Video: Burma, it can't wait

The devastation from a recent cyclone in Burma has been on the news for almost 2 months, but regrettably the devastation continues every day. Burma is currently ruled by a brutal military dictator who, among other committed atrocities, has recruited upwards of 70,000 children (starting from age 11) into the army for war against neighboring minorities, villages and even citizens. Currently the rightful leader of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, is on house arrest, illegally, according to UN interanational law.

At the website, Burma: It Can't Wait (burmaitcantwait.org), celebrity shorts with Will Farrell, Jennifer Aniston, Tila Tequila, and 10's of others, call attention to the various complexities of the situation, but bring to the attention  the realistic change of hope for Burma- by helping add your voice to the cause.

Add you voice, and join the campaign here.

Podcast: Can we support a candidate?

It's undeniable that this election year is perhaps the most attention grabbing and exciting one in years. This same excitement has increased passions in people and organizations towards one candidate, however, as a nonprofit, is there a liability in publicly endorsing someone?

It makes sense that a nonprofit may want to endorse a candidate who has made it a point to support a nonprofit's cause- but are there limitations? Have guidelines been setup?

Tim Mooney at Nonprofit Law Podcast tackles this in his most recent podcast title, "Can a candidate use our space?"

Listen to it here.

Podcast: Reporting Changes to the IRS

When I think of the new year, two things always come to mind, first is a desire for change, and second, a reminder to balance my check book for tax filing. This doesn't just apply to one's personal life, but also  to one's foundation. A change in mission, a change in revenue acquisition, or even a change in address requires reporting to the IRS.

Tim Mooney, in his latest podcast goes over steps and points to keep in mind when reporting to the IRS.

Listen it to here.

Be sure to visit the site to download related resources, as well as other non-profit podcasts.

Video: On the Record

ONE, the huge (2.4 million members) non-profit humanitarian organization that is best known for fighting hunger has recently developed their "On the Record" campaign. The sub-portal on the ONE website, One the Record, interviews presidential candidates from Republican and Democratic parties, and briefs visitors on the candidates stance and approach to ending hunger if elected president. It also allows visitors to select and compare the responses of up to 3 candidates on questions about reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS, improving child and maternal health, universal primary education, and some others.

Visit the On the Record website

Learn more about ONE

Homeland Security 2.0

David Stephenson, a Homeland Security and Disaster Management Consultant has set up a blog and a YouTube page providing what he calls "common sense advice on how to creative use of common, mobile personal communication devices" can empower the public and improve disaster response.

In this video, Stephenson reviews the benefits of Twitter, a mini-social networking and how it can be used in a disaster situation.

Yahoo! Democratic Mashup

Following the tremendous success of YouTube's Democratic Primary debate, Yahoo! has followed with an interactive version where visitors can select from 3 issues important issues, voted by users, and seeing all the candidates response to those questions.

As a bonus, each candidate also answers a question from comedian/political activist Bill Maher.

Go to Yahoo! (debates.news.yahoo.com) to watch.

Video: Oxfam Takes on the G8

Here's a new one: a nonprofit (Oxfman) blogging a government gathering (the G8 Summit) to make a point about policy. Oxfman is taking the live protest to another level with a blog and series of videos aimed at bringing its core issues around poverty and hunger to fore against the backdrop of te G8 leadership gathering. Here's a taste - in this video Eve Odete from Oxfam is being interviewed during a stunt where the "Big Heads are dressed like Pinocchio." She explains how the "G8 broken promises are affecting Africa." Hence the big noses.

Video: Reform in Africa Needed for Change

Good video added to the TED site this week. Negative images of Africa dominate the news: famine and disease, conflict and corruption. But Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former Finance Minister of Nigeria, says there's a less-told story unfolding in many African nations: one of reform, economic growth and business opportunity. Cracking down on corruption -- and the perception of corruption -- will be the key to its success She tells how high-ranking Nigerian officials taking money illicitly have been jailed, and how citizens and prospective business partners are getting at least a partial picture now of where money flows.

Video: The Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Former U.N. negotiator Hans Blix discussed proliferation of weapons of mass destruction at a gathering of the American Bar Association in Washington, DC - video from C-Span.

Video: Humanitarian Aid in Iraq

Thanks to The Moderate Voice, here are two videos from a panel sponsored by The Euston Manifesto of leading UK Ministers, MPs, and thinkers met in the Houses of Parliament in London to discuss the future of humanitarian intervention, after the conflict in Iraq.