Monday, February 28, 2005

Amnesty International

國際特赦創辦人病逝

【明報專訊】於44年前創立國際特赦組織(Amnesty)的英國律師本南森(Peter Benenson)周五病逝,享年83。在他帶領下,國際特赦致力伸張全球人權,榮獲諾貝爾和平獎。

本南森近年長期患病,周五晚在英國牛津的醫院因肺炎去世。國際特赦秘書長伊林汗讚賞本南森畢生致力對抗全世界的不公義,給世界各處監獄、刑訊室和死亡集中營帶來光明,是勇氣的證明。英國外交部說,雖然偶與國際特赦發生政策歧見,但英國政府對本南森通過創立國際特赦推動人權的「巨大貢獻」是肯定的。

61年學生被捕展特赦運動

受業於英國一等學府的本南森,孩童時代就開始為伸張人權而抗議,參與了支持西班牙內戰孤兒的運動。1961年,40歲的他讀報看到兩名葡萄牙學生在當時仍處於獨裁統治的里斯本一家咖啡館,為自由乾杯而被逮捕入獄的新聞後,激於義憤,決定發起一項原打算為期1年的特赦運動。未料活動引起廣泛回應,運動遂由針對單一事件的團體,定位為揭露和對抗各國政府不公義的民間組織。

以倫敦為總部的國際特赦,目前在全球的會員和支持者超過180萬。在組織25周年活動上,本南森為「所有無法拯救出監獄、在送往監獄途中被槍殺、被處以酷刑、被無故綁架失蹤的人」點起了一支被鐵線纏繞的蠟燭,這其後亦成了組織的標誌。

曾為金大中昂山素姬奔走

國際特赦曾為昂山素姬、金大中、哈維爾等政治良心犯四出奔走,又就蘇丹達爾富爾種族屠殺、美國關塔那摩監獄被囚的「嫌疑恐怖分子」遭剝奪人權虐待等,仗義執言,不惜開罪權貴。

敢批西方侵人權行為

它既抨擊金正日、薩達姆等專制政權,但亦抨擊西方和親西方政權侵犯人權行為,曾招來前英國首相戴卓爾夫人、親西方的前智利獨裁者皮諾切特抨擊。

路透社/美聯社/法新社

自幼不平鳴出錢出力衛人權

【明報專訊】畢生奉獻於人權事業的本南森,生於1921年,是俄國猶太裔銀行家之孫。在母親鼓勵下,在讀書時代開始,已經常不平則鳴,並且顯露出對人道的關注。他幼時受業於著名詩人奧登(W. H. Auden)。入讀伊頓公學後,曾為校內伙食問題勇敢地向校長投訴,又推動扶助西班牙內戰孤兒運動並助養了一名嬰兒,又參與組織募款活動,援助兩名由納粹德國逃到英國的猶太孩子。

助養受戰爭影響孤兒

他於牛津大學歷史系畢業後,到國家新聞部工作,50年代當上律師,獲英國工會聯盟派往西班牙為工會人士是否獲得公平審訊做觀察員。他曾數度代表工黨參選但均落敗。

1961年,他從報上得悉有葡萄牙學生為自由乾杯而被捕囚禁,遂向英國《觀察家報》投函表達不平,引起廣泛迴響,促成了國際特赦的成立。在組織成立最初的幾個年頭,因經費短缺人手不足,本南森要親自出錢出力,幾乎參與了組織所有事務。本南森憶述﹕「(組織草創)那時候我們全都只是邊試邊學地去做。」

從此,國際特赦不斷寫信苦纏各國政府要求釋放「政治良心犯」,呼籲關注人權,並於1977年獲得諾貝爾和平獎。人權作家鮑威爾說﹕「(國際特赦)這種低調但持之以恆、跨越宗教種族意識形態的工作,出乎意料地有效。」

觀察家報/英國廣播公司/路透社/星期日泰晤士報

Saturday, February 26, 2005

兩成半港人會把遺產捐慈善

From today's Apple Daily...

遺產留給子女 比率僅佔六成
港人退休後最想做義工

【本報訊】一項國際性調查顯示,有三成一本港受訪在職人士及一成九退休人士,最想在退休後做義務工作,比率為十五個國家及地區中最高。兩成半在職港人稱日後會把遺產捐予慈善機構,比率僅次於新加坡及美國;只有六成人稱會把遺產留給子女,比率為當中最低。 記者:倪清江

調查由AXA國保險於十五個發達國家及地區進行,總共有九千二百名在職及退休人士受訪,以了解他們的退休事宜。本港在職人士平均希望在五十五歲退休,但他們估計平均要到五十八歲才可真正退休;不過當中有四成三受訪者希望延遲退休,他們平均想等到六十三歲才退休。

當被問及退休生活,近兩成本港受訪退休人士稱想做義工,同樣也有三成一在職人士表示日後想做義工。在歐美甚受退休人士歡迎的園藝活動,卻沒本港受訪者表示有興趣。

八成人遺產給伴侶

調查亦發現,港人對子女可說是最「狠心」,因為只有六成在職人士表示會將遺產留給子女,在十五個國家及地區中最少;稱會留給伴侶的有八成,排第四位。有兩成半在職人士表示會將遺產捐給慈善機構,只低於新加坡的四成及美國的三成一比率。

調查亦顯示,受訪香港退休人士每月平均支出需八千八百元,但每月平均收入只有五千六百元,欠缺三成六,大都相信退休時要依賴子女。為應付日後的退休生活,受訪的在職人士現時每月平均儲蓄四千元。

理工大學應用社會科學系副教授何國良指出,去旅行需要金錢,做運動需要體力,從事園藝活動需要很大居住地方,對居住在港的退休人士都不容易達到。他又說,香港人向來沒有計劃退休生活,而做義工屬抽象概念,故較多人選擇並不為奇,「唔能夠話港人特別有愛心,否則退休前後都應做義工。」

香港善導會

From today's Mingpao...

釋囚夫婦棄綜援為兒子自力更生

毒海回頭珍惜生命

【明報專訊】細文和雯雯以往浮沉毒海的經歷與一般隱君子無異﹕因結交損友而沾染毒癮、進出監獄、戒毒……但一個小生命的誕生,卻令他們更懂得珍惜生命。從此,兩夫婦放棄向社署申請每月8000多元的綜援金, 自力更生﹔媽媽在家照顧小兒子,爸爸在外當月入6500元的保安員。看精靈活潑的進仔,他們說﹕「我們不吃也沒所謂,希望他快高長大,將來不要步我們的後塵。」

...

