tax-deductible contribution.
Nonprofit Careerists
Last (but certainly not least) are the nonprofit careerists. Some individuals are perfectly content earning slightly less working for a nonprofit because they are passionate about the nonprofit's mission. In exchange for a respectable salary and benefits your organization will receive the knowledge and experience of a nonprofit professional. But more importantly, your organization will benefit from the passion and excitement they bring to the job.
Media Contact: Alpa Patel
Phone Number: (714) 634-1992
E-mail:
hello@weprint-oc.com
Website:non profits in california
By Alpa Patel
If buying print for your company is a brand new responsibility for you, you’re probably shell shocked. Who can blame you! You’re thinking, “Where do I go? Who can I trust? How do I know how much printing costs?”

Relax. We were all there once. I’ve put together some tips to help you s-t-r-e-t-c-h your printing dollars. Knowing some rules-of-thumb will definitely save you money. It’s a recession, so these tips are even more important.
Today, let’s just focus on paper. Did you know that paper accounts for one third to even one half of the cost of your print job? Choose your paper wisely and know why size does matter. Check it out …
1. Stick to multiples of 8-1/2 x 11. That’s the standard
size. Stray too much from a multiple of this size, and you could pay more.
2. Use a printer’s house sheet. Printers stock several types
of paper in their plant, and using what they have on hand often saves you
dough.
3. Reduce the weight of your paper (heavier = pricier).
4. Reduce trim size - even 1/4 inch matters for some jobs. Ask
your printer.
5. Consolidate jobs. By planning ahead, you can print multiple
jobs on the same sheet of paper. This is called ganging.
6. Print only what you need. Reduce waste. (File this tip
under “Duh.”)
7. Go digital. Digital printing lets you print exactly what
you need - even one copy! Most printers today have digital equipment or they
work with another printer who does.
8. Reduce page counts.
9. Shift what you can to the Web. (Is this heresy? Sorry.)
10. Avoid bleeds. That’s when the ink “bleeds” all the way to
the trim edge of the finished piece. The printer has to print the job and then
trim off the edges to create that bleed. That can cost you more.
11. Change your sheet (go to a lower quality of paper).
12. Sabine also suggests that as an option you consider a #1 sheet
rather than a premium sheet, which can save you 12 percent. Moving to a #2
sheet? This saves you 24 percent.
13. Know where the price breaks are. The more paper you buy,
the better your pricing.
14. Don’t be so picky. Ask your printer what paper he has
available/running when your job will print. You’ll avoid make-ready, and save.
15. Know that broken cartons will cost you more. If you’re
ordering a special sheet and only need a small amount, the printer has to
“break a carton” to run your job. You’ll pay extra, since the printer has to
purchase that special sheet (in the whole carton) just for you.
Always talk about paper with your printer when you’re planning your job. Let him or her guide you. Please have an open mind and listen to your printer’s ideas. Together, you can create magnificent work.
Media Contact: Alpa Patel
Phone Number: (714) 634-1992
E-mail:
hello@weprint-oc.com
Website: Save money on printing
Presentation folders
are the perfect solution to collecting, organizing and presenting printed
marketing and advertising assets to your audience. Beyond their functionality,
a well designed presentation folder can make a great first impression, and even
spark your audiences interest to explore the materials it holds. Combining
functionality with a design that sparks the attention of your audience can
often make the folder just as (if not more) important that what you put inside
it.
Due to their
functionality and ability to wow, presentation folders have become a standard
asset in most company’s marketing strategies. Odds are, if you are using a
presentation folder so is your competition. Not only are they using a
presentation folder, but it probably looks very similar to yours and even
contains similar materials inside.
Understanding this
makes it imperative that you re-think your current design. If it is time to
implement some new and creative ideas which will make your presentation folder
stand out amongst your competitors; below are five creative tips to help ensure
your presentation folders are unique and will continue to wow your audience.
