A few months ago we wrote about some of the dollars and cents reasons partnering with Native-owned businesses makes good sense. Today we’ll revisit a few of those, and introduce some additional benefits.
As a Native-owned small business, Nordin Solutions LLC is registered with the U.S. government as both an Indian-Owned Economic Enterprise (IEE) and an Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE).
So what does that mean?
While some parts of the nation remain under Stay-at-Home orders, many are slowly reopening. This is not because the COVID-19 virus has gone away. It continues to steal far too many of us, particularly our elders and most vulnerable.
A few months ago we wrote about some of the dollars and cents reasons partnering with Native-owned businesses makes good sense. Today we’ll revisit a few of those, and introduce some additional benefits.
As a Native-owned small business, Nordin Solutions LLC is registered with the U.S. government as both an Indian-Owned Economic Enterprise (IEE) and an Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE).
So what does that mean?
You are not alone -
Things will get better. We will beat back this virus. America and the world will recover.
But the first step is getting through today, this week, and the next month.
There is help. People and programs have come on line in the last month to assist. We will talk a bit about some of those today. In Part II we will look at ways that we can lend a hand to our own communities.
Resources -
Domestic Violence:
It is easy to feel trapped when so many of us are physically isolated. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is continuing to serve people in need. You can reach them HERE.
Rent and Mortgage Relief:
The CARE act includes housing protections against foreclosures on mortgages and evictions for renters. Individuals shall be given a forbearance on federally backed mortgage loans of up to 60 days, which can be extended for up to 180 days. Those with federally backed mortgage loans who have tenants would also not be allowed to evict tenants solely for failure to pay rent for a 120-day period, and they may not charge fees or penalties to tenants for failing to pay rent. HUD provides info on how this is being managed in each state HERE.
Student Loans:
The CARE act provides temporary relief for student loan borrowers. Loans are automatically being placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows borrowers to temporarily stop making monthly loan payments until at least Sept. 30, 2020. For more on this, impacts on financial assistance, and other education topics see HERE.
$1,200 Stimulus Payment:
Recent relief legislation authorized the release of stimulus payments to many Americans. Unfortunately, not everyone has received yet. The IRS has created a page and tool to allow you to check on the status of your payment. Recommend bookmarking even if you have received as this will likely be used if future payments are authorized. The page is HERE.
Food Security:
Recent legislation has authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to approve state agency plans to extend funds to families of children who would normally receive free or reduced price meals from their schools. States that have submitted include: Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. For info check HERE.
Do you have enough? FEMA recommends keeping about two weeks of food and water in reserve. But how much is that? For a quick check take a look at a handy calculator HERE.
Nordin Solutions -
We will continue to focus on pro bono work in support of COVID-19 relief. We specialize in communications, advocacy, research, and capacity building. If you need a hand navigating the challenges we are all struggling with reach out and we’ll do our best to connect you with a resource that can help.
Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments - along with countless individual Americans - are stepping up to face the threat of the COVID-19 virus.
A large number of resources have come on line over the last two weeks. This week’s Solutions focuses on a number of those. We’ve reviewed, tested, and vetted the following and have found them very useful.
Health Information -
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC COVID-19 Portal
Medicare: Medicare COVID-19 Response & Resources
Indian Health Service: IHS Coronavirus Page
General Information -
White House: Daily White House Live Brief (5PM EDT)
White House/CDC/FEMA Shared Site: Federal COVID-19 Portal
USAGOV COVID-19 Resources: Government Response to COVID-19 and Links to Federal Resources
Veterans Administration: VA Resources and Support to Veterans
Money -
Small Business Administration: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
State Unemployment Benefits: State-by-State Benefits
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Protect yourself financially from the impact of the coronavirus
Fraud Protection -
Health and Human Services: Defending Against COVID-19 Cyber Scams
Department of Homeland Security: Defending Against COVID-19 Cyber Scams
Have a resource that may help? Send HERE.
Stay home; practice social distancing; wash your hands; and most important, continue to take care of each other.
If you are like us, you have received plenty of well-meaning messages from companies telling you what they are doing to keep their customers and employees safe.
This is not one of those.
There is a great deal of information on how we can keep ourselves as safe as possible: wash your hands, practice social distancing, and most important Stay Home. This isn’t a rehash of that either.
What we want to do is offer a few solutions you can use while doing your part to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe. These are practical tips learned from decades of work in emergency planning in places like Afghanistan and other areas with very limited resources (including toilet paper!).
1. Drink Tap Water: Except in very rare cases, water from the faucet is as safe as bottled water, in fact some bottled water is nothing more than well-packaged, filtered tap water. If you want to up things a bit, buy a water filter.
2. Learn to Bake: Processed items tend to fly off the shelves in a crisis. Flour, yeast, and other ingredients you can use to make your own tend to sit there. Want to save money, increase your food security, and make friends? Learn to make bread or cookies.
3. Eat at Mom’s: Small, local businesses are taking a huge hit. Many have closed for general seating but deliver or have take out. If you do want a break from noodles and your newly baked cookies consider getting a meal to-go from a local Mom and Pop restaurant rather than a fast food drive through.
