NPAction Update
Vol 2, Issue 23
11/23/2004

Welcome to the pre-thanksgiving edition of the NPAction Update. Before you pass out from the tryptophan, take a moment to remember what you have to be thankful for.

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- Nonprofit Speech*
*Current Poll- Voting Problems*
*Featured Article- Judicial Advocacy*
*Featured Resource Links- Board Disagreements and Tryptophan*

*What's New*

The Seattle Times has published a good article on the PATRIOT act and its effects on nonprofit speech. The article focuses on Sami al-Hussayen, who was prosecuted under the PATRIOT act for providing "material support" to terrorists in running websites for Muslim charities but aquitted by an Idaho jury.

"A Terrorism Case That Went Awry"
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002097570_sami22m.html

*Current Poll*

Last month we asked your feelings on the Electoral College. Of the 103 who answered, 72% want to put an end to the College, 24% a agreed with the Founding Fathers and want to keep it, and 4% think it's just a party school. And don't forget you can always leave comments on any NPAction poll, and many articles.

This month, in the last of our election-themed polls for a while, we'd like to know if there were any voting problems in your community.

Here's your chance to ask a question 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 Article*

When a politician doesn't like a judge, he or she is often referred to as an "activist judge," which is supposed to conjure images of someone making up the law as she goes. But the judicial branch does indirectly make policy by upholding or overturning laws and regulations. Nonprofits can use the judicial branch to bring about policy changes. This issue's featured article covers some ways that you can be a judicial advocate.

"Influencing the System: The Judiciary"
http://www.npaction.org/article/articleview/200/1/159/

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. Many of us have to bring major policy decisions before their boards, and the result isn't always what the organization expected. What can an organization do when a board makes a decision that they strongly disagree with? Jan Masaoka of Custom Development Solutions offers some advice.

"What to Do When You Really Disagree with a Board Decision"
http://www.cdsfunds.com/what_to_do_when_you_really_really_disagree_with_a_board_decision.html

Want to know how turkey makes you sleepy? Check out How Stuff Works. If you've never visited it before, check out the rest of the site (come on, half the office is gone today, you can take a few minutes to do it).

How Stuff Works Talks Turkey:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question519.htm

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