1. Consider making
your presentation folders an unusual size. To accommodate the standard 8.5×11
sheet most folders come in a 9×12 size. Going a little smaller or larger can
automatically set your folder apart from the others; while keeping the ability
to hold the standard 8.5×11 sheet. Resizing, drastically smaller or larger or
going with a very odd size, will increase your folders uniqueness but will
usually require you to recreate all the materials you will place inside the
folder.
2. Create a unique
look for your folder by using a custom die cut. Rather than having a straight
edges consider round corners or even a cutting the folder into a unique shape
or design. Depending on the complexity of the design you want cut, this can be
a very affordable option and one which will definitely make your presentation
folder unique.
3. Provide your
audience with a design which contains more than your logo and slogan. Sell your
company, what you do and what you provide, give customer testimonials, or
provide contact information directly on the folder. Begin selling your company
before the audience has a chance to open up the folder to read the inside
materials.
4. Consider taking
the materials you place inside every folder and turning them into a booklet
then stitch into the folder. This frees up space and allows you to place more
materials in the pockets without them getting over-stuffed. It also ensures
that your vital information stays with the folder and isn’t misplaced or lost.
5. Go for simplicity!
If your competition’s folders scream with loud and vibrant colors on super
shiny gloss stock, consider going with a uncoated stock and ditching full color
printing for a elegant emboss or foil stamp or even a simple 1 or 2 color
print. Simplicity might sound strange, after all the four other tips above are
anything but simplistic, but sometimes simplicity is the best way.
If you have any
suggestions or ideas on ways to make a pocket folder stand out, please leave a
comment. We appreciate it and others will too!
Address:-
Hello :- 714-634-1992
Email :- hello@weprint-oc.com
Web:-
Offset printing companies in california
Strenghten your branding through green printing
Do more to reach out to constituents and less to damage the earth
By: Alpa Patel
But if your print vendor employs traditional methods to produce this — using virgin-fiber paper, petroleum-based inks, toxic solvents, and chlorine-bleached papers — your printed piece might be doing less to reach out to constituents and more to damage the environment.
Luckily, there are eco-friendly ways to make your print projects, the earth — and your organization — look good.
Damage to the Environment
It's no secret that paper production taxes forests, water, and energy supplies. In fact, eco-advocacy group Environmental Defense estimates that producing one ton of virgin uncoated paper — which accounts for 90 percent of the United States' printing and writing paper — requires three tons of wood, 19,075 gallons of water, and generates 2,278 pounds of solid waste.
"The printing
industry is the single largest air polluter and the third-largest consumer of
fossil fuels in the world after automobiles and steel manufacturing," said
Renourish Founder and
Meanwhile, adhesives, bindings, and foils used in printing and packaging can render the final product unrecyclable, virtually guaranteeing that it will end up in a landfill. There, petroleum-based inks can cause lasting damage to the environment, leaching volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — which can cause cancer and birth defects — into the ground, contaminating soil, groundwater, and, upon evaporation, the air.
The printing process itself is equally hazardous: Many of the solvents, shellacs, driers, and other solutions employed in producing film, printing plates, and cleaning the presses are toxic pollutants that can cause chronic health problems — including kidney and liver damage, and even death — among press operators, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Not exactly the message your nonprofit wants to convey.
It's Easy Printing Green
For some nonprofits, the solution might be to eschew printing in favor of online marketing. Yet for nonprofits that rely on printed marketing campaigns for support and publicity, cutting out paper altogether might not be an option.
By printing green, you are sending a powerful reminder to your audience that you care about what's to come. You’re also enhancing your brand image by making the statement that you care about the environment. Environmental degradation has a wide-reaching impact, from poverty and disease to war and famine. By pursuing green printing practices, you are in a sense embracing all good causes — not least of all, your own.
"Your donors,
board members, and prospects will see that you care and this will resonate
positively to them," said Nilesh Patel, Owner and President of We Print,
an environmentally friendly printer located in
Happily, eco-friendly options are on the rise — and there are many resources online that can help you locate them.
