they both ultimately go to the same place https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maricopa-Pinal-GNU-Linux-Users-Group/556228454505290?fref=nf On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 11:48 AM, wrote: > > 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 -- A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button. Stephen