The “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” workshop will provide a 2-hour overview of the risks and benefits of self-employment. Participants will be introduced to the attributes of being a successful entrepreneur, understand the magnitude and responsibilities of “being your own boss”, and review some general guidelines to consider before seriously considering self-employment.

Four classes will be offered evenings from 6:30PM to 8:30PM and one Saturday class from 10:30AM to 12:30PM. Classes will be held at Kingsborough Community College. Tentative dates are Thursdays: Sept 23, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16. The Saturday class will be offered on October 23. To pre-register, please click here.

The “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” workshop will provide a 2-hour overview of the risks and benefits of self-employment. Participants will be introduced to the attributes of being a successful entrepreneur, understand the magnitude and responsibilities of “being your own boss”, and review some general guidelines to consider before seriously considering self-employment.

Four classes will be offered evenings from 6:30PM to 8:30PM and one Saturday class from 10:30AM to 12:30PM. Classes will be held at Kingsborough Community College. Tentative dates are Thursdays: Sept 23, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16. The Saturday class will be offered on October 23. To pre-register, please click here.

The “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” workshop will provide a 2-hour overview of the risks and benefits of self-employment. Participants will be introduced to the attributes of being a successful entrepreneur, understand the magnitude and responsibilities of “being your own boss”, and review some general guidelines to consider before seriously considering self-employment.

Four classes will be offered evenings from 6:30PM to 8:30PM and one Saturday class from 10:30AM to 12:30PM. Classes will be held at Kingsborough Community College. Tentative dates are Thursdays: Sept 23, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16. The Saturday class will be offered on October 23. To pre-register, please click here.

The “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” workshop will provide a 2-hour overview of the risks and benefits of self-employment. Participants will be introduced to the attributes of being a successful entrepreneur, understand the magnitude and responsibilities of “being your own boss”, and review some general guidelines to consider before seriously considering self-employment.

Four classes will be offered evenings from 6:30PM to 8:30PM and one Saturday class from 10:30AM to 12:30PM. Classes will be held at Kingsborough Community College. Tentative dates are Thursdays: Sept 23, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16. The Saturday class will be offered on October 23. To pre-register, please click here.

9AM-12PM

Faculty:

• Dianne Billings Buford, Chief Service Officer

Many nonprofits rely on volunteers to provide essential programs and to engage citizens in service to their community. This workshop will focus on practices that ensure volunteers achieve their goals in service, are inspired to make a long term commitment to your organization and provide a real benefit to your organization.  Open to board of directors and staff

For more information, please click here.

9AM-5PM

Faculty:

• Don Crocker, Executive Director/CEO Support Center for Nonprofit Management
• Joanne Page, President, Fortune Society
• Gary Selnick, Board member
• Jose Mercado, Assistant Commissioner Finance, ACS
• Richard Beck, Assistant Commissioner of Payment Services, ACS
• John Cirolia, Assistant Commissioner, Contract Agency Finance Division, DYCD
• Elisa Velazquez, General Counsel, MOCS
• Michelle Biondi, Senior Policy Analyst for Contract Review Unit, MOCS
• Bryan Epps, Senior Policy Analyst, MOCS

Managing a City Contract can entail a steep learning curve for a nonprofit organization. Nonprofits may be intimidated by the overall process and must comply with stringent requirements. This course is designed to support organizations by starting with a strategic approach, and covering fiscal management best practices, the structure and general requirements of a City contract, nonprofit perspectives on successfully working with City government, and specific processes like auditing, payment requisitioning (vouchering) and performance evaluations. Targeted to directors, executive staff and contract managers

For more information, please click here.

9AM-12PM

Faculty:

• Kelly Mathews, Sr. VP, Council of Community Services of NYS, Inc.
• Bryan Epps, Senior Policy Analyst, MOCS

Many small non-profits have limited administrative staff, but work under the same high expectations from funders regarding internal controls. This training will focus on the implementation of simple, yet effective internal controls to allow your organization to reap the benefits of accountability, efficiency, and fraud prevention despite running a lean operation. Targeted to the board of directors and senior staff

For more information, please click here.