Among We Print’s recommendations:
1. Choose paper that is 100 percent post-consumer waste (PCW), processed chlorine free (PCF), uncoated, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, made by renewable energy sources like wind or solar power (Mohawk Paper is a leader in this area), or even treeless (hemp and kenaf are two options).
2. Use vegetable-based inks or soy inks instead of petroleum-based inks. These alternatives are both low in VOCs and competitively priced. When using Pantone colors — an industry standard — avoid colors (mostly metallics and warm reds) that contain barium, copper, and zinc, which can cause health problems in humans.
3. Try waterless printing, which eliminates the dampening systems used in conventional printing. Digital printing, which avoids the film and chemicals in traditional printing processes, is another good alternative.
4. Avoid using bindings, adhesives, or foil stamps in packaging.
5. Reduce the amount of inks you use by going with one- or two-color designs; you can also save paper by asking your designer to use standard press sheet sizes.
6. Familiarize yourself with industry standards. The Environmental Protection Agency mandates that federal agencies must use uncoated printing and writing papers containing at least 30 percent PCW content; coated papers must contain 10 percent, notes We Print.
Other Printing Considerations
Those nonprofits that print a lot of exhibit or signage materials should opt for a printing process called dye sublimation — rather than solvent-based inks, which use petroleum and other VOCs, according to a September 2005 article in Print magazine. Digital printing and appliqué (which works particularly well with banners) are also cleaner, more sustainable options; look for fabrics like Ecospun, which are made out of recycled materials.
Good Design Is Up to You
"Shouldn't this be the designer's responsibility?" you might ask. Fortunately for you — and the environment — the answer is no. Ultimately, as the client, the burden falls on you to make sure your project is as green as possible. And with the growing number of options out there, it isn't difficult to locate eco-friendly paper vendors, designers, and printers that can help you do just that.
If you can't locate a green design firm or printer in your area, don't worry — easy-to-use technologies like PDF readers and compression utilities (see TechSoup's Free Downloads section for good options) make file transmission quick (and often free) via email and FTP, allowing you to work with the vendor of your choice regardless of your location. Many print vendors will allow you or your designer to upload files directly to their sites and will then ship the printed materials to you.
Even if a design firm doesn't promote itself as "green," it may be willing to accommodate your request. If you have a long-standing relationship with a designer, discuss ways you can make your project as eco-friendly as possible.
A good designer should be able to meet your needs by locating the proper vendors and working within the requested perimeters. If a designer tries to talk you out of using a two-color design or dissuade you from choosing an alternative printing technique, get a second opinion.
Often, designers mark up paper and printing by as much as 30 percent, so be wary of those that insist you use expensive paper, printing, binding, coating, or foiling to make your piece look good — they may just be trying to increase their own profits and reduce the time and overhead involved in researching alternatives. A truly competent design firm can make your project beautiful regardless of the specifications.
Dispelling Green Myths
Green (Paper) Is Beautiful
One common misperception among nonprofit and for-profit organizations alike is that eco-friendly means lower quality.
We suggests that nonprofits talk to an eco-friendly printer to better understand their options. "The biggest deterrent to [printing green] is lack of information," he said, noting that a printer can help you determine what types of papers, inks, and coatings can give you the quality you want and stay within your budget.
Offsetting Costs
Another common deterrent is the misconception that printing green is always more expensive than using traditional printing methods. However, this isn't always the case. Vegetable-based inks are often competitively priced with petroleum-based; carbon-neutral printing is no more expensive than traditional methods; and many recycled, TCF, and ECF papers are in fact less expensive than virgin.
We would also notes that because there are many factors that contribute to a printed piece's price — including the size of the project, the press you use, and even the time of year — it's important to work with a printer that can find the best solution for your organization's budget.
