http://www.mpglug.org Meetings to be held in the Town of Queen Creek Annex. On Thu, Aug 21, 2014 at 1:39 PM, Stephen Partington wrote: > 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 > > > --------------------------------------------------- > 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 >