From awieland at firstnations.org Fri Jan 6 11:33:21 2012 From: awieland at firstnations.org (Andrea Wieland) Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 11:33:21 -0500 Subject: [CircleUp] New Online Course Introduced for Native American Small Business Owners In-Reply-To: <8865B605EADA7043BBA8B15DD04F9E6BA9992A@mbx026-e1-nj-4> References: <8865B605EADA7043BBA8B15DD04F9E6BA9992A@mbx026-e1-nj-4> Message-ID: <2E93DEF37B8BC64F9E4689D26F648B570220E7E7F2@MAILH101.mail.lan> http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-online-course-introduced-for-native-american-small-business-owners-2012-01-04 New Online Course Introduced for Native American Small Business Owners PRESS RELEASE Jan. 4, 2012, 1:47 p.m. EST WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Native American entrepreneurs have a new tool to help determine if they're ready for business ownership and to help them get started. Native American Small Business Primer: Strategies for Success is a free, self-paced online business course developed for Native American business owners. The course provides an overview of basic business principles and to make them aware of the programs and services available from the U.S. Small Business Administration. "Native American Small Business Primer: Strategies for Success will enhance the agency's effort to provide important resources for emerging Native American entrepreneurs," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "Our ultimate goal is to help create jobs and stimulate economic and business development in our Native American communities. This course is an essential business development tool for the entrepreneur's toolbox." The new online course: emphasizes business planning and market research as essential steps to take before going into business; informs Native American entrepreneurs about the legal aspects of starting a business, including the type of ownership (legal structure) and licensing; and provides key information on seed money for starting up, raising capital, and borrowing money. In addition, there is a section on how to estimate business start-up costs that can help assess the financial needs of going into business. The course is available from the SBA's Online Small Business Training web page under Online Courses for Starting Your Business at http://www.sba.gov/content/online-courses-starting-your-business . SBA's Office of Native American Affairs works to ensure that American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian communities have full access to all SBA programs and services. Each year, more than 200,000 American Indian and Alaska Native and 29,000 Native Hawaiian-owned businesses add billions to the American economy. Course participants completing the online training programs can earn a certificate of completion from the SBA, with their name, date and course title. The Native American Small Business Primer course is one of nearly 30 online tutorials offered by the SBA's Online Business Training ( www.sba.gov/training ). Free courses are offered on Starting a Business, Managing a Business, Financing a Business, and Contracting. SBA can also help pair new business owners with expert advisers, counseling and mentoring services through an SBA representative or resource partner about management assistance, financing options, or participating local SBA lenders. Contact: Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059Internet Address: www.sba.gov/newsFollow us on Twitter, Facebook & Blogs SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration ================================== January 4, 2011 Posted or Forwarded by: Reznews List Owner Larry Kibby - l.kibby at frontier.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20120106/1081ee38/attachment.html From jaci at oweesta.org Tue Jan 10 12:55:22 2012 From: jaci at oweesta.org (Jaci Ree) Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:55:22 +0000 Subject: [CircleUp] Last chance to sign up for Rural Dynamics' Native American Credit Counseling Program Message-ID: Hello ? Please see the attached information to sign up for the Native American Counseling Program. This is a great opportunity brought to you by Rural Dynamics in Montana ? Thank you! To view on your mobile device click here. To view HTML Version click here. [http://www.ruraldynamics.org/images/rdiweb.jpg] Last chance to sign up for Rural Dynamics' Native American Credit Counseling Program. This training will begin soon. Time is running out to sign up!! Click here for a PDF brochure or call Tim at 406.454.5704 for more information! NACC training gives you the tools to provide your communities with credit and financial counseling education. RDI's NACC program provides you the opportunity to receive a national certification through the Association for Financial Counseling Planning and Education (AFCPE). Through this training you will * Gain tools to utilize in assisting community members build and maintain credit. * Learn how to apply best practices in financial education and counseling. * Prepare for your national certification through