4. Shop Small: Smaller supermarkets tend to be better stocked than larger ones during times of crisis. They also often apply purchase limits earlier, helping to reduce hoarding and increase the chance that everyone has a fair shot of getting at least one roll of toilet paper.
5. Top Things Off: Hoarding doesn’t help anyone. At the same time, it is prudent to top things off. If you must go out, make sure your gas tank is full when you come back. Plug in your power banks so you have a little extra charge if there is a short power outage. And if you are down to your last roll, feel free to buy another pack of TP. A good rule of thumb is to have about 2 weeks of reserves. FEMA recommends storing a gallon of water per person per day, so if you have 14 gallons of water for each family member you should be good-to-go. If you are a little low, top it off…with tap water.
6. Keep a Little Walking Around Money: You don’t need to empty your bank account. Your cash isn’t going to vanish. That said, Cash is Always King and keeping a few dollars in your pocket or purse isn’t unreasonable. One rule of thumb is to keep in cash about the same amount you would need to make a run to the (pre-crisis) supermarket.
7. Do Your Taxes: Speaking of money…Many people will receive a tax refund. If you are one, getting that money sooner rather than later will make your life easier over the next few weeks. If you expect to owe the Tax Man this year disregard and take advantage of this year’s delayed tax deadline.
8. Have a Routine: Make a schedule for yourself, including time to exercise. Walk the dog, do 3 push-ups, stretch, learn yoga, pull some weeds, or walk up and down the steps: Just do something. Getting up at the same time, setting and keeping goals, and taking care of your general well-being will yield rewards long after the current situation is over.
9. Make a Phone Tree: One thing to put into your schedule is time to check in each day with family and loved ones – especially older ones. Make a list of people you care about, decide how often you want to call, text, or email them, and hold to it.
10. Watch the News…in Moderation: There is no shortage of news about COVID-19. It is important to keep up with what is happening, but it can be overwhelming. One approach is to limit yourself to 2-3 checks per day: see what’s going on in the morning, catch the White House brief (or later summary of it), and take a quick look before bed…but not too close to bedtime.
Nordin Solutions will remain on watch. Whether it is navigating COVID-19, planning for life beyond, or anything else, reach out to us if you need a hand.
There is a solution.
We are proud to announce that Nordin Solutions LLC is now registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) as a Native American, Disabled Veteran Owned Business!
SAM is the system used by the U.S. Federal Government to collect and validate information from businesses and individuals seeking to do work with the government. Being approved means that we are officially “open for business” with the government and can compete for contracts and grants managed by the Department of Defense, Department of Interior, and many other places.
Visit HERE to learn more about SAM.
This new status will enable us to compete far more broadly, while remaining focused on our core mission: bringing solutions to people working to make their world a little better.
If you don’t say it or show it, they won’t hear it or know it.
Our words and actions define us and drive the success of our organization. How we communicate with our customers, our teams, and the public has a powerful impact on our success, whether measured in dollars earned, the effectiveness - and happiness - of the people we lead, or our ability to build support for our
cause.
Finding the right words can be tough…but it should not be a crisis.
Visit us HERE to talk about what we can do together.
Nordin Solutions is a Native American-owned business.
But why does that matter?
Working with a Native business provides confidence that its solutions will respect the history, culture, and values of its partners. While no two Native communities are the same, all understand the importance of diversity, mutual respect, and common purpose. Nordin Solutions draws on these principles when working with all its clients. Whatever your background, we will deliver an answer that honors what is important to you.
Native Americans also represent the smallest fraction of business owners in the U.S.
National, state, and local governments have created several programs to encourage Native business and partnerships with non-Natives. One of these is the Department of Defense’s Indian Incentive Program (IIP).
Under this program, contractors who bring on qualified Native businesses as sub-contractors or suppliers may apply for a 5% rebate on the cost of the Native services and materials. This provides a powerful dollar advantage to companies that partner with Native American companies like Nordin Solutions.
To be eligible a firm must show 51% Native American/Alaskan Native/Hawaiian ownership and demonstrate that the owner(s) are enrolled in a Federally Recognized Tribe.
For more information on how to participate in this program – either as a Native business or someone looking to partner with one – visit: DoD Office of Small Business Programs.
Business is about dollars and sense: finding ways to make the most of your money and get the best return…but doing it in a way that is true to the things you value. Partnering with Nordin Solutions will help you with both.
—- Dave B. ——
We will be in D.C. next week for meetings with Nordin friends and associates, as well as leaders from Indian Country.
Hope to see as many of you as possible this visit!
Warmest Regards,
—Dave B.—
“Do right and right will follow.”
I first heard this as a young soldier more than three decades ago. It was a simple idea. If you try to do right and you come at things from a good place, good will result.
This is at the heart of Nordin Solutions.
Our mission is to find solutions for our partners: to help them tell their story, find honest answers to important questions, and put the right people in the right place to make a difference.
As we move forward our job is to do right - to provide our clients with the service they deserve, to add value to whatever we do, and to be a force of good in our community.
We’re glad to have you on the journey.