獲善導會飛躍大獎金獎

脫離毒海後,雯雯深明戒毒者需要別人支持,故對18歲開始吸毒、當時「有心無力」的細文說﹕「你戒毒後才可與我一起。」就是這個「戒毒認同」將兩人連繫一起,然後結婚生子,重過新生,他們並獲得今屆香港善導會「進取的心獎勵計劃」飛躍大獎金獎之一。

該會區域經理杜國森說,近年社署不斷削減資源,已無力開辦釋囚職業培訓班,去年幸得贊助商資助才能開班﹔現要尋找更多贊助商開班,並聯絡更多僱主聘請釋囚,讓他們自力更生(查詢21856262)。

Friday, February 25, 2005

ARNOVA Conference - Call for Participation

Call for Participation
The 34th Annual ARNOVA Conference
November 17-19, 2005
Washington, DC USA

The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) invites participation in its 34th annual conference. The special focus area this year will be:

Nonprofits, Philanthropy and the Public Agenda: Linking Research, Practice and Policy

Nonprofit organizations influence and affect the public agenda in numerous ways-from constituting alternatives to public action to highlighting problems that should be on the public agenda; from being third party agents critical in the implementation of various social policies to providing evaluation and feedback on policy effectiveness; from independently addressing community issues to constituting alliances to address public issues. Likewise philanthropy can support or be a partner to alternatives to public policy, both domestically and internationally. Indeed, philanthropy and nonprofits are significant influences on the public agenda in most forms that that agenda takes: campaign issues, subjects for legislative hearings, court cases and regulatory rulings, public opinion polls, issues receiving media attention, the activities of international organizations, and public and private research agendas. Furthermore, nonprofits and philanthropy often seek to influence the public agenda by bringing both research and practical experience together to define issues, identify possible causes, develop potential action options and to inform policymaker and the policymaking processes. In turn, the actions of public policymakers at all levels of governance can affect demands upon and resources available to nonprofits as well as impose new costs or delegate added responsibilities. This year's conference offers an opportunity to explore the dynamics, forms, challenges and effectiveness of these interactions. Topics of interest include (but are not necessarily limited to):
  • The practices of philanthropy as agents of change, catalysts of issue definition, and developers of model programs
  • The role of nonprofit practitioners in identifying, addressing, and advocating for policies and programs that address problems they deal with on the front line
  • The role of scholars of nonprofit organizations in identifying problems and challenges unique to the sector and developing ideas for how to respond
  • The practices of the independent sector and nonprofit organizations in being advocates for policy action, including case studies focusing on specific issues or sub-sectors
  • Obstacles and incentives for better communication and collaboration between researchers and practitioners
  • The ways in which recent or pending public policies affect the mission, operations, and evaluation of nonprofits and the independent sector
  • Methods for communicating with policymakers and assessments of the effectiveness of philanthropy and nonprofits in influencing policy activity
  • The role of nonprofits and philanthropy in influencing transnational and international governance and the forces of globalization
  • How education about the third sector and of future nonprofit administrators is responding to significant environmental changes brought on by globalization, technological change, shifting relations between the sectors, and demographic changes
In addition to the focus areas listed above, we solicit proposals in areas such as the management and operation of nonprofit organizations, comparative studies of the third sector, and human resources including leadership and volunteerism. Moreover, proposals can address issues related to specific sub-sectors, e.g., health, social services, religious, arts and culture, civil society, recreation, advocacy and voluntary associations, etc.

    Monday, February 21, 2005

    Giving by the Middle Class

    From today's SCMP...
    Middle class most generous when it comes to charity
    Monday, February 21, 2005, PATSY MOY

    Middle-class people with an annual salary of between $400,000 and $600,000 are the most generous donors to charity, Inland Revenue Department figures show.

    Taxpayers from that income group contributed $496 million, or 0.69 per cent of their income, to charities in 2002-03 - more than double the rate of those who earned more than 10 times as much.

    The nearly 150,000 taxpayers in the middle income group earned a total of more than $70 billion in that year.

    Statistically, each contributed an average of $3,000 a year to charities.

    People who earned between $7.5 million and $10 million that year contributed 0.32 per cent of their personal income to charities.

    Ho Wai-chi, a fundraising consultant to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, said the rich were "less generous" than the middle class.

    In light of the generosity of middle-class families, Mr Ho said he hoped the middle classes could be encouraged to designate part of their assets to charity in their wills, - a concept similar to that of organ donation, allowing them to continue to share their concern for charities after their death.

    Mr Ho said some businessmen had made contributions through companies instead of in an individual capacity.

    But charitable donations under profits tax exemption in 2002/03 totalled $640 million, only about one quarter of the $2.35 billion from salaries taxes.

    Sociology professor Ting Kwok-fai, of the Chinese University, said donors would usually consider the actual amount of their donations instead of the proportion of their income, which may explain why those in the upper economic classes contributed a smaller portion of their salaries.

    But Professor Ting pointed out that many people from the middle class in Hong Kong originally came from the less privileged families, climbing the ladder of success through their own efforts such as obtaining a higher education and professional qualifications.

    "They were not born with a silver spoon in their mouth and tend to be more sympathetic towards those who live in poverty," the sociologist explained.

    Mr Ho expected donations from individual donors could jump fourfold to $10 billion a year from $2.3 billion because the government drastically relaxed the cap on tax deductions for charity contributions from 10 per cent of personal income in the past to 25 per cent last financial year.

    He said charities should try to gear up to attract more donations amid the strong competition. They should not just maintain conventional methods to appeal for funding such as charity sales and walkathons.

    The number of charities applying for tax deductible status has jumped almost one-third in five years, from 3,060 in 1999 to 3,981 last year.