AFCPE's Accredited Credit Counselor (ACC) program. * Connect with other like-minded programs from across the country. * Build a network of financial counseling professionals that you can rely upon for future support. Who should attend? Housing authority professionals, credit department professionals, financial education providers, CDFI professionals, community development professionals, and any other community leaders who want to build financial stability in their community through financial counseling and education. Space is limited so register today! RDI * 2022 Central Avenue * Great Falls, MT * 59401 * 406.761.8721 To unsubscribe from this mailing, send mail to mailto:u.681.478138.1c74298cf4be0a7a at plainstalk.org or click here. To opt-out of all mailings from us, send mail to mailto:o.681.478138.1c74298cf4be0a7a at plainstalk.org or click here. Rural Dynamics, Inc. 2022 Central Avenue Great Falls, MT 59401 United States 406-761-8721 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20120110/73c747ab/attachment-0001.html From awieland at firstnations.org Tue Jan 17 18:19:16 2012 From: awieland at firstnations.org (Andrea Wieland) Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:19:16 -0500 Subject: [CircleUp] Millions of Working Families Could Overlook Valuable Tax Credit Message-ID: <2E93DEF37B8BC64F9E4689D26F648B570220F33C08@MAILH101.mail.lan> Millions of Working Families Could Overlook Valuable Tax Credit Free Tax Help Available to Help Low-Wage workers in Native Communities Claim Their Full Refunds January 27, 2012 is Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day. EITC is a financial boost for working people, particularly those suffering in a recovering economy. But many hard-hit families may not even know that this vital credit exists. In fact, millions of workers will qualify for the EITC for the first time this year. EITC refunds can help individuals in Native communities' begin a savings goal or just help to help with groceries, rent and other necessities. First Nations Oweesta Corporation works with Native communities to help them build financial assets, and we've seen firsthand the impact EITC refunds can have. We are proud to be partnering with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to promote awareness of the EITC. The EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. According to the IRS, last year over 26 million workers received nearly $59 billion from EITC refunds. EITC program is the largest federal anti-poverty program in the United States - larger than food stamps and TANF combined. It has the potential to bring hundreds of millions of dollars to Native communities annually; in 2011 there was over $24 million EITC dollars returned to Native communities. The EITC does not count as income in determining eligibility for any federally funded benefits. EITC refunds that are saved do not count against resource limits for any federally funded program for 12 months after the refund is received. Also, those who qualified for the credit and did not file taxes or claim the EITC in the past may go back 3 years and claim the credit, increasing the refund amount. "This money can make a real difference to workers, particularly when they're struggling in this recovering economy," said Jon Panamaroff, President & CEO, First Nations Oweesta Corporation. If your total household income was less than $49,000 in 2011, you may be eligible for the EITC. To qualify, you must file a tax return, even if you did not earn enough money to be obligated to file a tax return. Your earned income for the 2011 tax year must be less than: * $43.998 ($49,078 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children; * $40,964 ($46,044 married filing jointly) with two qualifying child; * $36,052 ($41,132 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child. * $13,660 ($18,740 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children. The amount you can receive in your tax refund will vary depending on your income and number of children. The maximum credit this year is $5,751 for a family with three or more qualifying children. If you have one qualifying child, your maximum credit is $3,094. If you don't have any qualifying children, you can still receive up to $464. Many people will qualify for EITC for the first time this year because their income declined, their marital status changed or they added children to their families. Yet the IRS estimates that only four of five eligible workers claim their EITC. "We want to raise that number to five out of five," continues, Jon Panamaroff. If you need assistance with your tax return, take advantage of a FREE tax preparation site in your area. The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help to low and moderate income people across the nation. IRS-certified volunteers staff the VITA sites, and most sites also offer electronic filing. To find the VITA site nearest you, call 1-800-906-4887 or online at www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=219171,00.html A VITA site is a more economical option as most commercial