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November 03, 2009

Nonprofit Workers Seek Political Clout

As Virginia voters decide today who will be their next governor, nonprofit workers in the state have been pushing the candidates to speak up on charity issues.

The V3 Campaign, an advocacy group in Washington, asked the 350,000 people who work at nonprofit organizations in Virginia to sign an online petition asking the candidates to appoint a “senior official” in the state capital who would encourage volunteering, identify partnerships between local government and charities, and in general advocate for nonprofit interests.

The group has made its pitch on economic grounds, saying that nonprofit efforts generate $8-billion in wages and $461-million in tax revenue for Virginia.

While neither of the candidates — Republican Bob McDonnell or Democrat Creigh Deeds — have endorsed the plan so far, there are signs that the idea is gaining traction elsewhere.

In Connecticut, for example, Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy has developed a “three-point plan” for charities as part of his potential campaign for governor in next year’s election. (Mr. Malloy, a Democrat, has formed an exploratory committee but has not yet entered the race.)

The politician says he would create a new, commissioner-level position to oversee a Nonprofit Human Services Cabinet. “The state should elevate a single individual whose purview and responsibility would be to serve as a representative and voice for nonprofits in Connecticut’s executive branch,” the plan says on his Web site.

Robert Egger, the founder of V3, says, “This is the first time I’ve seen anyone take this tone.”

Read The Chronicle’s 2008 article about V3. (A paid subscription or temporary pass is required to view the article.)

— Ian Wilhelm

Tuesday November 3, 2009 | Permalink

Comments

1. We are so excited to have partnered with Deborah Barfield Williamson and VANNO on the first V3 Campaign action in Virginia. Looking forward to an exciting 2010!
   ~Courtney Sieloff
   V3 Campaign Director

   — Courtney Sieloff    Nov 3, 02:17 PM    #

2. I have worked in the not for profit sector for 20+ years and while I strogly encourage volunteerism and have personally recruited, trained and engaged 100’s of voluteers in my tenure, I strongly believe that this is not a place for Government to get involved. As a not for profit executive and fund raising professional, I believe that recruiting and engaging volunteers is our responsibility/business and not the governments. I would suggest that evryone consider very carefully how big and intrusive you want our government to become. The words that I never want to hear as President Reagan once so astutely said “I am from the government and I am hear to help you.”

   — Matthew L    Nov 3, 03:10 PM    #

3. What a bunch of half-wits. Nonprofits have enough problems without getting cozy with inefficient, ineffective, corruption-ridden government.

   — Jeff Steele    Nov 3, 03:35 PM    #

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