      社福大聯盟

      六成社福機構下年度現赤字

      【明報專訊】有社福界人士透露,據其了解,政府委任顧問公司研究社會福利機構財政問題的報告中,顧問公司估計在 05/06年度,約有六成社福機構出現赤字,至09/10年度更增至近九成。顧問指出,機構可能要透過凍薪及凍結增薪點、聘用低薪員工方能收支平衡。社福 大聯盟批評顧問公司沒有一併評估員工士氣受打擊情,倘一旦停止發放撥款,員工士氣低落,會影響服務質素,建議政府就撥款公開諮詢業界。

      報告未正式發表

      社署4年前更改志願機構撥款機制,由實報實銷變成一筆過撥款,給予機構更大理財彈性,承諾員工福利薪金不變,方法包括向機構連續5年給予「過渡期撥款」、按 原有合約所訂之增薪點支薪。社署早前委託顧問公司研究5年過渡期滿後,受資助機構的財政狀及需要支援程度,報告尚未正式發表。

      大聯盟指出,政府一旦停止「過渡期撥款」,機構或會以不同方式解僱員工﹔新入職的員工薪酬雖較低,但缺乏經驗,對服務質素有一定影響。大聯盟批評顧問公司有預設立場,假設政府停止發放撥款,沒有評估員工士氣受打擊情,建議政府就撥款公開諮詢業界。

      業界指未評估士氣

      報告中指出,有61%的機構在05/06財政年度會出現赤字,到09/10年度更增至89%,顧問公司評估,若機構由05/06年度開始每年減省2%或以上 支出,則絕大部分機構可在09/10年度達收支平衡﹔削減開支措施可能包括凍結薪酬及增薪點、以較低薪酬聘請人員代替離職員工。

      大聯盟指出,研究原初目標是如何協助受資助機構在06年後應付財政困難,但結果只眼於要求機構在短時間內消滅赤字,沒考慮機構是否有足夠資源維持現有服務。社署發言人表示,顧問公司並未提交報告,一切留待報告完成才公布,現階段不評論。

      Thursday, February 17, 2005

      Graduate Fellowships on Nonprofit Financial Management

      Graduate Fellowships in Public and Nonprofit Financial Management, School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech

      A New Graduate Fellows Program
      The School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech announces two new graduate fellowships in public and nonprofit financial management to begin in fall 2005:
      • Three- year fellowship for Ph.D. student in Public Administration and Public Affairs or Environmental Design and Planning.
      • Two- year fellowship for master student in the Master of Public Administration, Master of Public and International Affairs, or Master of Urban and Regional Planning.
      Student fellows will matriculate in their degree program while holding graduate research assistantships in the University's higher administration.

      The Goals of the Program
      The School's Fellowship Program in Public and Nonprofit Financial Management is tied to a developing curriculum and research program targeted at increasing understanding of the relationships between financial and budgeting systems and public and nonprofit organization effectiveness and accountability. More specifically, Fellows will enjoy the opportunity to pursue advanced course work and research with interested faculty that:

      • Examines the relationship of budgeting and financial management systems to the allocation of organizational resources
      • Explores how budgeting and financial processes relate to effective performance outcome measures and strategies
      • Investigates cutting edge organizational planning and management tools for more effective resource administration, including capital, treasury and debt management.
      For additional information concerning School Programs, please visit: http://www.spia.vt.edu.
      .

      Saturday, February 12, 2005

      「中產之聲」(Part II)

      中產組織半月招逾百會員

      人數直逼民協關注預算案稅項扶貧政策

      【明報專訊】由中產人士組成的獨立組織「中產之聲」,註冊後短短半個月便招收了逾百會員,當中有學者、律師、教師,會員數目直逼成立了19年的民協的百多人。這股中產新勢力崛起之快,令政界人士側目。

      同一時間,政府和政黨也正各自戮力爭取中產支持,財政預算案將會是首個戰場。政府籌備了年多的中產論壇,最快可在下月出台,過去兩個月,已不斷向政黨和學術界發出邀請,每名立法會議員提名3人,八大院校每間提名16人,經篩選後組成論壇。餘下論壇成員由各政策局和民政事務局轄下的中央名冊資料庫及自薦人士中尋找。

      政府篩選準則要是月入3萬元以上,有專業資格,以及現時並非任何諮詢及法定組織成員。

      陳鑑林﹕現時「弱者強勢」

      民主黨副主席陳竟明表示,中產人士知識水平一般較高和較獨立,部分認為政黨不能代為發聲是正常現象,但他否認民主黨只偏向基層。他說﹕「民主黨認為好的政策是中產和基層都會受惠。」民建聯陳鑑林坦言現時是「弱者強勢」,某些政黨偏向弱勢人士,令中產受忽略。

      兩黨都提出今年財政預算案應有稅務寬減的措施,以紓緩中產壓力。

      在 「中產之聲」的網站內,有50多名登記會員表達了意見,他們對政府的綜援政策反應最大,直指政府「劫中(產)濟貧」,「貪得無厭,好似前世欠了他們。要立刻取消綜援,改為無現金的援助方式」、「幫窮人無問題,但係唔可以淨係派錢而不斷加重中產負擔」、「不要再浪費我們的血汗錢,快減稅」。

      發起人之一的無黨派人士李子榮昨接受本報記者訪問時指出,有感政府沒有體恤中產需要,也沒有政黨能替中產發聲,所以要成立「中產之聲」。他說網站已有50多名會員,另外亦收到50多份書面申請。

      對綜援政策反應最大

      他表示,會員有律師、教師、家庭主婦等。他說,中產之聲不會有正式會員大會,但會透過網頁作為討論平台,收集意見。近期他們已就3月財政預算案設立討論區,部分成員希望提高父母及子女免稅額、免差餉半年至一年等,整理意見後,他們稍後會提交意見書給財政司長唐英年。

      中產另一關注重點是扶貧政策,李氏指出,會員意見認為,增加學童學習機會,不應限於基層兒童,可以公開予其他有需要的家庭。他們亦不支持政府「派糖」,希望政府小心制訂扶貧政策。他們稍後也會交意見書給扶貧委員會。

      政府決心搶中產支持

      【明報專訊】標榜代表中產利益的「中產之聲」近日傳出已招收了逾百會員,並準備在財政預算案發表的前夕一試牛刀,向財政司長提出要求。看來政府也會重視他們的意見,因為一位接近政府最高權力核心的人士近日提示本報記者要留意——特區政府會決心跟政黨一較高下,力爭中產的支持。

      中產亂極思治反對派「失去支架」

      這位知情人士指出,香港社會是以中產人士為主體,經歷幾年亂局之後,他們已「亂極思治」,希望香港經濟好轉,社會轉趨穩定,眼見反對派沒甚作為,「失去支架」,最終只有回到手執行政機關大權的特區政府。

      按照政府高層的研判,只要特區政府繼續改善施政,對反對派罵不還口,並小心推行政策,不輕率行事,盡量減少社會矛盾,埋頭改善民生,最終可以趕過政黨,取得中產人士的支持。