tax preparation offices charge high prices and charge to file forms allowing you to claim the EITC. If you choose to hire a commercial tax preparation office to assist you in preparing and filing your taxes, be sure to ask what the fees are for each form completed. Between February 1 and April 18, 2011, First Nations Development Institute conducted 12 "mystery shopper" tests of paid tax preparers in New Mexico. This research uncovered several problems with inaccurate, unethical, or unprofessional behavior on the part of tax preparers. Shawn Spruce, financial education consultant shared "Unfortunately, the companies that our mystery shoppers visited did a poor job preparing even basic tax returns and could have exposed them to serious tax liability. In general, we were startled by the low quality service and the fact that two of these companies automatically signed our shoppers up for expensive Refund Anticipation Checks, even though they could have directly deposited their tax returns into their own bank accounts." Oweesta works in partnership with the IRS to increase the number, knowledge and accuracy in Native VITA sites across the country. The tax filing season in 2011 had a total of 155 Native VITA sites, which are sites serving a Native population, urban or reservation. This no cost filing option that has electronic filing and refunds are generally directed deposited to the tax payer in seven to ten business days. There are options to split refunds also, you may also purchase savings bonds in $50 increments and have the reminder deposited to your account. Native VITA sites may be found at tribal offices, casinos, libraries, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and various other locations. Several Native communities throughout the country have established financial education programs, provided assistance in opening bank accounts, and helped members in planning for their financial futures, all of which make the EITC program even more effective. Oweesta supports the Native EITC Network which consists of nearly 200 sites providing EITC outreach and free tax preparation services to Native communities nationwide. Help us ensure that the fine out of five who qualify for the EITC refund claim it and bring a portion of that to your community. Participate in EITC Awareness Day on January 27th and help us spread the word! And don't let your friends and family waste their money! Jon Panamaroff, Sun' aq Tribe, is the president and CEO of First Nations Oweesta Corporation. Please visit http://www.oweesta.org/ps/feab/eitctoolkit or, www.ournativecircle.org to obtain more information -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20120117/76e93297/attachment.html From jaci at oweesta.org Tue Jan 24 16:50:08 2012 From: jaci at oweesta.org (Jaci Ree) Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:50:08 +0000 Subject: [CircleUp] Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families Trainer Certification - Denver, CO Message-ID: [cid:634f2815-1a90-4451-9e97-c973707ba131] First Nations Oweesta Corporation is pleased to announce that the next Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families, fourth edition, Certified Instructor Training is being brought to you in part by the Administration for Native American (ANA) Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) grant. This training will offer a three-day, state-of-the-art instructor training and certification program to help Native CDFIs, tribes and other Native organizations establish and sustain financial education programs in their communities. This training will be March 27-29, 2012 at the Hilton Garden Inn Denver, Colorado Applications are being accepted until Monday February 27, 2012 The three day training will address: * An introduction to the Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families curriculum; * Effective training techniques and resources; and * Financial education program design and implementation. Upon completion of the training, participants will be prepared to successfully pass the Building Native Communities certification exam to become certified financial education trainers. There will be a cost of $75 per individual to attend the training; and participants are responsible for their own travel costs. Applicants must agree to send at least two and up to four participants. Please clink the following link for additional information and to apply: http://www.oweesta.org/node/495 For additional information please contact Jaci Ree ? jaci at oweesta.