$martEconomy

Independent Charter School Authorizers In California Recommended

The California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) has issued a detailed proposal recommending the creation of more independent charter school authorizers, a power traditionally reserved for school districts.

The proposal suggests allowing a broader group of independent authorizers may help increase the health and accountability of the charter school movement. Current concerns over the current authorizer setup involve school districts' ability, or lack thereof, to provide meaningful oversight as well as higher district costs and reduced oversight quality associated with a lack of authorizer competition to keep them in check.

Lead Source: Business Wire, California Legislative Analyst's Office

As Accountability Rules Tighten, NPOs Feel Strain

As non-profit organizations around the country experience a crunch in funding, accountability rules spurred by recent years' accounting scandals are impacting their ability to hire and keep talent at the board and executive levels. Additional expenditures to come into compliance with recent laws could create further strains.

Many acknowledge the need to balance appropriate procedures for fiscal and managerial responsibility against aggressive tactics that may inappropriately target the wrong people- particularly board members that serve out of genuine interest and offer expertise and governance critical to their organizations.

Lead Source: Idealist, Buffalo News

 

Salvation Army Collections Cut Short By Some Retailers

The Salvation Army was prevented from collecting donations in front of two major retailers, Target (NYSE:TGT) and Mervyn's. News of the storefront-donation ban came as a shock to many shoppers and other retailers, some who have shown support by writing letters to the chains, threatening to hold boycotts and in the case of sympathetic retailers, offering their storefronts as new venues for The Salvation Army.

While representatives from Mervyn's declined to comment, a Target spokesperson stated that the no-solicitation ban was not intended to single out The Salvation Army and that it had been previously informed of changes in the retail chain's policy.

Approximately $9 million was raised in front of Target store locations by The Salvation Army last year.

Lead Source: Idealist, San Francisco Chronicle 

Yele Haiti Launches As Wyclef Jean Attempts To Improve Haiti's Development

Yele Haiti, was formed by musician Wyclef Jean to address Haiti's development, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community development, health and the environment. Immediate projects include school and community development funding as well as HIV/AIDS outreach to youth. Orsa Consultants will manage the programs.

A group of prominent entertainment figures including Susan Sarandon, Russell Simmons, Tyra Banks, Jonathan Demme, Roberta Flack, and Haitian natives, Mona Scott, Dumas Simeus, Maryse Kedar and Gepsie Metellus make up a task force to guide efforts and ensure active community involvement.

A launch event in New York City is scheduled for December 9 and a free concert in Haiti is planned for Spring 2005, with an estimated 1.5-million attendees expected.

Lead Source; PR Newswire.com