      政府研判﹕中產取態偏保守

      政府的研判又認定,中產的取態是偏向保守和重視社會的穩定。因此只要政府爭取到他們的支持,將可以協助政府維持穩定的政局。

      這位核心人士又指出,民主派賴以起家的「民主抗共」概念,其實已過時,因為近年港人與中央的矛盾已經緩和,但民主派還以為自己掌握民意﹔殊不知政府內部的民調顯示,主流民意是希望社會和諧穩定,今年民主派發起的新年大遊行,最終也只得2000人參加。

      政黨難平衡基層中產利益

      另一個令政府感樂觀的原因,是政黨有選票包袱,不得不偏向基層,當基層跟中產在利益上出現衝突,政黨便很難處理。

      長期以來,民主派中佔主導位置的民主黨其實也意識到,他們不能只顧基層利益,需要開拓中產的支持,但奈何他們始終擺脫不了地區力量的制約,政策上無法偏向中產。如今政府大力開拓中產的支持,且看民主黨會如何回應。

      Friday, February 11, 2005

      New Book on Community Informatics

      The Community Informatics Research Network (http://www.ciresearch.net), held its 2004 Inaugural Conference and Colloquium with the theme, 'Sustainability and Community Technology: What Does this Mean for Community Informatics?', at the Monash Centre, Prato, Italy, 29 September - 1 October, 2004.

      Proceedings are now available for purchase:

      The CIRN 2004 Prato Conference proceedings (ISBN 0-9581058-3-9) include all the refereed and non-refereed papers from the academic, practitioner, and PhD streams.

      There are 48 papers in the two volumes coming to more than 600 pages of text and graphics, with contributions from many countries. The Proceedings are an excellent resource for your organisation's research, teaching, and practical activity in community informatics.

      Additional information (including the table of contents, list of authors and introduction) available at http://www.communities.org.ru/prato/

      Proceedings CD:

      In addition to the all the conference papers being reproduced as
      bookmarked PDFs, the proceedings CD contains:

      -- MP3 sound files of the Conference Opening and keynotes from Don Schauder, Laura Ripamonti, Erica Rosalen and Mike Gurstein, as well as their accompanying powerpoints.

      -- 200+ Prato photos taken by participants

      -- Inaugural Issue of the Journal of Community Informatics

      -- CIRN Brochure

      -- CIRN Cape Town 2005 Announcement.

      Publishers of the book are the Centre for Community Networking Research, School of Information Management & Systems Monash University and Community Informatics Research Network, Inc.

      The book has been desk-published in Russia by the Centre of Community Networking and Information Policy Studies (CCNS).

      To order and purchase a copy of the proceedings please go to www.ciresearch.net/proc2004.htm.

      We invite you to purchase additional copies for your institution, and to distribute the information below to colleagues. As there are only a limited number of copies available for purchase, please encourage them to do so quickly!

      Best regards,
      Sergei Stafeev

      苗圃行動

      300市民行路上廣州籌款[09:15]

      2005/02/11

      苗圃行動約300人今日出發,步行到廣州,為山區兒童教育籌款。

      苗圃行動今次是第12年舉辦這項籌款活動,參加者每日步行約6至8個小時,預計年初六抵達廣州。

      Thursday, February 10, 2005

      Fundraising on the Internet

      From Philanthropy Journal

      Fundraising in today's Internet-driven world requires more than a "donate now" button on your Web site. You need the latest tools and techniques for fundraising success. Download our free fundraising guide and discover: How to create online fundraising campaigns that get results. How to measure online fundraising success. What successful nonprofits are doing to achieve success online.

      Wednesday, February 09, 2005

      賣旗籌款

      賣旗時限擬延長2小時

      【明報專訊】在削減福利開支下,賣旗籌款成為本港慈善團體每年收入的來源之一,向社署申請賣旗籌款的團體亦大幅上升至200多間。社署為滿足需求,今年進行多項賣旗安排改善及試驗計劃,除增加分區賣旗日數外,亦會試驗將賣旗時間延長兩小時,希望增加籌款團體及善款金額。

      申請機構升幅近六成

      社署資料顯示,近年申請賣旗籌款的團體數目可說是連年上升,由2001/02年度的141間,上升至2005/06年度的225間,升幅近六成,但經濟不景加上其間爆發SARS,導致善款則連續數年下跌。

      社署助理署長韓潔湘表示,近年多了團體登記為慈善機構,導致申請賣旗籌款的機構明顯上升。為滿足需求,社署會在賣旗安排上進行多項改變,首先會增加分區賣旗日數,由04/05年度的16日增至05/06年的29日,由於分區賣旗日可容納3間機構在同日賣旗,故總體賣旗團體可增至加20%至117間,但這數目仍與申請數目有一定距離。

      韓潔湘表示,一些規模較小的機構未必有足夠義工進行全港賣旗,分區賣旗反而可讓他們集中資源籌款,機構亦反映分區賣旗的總收入,較全港賣旗稍多。

      韓潔湘指出,在本年4月共5個賣旗日將會試驗延長賣旗時間措施,由以往上午8時至中午12時,延長兩小時至下午2時,相信可吸納一班巿民在中午放工後買旗,有助提高善款,若反應良好會在本年9月全面推行。

      僧多粥少收益料不多

      防止虐待兒童會總幹事雷張慎佳及香港社區組織協會主任何喜華指出,政府削減社福開支,令不少團體需要賣旗籌集經費,兩人皆歡迎社署推出有關改善措施。何喜華 表示,由於賣旗涉及印旗、製旗袋、尋找義工等成本,故在籌款機構明顯增加下,可能出現「僧多粥少」情,機構實際收益估計不多。

      另外,在03/04年度共收到10宗懷疑籌款行騙個案,而在04/05年有關籌款行騙個案增至20宗,當中有7宗與南亞海嘯籌款有關,社署已將個案交警方跟進。



      明報記者﹕梁偉健

      Tuesday, February 08, 2005

      Call for Submissions - "Democracy & Society"

      ** Call for Submissions - "Democracy & Society" Issue 3 **

      Georgetown University's Center for Democracy and the Third Sector (CDATS) invites article submissions for the next issue of "Democracy & Society." "Democracy & Society" (D&S) gives substantive treatment to important themes related to democratic governance and the third sector. (Log onto the CDATS website to view previous issues of D&S)

      WHAT KIND OF SUBMISSIONS ARE WE SEEKING?

