The work of some nonprofit organizations has only increased with the pandemic and the needs that have come from it. An author and expert in the field of trauma speaks at a Montana conference today about many workers' feelings of being overwhelmed.

Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, founder and director of the Trauma Stewardship Institute and author of "The Age of Overwhelm", said there's a cycle for nonprofits in which they become overextended because of structural issues within society, which in turn affects their workers.

"You have individuals who are trying to sustain doing this exceedingly hard work," she said, "but in environments where it's almost impossible to do it or near impossible to do it."

van Dernoot Lipsky said it also can be hard for workers because of their vicarious exposure to trauma over time, or when they work in environments where there's high burnout. About one in nine Montanans works in the nonprofit sector.

The Montana Nonprofit Association's annual GATHER conference is taking place virtually this week and in-person next week in Helena.

Van Dernoot Lipsky said it's important for organizations to reconcile the fact that they won't be able to meet all the needs in their community.

"And when you have these very devoted folks working for you," she said, "we've got to honor and make sure that the work environment is sustainable for them, so that we are not inadvertently causing harm to the very folks who are doing this work in an effort to reduce harm out in society."

Van Dernoot Lipsky said people in the nonprofit industry who are feeling depleted or disheartened should understand that they are not alone.

"One of the messages that I think is very important is for folks to remember that whatever they've got going on, they are in really good company and that they're not alone and it's not just them," she said. "And so, just wanting to make sure that we interrupt that isolation, anywhere we possibly can."

Victims of investment-related fraud in North Dakota could soon recoup some of their losses through a proposed restitution fund. A bill to establish that kind of assistance recently cleared the state Senate. The measure, which now moves to the House, would offer payments if efforts to collect restitution, ordered by the state, are unsuccessful.

Victims would need to apply and would be given up to $50,000 or 50% of the lost money, whichever is less.

Karen Tyler, North Dakota Securities Commissioner, said while this only covers scams tied to financial markets, it still could have an impact.

"Financial criminals are very creative in the different ways that they structure their frauds," Tyler said. "And so, certainly, we are seeing romance-type scams that are connected to investment-related conduct as well."

She said romance scams are becoming more prevalent, noting they often target older individuals who lost their spouse and are seeking companionship. After meeting online, the scammer will convince them to open an investment account, with the funds eventually being stolen. The bill has sponsors from both parties and received overwhelming support in the Senate.
AARP North Dakota is among those calling for the bill's final passage.

Janelle Moos, advocacy director for AARP North Dakota, said the group knows the fund will not make victims whole, but insisted it is a step in the right direction in compelling those targeted, especially older adults, to take action.

"Older adults are often targeted because they're seen as having wealth in the form of retirement savings or a pension, steady Social Security checks, and they're at a point in time in their life that they're least able to recover financially," she said.

Moos added scammers also target these individuals because they believe it is easier to establish trust with older people. The plan calls for $1-million to be put into the fund each year. The Securities Department projected it would come from revenue generated by the agency, which is about $23-million for the current biennium.

Tax time is here again. Between now and mid-April, Idahoans in need of assistance can find free help across the state through the AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program.

There are 26 Tax-Aide 26 sites set up across the state. Tax-Aide State Coordinator for AARP Idaho Karen Cummings said the program is geared toward people with low to moderate incomes, and can help people of any age.

She said some of the folks that come to the program have struggled with their taxes in the past.

"A lot of the folks we see have tried to do the online services, like Turbo Tax, and a lot of them are not successful," said Cummings. "You have to be computer savvy - and then again, it usually costs something."

Cummings said the volunteer tax preparers can assist a wide variety of people, including those doing independent contracting or gig work, and they don't need to be AARP members.

You can find a list of the documents you'd need to bring to a Tax-Aide appointment on the AARP website.

The program is volunteer run and all Tax-Aide preparers are IRS certified to help people with their returns. Cummings said for the volunteers, it's satisfying work.

"It's very rewarding to give back to the community," said Cummings, "to help people out, to know that you can devote some time and resources, and you can help them out. They're very grateful."

She encouraged people to make appointments, because the time slots to meet with a Tax-Aide preparer fill up fast, and some sites are open by appointment only.

In 2022, 25,000 volunteers nationally assisted 1.2 million Americans with their income-tax returns, helping them receive more than a billion dollars in tax refunds.

A new report asks lawmakers and regulators to look at why some unsafe products aren't recalled sooner, and what can be done to get them off the market more quickly to keep people safe.

The report analyzed more than 3,600 complaints filed last year, and 292 recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Some 22% involved injuries or death.

Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog with the Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, said it can sometimes take weeks or months for a recall to be issued. She said it's clear the CPSC has too many legal hoops to jump through before it can make product information public.

"The whole problem here is that the Consumer Product Safety Commission doesn't have the authority to do its job," said Murray, "to protect consumers. It is supposed to protect consumers. It doesn't have the authority to do it in the ways that you and I would think."

She added that 2022 saw the most recalls since 2016, which might be the result of increased enforcement or more consumer complaints.

The report calls for changes to the laws involving product recalls. Murray noted that most of the time, recall notices come from the manufacturers - but that can take time, and the message doesn't always reach the people who need to know.

Murray suggested that if a serious problem has been identified, the CPSC should be able to act rather than negotiate or wait for a company to make a move.

She said most ethical manufacturers are doing a better job of making sure their products are safe, but it's also up to buyers to do their homework before making that final purchase.

"So, people do put a lot of effort into researching, particularly big purchases," said Murray. "They should also check those kinds of products, or something they are considering buying, check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission."

The report has a full list of suggestions. Murray said be especially careful when purchasing items online or from international sellers, as these may not meet U.S. safety standards.

To file a complaint, she recommends 'saferproducts.gov.' And for recall information, visit 'CPSC.gov/recalls.'