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20120124/602c368d/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: First Nations Oweesta Logo3 [1600x1200].jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 19261 bytes Desc: First Nations Oweesta Logo3 [1600x1200].jpg Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20120124/602c368d/attachment-0001.jpg From awieland at firstnations.org Fri Jan 27 17:43:45 2012 From: awieland at firstnations.org (Andrea Wieland) Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:43:45 -0500 Subject: [CircleUp] National Policy & Advocacy Groups Join in Celebrating Success of Earned Income Tax Credit Message-ID: <2E93DEF37B8BC64F9E4689D26F648B570220FCE301@MAILH101.mail.lan> Tax Credit Rewards Working Families, Prevents Millions from Slipping into Poverty Washington, D.C. - In conjunction with "EITC Awareness Day," national policy and advocacy organizations gathered Thursday to laud the many ways the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps families, communities and local economies. In these particularly difficult economic times, it's crucial that all families who are eligible for the EITC actually claim it, said Jackie Lynn Coleman, Executive Director of the National Community Tax Coalition, which was joined by about a dozen partners in co-hosting a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill. "About one in five households eligible for the EITC don't claim it, leaving much-needed money on the table," Coleman said. "NCTC and our partners are working to maximize awareness of the credit and alleviate some of the heavy tax responsibility borne by struggling, working families." "Goodwill encourages workers with low and moderate incomes to inquire about and claim the Earned Income Tax Credit if they qualify," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, one of twelve organizations co-hosting the event with NCTC. "Goodwill volunteers offer free tax preparation services in certain communities and have prepared more than 31,000 tax returns; helping workers increase their financial stability and strengthen their families." Conceived originally by the Nixon Administration and established in 1975, the EITC is a refundable tax credit available to low- and moderate-income working families. The credit long has been praised as one of the most effective ways to prevent families from falling into poverty and financial deterioration. Due to its success in rewarding working families who are struggling to make ends meet - the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates the EITC kept about 6 million people out of poverty in 2010 - the EITC has been strengthened several times. Along with other vital tax credits, the EITC was improved upon again in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Without Congressional action, these improvements will expire at the end of 2012. NCTC - the country's largest network of organizations offering free tax preparation services to low-income, working families - released a new report Thursday highlighting the importance of the credit for boosting families' health and education outcomes as well as the vitality of local economies. NCTC was joined at the briefing by: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Corporation for Enterprise Development Community Action Partnership Doorways to Dreams Fund Goodwill Industries International National Disability Institute New America Foundation One Economy Corporation First Nations Oweesta Corporation RESULTS Tax Credits for Working Families United Way Worldwide The EITC has long enjoyed broad-based community support in its effort to promote and reward working families who are struggling to make ends meet. In addition to NCTC's congressional briefing, community-based organizations around the country are airing television and radio commercials, hosting events and inviting elected officials to visit tax sites as part of the Internal Revenue Service's annual "EITC Awareness Day," which falls this year on Jan. 27. The EITC has also been critical in supporting traditionally underserved communities, including rural populations, Native Americans and persons with disabilities. "One in three persons with disabilities lives in poverty, nearly double the national average. National Disability Institute, working with NCTC and hundreds of our national and local partners, has helped persons with disabilities take steps out of poverty by fostering understanding that claiming and receiving the EITC will not jeopardize public benefits," said Dr. Johnette Hartnett, Director of Strategic Partnerships for National Disability Institute. In addition to Coleman, speakers at Thursday's briefing included: * Sara Johnson - Director, Baltimore CASH Campaign * Jana Barresi - Manager of Federal Government Relations, Wal-Mart Corporation * David Rothstein - Researcher, Policy Matters Ohio and New America Foundation * Mike Weir - Executive Staff, National Taxpayer Advocate's Officet Contact: The National Community Tax Coalition is a national network dedicated to strengthening economies, building communities and improving lives through tax assistance and asset building activities that produce financial security, protect families and promote economic justice. For a copy of NCTC's new paper, "The EITC: Good for Our Families, Community & Economy," please visit http://bit.ly/z0qgbM.org. Andrea D. Wieland M.S. Communications Specialist First Nations Development Institute 351 Coffman St. Suite 200 Longmont, CO 80501 Phone: 303-774-7836 Fax: 303-774-7841 awieland at firstnations.org Strengthening Native Economies [cid:image001.gif at 