Keep in mind, too, that as more organizations like yours invest in eco-friendly options, the price will eventually decrease. "It is cost-efficient to make recycled paper as it requires less energy [than virgin]," said Benson. Yet, "there is often a slightly higher premium for recycled paper. That is largely based on supply and demand issues. The more we request recycled, PCW [paper], the more the paper industry will supply, and costs will even out. Printers pollute and pollute badly. Why should this be OK? Choosing to not support those practices is to vote with your dollar."
Even if you discover that going green means paying more, there are still many ways you can offset the costs:
1.Consolidate
Instead of holding four mail campaigns a year, try sending out three eco-friendly ones. The positive publicity generated by going green may in fact improve response rates, and you'll be more likely to make the most of what you do send out. Or, offset costs with creativity: "Design multifunctional projects — for example, self-mailer/program combos — to economize when using more expensive paper," suggests Dynamic Graphics' in its Printing Green article. "Also, combining projects whenever possible is wise; one idea is to print business cards and postcards from the same recycled paper."
2.Bypass the Middle Man
Sourcing and managing a print project is not as complicated as it might sound, and will help you avoid high markups from graphic designers. Ask your designer to send you print-ready files, and then work with the printer on delivering and proofing them. Explain that you are a nonprofit and are trying to save money: many printers will be happy to help you through the process. Alternatively, some designers may even be willing to forego the markup when they know they're supporting a good cause.
3.Share the Glory
Another way to offset costs is to ask a vendor to chip in. Some printers will reduce their price if they can put their logo on the piece, and many will do so unobtrusively. Likewise, you could ask one of your funders to help cover the costs in exchange for a small promotion on the piece.
4.Keep It Exclusive
Some printers will offer discounts if you bring all (or most) of your business to them. "Choosing a printer to print your literature exclusively can result in a contract that can reduce costs the more work you send them," he said.
If You've Got It, Flaunt It
If you print your project on recycled paper using soy-based inks or wind-powered presses, by all means, let your constituents know about it. Add a simple line of text explaining how the piece was printed on the bottom of the postcard, or include a discreet Forest Stewardship Council, Soy Seal, or Processed Chlorine Free symbol if it applies.
Alternatively, you can tally up the piece's impact for your readers: Neenah Paper's eye-opening Environmental Savings Calculator can help you calculate the environmental savings — in trees, water, energy, solid waste, water-borne wastes, and atmospheric emissions — in selecting papers with higher levels of post-consumer fiber content.
Promoting green practices not only makes your nonprofit look good — it can motivate others to do the same. For when other organizations see how good your piece looks, they might be inspired to go green.
Thanks
Web :-Product Branding
Email- hello@weprint-oc.com
Launching a Nonprofit
Launching a nonprofit? If you want to start a not-for-profit organization, this article on starting nonprofits is a must-read.
The decision to launch a nonprofit organization is an exciting step for an entrepreneur.
But taking your organization from the drawing board to your first board meeting takes more than a good idea. It requires knowledge, discipline, and a lot of hard work. Here's how to get started...
Right off the bat, you need to understand that nonprofits are subject to specific regulations governing their operation. Much of the startup process involves laying the groundwork to bring the organization into compliance and gain necessary approvals from state and federal government.
Define Your
Your organization's stated mission is the initial litmus test for qualification as a nonprofit entity. A legitimate nonprofit must be "organized and operate for some religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering of national or international amateur sports, or prevention of cruelty to animals or children". Additionally, your mission should be comprehensive enough to encompass the complete scope of your activities, but specific enough to differentiate yourself from other organizations.
Recruit a Nonprofit Board
Like for-profit corporations, incorporated nonprofits are governed by a board of directors. Carefully consider who you will invite to sit on your board since the initial board members will be instrumental in your organization's development and fundraising efforts. On the other hand, don't procrastinate in selecting board members, either, since your incorporation documents will require individual board members' names and addresses.
