Trent Stamp, a flip-flopper? The head of the watchdog group Charity Navigator admits it’s true — at least regarding his position on nonprofit self-regulation.

On his blog, Trent Stamp’s Take, he writes that he has changed his mind and now supports the Principles for Effective Practice drafted by Independent Sector, an association of foundations and charities, to promote good governance in the nonprofit world.

While he still finds the proposals too lenient, he says he is loathe to align himself with the groups that oppose Independent Sector’s suggestions, such as the Direct Marketing Association and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

“I represent donors, some four million strong as a matter of fact, and I would have no credibility with any one of them if they knew that I was on the same side as the telemarketers and the mail solicitors, no matter the reason,” he writes....

The resignation of Lawrence M. Small as head of the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, is bad news for charities, says Peter Brinckerhoff, author of the Mission-Based Management blog.

The departure of Mr. Small, who came under fire for using the institution’s money to pay for personal expenses, will most likely trigger renewed scrutiny of nonprofit compensation, the blogger says.

“Ugh. I get so sick of this. Some nonprofit executive excess makes the news and sure as the sun rises, the politicians will jump on a need to provide even more regulation for nonprofits,” he writes.

While the vast majority of nonprofit executives are underpaid, members of Congress only hear about examples like Mr. Small’s, which “just hardens the perspective of the policymakers that we’re all corrupt,” writes Mr. Brinckerhoff, a nonprofit consultant in Springfield, Ill.

What do you think? Will Mr. ...

How do you bridge social divides — and raise money for a good cause? Why, give someone a hug, of course.

The Everyday Giving Blog is praising South Africa’s first National Hug-a-Thon, a nationwide event next month that encourages people to hug “your friends, your enemies, your work colleagues, your clients, your pets, hug everyone you know…yes, even your boss!”

The hug fest will benefit Variety Water Relief Campaign, a charity that installs hand pumps to schools without running water, by selling stickers and T-shirts.

“There is a huge wave of encouragement about to hit the country of South Africa,” says Roger Carr, a motivational speaker and co-author of 101 Great Ways to Improve your Life. who writes the Everyday Giving blog. “What a terrific way to bring people together, encourage each other and raise funds for charity.”

Just as long it doesn’t put the, uhm, squeeze on...