      For this issue, we are seeking well written, interesting submissions of 800-2000 words on the theme below, including summaries and/or excerpts of recently completed research, new publications, and work in progress. Submissions are due Friday, March 3, 2005.

      Theme: Global Civil Society

      We are seeking submissions exploring the role and the impact of global civil society as well as changes in its structure or composition. We especially welcome submissions from scholars and other researchers from third sector organizations and from outside the United States. Potential questions to address include, but are not limited to: In what ways is global civil society able to promote greater international democracy? In what ways is it failing? Whom does global civil society represent, and how is representation legitimated? How is global civil society responding to the challenge of the rising power of "regressive globalizers" who favor globalization only when it is in their particular interest? What has been the effect of a more formalized role for civil society in global institutions? How are the people, organizations, and values of transnational civil society shaping our world? Can we look to global civil society to address concerns about inequity, health, and security? What are the implications of growing demands for the accountability of global civil society organizations?

      SUBMISSION DETAILS

      Ideal length is 800-2,000 words. Please email submissions (MS Word preferred) to cdatsnews@georgetown.edu. Endnotes preferred. Please include your name, department or organization, title, and contact information. Submissions for this issue are due Friday, March 3, 2005.

      Monday, February 07, 2005

      社會福利服務從業員協會(社福協)


      社工組新工會擬拓內地市場

      【明報專訊】社工界有新勢力崛起,一個標榜「促進香港與內地社會福利界服務交流及發展」的社 工工會剛成立,副會長認為,「社工不要只看見香港,要有跨界目光」﹔面對社福界削資,社工就業前景暗淡,他們主張開拓大中華市場,「輸出社工」北上就業。 至於立法會社福界代表張超雄和其他工會領袖主張的07、08年普選,該會坦言未有立場,副會長說﹕「太政治化是問題,要以行業利益行先」。

      香港社會福利服務從業員協會(社福協)去年10月成立,頭炮活動「無國界社工」,派社工義務到泰國海嘯災區提供輔導。外務副會長陳義飛(圖)表示,16名創 會者中,10人是前度或現任國際社會服務社(下稱國際社)職員,他和另一副會長都曾被派駐內地做社工,他本身亦擁有北京大學法學學士學位。

      北上社工月薪3000至7000元

      他說,他們和其他工會最大不同之處,是致力促進中港社福界交流。「香港回歸後,兩地融合是大趨勢,意味社工不能局限在這裏。」陳義飛形容,政府有財赤壓力, 不能無限度增加資源,社工要就業,內地是個「龐大的機會」,卻未見其他工會爭取,「其他專業如會計師也爭取CEPA專業資格互認,社工卻沒有」。

      他說,曾向上海幹部提出「輸出社工」概念,對方亦表贊同,並計劃聯絡內地官商宣傳這概念,但據他估計,北上社工月薪只有3000至7000元。有人認為香港問題不少,社工不是要先服務香港嗎﹖他說﹕「社會問題不可能全部解決」,又指「在香港受訓,除了服務港人也可服務其他人」。

      立法會社福界代表張超雄在立會倡議「公投」,哄動政界,其他工會領袖亦主張普選,社福協的政治立場如何﹖「我們未談過普選議題,我個人看,香港太政治化是問題,好多同事『搵朝唔得晚』,還是做好業界及同工利益為先。」

      「太政治化是問題」

      陳又謂﹕「張超雄提出要『四圍點火頭』,若火頭燒光房子,我們便要執手尾。」他認為政府應委任張到扶貧委員會,因為「始終他都是代表我們的立法會議員」。

      (明報記者譚惠芸報道)


      同業關心社福協背景

      【明報專訊】有資深社工分析,過去6年也沒有新的社工組織出現過,故社福協的出現,確引來社工關注。社工界互聯網留言版上,對該會有不少查詢,甚至有社工留言,要求該會交代職員背景、資金來源,又查詢該會是否與中方有關。

      副會長﹕沒任何政黨關係

      副會長陳義飛說,他們和任何政黨沒關係,但他曾替民主黨羅致光競選立法會助選。另一副會長陳萬聯曾是學協成員,去年立法會選舉曾任工聯會助選團團長,對於他 是否親中人士,他不置可否,只說﹕「社工做服務最緊要」。社福協現有50名會員,約20萬元的創會費,一半來自兩名商界朋友。

      有600多 會員的社會工作者總工會會長張國柱說,只要組織對社工行業有幫助,歡迎它成立,對於「不談政治、多和內地溝通」的立場,他說要「尊重不同人的訴求」。張國柱重申自己的看法﹕「我認為愈早有普選愈好,香港可愛的地方是可以說話,我的立場亦代表業內同事訴求。」有1000多名會員的社會工作人員協會則沒有回 應。

      社福界立法會議員張超雄表示,歡迎不同聲音在社工界出現,對於自己被批評是「點火燒屋」,他說﹕「社工行內因為一筆過撥款已有很多矛盾,『火』我不點也很熱,希望大家能夠一起解決這個矛盾。」

      Sunday, February 06, 2005

      W創作社

      各位朋友:
      音樂劇場
      《你今日拯救0左地球未呀?》即將於四月上演,請多多支持。 如有查詢或需要訂票,也可直接聯絡我。也請把以下訊息及表格轉寄給有興趣的朋友。 謝謝。 Eddy 陳銘匡/宣傳主任


      W創作社X 蘇玉華X 林一峰
      成人童話音樂劇場《你今日拯救0左地球未呀?》預訂門票送紀念Tee

      詳情亦可到W創作社網頁: www.wtheatre.org.hk

      繼《馴情記》之後,W創作社與林一峰再次聯合主辦《你今日拯救0左地球未呀?》,並將於4月20日起在藝術中心壽臣劇場公演 10 場。

      《你今日拯救0左地球未呀?》乃搞笑感人的成人童話音樂劇場,內容描述徘徊生與死的純真世界,舞台佈景燈光服裝的運用出乎你意料,主演主唱的林一峰特別為本劇 撰寫多首全新歌曲,並邀得蘇玉華擔任女主角,以及荷里活電影《史力加》動畫總監許誠毅擔任美術設計,其他主要演員包括邵美君、梁祖堯、黃雪文、楊詩敏、劉 子騰及吳劍菲,更有一群劇場幕後精英助陣,絕對值得期待。

      《你今日拯救0左地球未呀?》現推出優先訂票服務,你只需於2月24日前預訂任 何一場$280門票,除可獲得安排最佳座位外,成功訂購兩張門票的觀眾更可獲得《你今日拯救0左地球未呀?》珍藏紀念Tee(非賣品)一件。(成功訂購四 張門票則獲贈紀念Tee兩件,如此類推。)

      香港藝術中心壽臣劇場
      日期:05年4月20至24日,26至28日8pm及
      05年4月23至24日3pm
      靚位門票價:$280

      優先訂票表格亦可在W創作社網站www.wtheatre.org.hk
      林一峰網站www.chetlam.com下載
      截止日期:2月24日 (郵寄信件以郵戳為準)
      查詢熱線:6411-5602

      Saturday, February 05, 2005

      香港脫貧網

      樂施會《香港脫貧網》電子報 (4/2/2005)

      "香港脫貧網" 是由樂施會一班關注香港貧窮及不平等問題的義工精心製作的網頁,目標是透過探討現今香港社會上發生在你我週遭的貧窮和不公義的社會現象和問題,從而使大眾 對此有更多的認識,以及喚起大家的關注,凝聚多一分改革的聲音和力量。此外,我們亦希望這網頁能提供機會,分享你對問題的看法、感受和提出建議。

      Friday, February 04, 2005

      香港仁人家園協會

      捐「利是」助海嘯災民

      【蘋果日報】新春將至,小朋友可有想過怎樣善用來的利是錢呢?香港仁人家園協會主辦的「利是重建行動」,為南亞海嘯災民重建家園。小朋友只要捐出四百元的利是錢,每二十人加起來,就能為災民提供一間新屋。

      已建五十多間屋
      曾 在世界各貧困地區籌建十多萬間房屋的基督教建屋組織仁人家園,昨日正式宣布成立香港分會。該會主席陳達文說,已在海嘯重災區的印尼及斯里蘭卡興建五十多間住屋,預料總數將會在兩年內擴展至二萬五千間。該會的頭炮籌款活動,是為全港中小學生而設的「利是重建行動」,同學們需要自行組隊二十人參加,只要每人捐出四百元,全組籌得的八千元就足以興建一間新的單層住屋。

      蘋果基金接受申請撥款

      蘋果基金接受申請撥款: 蘋果日報慈善基金因應社會需要,定期舉行會議,審批社福機構遞交的計劃書,資助創新及有意義的服務,直接幫助弱勢社群。

      2月18日截止

      蘋 果基金2005年度第一季撥款現正接受社會服務機構申請,任何非牟利慈善團體、小組、自助組織均可提出。社會服務機構可將有關計劃書寄交或傳真至基金,以 便蘋果基金愛心基金委員會於短期內審核,截止日期為二月十八日(星期五)。

      社會服務團體可向蘋果基金索取《資助社會服務計劃》申請表格,另亦可上網查閱有 關資料及下載申請表。

      查詢:29908688
      傳真:23702192
      網址:http://www.charity.atnext.com
      地址:將軍澳工業西駿盈街8號

      暖流熱線
      電話:29908688
      傳真:23702192
      電郵:adfund@appledaily.com
      網址:http://www.charity.atnext.com


      New Publication: Government-Civil Society Policy Partnerships

      Strengthening Social Policy: Lessons on forging government-civil society policy partnerships

      The culmination of a two year CIDA-funded project, this book looks at a series of innovative experiences and common lessons that can help government and civil society actors address social policy challenges. Edited by the Institute On Governance, the publication contains fascinating case studies on indigenous peoples' rights, children's rights, maternity leave, consumer rights, and the prostitution and trafficking of women. The studies were prepared by lead researchers in each of the five participating countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Canada. The publication captured the attention of the World Bank Institute, who invited the IOG down to launch their series of Brown Bag discussions in November 2004.

      Table of Contents


      Chapter 1:
      Introduction

      Chapter 2:
      Policy Partnerships in an Era of Cosmopolitan Governance
      Jennifer Chandler

      Chapter 3:
      The Context for Partnership in the Participating Countries

      Chapter 4:
      Preventing Trafficking in Women and Voicing Women’s Political Interests
      Case Studies from Indonesia
      Joe Fernandez

      Chapter 5:
      Strengthening Partnerships Between Civil Society and Government
      Case Studies from Malaysia
      Dr. Denison Jayasooria

      Chapter 6:
      Children’s Protection and Indigenous People’s Rights in the Philippines
      Case Studies from the Philippines
      Dr. Francisco A. Magno and Ruth Lusterio-Rico

      Chapter 7:
      Civil Society and Governance in Thailand
      Case Studies from Thailand
      Dr. Juree Vichit-Vadakan and Dr. Kanokkan Anulansai, with assistance from Nongnoot Poungpong

      Chapter 8:
      The Role of Canadian Voluntary Sector Organizations in Development of Public Policy Related to Benefits for Children
      Case Studies from Canada
      Mel Gill

      Chapter 9:
      Building Better Social Policy: What We’ve Learned from Stories of Successful Government-Civil Society Policy Partnerships
      Laura Edgar

      Chapter 10:
      On Reflection


      Thursday, February 03, 2005

      European Conference



      Concepts of the Third Sector
      The European Debate
      Civil Society, Voluntary Organizations, Social and Solidarity-Based Economy

      The First European Conference of ISTR and EMES will take place April 27-29, 2005 at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM), in Paris, France.

      The Preliminary Programme, Registration Form,and Hotel Information is now available on the ISTR website at www.istr.org

      Online Discussion (LIVE NOW)

      Online discussion: Getting global giving going - LIVE NOW
      Hosted by Caroline Hartnell and Adele Simmons

      Is global philanthropy increasing? What are the barriers to its increase? What can be done to stimulate it?

      We originally considered these questions in the December 2004 issue of Alliance, and the debate within the magazine focused on the following areas.
      • the need to create a new culture of giving among individuals
      • the need to make it easier for individuals to give, both by simplifying the process and by assuring them that their donations are going to reliable groups
      Now we'd like to open the conversation wider and have your views on these questions. Our online discussion forum, hosted together with Social Edge, is considering the same question as the December issue - what would it take to really get global philanthropy going?

      To participate in the debate or to read the contributions, please visit: http://skoll.socialedge.org/?13@@.3c412c02/0

      The discussion will continue until 14 February.

      Mark Your Diary - Upcoming Events and Conferences

      Also from ARNOVA e-News...

      April 3-6
      42nd Annual AFP International Conference on Fundraising, Baltimore, Md.; Contact: Association of Fundraising Professionals at www.afpnet.org.

