NPAction Update
Vol 2, Issue 8
4/13/2004

Welcome to this week's edition of the NPAction Update.

You are receiving this newsletter as requested during your registration with NPAction.org. To unsubscribe, send an email to npaction@npaction.org

In this issue:
*What's New*
*Current Poll*
*Featured Articles*
*Featured Resource Links*


*What's New*

The Jewish World Review is running an interesting article on the growth of "think tanks" in Washington and their revolving-door nature that both gets staff from, and sends staff into government positions. The article estimates that there are now between 1,200 and 1,500 self-described think tanks, although it does point out that most are small, with budgets under 0,000 and few full-time staff.

"Washington's 'think tanks' growing in number, power"
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0404/think_tanks.asp

Don't forget to check out NPAction's unedited news feed for the latest in nonprofit news:
http://www.npaction.org/newsfeed/latest/71/



*Current Poll*

This week, NPAction asks how often your organization contacts policymakers (legislators, mayors, administration officials, etc.) Vote on this week's poll, continuously displayed on the right hand side of the site (just don't try to vote twice!!)

Here's your chance to ask a question that you've wanted to ask other nonprofits, but couldn't figure out how. Send your idea for a poll to npaction@npaction.org.

Past Poll Results
http://www.npaction.org/article/archive/207



*Featured Articles*

Sending emails and faxes to Congress has become increasingly important to advocates. The extra security precautions placed on snail mail after the terrorist attacks of 2001 has made timely paper mail communications nearly impossible. This article discusses how Congressional staff view email and faxes, as well as the more traditional forms of communicating with policymakers such as phone calls and office visits.

"E-Mail Advocacy: Will It Get Heard on the Hill?"
http://www.npaction.org/article/articleview/154/1/180/


Many nonprofits are somewhat hesitant about getting involved in advocacy, often because of the confusion surrounding its legality. Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest has put together a FAQ on charity advocacy, covering topics such as election related activities, media and lobbying, and reporting lobbying expenditures to the IRS.

"Frequently Asked Questions About Nonprofit Lobbying"
http://www.npaction.org/article/articleview/429/1/169/


Remember that you can rate and comment on most NPAction articles by clicking the "New Comment" button at the end of an article.



*Featured Resource Links*

The NPAction Resource Links Directory is a human-edited compendium of tools and references, contributed by nonprofits for nonprofits.

NPAction's State Advocacy Guides are a one-stop source for advocacy at the state level, covering everything from state charity guidelines and state media, to legislative directories. Find your state, and get anything you need, from a phone number to the state's legislative protocol.

"State Advocacy Guides"
http://www.npaction.org/article/articleview/343/1/147/


Another tool provided by NPAction and OMB Watch to help individuals and organizations get their message out are the "Take Action Tools." From this one source, users can write to national and state officials, research voting records, see what's happening in Congress today, and even contact national, state, and local media.

"Take Action Tools"
http://capwiz.com/ombwatch/home/


Suggest a Resource Link
http://www.npaction.org/link/suggestlink



*"Steal This Code": Put NPAction on Your Site*

NPAction invites organizations to share our tools on their websites. Choose a logo that best meets your needs, whether you want to link to our site, incorporate our search engine with results from a range of nonprofit sources, add the ability to connect to federal lawmakers and national media, or state-level policymakers and media. Just copy the HTML code from our site, and you're ready to go (but when you steal the code, just let us know!).

"Steal the Code" today
http://www.npaction.org/article/archive/208


*NPAction Update Archives*
http://www.npaction.org/article/archive/210/


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NPAction Update is a service for NPAction subscribers. If you received this message from another party, and wish to subscribe, go to www.npaction.org and hit "Login" then "register new user." Registration not only allows you to receive the NPAction Update, but also to participate in all of the forums, vote in polls, and be a full member of the NPAction community.

If you do not wish to receive this notice, please email us at npaction@npaction.org
NPAction, an online resource hosted by OMB Watch, provides access to tools and information for nonprofit advocacy from a wide range of organizational partners and sources in order to encourage greater participation by nonprofits in the policy arena. Funding for this project was provided by Atlantic Philanthropies, the Ford Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Surdna Foundation.

For more information, contact:

NPAction
1742 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.,
Washington DC 20009
(202) 234-8494
E-mail: npaction@npaction.org
Web: www.npaction.org

© 2004 NPAction