We are excited to invite nonprofit leaders, board members, and community stakeholders to a special Lunch & Learn UNITED session on March 6 from 11:45 AM to 1 PM. This free virtual event will feature a presentation facilitated by representatives of the New York State Attorney General’s Office, which oversees the Charities Bureau—New York’s primary regulator of nonprofit organizations.

The Charities Bureau plays a critical role in ensuring compliance and protecting donors while also serving as a valuable resource, providing guidance and support to help nonprofits operate transparently and effectively.

Featured Presenters:

• Deanna R. Nelson, Assistant Attorney General in Charge, has led the Watertown Regional Office of the Attorney General since 2008. She has extensive experience overseeing charitable organizations in the Jefferson-Lewis-St. Lawrence region and has served on multiple nonprofit boards.
• C. Michelle McKenzie, Assistant Attorney General, has been leading the charitable organizations practice at the Watertown Regional Office since 2021. A lifelong resident of Jefferson County, she understands the vital role nonprofits play in strengthening local communities.

What to Expect:
The program will center around key questions that every nonprofit should consider:

• Do you know your organization’s origin story?
• How can your organization expand its mission responsibly while staying within legal boundaries?
• What are the fiduciary obligations and potential liabilities that nonprofit leaders should
  understand?

As nonprofits continuously evolve to meet community needs and diversify revenue, mission shifts and organizational updates have become more common. This discussion will offer valuable insights on how to navigate these changes while staying compliant with state regulations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and access helpful resources from the Attorney General’s Office.

Who Should Attend?
This event is highly relevant for:

• Nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and leadership staff
• Board members overseeing governance and compliance
• Fundraising professionals managing charitable contributions
• Anyone interested in nonprofit accountability and best practices

Registration Information:
Participation is free, but registration is required. To sign up, visit: https://unitedway-nny.org/lunch-learn-united/
Join us on March 6 for this informative session and ensure your nonprofit is positioned for success while staying true to its mission!

Six and a half weeks before the big holiday, just before the ‘Most Wonderful Time of the Year,’ the Sackets Harbor Ballroom is set to host the return of its much-anticipated Christmas Market for the sixth consecutive year.

Organized by Margaret Coe, owner of the ballroom and Hospitality Services Instructor for Jefferson-Lewis BOCES, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. The Christmas Market will take place on November 9th, from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Sackets Harbor Ballroom, 103 W Main St., with proceeds from this year’s event benefitting United Way of Northern New York and Toys for Tots.

This year, the market will feature twenty plus vendors offering a wide variety of unique and handcrafted items, including handmade soaps, cookies syrups, reclaimed wood creations and so much more, catering to a variety of tastes and making sure guests will be able to stock up on holiday essentials and gifts.

This festive event is a heartfelt gift to the local community each year, with a chosen charitable cause to support. This year, Ms. Coe has chosen to allocate the proceeds to both the United Way of Northern New York and the Jefferson County chapter of Toys for Tots.

United Way NNY’s mission is to unite communities, resources, and partners to collaboratively address local needs, foster impactful programming, and enhance quality of life. From rallying community support for vital programs, to facilitating Bridges out of Poverty/Getting Ahead/Workplace Stability workshops and offering professional development opportunities to the nonprofit sector, we work toward the vision of a community living united where every person belongs, and every person thrives. In 2023, United Way sponsored programming impacted over 32,000 North Country residents – over 10,400 of them children.

Toys for Tots is a program of the Marine Corps Reserve, with the basic mission to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute them to less fortunate children at Christmas to help bring the joy of the holidays and send out a message of hope. In Jefferson County last year, with local coordinator Michelle Tinsley at the helm, Toys for Tots distributed a total of 9, 157 toys and supported 3,052 children.

Over the years, the local Christmas Market has grown in popularity and scale. Advance ticket sales are available online for $5, tax free, and entry at the door will be $6. The Christmas Market is anticipated to be a well-attended event, drawing visitors to experience the festive atmosphere and discover unique treasures. It’s an excellent opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the spirit of the holiday season while supporting a worthy cause.

United Way is truly grateful to Margaret for choosing us as beneficiaries of this wonderful holiday event and we look forward to seeing all the shoppers in a few weeks!