Support for SIGs from NLPA

NLPA offers monetary support of SIGs for up to $250, on a yearly basis, as long as the monies are available in NLPA’s budget. Additionally, funds cannot be carried over from year to year. SIGs interested in using these funds will need to submit a request that must include a plan for spending the allocation. Requests need to be submitted by November 1^st of the preceding year with a spending plan for the following year (e.g., November 1^st 2014 to support expenses during 2015).

NLPA’s LC wants to promote creativity and therefore won’t set specific parameters on ways to use such funds other than making sure that the proposed ways comply with our tax-exempt status. Please refer to the following sections of our bylaws as relevant boundaries:

Article VIII GOVERNANCE and OPERATIONS 

2. Operations.

c. Prohibited Activities. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not conduct any business, activities, and/or efforts prohibited by IRS Rules governing 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations, such as NLPA.

d. Lobbying, Legislative Advocacy, and Electioneering. In accordance with IRS Rules governing 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations, such as NLPA, no substantial part of NLPA efforts, activities and/or resources shall be involved in partisan political activity or otherwise attempt to influence legislation that directly benefits NLPA and/or its officers. Moreover, NLPA shall not engage, participate, and/or intervene in (including the publication or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. However, from time to time legislation and/or legislative advocacy-related issues may arise that could benefit from and/or contribute to the development of effective public policy if NLPA’s perspectives and/or advice were to be made known and available to policymakers. In such instances, the Executive Board will consider actions that may benefit or inform legislators and/or policymakers on NLPA science, practice, and/or education-based efforts, activities, and/or initiatives of particular relevance.

Article V. COMPOSITION, AUTHORITY, and FUNCTIONS of the EXECUTIVE BOARD and LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

2 c: Except for the distribution of information and other business-related expenses, no part of the assets of the Association shall be used for the personal benefit of its members or officers. Reimbursement of expenses properly incurred in adherence with the NLPA Expense Policy (please see the Policies and Procedure Manual), may be paid by the Treasurer with the approval of the President, to members and officers in furtherance of Section 501(c)(3) purposes; documentation of said expenses must be provided. 

SIGs that requested the monies will need to submit a report on the activities at the end of the year and return to NLPA’s general budget any monies that weren’t used.

Questions regarding this matter should be directed to NLPA’s president-elect and NLPA’s treasurer.