Installfest matters

[Stephen Partington]

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, <techlists at phpcoderusa.com> 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
>> <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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>>>
>>
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-- 
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
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