01CCDD0A.73DD0DA0] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20120127/add8f962/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 4984 bytes Desc: image001.gif Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20120127/add8f962/attachment.gif From jaci at oweesta.org Mon Jan 30 16:41:05 2012 From: jaci at oweesta.org (Jaci Ree) Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:41:05 +0000 Subject: [CircleUp] Native American Training Scholarships in New Orleans In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: [http://www.elabs10.com/content/2010000838/e_logo_7_13_10.jpg] Native American Community Development Training Scholarships NeighborWorks Training Institute - New Orleans, LA If you are having trouble seeing this NeighborWorks America Training newsletter you can view it online. [http://www.elabs10.com/content/2010000838/teepees.jpg] The NeighborWorks Training Institute is pleased to partner with First Nations Oweesta Corporation to offer 5 days of training at the NeighborWorks Training Institute May 7-11, 2012 in New Orleans, LA. This specialized training is designed to build the capacity of Native practitioners to offer successful Earned Income Tax Credit and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Programs, and to develop and strengthen Native financial institutions. A limited number of full and tuition-only scholarships are available for eligible organizations to attend this training. Submit your scholarship application online by February 17, 2012. Please utlizie scholarship code CDFINO12 when completing applications. Featured courses include: Developing and Strengthening Native Financial Institutions Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are specialized financial institutions that provide a unique range of financial products and services empowering Native communities by increasing homeownership, new construction, community facilities, entrepreneurs, businesses, asset building and assisting community members to reach their financial goals. This interactive three-day course is for those seeking to develop a new Native CDFI, or to strengthen the capacity of an existing Native CDFI. We will guide you through the initial and intermediate stages of CDFI development and activities such as organizational development, staff and board development, policy development, loan product development, capitalization, marketing, creating strong development services for your community, and much more. Within this course, we will review a number of case studies detailing best practices and lessons learned from tribal leaders who have been engaged in this work over the past decade. Limited technical assistance may be offered to attendees who complete the full three-day course. This course is taught by First Nations Oweesta Corporation. Bringing Money Back to Your Community: Making VITA and EITC Benefit Your Clients! Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs are intended to assist low- to moderate-income families make the most of their tax dollars. Unfortunately we have seen that individuals in Native communities do not claim the EITC that they have earned, or are targeted for high-cost, paid tax preparation services. We will share research that shows how Native communities are targeted for services that drain away the EITC dollars. This workshop will showcase successful EITC and VITA, and demonstrate the significant increase that EITC and VITA has brought back to our local Native communities. We will provide valuable information on how to access the dollars being unclaimed through EITC, as well as ways that Tribal leaders can be engaged to help support the campaign. We will explore the ways communities have been able to launch successful EITC campaigns and the struggles they went through to get there. We will also share step-by-step information on starting a VITA program in your area. Limited technical assistance may be offered to attendees who complete the full two- day course and looking to start a campaign/program in their area. This class is led by First Nations Oweesta. Join us, and learn the latest skills for building and sustaining strong Native institutions and communities. For questions about this training opportunity or scholarship availability, contact Lee Anne Adams at ladams at nw.org. NeighborWorks Training Build your skills. Advance your career. Connect with NeighborWorks America . . . [LeadersforCommunities.org] [StableCommunities] [NeighborWorks YouTube] [NeighborWorks News Blog] [NeighborWorks Facebook] [NeighborWorks Twitter] [NeighborWorks on Flickr] NeighborWorks America Training Division 1325 G Street, NW Suite 800 ? Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 800-438-5547 or 202-220-2454 ? Fax: 202-376-2168 ? E-mail: nti at nw.org Subscription Requests | Privacy Policy | www.nw.org/training [http://www.elabs10.com/images/mlopen_post.html?rtr=on&siteid=2010000838&mid=1471866&mlid=2633&uid=1ba8000495] NeighborWorks America , To unsubscribe, click here -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20120130/b829fca7/attachment-0001.html