Installfest matters

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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
> <mark at phillipsmarketing.biz> 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.
>> <mailing-lists at phoenixinternet.net> 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
>> 
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