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The VLSP StoryUpcoming CORP WorkshopsIf you are interested in attending one or more of these free workshops, email corp@sfbar.org. Intellectual Property, Web sites, and Privacy Law When: Thursday, October 30, 3:00-5:00 p.m. This workshop will cover intellectual property law basics, focusing on trademark and copyright law, as well as issues relating to websites. You will learn cost-effective strategies for selecting and protecting your trademarks and copyrights, as well as how to navigate the trademark and copyright registration processes. We will also discuss the basic laws governing the creation and operation of a non-profit website, the benefits and potential disadvantages of maintaining a non-profit website, and how trademark, copyright and privacy laws are applied in the Internet environment. Using some simple guiding principles, we will also discuss how to create a non-profit website that avoids legal pitfalls and gains the trust and confidence of your website visitors and donors. The Family and Medical Leave Act and the California Family Rights Act--What Do They Mean for Your Organization? When: Wednesday, November 12, 3:00-5:00 p.m. These two pieces of workplace legislation are both complicated and important for employers to understand. This workshop, led by an experienced employment attorney, will cover many practical and technical aspects of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), including: what to do when your employee requests a leave of absence; which employers are covered under FMLA/CFRA; which employees are eligible for leave under FMLA/CFRA; when employees may take a leave under FMLA/CFRA (defining a "serious health condition"); what benefits must be provided to the employee during their leave (reinstatement, intermittent leave, etc.); what notice/certification is required by employee and employer; and how CFRA is different from Pregnancy Disability Leave under FMLA. Preventing Sexual Harassment and Discrimination: Maintaining a Respectful Workplace When: Wednesday, November 19, 2:00– 5:00 p.m. California law mandates that all employers with 50 or more employees must provide training for all of their supervisors on how to prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace. To ensure that you are in compliance with the law, register your organization's supervisors to attend this workshop. This presentation will provide guidance on how to prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace, as well as information on how to respond and investigate such complaints. The New IRS Form 990: What You Need to Know When: Tuesday, December 2, 2:00-5:00 p.m. For the first time in almost 30 years, the IRS has undertaken a major redesign of the Form 990 annual return filed by most nonprofit organizations. This session will provide an overview of the significant changes to the new Form 990 which will be effective for the 2008 tax year, including the 11-page "core form" and highlights from the 16 additional schedules. Topics will include changes to the financial reporting schedules, the new governance section, expanded compensation questions, trigger questions for additional schedules, important changes to Schedule A concerning public charity status, and transition relief for smaller organizations. Questions?For more information or to sign up for the CORP quarterly e-newsletter, send an email to corp@sfbar.org. Volunteer Legal Services Program's volunteers and staff serve over 7,500 low-income clients per year - a value of approximately $11,000,000. Our award-winning program changes lives by using a holistic approach that offers social services as well as legal assistance. 3 Things You Can Do to Help CORP Advance Its Work: 1. Donate to VLSP: For every dollar VLSP spends, seven dollars worth of services are donated. 2. Volunteer: Join over 1,100 attorneys that work to enhance the lives of low-income individuals and the organizations that serve them. 3. Spread the Word: Tell your friends that work for nonprofits about CORP -- a project that provides free legal services to organizations in Northern California. Email corp@sfbar.org for more information. |