Difference between revisions of "Talk:Proposed Bylaws Snapshot 2005-09-01"

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I just want to go on the record one more time to say a few things:
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Hi from Chad in Olympia,
  
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I still feel that completely changing the bylaws is a mistake. We should be amending them to suit our needs.
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On Bylaws and Social Contracts:
  
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If the idea is to help other Free Geek's be more like us, I feel that we are doing them a great dis-service, that will cause them problems getting their 501(c)(3) status.
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I just wanted to say that a "social contract" is very useful to facilitate the adoption of new bylaws, by transferring most of the responsibility for appropriate and equitable behavior OUT of operational policy (BYLAW) and into a equally valid, legally binding contract, like the TESC “social contract”.
  
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I felt that Joe (the lawyer) has urged caution on this direction and his advice is being ignored for the most part. That is not good either.
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My take is that the UN Habitat and the LA21 agenda are great places to start if you-all are looking for models that are good to draft bylaws; in Olympia, we are looking at doing the same.
  
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In my opinion, it would be better to leave the bylaws alone (or make at the most, some minor changes). We then create a document that is essentially a bill of rights, a list of amendments that makes the structural changes we want without involving the IRS. This can be consented to by us (as we already have concensus) and would be voted in as the second action of new Free Geek Bds. after electing themselves. In that document, you spell out all the stuff we want codified, but should just keep out of the "official" bylaws. I have NEVER heard an informed opinion that encourages trying to make these types of structural changes to non-profit bylaws. I have only heard the opinion I keep reiterating: Keep it simple boilerplate language to get the tax exempt status, amend as needed to make it fit the culture (which, BTW, is perfectly legal).
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I’m want to chat [with the development posse at FG|Portland] about the 501c3 status:
  
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My fear is that in trying to make things perfect (as opposed to functional) we will open up a pandora's box of intrusion and inquiry by the IRS that will undo our status as a 501(c)(3).
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What should FG|Olympia file under?
  
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[[User:Rfs|RfS]]
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Since FG|Portland already has a tax-exempt status with IRS as “Free Geek”- that doesn’t leave any room “for the rest of us”-
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If a local [FG|_“x”_ ] wants  to go for the federal 501c3 class exemption, unless there is a provision for a multi-/inter- state 501c3 tax-exemption, then that would have to be something eles besides “Free Geek”-
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Oly is meeting to chat about all this- Should we go for a state-wide WA 501c3 “Free Geek Washington”?
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Any tips or help?
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Best Regards,
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and pls feel free to Email me, OK?
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chad@fgoly.org
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Chad “Mini-Mao” Akins

Latest revision as of 11:35, 1 August 2005

Hi from Chad in Olympia,

On Bylaws and Social Contracts:

I just wanted to say that a "social contract" is very useful to facilitate the adoption of new bylaws, by transferring most of the responsibility for appropriate and equitable behavior OUT of operational policy (BYLAW) and into a equally valid, legally binding contract, like the TESC “social contract”.

My take is that the UN Habitat and the LA21 agenda are great places to start if you-all are looking for models that are good to draft bylaws; in Olympia, we are looking at doing the same.

I’m want to chat [with the development posse at FG|Portland] about the 501c3 status:

What should FG|Olympia file under?

Since FG|Portland already has a tax-exempt status with IRS as “Free Geek”- that doesn’t leave any room “for the rest of us”-

If a local [FG|_“x”_ ] wants to go for the federal 501c3 class exemption, unless there is a provision for a multi-/inter- state 501c3 tax-exemption, then that would have to be something eles besides “Free Geek”-

Oly is meeting to chat about all this- Should we go for a state-wide WA 501c3 “Free Geek Washington”?

Any tips or help?


Best Regards, and pls feel free to Email me, OK?

chad@fgoly.org

Chad “Mini-Mao” Akins

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