      May 11
      6th Annual Symposium, “Nonprofits and Marketing: Unleashing the Power and Promise of Your Mission to Meet the New Market Reality,” North Park University, Chicago, Ill.; website: www.northpark.edu/axelson

      July 14-17
      Alliance for Nonprofit Management/National Council of Nonprofit Associations Joint Conference, "The Communities We Serve: Building Capacity for Impact," Chicago, Ill.; Contact: Alliance for Nonprofit Management at www.allianceonline.org or National Council of Nonprofit Associations at www.ncna.org.

      August 25-26
      The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University 18th Annual Symposium, “Women and Philanthropy: Gaining Momentum,” Indianapolis, Ind.; Contact: www.philanthropy.iupui.edu.

      October 23-25

      Independent Sector Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.; Contact: www.independentsector.org.

      November 17-19
      34th Annual ARNOVA Conference, Capital Hilton, Washington, D.C.; Contact: ARNOVA website: www.arnova.org.

      Recently Released Books

      From ARNOVA e-News...

      Losing Your Executive Director Without Losing Your Way: The Nonprofit’s Guide to Executive Turnover (2004)
      Carol Weisman and Richard I. Goldbaum; Jossey-Bass/A Wiley Imprint (www.josseybass.com), 158 pages
      The authors help guide the nonprofit board through the perils of replacing an executive director from start to finish, with their “Seven Components of Successful Transition Management.”

      Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals (4th Edition) (2003)
      Mary Hall and Susan Howlett; Continuing Education Press (www.cep.pdx.edu), 174 pages
      The authors of this fourth edition of Getting Funded guide the reader through the proposal development, writing and submission process.

      The Nonprofit Mergers Workbook Part II—Unifying the Organization after a Merger (2004)
      La Piana Associates, Inc.; Amherst H. Wilder Foundation (www.wilder.org), 230 pages
      This workbook, a sequel to The Nonprofit Mergers Workbook Part I—Considering, Negotiating, and Executing a Merger, helps answer the question of how to make mergers work.

      The Nonprofit Board Member’s Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy (2004)
      Marcia Avner; Amherst H. Wilder Foundation (www.wilder.org), 128 pages
      Whether the organization is large or small, locally or nationally focused, struggling or prospering, this book aims to help the board in an effect to lobby and advocate for issues deemed important.

      Community Visions, Community Solutions: Grantmaking for Comprehensive Impact (2003)
      Joseph A. Connor and Stephanie Kadel-Taras; Amherst H. Wilder Foundation (www.wilder.org), 107 pages
      The aim of this book is to help funders achieve community goals. The book presents many ways in which funders can spur action and attain results in communities.

      The New Effective Voluntary Board of Directors: What It Is and How It Works (2003)
      William R. Contrad, Jr.; Swallow Press (http://www.ohiou.edu/oupress/swallowbooks.HTM), 229 pages
      This book presents a “how-to” for those working on, for, or with boards of directors in nonprofit organizations. Conrad takes the reader through the steps for a nonprofit board of directors to work effectively.

      Benchmarking for Nonprofits: How to Measure, Manage, and Improve Performance (2004)
      Jason Saul; Amherst H. Wilder Foundation (www.wilder.org), 112 pages
      Benchmarking—the ongoing process of measuring an organization against leaders—can help stimulate innovation, increase impact, decrease costs, raise money, inspire staff, impress funders, engage the board, and sharpen the organization’s mission. The book provides a strategic, step-by-step approach to benchmarking.

      Reports on Outcome Management

      The Urban Institute has released the last two guides in its six-guide series on Outcome Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Analyzing Outcome Information and Using Outcome Information.

      The premise of the series is that tracking the results of services regularly will provide nonprofit organizations with basic information to help them become learning organizations that continuously strive to improve their services to their customers and communities.

      The guides (all six of them) are available in PDF format at www.uipress.org.


      Wednesday, February 02, 2005

      Boards and Beyond: Nonprofit Governance Conference

      BOARDS AND BEYOND: UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGING REALITIES OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION GOVERNANCE.

      March 31- April 1, 2005
      Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.

      A Conference for Practitioners and Researchers

      Effective governance is integral to the nonprofit sector and the communities it serves. Yet scholars and practitioners alike continue to be intrigued and challenged by the complex and changing nature of nonprofit governance and the boards that engage in it. Even as we learn more about the breadth and depth of variety in context, design, and practices, it is clear that we do not fully understand this element of nonprofit leadership and how it is or should be practiced. Are most nonprofit boards effective in providing adequate governance? Are there new and more effective ways to address nonprofit governance needs? This is a time of significant change for nonprofit governance. But what is changing and what is not?

      Among the issues likely to be examined at this conference are:

      * It long has been recognized that nonprofit governance is complicated by the fact that nonprofit organizations have no shareholders. What stakeholder interests do nonprofit boards usually see themselves as representing? How do boards effectively address the interests of multiple groups of increasingly diverse stakeholders? What have been the results and consequences?

      * How has the enhanced emphasis on accountability affected the roles and behavior of nonprofit boards? Are boards taking a greater role in assessing accountability and, if so, which boards and how?

      * What might be the implications of national (or state) legislation specifying governance requirements and mechanisms that are tailored to nonprofit organizations? What has been the impact on the performance of those nonprofit organizations that have adopted some of the provisions of the recent Sarbanes-Oxley legislation?

      * How has the recent press for some nonprofits to become more entrepreneurial or “business-like” affected the nature of their governance and the behavior and effectiveness of their boards?

      * If boards (as the available research suggests) typically do little about assessing program performance and especially about assessing overall organizational performance, why has that been true? What might (can) be done to induce boards to take a greater role? What should that role be?

      * Are efforts to improve governance of nonprofit organizations focused too much on a “managerialist” approach, attempting to improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery and ignoring the civic or other roles of nonprofit organizations? What standards or expectations might be established, and by whom, to encourage boards and executives to assess their organizations’ contributions to civic life?

      Conference information and registration forms: contact the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at www.mcnl.org

      「中產之聲」

      It seems it's an organization registered under the Societies Ordinance as a nonprofit interest group serving political purposes...

