Adapted from Roxanne Elflin, Maine Program Director

Mississippi Main Street Essentials Notebook

Wise Tips for Managers

Adapted from Roxanne Elflin, Maine Program Director

Scenerio: Disaster Strikes the Main Street office! You were able to grab your laptop, cell phone, & your Essentials Notebook and escape safely. This Notebook will now be your lifeline as you demonstrate your leadership abilities to get the organization back to business quickly and with the least amount of down time and agony.

The Notebook Itself:

·  3” 3-ring binder (preferably a bright color) labeled “Main Street Essentials”

·  Inside a copy of all of the following are secured: (Hopefully originals are located in a metal file cabinet which may or may not have been sparred damage)

Legal essentials:

·  Articles of Incorporation

·  Bylaws

·  Proof of IRS 501c3 status – letter of determination with your Federal ID number

·  State sales tax exemption number

·  Most recent 990

·  Copy of Organization’s insurance policy/policies with contact information or your agent:

Liability, contents, workman’s comp, Officers and Directors if applicable

Financial Essentials:

·  Current budget – preferable with last year’s on one sheet with side by side comparison

·  Year to Date Budget to Actual report

·  Balance Sheet

·  Profit and Loss Statement

·  Account numbers of all bank and investment accounts and approximate balances and banker contact information

Organization Essentials:

·  Current contact list all Board members including their term limits (year they came on/ when they term out/ how many terms they’ve served)

·  Minutes from last annual meeting

·  Mission and Vision Statements

·  Committees contact list

·  Long range/ Strategic Plan

·  Current work plan

·  Location of off-site back up of your entire computer system: your home? Where?

·  Name/emergency contact info of your web master

·  Program information: everything you need to know to get back into business

What else? Make your own list to include: