INPUT ARTICLE: Article: To make a claim on taxes over $250, the donor must have a written acknowledgement from you, the charity. Though you are not required by law to provide it, you build goodwill with your donors by providing it. Donors can make claims on their taxes for donations under $250 with a bank statement to show they made the donation. If you provide a good or service in return for a donation of $75 or more, you are required to provide a receipt to the donor. That means that if the donor pays $75 and receives a calender or a dinner, for example, you must provide a receipt under law. Donors cannot claim donations over $250 on their taxes without a written receipt from the charity. Also, some donors just feel better having the receipt for donations under $250, and in fact, some may not have bank statements to prove they made the donation. Therefore, when a donor requests a receipt, even if the donation is under $250, provide one.

SUMMARY: Give a receipt if possible for a donation over $250. Give a receipt for a donation of $75 that buys goods or services. Provide receipts upon request.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Assertiveness is the ability to express your opinions or stand up for your own needs tactfully, without aggression or defensiveness. It's often seen as the opposite of passivity or shyness. There are a few different aspects to being assertive that include the ability to: Request things from others (like favors), delegate, ask for help, and express needs or wants. Express negative emotions such as disagreement, complaints, the desire to be alone, and to refuse the requests of others. Show positive emotions such as pride or attraction and give compliments to others. Question authority and tradition by asking why with respect. This demonstrates your investment to make change happen and shows you share control in decision making. Start, continue, and stop conversations with others confidently, as well as the ability to change the topic of conversations and share opinions or experiences. Productively deal with daily irritations before they become reasons for anger. You may want to be more assertive at work. Or, maybe you want to become more assertive at home. Spend some time considering which parts of your life would benefit from you standing up for yourself. It may help to think about what you're struggling with right now. For instance, maybe you'd like to be able to tell your boss that you're overloaded and want to delegate tasks to another team member. For example, if your partner repeatedly does something that bothers you, you might want the ability to express that frustration tactfully. Describe the situation or issue, while being as specific as possible about how you see things. Take care not to use "you" statements. These can sound accusatory and aren't usually taken well. Use "I" statements instead. Express your opinion firmly while maintaining eye contact and composure. Clearly and specifically describe how you'd like the situation to change. For example, if a friend repeatedly cancels plans with you, you might say, "When you cancel plans, I feel frustrated and hurt. In the future, please only make plans you intend on keeping or give me extra notice." Be reasonable with your requests and consider the other person's needs or restraints. Be open to feedback and be willing to make changes as needed. Role-playing is an exercise where you ask someone to play the person you'll actually be speaking with. This gives you a great chance to practice having a strong personality before you actually interact with the person. Practice by assertively saying everything you're planning on expressing to the person. This will help you work through rough points in the conversation and can boost your confidence for the actual talk. Role-playing is just as beneficial for you as it is for the person you'll eventually be speaking with. It can give you insight as to your communication style and lets you change the conversation based on what's working and what isn't.

SUMMARY: Understand how assertiveness is a strength. Identify areas of your life in which you would like to be more assertive. Be assertive with another person. Practice by role-playing.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you have a shareholders meeting, you must notify all shareholders. If you are holding a director's meeting, then you must notify all directors. Both shareholders and directors may waive the notice requirement. However, they should have signed a waiver form. Look to see if any have and provide proper notice to those that haven't. Every attendee will need the same set of information so that they can make an informed vote at the meeting. You should create a packet of information and distribute. Include the following: the minutes from the prior meeting reports or documents to review before the meeting As the person taking the notes, you should decide how you want to write them down in the meeting. Generally, people still write notes in longhand, though you can use a laptop. If you use a laptop, then any drafts will be stored electronically. This means someone can retrieve them in a lawsuit. Accordingly, you should think carefully before taking minutes using a computer. The clicking of the computer keys is also distracting, which you should keep in mind. Ask your Chair whether they prefer you take minutes in longhand or with a laptop.

SUMMARY: Notify the correct people of the meeting. Distribute meeting packets. Select your writing implement.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Lip plumpers are popular makeup products that can be purchased at all makeup stores and most big box or convenience stores. Individual instructions will appear on the product's packaging, but most lip plumpers should be applied to clean lips and should start showing results within 5 minutes. Mix 2 teaspoons of cinnamon oil with a 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or Vitamin E oil. Apply a thin layer of the mixture to your lips with a small applicator brush, and let it sit for 15 minutes before applying any lipstick. You should be able to see and feel results within 5 to 10 minutes. The mixture may feel tingly, but it should not hurt. If you begin to feel actual pain, rinse off the mixture with water immediately. Keep this mixture in a jar or tube for continued use. There are numerous natural ways to plump up your lips, including the oil from red peppers. Capsicum, the spicy element of red peppers, also comes in the form of an oil. This oil improves blood flow and circulation, so it acts as a natural plumping serum when applied to your lips.

SUMMARY:
Purchase a formulated lip plumper. Use cinnamon oil to plump your lips. Make a homemade lip plumper out of red pepper oil.