9AM-12PM

Faculty:

• Rhoda Barr, Director of Client Services, Volunteer Consulting Group and BoardnetUSA
• Linda Manley, Legal Director, Lawyers Alliance of New York
• Jenny Walty, Assistant Director for Capacity Building and Oversight, MOCS

A strong board of directors provides a vision for the Executive Director and staff, but also exercises key oversight responsibilities. An effective board requires certain skill sets and diversity, but also an appropriate structure. This training will provide the necessary tools for the board to effectively carry out the mission of a growing organization. Targeted to the board of directors and executive directors.

For more information, please click here.

9AM-12PM

Faculty:

• Ethan Kahn, CPA, ERE Accountants & Advisors
• Bryan Epps, Senior Analyst for Capacity Building and Oversight, MOCS

An organization’s audited financial statements are a critical measure of financial capacity, which are reviewed by City contracting agencies to ensure that a vendor has the capacity to produce accurate books and records. It is therefore critical for nonprofits to be able to account for funds and track expenditures accurately and in a timely way to be reimbursed for their services.  This course will help nonprofits understand what their financial statements communicate about their organization and how to use them as management tools.  This class is intended teach participants to their own organizations financial tools. As a result participants should bring a copy of their own organizations financial statements and trial balance used for the audit. Participants are also encouraged to come with prepared questions. Targeted to the board of directors, senior staff and fiscal staff, and New York City agency staff

For more information, please click here.

9AM-12PM

Faculty:

• Jenny Walty, NYC Nonprofit Contract Facilitator
• Jake Luce, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office of Contract Services
• Caitlin Caporale, Discretionary Award Compliance Coordinator
• Alex Kipp, Director of Training, Conflicts of Interest Board

The administration of New York City Council discretionary awards, also called member items, can be challenging for even the most sophisticated organizations. This training will cover the new policies and procedures that have increased accountability and transparency in the award of Council funding and will cover Council selection, prequalification, contracting requirements, and conflicts of interests. Get to know the players and their roles in the discretionary award process. Targeted to nonprofit executives, nonprofit contract managers and New York City agency staff

For more information, please click here.

9AM-12PM

Faculty:

• IRS Tax-Exempt Bureau
• New York State Charities Bureau
• Allison Sesso, Human Services Council
• Patrick Synmoie, Office of the City Clerk
• Andrea Fastenberg, New York City Law Department
• Eliot Green, Chair of the NYC Bar Association’s Tax-Exempt Organizations Committee, Loeb and Loeb

This training will provide comprehensive information on the legal constraints and reporting requirements for political advocacy and how to avoid putting the tax-exempt status of a 501(c)(3) organization in jeopardy. The session will be presented from a legal perspective on 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and will focus on the lines around allowable political activity, political speech and political spending. The course will also provide guidance on the individual political activity of principals, employees and community members and explain the registration and reporting requirements for legislative lobbying in New York City and New York State. Targeted to nonprofit board members, executive directors and legal staff

For more information, please click here.

9AM-5PM

Faculty:

• Shoshanah Goldberg, Professor at Columbia University and the New School
• Judy Levine, Executive Director, Cause Effective
• Don Crocker, Executive Director, Support Center for Nonprofit Management

This workshop is designed for nonprofit leaders who want to learn smart practices in fundraising in three areas. Faculty will help nonprofit executives think about the brand promise of their organization and craft a strong message about the value of their work for proposals and marketing materials, to strategically plan friend-raisers and fundraisers, and to identify aspects of the organization’s activities that could be repositioned as revenue generating activities. The class will take the fear out of grant writing, developing prospects and entrepreneurial ventures. Targeted to nonprofit board members, executive directors and development staff

For more information, please click here.

This seminar will cover the following topics and more:

• What is a trademark, copyright and patent?
• How are trademarks and copyrights established?
• What are your rights under trademark, copyright and patent law?
• How can you protect these rights?
• Under what circumstances can you use a protected copyright or trademark?

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Brooklyn Public Library’s Business Library
280 Cadman Plaza West
Brooklyn, New York 11201

Please note that this event if free and open to the public. However, seating is limited, so please call (718) 368-6790 or click here to register online. Click here for additional information.

If you are a small business owner or are thinking about starting your own business this is a great opportunity to meet one-on-one with an attorney and learn more about the legal consequences of owning and operating a business in NYC.

Do you need help deciding whether or not to incorporate?
Do you have questions about contracts?
Intellectual property rights?
Are you planning to rent a storefront or renew your commercial lease?

