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Non-profit workgroup
It's time to get moving on setting up OlyBlog as a non-profit, especially if we want to apply for grant money to fund some more experimental approaches to citizen journalism. For example, we could potentially fund Citizen Terminals at different locations around town, where folks could sit down and blog about something that is happening (and upload pictures or video). We could also think about stipends for individual Citizen Journalists to reimburse expenses (e.g., memory cards, travel expenses, etc). Other ideas anyone?
The first thing we need to do is finish the bylaws (which anyone can contribute to), and then we'll know more about what kind of tax status we should file under. I'm thinking we should set up a workgroup, meeting weekly, to hash out the details, and divide up the duties. Sign up in the comments if you'd like to be in the workgroup, and I'll send out a Doodle schedule that we can use to find meeting times. (If you can put good and/or bad times in your comment, that will help narrow things down.)
- Rick's blog
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Comments
I have a direct dialog line to Sam Reed
The Attorney General's office is the authority on non-profits. I'll do some investigating if everyone is supportive of that.
Someone give me the high sign.
The Anonymous ThurstonBlogger
I also have a friend (keyboardist)
That is an Intel dweeb. Although he lives in Puyallup, he might be interested in technical help.
The Anonymous ThurstonBlogger
Where will you hold your meetings?
I Wonder If
I sparkle that
Sounds good.
I hadn't thought about it, but it makes sense to partner with MI on some of this stuff. Does MI have a meeting space that would accommodate 10 or 12 folks?
> It's OK to be nice. <
enpen's social contract
Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Rob my therapist says..
Use a different word!
Yes.
mixed-up
Sam Reed? isn't Sam Sec of State? or do you mean Department of Licensing?
...anyways, none of this is secret or even hard to find; no "direct dialog" necessary (whatever that means).
Grab a NOLO Press book at TRL if you want.
In short, there is a option for status as a State recognized nonprofit (State filing), then there is the "real deal", the federal filing for "nonprofit status with the IRS", usually referred to as a 501(c)3 tax -exempt nonprofit.
Pretty straight-fwd, & something I'm familiar with-
yes
I think this is an excellent idea. My vote is for Sundays. 9 or 10am.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
Are all welcome
"As is" at these meetings, which sound interesting. I enjoy the idea of furthering alternative media.
"It's okay to be armed"
security_six's social contract
This is a non political tag line and cannot be linked up through a twisted thought process to an obscure company making specialty tools.
The Secretary of State
is the final say on issuance of non-profit statis, unless Sam told me a fib. ;)
Actually, within the past year, I had to get assistance for another organization in Grays Harbor whose application for 501c3 was denied by the Secretary of State's office in Olympia. It was mostly a paperwork snafu, but Sam directed me to the right people to get these folks straightened out.
The Anonymous ThurstonBlogger
Attend a MII meeting...
you said attorney general the first time around.
I sent an email to MI...
...just waitin' to hear back.
> It's OK to be nice. <
enpen's social contract
Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Thank God
Good luck with that....
shush
OK
seriously?
Wow, I would never think of working with MII!
What is the point?
There is no secret about nonprofit development, and many organizations (like the Community Foundation) support local nonprofits.
Why not TCTV for that matter?
When I was a volunteer at Free Geek (when it used to be near the Post Office), MII was the "umbrella" for donations, and it was hard to track down financial info in a timely manner &/or track donations made thru MII. Good bunch of folks for sure, but also a diverse group with diverse opinions and very strong feelings.
Filing for nonprofit status is simple & quick, but a bit costly for IRS nonprofit status.
The real art in nonprofit development is in crafting the bylaws to promote peace and not create obstacles, that and a well designed funding process >grin<
Media Island
From the Media Island website:
What is Media Island International?
Media Island International is a resource and networking center for individuals, organizations, and movements working on Social Justice, Economic Democracy, Ecological Sustainability, and Peace. We gather, evaluate, and distribute underpublished information on critical issues at strategic times.
What is Media Island International's vision?
We live in critical times.
No longer can we avoid our responsibilities to each other and to the planet. The opportunity for the evolution of a more inclusive, ecological, and international civil society lies before us. At Media Island International we believe individuals will take these steps when given access to the whole story.
How do you see this vision fulfilled?
Understanding that people's access to information is limited by corporate ownership and control of most communication outlets, MII is dedicated to provide access to alternative media and first-hand sources of information regionally, nationally, and internationally.
MII is committed to collecting, processing, and distributing crucial information addressing the social justice, economic democracy, ecological sustainability and peace issues that we all collectively face.
What is a resource and networking center?
At Media Island's resource and networking center we provide tools to make individuals voice heard and resources to strengthen that voice. Media Island's center is host to a variety of meetings, workshops and speakers to help educate and network our communities. People are welcome to stop in browse, socialize, plan, compute, watch a video or just sit down and enjoy a hot beverage.
