Much to the dismay of NAVREF, Congress adjourned in December without completing work on legislation that would have updated and clarified NPC authorities.  The House and Senate started but postponed completion of “conference” – the process of resolving differences between House- and Senate-passed legislation – on the NPC bill and other eagerly awaited veterans’ legislation contained in S. 1963 and various House bills, so NAVREF is not alone in its disappointment. 

NAVREF has been assured by House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC and SVAC) staff that agreement has been reached on the minor differences between the House- and Senate-passed versions of the NPC legislation that is now HR 2770 and Title VIII of S. 1963.  However, a number of issues remain unresolved in regard to Title I of S. 1963.  This section would provide stipends, training and health care coverage for family members capable of serving as caregivers for seriously injured veterans.  This is the centerpiece of S. 1963 so all the other legislation is dependent on resolution of the differences between Title I of that bill and HR 3155.  Until that happens, the NPC legislation will not move forward.

Because the legislative session that began last week is the second session of the 111^th Congress, bills passed, but not completed last year may be carried forward and completed during 2010.  As a result, NAVREF and other organizations are urging the HVAC and SVAC leaders to complete their conference negotiations as soon as possible and then to promptly move the final result – called the “conference report” – to the House and Senate floors for final votes.  To send a strong message of encouragement, NAVREF and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) spearheaded a letter that was signed by a remarkable 40 organizations.  This reflected strong support by veterans service organizations and the many other organizations that directly, or indirectly through their members and programs, promote the health and well-being of veterans.  For the sign on letter, please go to: http://www.navref.org/newsletter/pdf/Letter-S1963_and_HouseBills_1-15-2010.pdf  To view the bills being conferenced, go to:  http://www.navref.org/advocacy/House_Senate_Legislation.htm

House and Senate VAC staff members have expressed confidence that they will reach agreement on a final conference report “soon.”  However, exactly when they will do so is uncertain so for now, we must be patient and let them concentrate on achieving the best outcome on the caregiver provisions.

The increasing number of NPCs administering federal awards (NIH, DoD, etc.,) are likely to be aware that organizational expenses related to lobbying are unallowable for federal reimbursement under OMB Circular A-122 (2 CFR 230), Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations.  However, please also be aware that NPCs should be deducting from their federal indirect cost rate proposals the percentage of their NAVREF dues – and dues paid to any other organizations that lobby - applied to lobbying.  This percentage is provided annually in NAVREF’s end of year financial statements (see Statement of Activities posted at http://www.navref.org/newsletter/pdf/NAVREF_FY08-09_Financials_and_FY09-10_Budget.pdf).  For the NAVREF fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, the percentage was a modest 5%.  The remaining 95% of NAVREF dues are an allowable cost under the A-122 rules.  Going forward, we will provide this information in membership renewal materials so it is readily available.

In response to questions and comments in 2009 NAVREF Annual Conference evaluation forms, the NAVREF board decided to take steps to help medical center directors (MCDs) who serve on NPC boards become familiar with their NPC roles and responsibilities.  First, shortly after a new MCD is appointed, Jonathan Gardner, FACHE, who is the director of the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (Tucson) and serves on the NAVREF board in the position allocated for an MCD, will send a personal letter introducing himself as a long time NPC board member and offering his assistance as a peer-to-peer resource.  Additionally, NAVREF has created a new web page designed to provide information of particular interest to statutory VA directors of NPCs.  The objective is to supplement – not replace – the local orientation each NPC offers to new board members and regular training in nonprofit governance.  We hope that new directors and NPC staff will find this web site to be a useful resource. 

Many thanks to all who completed our 2009 membership survey and shared their views on everything from NAVREF programs to the issues that are most on your minds.  The results have been invaluable in planning the NAVREF board’s upcoming “Strategic Planning Summit” and will be used to inform decisions on how NAVREF can best serve its members in the coming years.  In the meantime, we are following up to set up new mentor relationships between experienced and new executive directors.  We sincerely appreciate that a large number of executive directors volunteered to provide this invaluable service.

In the membership survey, a number of NPC executive directors agreed to make themselves, or their staff members with responsibility for CRADAs, available to assist other NPCs in negotiating these agreements.  The NAVREF office is in the process of contacting each of these individuals to obtain an understanding of the type of assistance they are willing to offer such as responding to an occasional question; offering advice on negotiations; or taking over negotiations for an NPC.  Any NPCs interested in help should contact the NAVREF office, and we will do our best to match you up with someone offering the level of assistance you need.

If you are interested in the NPC executive director comparability data, please send an email to amurakami@navref.org

When responding to questions related to human resource management, the NAVREF office often relies on books published by Nolo Press.  We have found the following to be particularly helpful in the HR area:

• The Employer’s Legal Handbook - http://www.nolo.com/products/hr-employment-law/

• The Essential Guide to Federal Employment Laws - http://www.nolo.com/products/the-essential-guide-to-federal-employment-laws-FEMP.html

• Create Your Own Employee Handbook - http://www.nolo.com/products/create-your-own-employee-handbook-EMHA.html

By setting up a “trade account” with Nolo, NPCs may obtain a 40% discount on purchases.  To set up a trade account, call 800-955-4775.  In addition to providing name, address, etc., you will be asked to fax Nolo a copy of your IRS letter of exemption from federal taxes.  After establishing a nonprofit trade account, you will be able order discounted books by calling, emailing or faxing the trade account office at tradecs@nolo.com.

Although NAVREF’s responses to questions and information provided in these books cannot replace individualized legal advice, we have found them to be a useful starting point when questions arise.  For definitive guidance, NPCs should consult an attorney licensed to practice in your state.

If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to populate the fields in your “NAVREF Member Profile” (http://navref.org/institution-profile/list.php).  NAVREF regularly refers pharmaceutical companies and other potential research sponsors to this web site.  Your NPC and VAMC may be missing out on possible studies if your profile isn’t complete. 

Of particular interest to sponsors are the fields describing your affiliated VAMC and research program as well as those providing the name and contact information for the staff member responsible for contracts and grants.   Also, NAVREF members have reported that this is a useful networking tool when NPCs have provided contact information for senior staff members.  Please input any missing information and update your profile on a regular basis.  If you have misplaced your NPC’s username or password, send an email request to smathew@navref.org

Please be sure to mark your calendar for the 2010 NAVREF Annual Conference in Washington, DC: 

Sunday, October 17 through Wednesday, October 20

Marriott Washington at Metro Center

The conference program is shaping up, and we expect to have the registration web site up and running before the end of March.