School News

Nonprofit organizations
BELFAST — The University of Maine’s certificate in nonprofit organization management program is offering the next workshop in the series 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The topic for this session is “The Effective Use of Volunteers in the Nonprofit Organization.”
Volunteers are often the lifeblood of the nonprofit organization, allowing it to fulfill its mission with limited expenditures for paid staff.
Every aspect of volunteer management will be examined, including volunteer identification, preparation, retention, evaluation and recognition. The blending of paid staff and volunteers will be addressed.
The workshop instructor is Dr. Frank Burtnett, a veteran educator and nonprofit organization executive. Burtnett has 30 years of direct service in various nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and community agencies, including seven years as executive director of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Burtnett is the president of an independent consulting firm specializing in programs that foster human resource and organization development.
The University of Maine is offering this series of workshops at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast leading to a certificate in Nonprofit Organizational Management for nonprofit organization executives, staff members and leaders to deal with contemporary issues and problems using realistic, hands-on strategies.
The cost for each one-day workshop is $150, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and workshop materials. The cost of the two-day grant writing workshop is $255.
Participants can earn a certificate in nonprofit management by completing the courses in six different sessions.
For more information, call 338-8002, 800-753-9044, e-mail  nancyb@maine.edu or visit www.hutchinsoncenter.umaine.edu.

Governor makes savings decree
Gov. John Baldacci issued a proclamation naming September 2009 College Savings Month in Maine at a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of Maine’s college savings plan, the NextGen College Investing Plan.
 Launched a decade ago, NextGen is the fifth-largest college savings plan in the nation, with more than $4.4 billion in assets.
“September is back to school and it is also time to take action on college savings,” Baldacci said. “With NextGen firmly established and ever-evolving over the past 10 years, our citizens have the best opportunity and a firm foundation to help pay for a college education. Being able to save for college tuition now can be a big help later in life.”
The governor presented the proclamation to Beth Bordowitz, CEO of the Finance Authority of Maine, during a ceremony at the State House.
NextGen was created by the Maine Legislature in 1999 as a qualified tuition program, and is designed to help families prepare for higher education expenses.
“NextGen is a successful program that has become even more vital as college tuitions rise,” Bordowitz said. “FAME is proud to play a role in helping so many Maine students reach their college dreams.”
NextGen is a Section 529 plan administered by FAME, with Merrill Lynch as the program manager. NextGen’s earnings are state and federal income tax deferred, and are tax free so long as the withdrawals are used for qualified higher education expenses.
Baldacci said that among other NextGen benefits to residents, the Harold Alfond College Challenge enables Mainers to easily augment their savings for their children’s education.
This first-in-the-nation program provides a $500 grant for every Maine newborn to start a NextGen savings account for future college expenses. There are no income limits to participate in the program.
Other NextGen benefits for Mainers currently include:
ä A one-time $200 initial matching grant to help Maine families with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 or less open their NextGen account.
ä Up to $250 per year, per beneficiary, tax deduction for Maine taxpayers who make contributions to a NextGen plan.
ä Waiver of the annual account maintenance fee.
ä Direct deposit available for Maine income tax refunds.
ä For Maine workers, Lifelong Learning Accounts that provide employer-matched individual NextGen accounts to help employees upgrade their skills and education while meeting the demands of businesses for a skilled workforce.
ä Annual need-based scholarships for qualifying Maine students. For information visit www.famemaine.com/NextGen/home.asp or call 800-228-3734.