In addition to the books, CDs and videos that are available at the library, we also have zines, magazines and newspapers. These materials are available at the 24 hour Infoshop on the front porch.
Our Issue based research archive is held in numerous filing cabinets and holds materials dredged up over a decade of Social Justice, Economic Democracy, Ecological Sustainability, and Peace campaigning. To broaden the distribution of important information, volunteers publish information packets at critical times to provide a more complete picture of current events. Anyone interested in making information accessible should plug in.
The library and Infoshop are maintained through the hard work and dedication of members of the Media Island Collective and the community. None of the volunteers are paid and all donations to the library go towards maintaining the space and expanding the collection. Without the support of the community the library would not be possible. If you find this space valuable in any way please help support us.
Stop by anytime. Office hours depend on volunteer energy and are likely to fluctuate. Hours are posted on front door. Visit the 24 hour info-porch.
The History of Media Island
Media Island International (MII) was started in 1984 by a group of dedicated activists with a desire to spread under-published information on critical issues ignored by the mainstream media. MII accomplished this goal by reprinting and distributing articles from alternative publications as well as information and news gained from direct contact with those working on the issues.
Understanding that access to information is limited by corporate ownership and control of most communication outlets, MII dedicated itself to distributing alternative media and developing relations with first-hand sources of information locally, nationally and internationally. This deepened our involvement with people working on under-reported and critical environmental, indigenous, peace, and social justice issues such as:
* Black Mesa/ Big Mountain: Native Americans challenging their forced relocation.
* Leonard Peltier: Internationally recognized as U.S. political prisoner.
* Lyle Point: native fishing and burial site on Columbia River threatened by development.
* Chiapas, Mexico: Mayans suffering militarization and violence call for help from international civil society to achieve autonomy, justice and peace with dignity.
* Grass Lake, Allison and McAllister Springs, Rolling Fields, and Long Lake campaigns: Citizen activists working on local pressing environmental, public health and growth management issues.
Our volunteer staff aided in developing lawsuits against developers, networking individuals and groups of interest to specific issues, and doing educational campaigns.
Our work directly aided drinking water source protection and pesticide education, the preserving of wetlands, and curbing urban sprawl through the creation of public parks. And many others...
816 Adams Street Olympia, Washington, Cascadia 98501 (Across the street from the Olympia Timberland library)
360.352.8526
mediaisland@riseup.net
great outreach!
No
Ooops....my bad.
Sorry, Sam, if you're reading. LMAO
I think I'm going to have to use the "preview comment" feature. My old age is catching up.
The Anonymous ThurstonBlogger
I'm in
Count me in
The Anonymous ThurstonBlogger
I'd like to see how this works.
Non-profits in Washington
Nonprofit organizations, even though they may be exempt from federal taxes, are not generally exempt from taxes in Washington. Unless a nonprofit organization has a specific exemption for either property or excise taxes, it is required to pay taxes in the same manner as other entities. Generally, nonprofit organizations are required to pay the sales or use tax on items of tangible personal property they purchase for their own use and on any construction performed for their organization.
Typical organizations receiving property tax exemption are schools, churches, cemeteries, hospitals, social service agencies, character building organizations, nursing homes, homes for the aging, museums, and public meeting halls. Nonprofit organizations engaged in artistic performances for the general public, including production of musical, dance, artistic, dramatic and literary works, as well as art, scientific and historical collections, are also exempt from the property tax on property actually used for these purposes.
***
Seems more like the European VAT type model but I still don't really understand enough about the Washington perspective to be of much use to the group. Maybe down the road :)
I'd like to participate but
I agree EG
xzachly.
xzachly.
Non-profits walk a very thin line on politics
If you want a 501c3. I suggest NONE
The Anonymous ThurstonBlogger
Tell that to
huh?
hey
As of two hours ago I suddenly find myself with Sunday availability. So I'm interested and available on Sundays.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
Sundays work for me as
Please sign me up
great idea!
...curious why there is negativity on this thread about nonprofits? care to explain the mindset?
In forming an organization, I try to let ideas stand on merit (simple as that). Projects and such should flow from the "core mission", and in my mind that is stipends & scholarships for interns & citizen journalists.
For a nonprofit board, I'd try to get stakeholders to commit to at least two years of involvement in governance (3-5yrs is really alot better).
Organizational development should compliment but not be directly tied to program or event development, as these things are each distinct elements of a whole.
Ask for foundation gifts for the core 501(c)3 and State's nonprofit filing, and also ask for gifts specifically to support programs, projects, and events as the organization develops.
Do fund-raising game shows on TCTV >grin< Have fun!
Let's do a show.
I'll be Spanky and Janet can be Darla. Merwyn is Alfapha. Do we have a volunteer for Buckwheat?
The Anonymous ThurstonBlogger
I will!
Do you bamemba....
Eddie Murphy as Buhwheat?
The Anonymous ThurstonBlogger