      中產斥扶貧會偏聽

      【明報專訊】無黨派、現任沙田區議員李子榮組成的中產之聲,曾向財政司長唐英年自薦其組織代表加入扶貧委員會,但未獲接納。李子榮指扶貧會中過半數是社福界代表,少數來自商界,中產代表欠奉,擔心委員會未能照顧公眾意見。他希望能約見特首及財政司長跟進。

      李子榮認為政府偏聽,他希望政府制定政策時,加強與中產溝通。另外,他已註冊「中產之聲」,並已設立網頁www.voicemiddleclass.com,吸納中產人士意見。

      中國扶貧基金會「慈善國宴」(Part III)

      A follow-up report from Mingpao on the proposed charity event...

      慈善國宴準備不足取消

      【明報專訊】由中國扶貧基金會主辦、原定昨日在北京人民大會堂舉行的春節「慈善國宴」突然流產,中國扶貧基金會解釋說,取消活動是因為場地及人員準備不充分。

      據《京華時報》報道,昨日是春節「慈善國宴」預定的舉辦日期,但中國扶貧基金會主任柏錚前晚(1月31日)接受查詢時透露,這次國宴已經取消,春節期間也不會有類似活動。柏錚表示,由於場地、人員等各方面都未準備好,加上時間比較倉卒,取消國宴是本對公眾負責的態度。

      關於已售出門票的問題,扶貧基金會解釋,門票只是電話訂購,未有現金交易,所以不涉及退票問題。

      這次慈善國宴門票分7級,最貴的「總統貴賓席」標價38,000元人民幣。

      Tuesday, February 01, 2005

      Panel on the Nonprofit Sector in the U.S.

      The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector is an independent effort by charities and foundations to ensure that the nonprofit community remains a vibrant and healthy part of American society. Formed by Independent Sector in October 2004 at the encouragement of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the Panel is entrusted with the responsibility to prepare recommendations for Congress to improve the oversight and governance of charitable organizations. It will provide an initial report of its findings and recommendations by February 2005 and a final report later in the spring.

      The Recommendations
      The Work Groups' recommendations fall into four broad categories:
      1. Improving Transparency and Financial Management
      2. Improving Government Oversight and Enforcement
      3. Improving Governance and Self-Regulation
      4. Compliance Requirements for Small Organizations

      All can be downloaded from the List of Recommendations, either as individual items or in a single document.

      Download all of the recommendations in one document (pdf) (Warning: It's a big file of 1.3 mb).


      學校籌款網站

      [see also 網上教育籌款平台]

      網站撮合善長與籌款學校

      【明報專訊】教育學院與前美林亞太區董事總經理潘耀堅合辦一個籌款網站Ed Exchange,參照股票交易所的模式,撮合善長與學校,形同教育界的「eBay」,讓更多有心思的教育項目面世,令莘莘學子直接受惠。

      4月啟用盼年達千項目

      該網站現有24家學校試用,並於4月正式啟用,寄望首年能撮合800至1000個教育項目。

      創辦人潘耀堅解釋,有見社會上缺乏捐助本地教育的渠道,一些有創意的教育項目卻可能因資金有限而無法推行,遂興起設立籌款網站的概念,與教院一拍即合。網站歡迎由幼稚園至中學,經學校校長核准後的籌款項目,例如課外活動等與教育有關的特別項目,籌款金額不限。然後,由教院學生組成評審委員會,評核有關項目的可行性。

      教院學生評審籌款額不限

      經評核的項目會放上網,讓全球善長選擇。善長可按自己的捐款喜好,例如想幫助與運動有關的項目,或者以某個捐款額去決定捐助哪些活動,情形就像股票市場裏,投資者自行選擇購買哪種股票。項目成功籌款後,網站便會將籌得的款項,直接交給有關學校。網站的百多萬營運經費,將由數家企業承擔,用作聘請全職員工、教院學生審核項目的車馬費等。

      創辦人盼推動創意項目

      潘耀堅說,網站希望推動大眾資助更多教育項目,亦鼓勵籌款的教師和學生付出,透過細心撰寫報告書和策劃有創意的教育項目,爭取成功籌款。至於教育學院的學生,則可透過評審籌款建議書,學習如何撰寫好的建議書。

      China Development Brief



      China Development Brief is an important source of information on development news in China. If you subscribe to their e-newsletter, you will get a news update like the following every once in a while...

      Briefs In This Update
      1. Feature: 'Dragon people' want business opportunities, not speech therapy Jan 31 2005
      2. JICA seeks to strengthen Japan-China NGO links Jan 28 2005
      3. Analysis: Family planning Policy may be changing as population passes 1.3 billion Jan 28 2005
      4. British government backs new Poverty and Social Development Resource Centre Jan 24 2005
      5. '200 International NGOs in China' Directory Reflects China's Growing Internationalisation. Jan 21 2005


      News Roundup (from Philanthropy Journal)

      NEWS ROUNDUP: Relief work rapped; Gates gives $750 million; kettle drive grows.

      01.26.2005 -

      Here are the week's top nonprofit stories:

      * American charities have raised more than $597 million for tsunami relief efforts, much of that online, eclipsing the $350 million pledged by the U.S. government, with the American Red Cross raising $236.2 million, followed by the U.S. Fund for UNICEF with $68 million, and Catholic Relief Services with $51.1 million, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported Jan. 20.

      * Oxfam issued a report analyzing the first month of tsunami relief efforts that praises the response of donors but cautions that inexperienced, untrained international aid workers may be causing problems, including sanitation problems due to overly dense housing construction, and should be accredited by governments in the region, BBC News reported Jan. 26.

      * The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will donate $750 million to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations, matching its initial gift made in 1999 to start the organization to provide vaccines for children in poor countries, the New York Times reported Jan. 25. The gift is part of one the biggest philanthropic undertakings ever, the Los Angeles Times reported Jan. 27.

      * The Salvation Army reported its annual kettle drive raised $95.3 million, up from $93 million the previous year. The fundraising effort exceeded expectations lowered after Target dropped a waiver that had allowed the charity to solicit at its stores despite the chain's no-soliciting policy.

      * Working groups of the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, set up by Independent Sector at the request of the Senate Finance Committee, have submitted recommendations to the panel on topics covering transparency and financial management, oversight and enforcement, governance and self-regulation, and issues facing small organizations, Tax Analysts reported Jan. 25.

      * University endowments earned an average of 15.1 percent last year, replacing declines in 2001 and 2002 and a modest gain in 2003, a survey by the National Association of College and University Business Officers says, but have yet to make up for losses incurred over the last five years, when the average return was 3.8 percent, the New York Times reported Jan. 24.