October 5, 2007,
Harrisburg, PA - Real Alternatives, administrator of the
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare's Alternative to
Abortion Program, and publisher of Concerned Parents
Report, has once again been awarded the Pennsylvania
Association of Nonprofit Organization’s (PANO) Seal of
Excellence for successfully completing the Standards for
Excellence re-certification program. Real Alternatives was
reviewed by a "jury of its peers" who examined Real
Alternatives for compliance with PANO's Standards for
Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the
Nonprofit Sector.
Standards for Excellence are based on fundamental values
such as honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust,
responsibility, and accountability. Real Alternatives'
programs and services, management, fundraising, and
financial practices were examined in depth before the
certification was awarded. Real Alternatives was one of
the first four organizations to be certified under the
Standards program that began in 2002, and again one of the
very first to be re-certified.
Kevin I. Bagatta, Esquire, President & CEO of Real
Alternatives comments: "Submitting to the review process
required for re-certification under the Standards for
Excellence involved a lot of hard work for us, but once
again, it was a worthwhile process. The PANO Seal of
Excellence shows that over the years we have continued to
take every step to ensure we're serving the community
well, and operating in an ethical and upright way. We're
very proud to have earned this re-certification! Thomas
Lang, Esquire, Pennsylvania Program Director for Real
Alternatives remarked “our work on behalf of women
experiencing a crisis due to unplanned pregnancies
exemplifies both our dedication to our cause, and our
pledge to meet the highest standards of ethical practice.
As we continue forward, we will continue to strive for
excellence."
According to Joe Geiger, Executive Director of PANO,
"Organizations which are successful in the certification
program should be commended for their commitment to
excellence and integrity." PANO encourages organizations
to participate in the voluntary certification program
because the Standards can help improve your organization.
Mr. Geiger added, "With every new organization that meets
the Standards, we move one step closer to the day when the
public will feel confident that its nonprofit
organizations are acting ethically and are accountable in
their program operations, governance, human resources,
financial management, and fundraising practices."
PANO is the statewide membership organization serving and
advancing the nonprofit sector through leadership,
advocacy, education, and services in order to improve the
quality of life in Pennsylvania. For more information
about the Standards for Excellence program or to request a
copy of the Standards, contact PANO directly at (717)
236-8584 or visit www.pano.org.
