Happy Presidents' Day, Navy Leaguers! The beginning of the year is a time for installing a new slate of officers and Board members. Many councils also use this time for planning the upcoming year and completing training for your new council team. If you have questions or comments about the information below, please contact the Member Service Center at service@navyleague.org or 800.356.5760. Thanks! Bill Waylett
Featured Sections:
I. May Board of Directors' Meeting
II. Voting Assistance for Citizens Living Overseas
III. IRS Form 990N Now Available
IV. Best Practices – 2005 “Oldies but Goodies”
V. Public Relations
VI. Membership
VII. Legislative Affairs
VIII. Announcements
I. May Board of Directors' Meeting
In accordance with action taken by the Board of Directors in November 2007, National President Mike McGrath has announced that a second meeting of the Board of Directors has been scheduled this year for May 22-24 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. Given the strong sentiment expressed by the Directors to return to two meetings annually, the President is counting on your attendance at this meeting. Additionally, all directors are reminded that they must not miss two consecutive meetings to be eligible for reelection. Make plans now to attend this meeting. Online registration is now available. Additionally, details on the meeting, as well as the necessary registration and hotel reservation forms, will be published in the March and April issues of Seapower magazine.
II. Voting Assistance for Citizens Living Overseas
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act ("UOCAVA") was enacted by Congress in 1986. The UOCAVA requires that the states and territories allow certain groups of citizens to register and vote absentee in elections for Federal offices. In addition, most states and territories have their own laws allowing citizens covered by the UOCAVA to register and vote absentee in state and local elections as well. The Overseas Vote Foundation, or OVF (www.overseasvotefoundation.org), is the sole 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to assisting the UOCAVA community, both military and civilian, in registering to vote and in receiving the requested ballot. Overseas voters can register to vote through the online registration system which can be accessed on the OVF website. Voters can also download a substitute ballot in October if they haven't received their ballot from the local office.
III. IRS Form 990N Now Available
The IRS has announced the e-Postcard Form 990N is now available. The following information is required to file your e-Postcard for your council (Due date is May 15, 2008):
• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Tax year ending date
• Legal name and mailing address
• Other names the council is known by (DBAs)
• Name and address of principal officer
• Website address for the council (if available)
The following steps must be followed:
1. Go to the IRS Exempt Organization Index page (here).
2. Select the “Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations – Form 990-N (e-Postcard)” link.
3. In the “How to File” BOX, select/click the “here” link.
4. The filing system is being managed by Urban Institute, a third party; one the next page select “Leave IRS Site” to go to the landing page for the e-Postcard site.
5. Register a Login ID and create a password (Step 1 on this page) as either an Exempt Organization (NLUS council) or a Preparer at http://epostcard.form990.org; the ID will be sent to the registered email address.
6. Login to the “Step 2: Create your Form 990-N (e-Postcard)” using your Login ID and password.
7. Complete the two-page e-Postcard form; help screens are available for each line entry.
8. When the form is complete, select/click the “Submit Filing to IRS” button at the bottom left side of the page.
9. You’re done!
IV. Best Practices – 2005 “Oldies but Goodies”
We continue our presentation of Best Practices from the Council Alert eNewsletter, focusing this edition on 2005. The 2005 Best Practices are now posted on the Navy League website under Council Resources. Here’s the index of our 2005 best practices:
1/27/05 Support for Naval Academy Participation in the Emerald Bowl
3/10/05 Navy Operations Support Centers
3/24/05 Retention
4/25/05 Ship Adoptions – Extending the Opportunity
8/19/05 Recruiting Future Council Leaders
V. Public Relations
Here’s a Council Challenge -- Help us share the Navy League history!
The Fort Lauderdale Council recently bought 100 Navy League History books. The council’s initial distribution will be to the 37 public libraries in Broward County. The rest of the books will go to the public school system as well as visiting ships. The Fort Lauderdale Council and your Public Relations Director, Tiffany Anzalone, are challenging you to make the commitment to educating the public about the Navy League by presenting the Navy League History Book to your community and business leaders, community/civic partners, adopted units, as well as youth groups and school and public libraries.
The History Book should be part of the every Council’s presentation/memento cache. The books are available for sale online and are only $14.95 for members and $12.95 (each) when ordering 10 or more.
Help us spread the word about the important mission of the Navy League and our proud, outstanding history!
Navy Leaguers Donate Your Miles!
Are you interested in donating your frequent flier miles to assist families of seriously wounded servicemen and women? The Fisher House Foundation makes it extremely easy for you to pass along your miles to service members in need. You can donate to the Hero Miles program online or by calling 888.294.8560 and a Fisher House staff member can answer your questions and assist you in making your donation. Thank you for continuing to support the men and women of the sea services.
Call for council stories, photos and video
Please keep sending your stories, videos and photos to publicrelations@navyleague.org. The Communications Department wants to showcase your hard work on the website. For more information, please contact Ron Trickett, Web Content Manager, by email or by phone, at 703-312-1563. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Farewell from Tiffany Anzalone
Navy Leaguers, It has been a pleasure serving as your Director of Public Relations for the last 7 months. As of February 22nd, 2008, I will no longer be working at the Navy League. I am relocating to Oahu, Hawaii, to be with my fiancée, who is in the Army. I will miss you all. Thank you for your assistance and I wish you all the best. Please feel free to contact me any time at: 571.215.5289 or by email.
VI. Membership
Annual Reports
Remember that March 1, 2007, is the cut-off date for 2007 annual reports to be submitted to the National office. If you are running out of time for mailing, feel free to fax your annual report to the office at (703) 528-2333 or email it to Salvador Chairez.
Copies of your council’s Annual Report should also be sent to your Area and Region Presidents.
Retention
Remember, this year’s focus is on retention. Our retention reporting is very close to completion and will soon be available on the OLC. Stay tuned, but this looks like it will happen in March if all our testing goes well.
VII. Legislative Affairs
As we continue to strive to encourage council leaders to contact Members of Congress through our Grassroots Legislative Initiative, turnover of key personnel is inhibiting the effort. Therefore, we will offer two additional Grassroots Legislative Initiative Workshop Teleconferences on March 5th and 19th. Each session will be held at 3:30 p.m. EST. Personnel who want to participate should call the conference line: 1-888-529-0349, Passcode 516784#. The Workshop will only focus on Presentation One (shipbuilding).
VIII. Announcements
1. Sea-Air-Space Exposition
The Navy League’s annual spring three-day event brings together key military decision makers, the major players in the defense industry and Navy Leaguers for a look at the latest maritime technology. Held March 18-20, 2008 in Washington, DC, members attend FREE. For additional information or to register, click here.
2. Council Education Theme for March
Spring is a good time for councils to participate in community-sponsored events to promote the Navy League. Booth displays are available for council use by contacting T.J. Morgan in Membership Services, 1-800-356-5760, X1573. Supply is limited and usage is “first come, first served”.
3. IRS Form 990 (long form)
The IRS has announced a revised Form 990. Form 990 is filed by non-profit organizations with more then $100,000 annual gross receipts. You may review the revised form here. The revised form will be used for Tax Year 2008, which will be filed in 2009.
Member Services
service@navyleague.org
www.navyleague.org/