Nonprofit Incorporation
You don't need a lawyer to incorporate a nonprofit organization - but it helps. The incorporation process requires the completion of several forms and documents. The first step is to draft articles of incorporation and bylaws that have been approved by your board. With these documents you can then file for incorporation with the state in which the organization resides. But here's the catch . . . An experienced attorney knows the words and phrases that are most likely to gain swift approval. You don't. If you go it alone, there is a good chance the incorporation process will drag on for months without resolution. At a minimum, find an attorney or experienced nonprofit professional who is willing to examine your documents for any red flags.
Federal & State Tax Exemption
Tax-exempt status is one of the perks of nonprofit incorporation. But this exemption is not automatic. You will need to apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with both the IRS and the appropriate state agency. Although it usually only involves board approval and filing a couple of forms, it's important to make sure you do this early in the process. Otherwise, you may be forced to waste very limited resources on taxes you didn't need to pay.
There are several other items you should also consider during the startup phase including insurance coverage, property tax exemption (if the nonprofit owns real estate), a federal employed ID number, and a bulk mail permit. Fortunately, many of these tasks can be accomplished after your organization is up and running. Just be aware of the fact that as a nonprofit you may be subject to different regulations than a typical business and don't hesitate to seek professional advice when you find yourself in unfamiliar territory.
Media Contact: Alpa Patel
Phone Number: (714) 634-1992
E-mail:
hello@weprint-oc.com
Website: Full Color Printing Company in California
Hiring Personnel for
a Nonprofit
By Alpa Patel
Hiring personnel for a nonprofit is very different from hiring staff at a for-profit organizations. This primer on nonprofit HR and nonprofit hiring explains what you ought to consider as you recruit nonprofit employees.
If you started your nonprofit with hopes of supervising a large staff earning better than average salaries, prepare to be disappointed.
There is a world of difference between hiring workers for a business and staffing a nonprofit organization with quality personnel. Even so, thousands of other nonprofits have done it and you can do it, too - if you know what to look for.
The most significant hurdle that needs to be addressed in nonprofit staffing is cash. Nonprofits aren't known to pay high salaries and most can't afford to compete with their for-profit counterparts. That means you'll have to either find something else to entice staff recruits or get creative. Typically, nonprofits do a little bit of both.
Board Members
The first and most obvious place to look for people to staff your organization's programs and projects is your board of directors. Board members are unpaid, but committed individuals who probably expect to be asked to donate some of their time. However, be careful not to overload your board members. If you demand too much of them, you may lose them altogether.
Volunteers
Since you can't rely exclusively on your board members, you're going to need to find another source of cheap labor to get the job done. That's where volunteers come in. Believe it or not, there is a sizeable group of individuals in your community who are willing to work for your organization for free. Your job is to find them. The fact that volunteers tend to donate money as well as time is the icing on the cake.
Second Career People
Volunteers have limitations. Sometimes you need to bite the bullet and hire full-time, paid staff. A good place to begin your search is with retirees and second-career individuals. These types of recruits often possess skills and experience that easily transfer from the corporate world to a nonprofit setting. Also, salary level is less of an issue with these folks, making it easier for them to devote their time to a cause they truly care about.
Job Sharing
If thinking outside of the box interests you, you may want to consider staffing certain positions through job sharing. Sometimes nonprofits will share a full-time worker (like a bookkeeper) between their organizations. It might also be possible to convince a for-profit company to donate the time of one or more of their employees as a tax-deductible contribution.
Nonprofit Careerists
Last (but certainly not least) are the nonprofit careerists. Some individuals are perfectly content earning slightly less working for a nonprofit because they are passionate about the nonprofit's mission. In exchange for a respectable salary and benefits your organization will receive the knowledge and experience of a nonprofit professional. But more importantly, your organization will benefit from the passion and excitement they bring to the job.
Media Contact: Alpa Patel
Phone Number: (714) 634-1992
E-mail:
hello@weprint-oc.com
Website: California Online Printing Company
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