Free Legal & Financial Seminar

Event Date: October 25, 2008 8:00am-5:00 pm.
Location: Law firm of McManis Faulkner in San Jose, CA
This seminar is intended for Imams, board members, executive directors, treasurers and senior staff. It is to educate Muslim charities on how to improve their operations, increase transparency and ensure legal compliance with anti-terror financing laws and regulations.

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Directions to McManis Faulkner, 50 W San Fernando St # 100, San Jose, CA 95113

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**Agenda**
Muslim Charities Accreditation Program:

Legal & Financial Educational Seminar for Muslim 501©(3) Nonprofits & Mosques

8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Registration/Breakfast

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Opening Remarks and Introductions of Participating Organizations

9:30 - 11:30 p.m. Nonprofit Governance 101: What Every Muslim Nonprofit Leader Needs to Know

Aimed as a comprehensive primer on 501©(3) nonprofit issues, you will hear directly from attorneys and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the benefits of incorporation, responsibilities under California state law, and IRS issues that affect your institution. Additional topics will include the roles and responsibilities of a board member, how individuals can be held legally liable for actions taken in their role as a board member, implementing a conflict of interest policy and conducting a performance assessment of your organization.

Moderator: Akil Vohra, Counsel, Muslim Advocates

Speakers: David A. Levitt, Principal, Adler & Colvin LLP
Joe Kroll, Audit Manager, IRS San Francisco
Art Taylor, President & CEO, BBB Wise Giving Alliance

11:30 - 11:45 a.m. Break

Breakout Sessions (Please Choose One):

11:45 - 12:45 p.m. Financial Best Practices for Mosques

An essential part of running a mosque requires implementing proper financial practices. Presented for accountants and non-accountants alike, this session will provide you with a strong overview of accounting, budgeting and record keeping practices to improve your organization. Discussion will also include the purpose of financial statements and how they are interpreted, an explanation of generally accepted accounting principles, what obtaining an audit of your organization entails, and how to create an annual budget. Whether you are a treasurer, Board member or senior staff, this session will enhance your understanding of financial best practices.

Moderator: Omair Farooqui, Partner, Ellahie & Farooqui LLP

Speakers: Brian Yacker, Partner, Windes & McClaughry

11:45 - 12:45 p.m. Financial Best Practices for 501©(3) organizations

A key to the success of any nonprofit is implementing financial best practices. This session will provide participants with a strong overview of accounting, budgeting and record keeping practices to improve your organization. You will hear from the IRS on information you need to know before you file your Form 990, which is being amended for fiscal year 2008. This session will also include discussion about the purpose of financial statements and how they are interpreted, an explanation of generally accepted accounting principles, what obtaining an audit of your organization entails, and how to create an annual budget. This material will be presented in a way that even non-accountants can understand. Whether you are a treasurer, Board member or senior staff, this session will enhance your understanding of financial best practices.

Moderator: Javed Ellahie, Partner, Ellahie & Farooqui LLP

Speakers: Harmon Burstyn, CPA
Joe Kroll, Audit Manager, IRS San Francisco

12:45 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch/Prayer

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Employment and Immigration Law Issues in the Workplace


Employment issues for mosques and nonprofit institutions can be a source of frustration if organizations are ill prepared. Whether you serve as a manager, officer, or director, this session will help you to spot the many troublesome labor and employment issues that you may face. From hiring to firing, this session will address questions employers should avoid in the hiring process, compliance with wage and hour laws, workers' compensation insurance, employment contracts, immigration issues, and how to respond if sued.

Moderator: Marwa Elzankaly, Partner, McManis Faulkner LLP

Speakers: Sharon Kirsch, Partner, McManis Faulkner LLP
Sara Mostafavi, Immigration Attorney

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. International Charitable Transactions and Operations

Since 9/11, giving in the United States for Muslim Americans has been difficult and confusing, as American-Muslim charitable organizations have been subjected to excessive scrutiny by U.S. government agencies resulting in several high profile prosecutions. Hear from professionals on how to navigate this complex area and ensure your money and donations end up where intended by learning the law and implementing best practices to suit your organization.

Moderator: Farhana Khera, Executive Director, Muslim Advocates

Speakers: Sheila Warren, Attorney, Nonprofit Consultant
Jennifer Astone, Independent Consultant

3:30 - 3:45 p.m. Break/Prayer


3:45 - 4:30 p.m. Small Group Expert Forum

This breakout Q&A session provides a comfortable forum for you to ask tax, accounting and legal professionals questions that you have about your organization. Take advantage of this special session to learn from the experts and also hear from fellow leaders on critical issues.

Experts: Art Taylor, President & CEO, BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Omair Farooqui, Partner, Ellahie & Farooqui LLP
Marwa Elzankaly, Partner, McManis Faulkner LLP
Joe Kroll, Audit Manager, IRS San Francisco
Sara Mostafavi, Immigration Attorney
Sharon Kirsch, Partner, McManis Faulkner LLP
Harmon Burstyn, CPA
Sheila Warren, Attorney, Nonprofit Consultant
Jennifer Astone, Independent Consultant
Brian Yacker, Partner, Windes & McClaughry
Iram Khan Ansari, Attorney
Javed Ellahie, Partner, Ellahie & Farooqui LLP

4:30 - 5:00 p.m. Open Forum

This forum is designed to discuss major issues reviewed during the day and provide an opportunity for participants to provide feedback and suggestions for future events and activities. We look forward to your suggestions and comments.