Quote:
Originally posted by David Kelly
This is the exact trend we are trying to prevent in Indiana. A group of us (Amanda Morrison, Amanda Aldridge, Josh Hambright, and myself) are working to make IndianaFIRST a 501(c)3 organization to help to retain the teams in Indiana, start new teams, and bring more attention to the state. Its going to be a long and hard process, but it's defentally going to pay off.
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At the risk of making this off topic, I am going to respond to this.
You are right in that it takes a huge amount of work to get 501(c)3 status. I've witness the WRRF 501(c)3 application process, and it is not easy. The bylaws, structure of the organization, roles of officer, terms of office, and voting methods are part of the things you have to figure out. And it's not just an application you have to do. You really have to run an organization and run it well. It takes so much time you may have to give up some FIRST activities.
Having said that, it is helpful to have a non-profit organization, if you run it well. Although money won't rain out of the sky, you will be able to use the 501c3 status to accept donations for teams, among other benefits. However, you have to ask yourself these questions:
What do you aim to do with your organization?
What goals you aim to accomplish you can't do without 501c3 status?
What goals you aim to accomplish you CAN do without 501c3 status?
Do you have the necessary people to fill the officer slots all the time?
These are just some of the few questions you should think about.
My first suggestion is ask someone who has started a non-profit before to help with this process, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel.
Now that I think of this, maybe this really do belong in another thread.