Nonprofit Strategic Planning: Leveraging Sarbanes-Oxley Best Practices

About the Author.

Preface.

CHAPTER 1 Why Nonprofits Waste Time, Money, and Energy in Strategic Planning.

Introduction.

Why Do Nonprofits Waste Resources Trying to Write Strategic Plans?

What Does Engaging in Strategic Planning Actually Do for Your Nonprofit?

Strategic Planning Does Not Need to Take Forever!

Next Steps.

CHAPTER 2 Sarbanes-Oxley and the New Legislative Environment.

Introduction.

Sarbanes-Oxley Legislationâ??A Brief History.

How has the Legislative Environment Changed For Nonprofits?

SOX Requirements for All Organizationsâ??Even Nonprofits!

Next Steps.

CHAPTER 3 Introduction to SOX Compliance and Best Practices.

Introduction.

What are the SOX Requirements and Best Practices?

What are SOX Best Practices?

Benefits of SOX Implementation: Save Money and Improve Efficiency.

Five Reasons Why SOX Compliance and Best Practices will Accelerate Your Nonprofitâ??s Strategic Planning.

Next Steps.

CHAPTER 4 Making SOX Requirements and Best Practices Work for Your Nonprofit.

Introduction.

The Two SOX Requirements.

Fraud: The Primary Reason for Whistle-Blower Protection.

SOX Best Practices.

Making Best Practices Work for Your Nonprofit.

Next Steps.

CHAPTER 5 SOX Best Practices and Your Authentic Organization.

Introduction.

Why Do Nonprofits have Difficulty Really Solving Organizational and Operational Problems? Why Do the Same Problems Keep Coming Back?

SOX and Problem Solving.

Is Your Nonprofit Dysfunctional?

Next Steps.

CHAPTER 6 Strategic Planning: The Process.

Introduction.

The Process and the Strategic Planning Team.

The Strategic Planning Process.

SOX and Strategic Planning.

Next Steps.

CHAPTER 7 Writing and Executing the Strategic Plan.

Introduction.

Common Pitfalls: Why Nonprofits Have Trouble Writing a Strategic Plan.

The Role of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Crafting Goals and Objectives.

What Should the Strategic Plan Look Like?

How Long Should It Take?

Outcomes of the Strategic Plan.

How To Execute an Effective Strategic Plan.

Sample Strategic Plan for the Marywood Thrift Shop & Consignment Boutique.

Next Steps.

CHAPTER 8 Leveraging Your Nonprofitâ??s SOX Compliance and Strategic Plan.

Introduction.

Lessons Learned from the Private Sector: Businesses and SOX.

How and Why Should the Plan Be Communicated to Important Stakeholders?

SOX Saves Time and Money.

SOX Best Practices and Strategic Planning Bonus Benefit: Risk Management and Business Continuity Plans.

Connecting the Dots: Strategic Planning, SOX Best Practices, and Risk Management.

Connecting the Dots: Strategic Planning, SOX Best Practices, and Business Continuity Planning.

Marywoodâ??s Risk Management and Business Continuity Plans.

Next Steps.

CHAPTER 9 SOX and Strategic Planning for Really Small Nonprofits.

Introduction.

Five Reasons Why Really Small Nonprofits Desperately Need SOX and Strategic Planning.

Scaling the Strategic Planning Process: Tips for Success.

Next Steps.

Appendices: Checklists, Worksheets, and Sample Documents.

APPENDIX 1 Whistle-Blower Policy.

APPENDIX 2 Document Retention and Storage Protocols.

APPENDIX 3 Audit Committee.

APPENDIX 4 Conflict-of-Interest Policy and Procedures Including a Disclosure Statement.

APPENDIX 5 Code of Ethics for Board and Senior Management.

APPENDIX 6 Review of Internal Controls Report.

Selected References.

Index.