Come and have your questions answered by volunteers of the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010
5:30 - 7:30 PM

Brooklyn Public Library’s Business Library
280 Cadman Plaza West
Brooklyn, New York 11201

Space is very limited. Appointments will be set up for individual consultation. Please confirm your attendance as soon as possible. No one will be seen without an appointment. To RSVP please click here to register online or call 718-368-6790 to reserve a spot. Click here for additional information.

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
8:30 am - 10:00 am

Brooklyn Public Library’s Business Library
280 Cadman Plaza West
Brooklyn, New York 11201

Kevin Drakeford of the Drakeford Group, PC will present an overview of your legal rights as you begin to think about signing or negotiating a commercial lease.

Please note that this event if free and open to the public. However, seating is limited, so please call 718-368-6790 or click here to register. Click here for additional information.

Win $15,000 to start your own business! All contestants must attend classes and write a business plan to win. To pply, you must attend one of the following 2010 PowerUP! orientations sessions:

• Tuesday, March 23, 6-7:30pm, Business Library
• Tuesday, March 30, 6-7:30pm, Business Library
• Thursday, April 1, 6-7:30pm, Kings Highway Library
• Wednesday, April 14, 6-7:30pm, Bedford Library
• Friday, April 16, 9-10:30am, Business Library
• Tuesday, April 20, 6-7:30pm, Crown Heights Library
• Wednesday, April 21, 6-7:30pm, New Lots Library
• Tuesday, April 27, 6-7:30pm, Business Library

Learn all about the competition and register for an orientation session and register for an orientation session at www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/business. Or call 718-623-7000 and select option 4.

A complete loan application provides the lender with information about the business
operations, including how the loan will help the business, and plan for repaying the
loan

The workshop will cover the loan process including step-by-step instructions and the review of documents that most lenders look for when they are considering a request for a loan. Additionally, the training will outline various types of loans and funding options available to both new and established businesses.

This workshop will be conducted by Mr. Kevin Howell, President of Anchor Business Consultancy, LLC. ABC assists small and mid-sized business owners with growth and operational strategies focused on increasing profitability.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010
TIME: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
LOCATION: HSBC Bank
200 Montague Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
RSVP (718) 368-6790 or log onto our website www.bedc.org

For more information about this Workshop, please click here.

Understanding your business financial statements is crucial to improving your business operations.

Knowing where to look for financial leaks and monitoring them, inform and allow for making shifts that will make business more efficient and profitable. How to spot leaks will be covered in the upcoming workshops

This workshop will be conducted by Mr. Brendan Guastella, who is the owner of Soundview Business Consulting (www.soundviewfirm.com), a Brooklyn based firm that specializes in assisting entrepreneurs, start-ups, and other small businesses in the New York metropolitan area.

DATES: PART I MARCH 24, 2010 8:30AM TO 10:30AM (WEDNESDAY)
PART II MARCH 25, 2010 8:30AM TO 10:30AM (THURSDAY)
LOCATION: CAPITAL ONE BANK
356 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
RSVP: (718) 368-6790 or log onto our website www.bedc.org
This event was made possible by the New York City Council
For more information please click here.

Have you conducted a survey in your commercial district recently?  Thinking
about how to improve your process for next time?  If so, please join us at
this hands-on workshop about designing and conducting better merchant and
shopper surveys.

Conducting Merchant and Shopper Surveys: Best Practices Roundtable

Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00 pm
Location: Pratt Center for Community Development, 379 DeKalb Avenue,
Brooklyn

This event will feature helpful presentations on designing and conducting
surveys in commercial districts, as well as one-on-one break-out sessions
with the presenters.

Bring your lunch, past surveys and your questions about designing the best
possible survey for your commercial district.

Agenda:

• Jonathan Martin, Professor, Pratt Institute
• Stacey Sutton, Professor, Columbia University
• Vicki Weiner, Pratt Center for Community Development
• 15-30 minute break-out sessions for one-on-one assistance with your surveys

RSVP to Rachel Thieme at rthieme@bedc.org or (718) 368-6783.

We hope to see you there!

Census Day at Moore St. Market

Saturday, February 27th, 2010 @ 12 noon
108 Moore St. corner of Humboldt St.
Brooklyn, NY

easy. safe. important.

DELTA SIGMA THETA
WOODHULL HOSPITAL
BEDC - Moore St. Market
Information- 718 230 3351

For more information please click here.