Are both of the pages the same group? https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=565460910248711&id=556228454505290 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=556228454505290&story_fbid=565462070248595 On 2014-08-20 00:46, Kaoru Wilbur wrote: > Great info Mark. I am sure the new Maricopa Pinal GNU Linux users > group will find this useful as they complete their charter. > > On Tue, Aug 19, 2014 at 6:35 PM, Mark Phillips > wrote: > >> Just to add my two cents to the non-profit discussion. I set up a >> 501c3 corporation over 10 years ago for my daughters' club softball >> teams. I was the head coach and president of the corporation. I had >> a lawyer help with the application as probono work....I downloaded >> the application from the IRS, filled it out, asked the attorney a >> few questions, he reviewed the final application, and the IRS >> approved it. I kept the books in gnucash and filed the annual tax >> forms myself....a few reports from gnucash and some electronic >> filings with the state and IRS. I had three teams and over $45K in >> annual donations, so it was not that small of an operation. It was >> easy. It is amazing what one can learn by just reading the IRS >> handouts. I did not need a CPA or attorney after the initial filing >> with the IRS. I also haven't been audited or sent to jail for my >> 501c3. I am also not a CPA or attorney...just an engineer with an >> MBA. I think there is a certain mystic about non-profit >> organizations that is just not true. It is not that big of a deal. >> You need three officers, just like any other AZ corporation to get >> started.  >> >> I am not volunteering to set up the non-profit, nor do I have an >> opinion whether PLUG should be a non-profit or not. I am just saying >> that from my personal experience, it is not as scary and difficult >> to setup and run a non-profit as part of this discussion is making >> it out to be. >> >> Mark >> >> On Tue, Aug 19, 2014 at 1:53 PM, Gilbert T. Gutierrez, Jr. >> wrote: >> There are ongoing costs to being a non-profit. You do have to file >> taxes every year. I believe in the past that was not so if you were >> not having a certain amount of funds running through your accounts. >> Additionally, the board, or officers, are responsible for the >> accuracy of those taxes and the compliance of the organization which >> should not ever be overlooked. >> >> I would not say its a good thing or a bad thing. I would say it is >> a good thing if you have a bunch of corporate donors lined up to >> provide significant funding to some of the plug activities. If you >> are speaking of a $100 here or there (under $1k/year), I would say >> that it is a waste of time becoming a non-profit. >> >> You will have to have money to maintain the following... >> 1. CPA for tax season, >> 2. Lawyer (mostly for initial filings, but also for organization), >> 3. Commercial bank account (banks charge for those things). >> >> This is my 2 cents only. I was once on the board of a charitable >> organization that failed. It was a lot of work and I always had >> concerns about money mismanagement. >> >> Gilbert >> >> On 8/19/2014 12:24 PM, Ed wrote: >> The need to be a non-profit, and not being one, has bit us in the >> ass >> in the past. >> >> this should be done now as there is no pressing need - when the >> need >> occurs is not when you want to be starting this. >> >> There are some initial costs (fees) just becoming a state >> recognized >> organization, getting a federal non-profit status will take longer >> - >> The purpose would be education. A bank account is needed and >> finding a >> lawyer/accountant that is willing to support the group pro-bono >> (post >> a wanted add at ASU) are also needed. Don't skimp on infrastructure >> - >> you're starting a distributed group, support it. >> >> Start with a group of founders (10+) - each founder brings a >> C-note.... >> >> Start fresh - don't reverse into an established papertrail - don't >> play adopt a fubar (unless that fubar is a shell of a listed public >> company - even then it's a bad idea) Keep detailed records of who >> does >> what when, you are maintaining IP now. >> >> when talking to other non-profits, ask who they use - get a >> referral - >> take a meeting - make a list. think about who is good for the >> advisory >> board (ie not people you now know) pay them. >> >> involve more people than you think you will need - you will need >> more >> - tasks should be assigned to teams (not people) >> share everything - keep open books >> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss [1] > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss [1] > > > > Links: > ------ > [1] http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss