Installfest matters

Tue Aug 19 12:24:07 MST 2014

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

On Tue, Aug 19, 2014 at 10:29 AM,  <techlists at phpcoderusa.com> wrote:
> On 2014-08-19 12:10, Lisa Kachold wrote:
>>
>> Well if it's that hard to maintain a non-profit how does the San Diego
>> LUG, and the Portland and Seattle LUGS manage?
>>
>> How does Heatsync labs do it?  It is EASY!
>
>
> I cannot answer that.  We are a different group and maybe what is important
> to those groups is not important to PLUG. Have you contacted those goups to
> see what they think after the fact?
>
> Maybe it has something to do with being in AZ.  AZ is more conservative and
> tends to like less oversight especially government oversight.  By becoming a
> non-profit PLUG would become a government entity with all that comes with
> that.
>
> Please keep in mind it does not matter to me either way.  I responded just
> to share.  If the group wants to incorporate I am along for the ride.  If
> doing so does not change PLUG in any significant way then it is not an issue
> for me.  If, however incorporating causes problems, then it effects all of
> us.
>
>
>> Why would we, who can
>> read any HOWTO and do any technical thing, think we would need either
>> a CPU or a lawyer?
>
>
> This is a legal issue and I'm sure it requires the ongoing expertise of the
> experts.  Going it alone is risky.
>
>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 19, 2014 at 8:40 AM, <techlists at phpcoderusa.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Around 1999, while living in Tucson,  I joined PLUG and the Tucson
>>> Free Unix Group (TFUG) lists.  For years we went back and forth
>>> about formalizing TFUG. We had at least one meeting and there was
>>> lots of discussions  on the list.  After several years it was
>>> decided that no structure was the best structure.
>>>
>>> You bring up a couple of the benefits, what about the down side.
>>>
>>> Creating a non profit takes a lot of work.  And once that status
>>> has been reached there is on going requirements that probably
>>> require the help of a lawyer and a CPA.
>>>
>>> Then there is the issue of ownership and control.  This process
>>> could start out with good intentions and could turn evil real quick.
>>>
>>> Or maybe the maintainers quit.  Who steps in to take over?  What
>>> might their intent be?
>>>
>>> Structure can be good, however I think most of us just want to
>>> enjoy Linux and Linux related stuff and be free in doing so.
>>>
>>> I've been a member of this list for about 15 years and the people
>>> on this list have helped me immensely. I appreciate all the help you
>>> folks have given me and I'm sure I would not have gotten as far
>>> without your help.
>>>
>>> Keith
>>>
>>> On 2014-08-19 03:02, Lisa Kachold wrote:
>>>
>>>> Great idea!  I doubt that you will get them (him) to agree to
>>>> follow
>>>> anything that includes rules and structure to allow for success
>>>> (& a
>>>> large healthy LUG).  As long as people are arguing minutia they
>>>> will
>>>> never notice all the secondary gain that keeps successful
>>>> professionals uninvolved and uninterested.  In 2002 I suggested
>>>> Nonprofit status so people running the LUG functions and donating
>>>> funds and equipment can write off reasonable tax exceptions.  I
>>>> wrote
>>>> the whole process up in the discuss list which was the impetus
>>>> for
>>>> heatsink labs in Mesa to jump to grants and success through
>>>> internships, etc.  I told Hans I would do it all myself and he
>>>> laughed in my face.
>>>>
>>>> Anyone who has lived in a comparably sized city knows what a
>>>> healthy
>>>> LUG is capable of simply by following direction already decreed
>>>> in
>>>> various guides.
>>>>
>>>> So, after the installfest conversation in PLUG IRC yesterday
>>>> regarding
>>>> installfest matters, I noticed that a lot of the items discussed
>>>> are
>>>> actually guidelines already presented in the Linux Installfest
>>>> HOWTO.
>>>>
>>>> Many improvements to the PLUG Installfest can be made by
>>>> following
>>>> these guidelines.
>>>>
>>>> Why are we beating a dead horse...
>>>>
>>>> Many of these items are part of the HOWTO already.
>>>>
>>>> I propose the Linux Installfest HOWTO be used as a guide for
>>>> discussion and installfests. Has everyone had a chance to look
>>>> these
>>>> over?
>>>> Can we agree to use the HOWTO as a guideline?
>>>>
>>>> I believe these installfest items will be on the table for
>>>> discussion
>>>> tomorrow evening. Is that correct?
>>>>
>>>> If so, I will be attending but not exactly at 7pm. You can either
>>>> fill
>>>> me in or wait. I'm thinking 8ish at the latest.
>>>>
>>>> As far as I am concerned, I think one thing we can improve and
>>>> hopefully agree upon is following the installfest HOWTO as a
>>>> guideline.
>>>>
>>>> See you tomorrow!!!
>>>>
>>>> :)
>>>>
>>>> Marcia
>>>>
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