MLTN Infoline – November 13, 2024
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Call for 2025 Maine Land Conservation Conference Workshop Proposals
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It’s that time of year! We are looking for great ideas and presenters for our annual Maine Land Conservation Conference, which will take place next spring, tentatively on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 29 & 30. The conference is all about bringing people working in conservation in Maine together to learn, connect, and think about shared challenges and opportunities. This year the main event on Wednesday will focus on a positive vision for the future, and how we can support climate action in Maine. The conference will offer 10-12 workshops and roundtables in two time slots on Wednesday. We are also planning a few workshops on Tuesday, which may be in the field or longer in length. Submissions are welcome from anyone with an engaging, timely, and applicable idea! We especially encourage workshop ideas that include diverse viewpoints and perspectives on a given issue, or that can help inspire new approaches.
View the full Call for Proposals on our website.
Even if you don’t have a specific workshop suggestion, please feel free to share feedback to help us develop the Wednesday slate of offerings. What questions about land trusts and climate action in Maine are you looking to answer? What topics would be especially helpful to your land trust to support your efforts addressing this issue in your service area?
Proposals are due by 11:59pm on Friday, December 6th.
Help us plan the best Conference yet!
Angela, Jeff, Donna, and Katia
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IRS Requirement Update for Land Trusts Working with Donors Who Are Pass-Through Entities
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On Oct. 8, the U.S. Treasury published final regulations that have important implications for land trusts working on easement or land donations from pass-through entities, such as a partnership or limited liability company. These regulations are dense, complicated and open to further interpretation, but the basic takeaway is that, in certain circumstances, land trusts may need to report and disclose information to the IRS about these donations if the land trust acts as a “material advisor.” If the land trust fails to do so, it could trigger a $200,000 penalty. This creates a first-of-its-kind potential financial liability for land trusts.
The Maine Land Trust Network and Land Trust Alliance are trying to get the word out about these regulations, which will also potentially impact attorneys and appraisers. Much of the analysis is fact-sensitive, making it imperative for land trusts to consult legal counsel about the application of these regulations. In order to address these new regulations, the Alliance has already:
More information is available on the Alliance website. Please keep on the lookout for updates to help guide your land trust through this new regulatory regime.
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Fireside Forestry: Silviculture Q&A
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Thursday, November 21, 2024 via Zoom 1:30-2:30pm
Cost: FREE for Maine WoodlandOwners members, $10 is requested for non-members
Bring your questions about tree growth and forest health for this online Q&A session with Bob Seymour, professor emeritus, and Jessica Leahy, Henry W. Saunders Distinguished Professor in Forestry, School of Forest Resources University of Maine. Click here to go to Bob Seymour’s YouTube Channel.
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Maine’s Paid Family Medical Leave: What You Need to Know for 2025
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Thursday, December 5, 2024 via Zoom 9:00-10:00am
Cost: You are welcome to register for this event at no cost! Revenue from MANP events supports the work they do on behalf of all nonprofits in Maine, and they welcome financial support from those who are able to provide it.
In 2023, Governor Mills signed a budget that included the creation of a paid family and medical leave program, making Maine the 13th state to establish one. Eligible workers in the private and public sector will have up to 12 weeks of paid time off available to them for family or medical reasons including illness, to care for a relative, or for the birth or adoption of a child. The program will be funded via a payroll tax, split between most employers and employees. This will begin in 2025, and employees will be able to receive benefits starting in 2026.
Presenters will be Tim Powell and Steve Silver, attorneys at Littler.
For additional information about the paid family and medical leave program, visit the Maine Department of Labor’s webpage.
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Free Virtual Risk Management Webinars from Land Trust Alliance
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Land Trust Alliance is offering free risk management webinars as part of Terrafirma’s annual risk management webinar series.
The Land Trust Alliance created Terrafirma as a charitable risk pool owned exclusively by participating land trusts that insures its members against the legal costs of defending conservation. It is available for all Land Trust Alliance member land trusts with conservation easements or fee lands held for conservation who meet the 13 eligibility criteria. Learn more about Terrafirma here.
Upcoming webinars include:
Basic Risk Management – Tips from Terrafirma on Thursday, December 5th from 3:00-4:00pm
Basic Risk Management: Insurance 101 on Thursday, January 9th from 3:00-4:00pm
Advanced Risk Management: Land Division Legal Challenges on Thursday, January 23, from 3:00-4:00pm
If your organization is a Terrafirma member and anyone on your staff or board attends this webinar, your organization will receive the Terrafirma risk management discount for the 2025 policy year. |
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Equity in Action: Crafting Competitive Compensation Strategies for Nonprofits
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Thursday, December 12, 2024 via Zoom 1:00-2:00pm
Cost: $35
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Common Good Vermont
Is your nonprofit grappling with limited funding, salary compression, and/or retention issues, all while trying to maintain equity and transparency? This webinar will explore how pay transparency can serve as a roadmap for overcoming these challenges. Learn how to build equitable compensation programs that align with your values and create a sustainable future for your organization.
Learn more and get the link to register on partner website at MANP’s website.
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