1540 Sul Ross  Houston, Texas 77006   (713) 526-4876    info@talarts.org     http://www.talarts.org

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Newsletter

September 2009
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Nonprofit Orientation Session: September 9, 2009

This session will be held on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 from 5 pm - 7 pm at the TALA Office (1540 Sul Ross Street, Houston, TX 77006).  These sessions are designed to provide information to those interested in forming a tax exempt, nonprofit corporation and cover the basic function and structure of exempt organizations, bookkeeping and tax issues related to exempt organizations, and other pertinent information.  There will also be a time for questions and answers during the session.  The September session will be presented jointly by Jody Blazek of Blazek & Vetterling and Erin Rodgers, TALA Staff Attorney.  Please contact < info@talarts.org > to reserve a space.  Space is very limited.

Nonprofit Orientation Session
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
5 pm - 7 pm
TALA Office
1540 Sul Ross Street
Houston, TX 77006

Business of Film Seminar: September 12, 2009

Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP) and Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA) present the 5th Annual Business of Film Conference. This information-packed conference features panels and discussions with professionals from the film, legal and financial worlds that address a wide range of topics, including budgeting for film, funding resources, music rights, distribution and much more!

Business of Film Seminar
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Rice Media Center
6100 Main Street, MS-549 
Houston, TX 77005

SPEAKERS/PANELISTS:
 
Trish Avery (SAG, Assistant Executive Director - Texas)
James Barham (Documentary Filmmaker, For the Sake of the Song)
Adrienne Randall Bond (Attorney)
Barry Coffing (Musician/Music Supervisor - musicsupervisor.com)
Adam Donaghey (Producer)
Frank Eakin (Writer, Producer)
Linda Olszewski (Shorts International)
Kathy Ploch (Accountant)
Danae Ringelman (Founder and CFO, IndieGoGo.com)
Erin Rodgers (Staff Attorney, Texas Accountants & Lawyers for the Arts)
Robert Schuller (Entertainment Accountant, www.businessofarts.com)
Al Staehely (Entertainment Attorney, www.music-lawyer.com)
Tom Vaughan (Writer, Producer)

Please follow this link for full schedule and registration information:
Business of Film Seminar

Fall 2009 Nonprofit Workshops presented by the Houston CPA Society, the United Way and TALA

These courses address issues of concern and interest to accounting and legal professionals who perform services for nonprofits, board treasurers, and financial staff members of nonprofits.

All seminars held at
The United Way Center for Philanthropy, Leadership, and Volunteerism
50 Waugh Drive at Feagan Street (north of Memorial Drive)
Houston, TX 77007

Policies that Nonprofits Need for New 990 Reporting (Course Number NPS510.M)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Compliance with the new 990 raises a host of new challenges for nonprofit organizations.  There are a host of new policies and procedures that will be required in order to provide all the information for completion of the revised tax reporting forms.  Attorney Glen Yale, Stumpf Farimond, will provide an overview of documents and systems that will make life easier in the new 990 world.

Exempt Organizations Year in Review (Course Number NPS511.M)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
The IRS has increased its scrutiny of nonprofit governance.  This presentation examines important recent developments concerning IRS expectations and areas of focus in matters relating to nonprofit governance.  Presenters Johnny Buckles, JD, UH Law Center, and Kay Walther, CPA, Blazek & Vetterling, will highlight legal and financial issues that are likely to impact the way nonprofits do business today.

War Stories from the 990 Front Lines (Course Number NPS512.M)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Beleagured nonprofits are atruggling to grapple with the massive changes implemented with the new 990 requirements.  Presenters Jody Blazek, CPA, and Amanda Adams, Blazek & Vetterling, will share examples of difficult issues they encountered guiding nonprofit clients through the complex, confusing and confounding paperwork and new definitions in the revised tax reporting forms.

Please visit the Houston CPA Society website for pricing and registration information

Starry Night Gala: October 17, 2009

The annual fund-raising Gala for Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts will be held at a private residence and will feature a silent auction of art and other items, live music, and hors d'ouevres from some of the city of Houston's finest restaurants.  2009 "Artist of the Year" Amy Blakemore will be honored along with the 2009 "Volunteer of the Year" Micah Heilbrun.  For more information, or to purchase individual tickets or table reservations, please contact < info@talarts.org > or call (713) 526-4876 M-F 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

Starry Night Gala
Saturday, October 17th, 2009
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Private residence in the Museum District

Nonprofit Tax and Accounting Workshop: October 21, 2009

The next session tax and accounting workshop for new arts nonprofits will be held on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 from 5 pm - 7 pm at the TALA Office (1540 Sul Ross Street, Houston, TX 77006).  These sessions are designed to provide information on bookkeeping, tax, and accounting  issues related to nonprofit tax-exempt organizations.  There will also be time for questions, answers and discussion during the session.  This session will be presented by Kathy Ploch, CPA, of Zientek and Assoc.  Please contact < info@talarts.org > to reserve a space.  

Nonprofit Tax and Accounting Workshop
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
5 pm - 7 pm
TALA Office
1540 Sul Ross Street
Houston, TX 77006

Drink Houston Better Night at Poison Girl Recap

Thank you to all of our supporters who joined us at Poison Girl Bar on August 2nd for Drink Houston Better Night.  An especially big thank you goes to Poison Girl Bar owners and staff who facilitate this event and choose to donate part of the proceeds for the night to organizations that support the Texas arts community.

Thank you!

More Publications Available Online!

Thanks to one of our wonderful summer interns, Meg Gibson, almost all of our educational publications are now available as free, downloadable files on the TALA website!  A newly updated insurance booklet will be available soon and an updated taxes for artists booklet will also be available early next year.  Please follow the link below to the publications page to download:

Publications Page

Membership Information

TALA needs your support!  Please consider becoming a member, or renewing your membership today.  Follow the link below for Membership Information and the Membership Form.

/// Membership Information ///

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In these uncertain economic times, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts is grateful for the support of the legal and accounting communities and their ongoing generosity in rendering much-needed professional services to those deserving artists and organizations of limited means, who otherwise would not have access to such services.  Thank you.