Structure and organization - Revision history

Kellyegan: /* Services for accepting Money */

2009-07-08T20:22:50Z

Services for accepting Money

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	== Services for accepting Money ==		== Services for accepting Money ==
	~~Member can conveniently go into credit card debt paying their dues thanks~~ to ~~these online services. All of these allow recurring billing, handle invoicing, etc. If we end up working with the Fusion Group, they might have their own methods for collecting~~ money.		Moved to [Mo money...]
	* [https://payments.~~amazon~~.~~com/sdui/sdui/business?sn=paynow/subscription Amazon Simple Pay Subscriptions~~] ~~is free through Sept. 2009, then costs 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction~~
	* [https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_wp-standard-overview-outside Paypal] costs 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
	* [https://checkout.google.com/sell Google Checkout] costs 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.

	== Notes from Design Pattern on organization ==		== Notes from Design Pattern on organization ==

Roj: /* 501(c)(3) */

2009-07-02T03:04:25Z

501(c)(3)

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	=== 501(c)(3) ===		=== 501(c)(3) ===
	501(c)(3) is an IRS-bestowed federal tax-exempt status for non-profit organizations. [[501(c)(3) process\|A separate page exists]] to discuss how to go about getting that tax-exempt status.		501(c)(3) is an IRS-bestowed federal tax-exempt status for non-profit organizations. [[501(c)(3) process\|A separate page exists]] to discuss how to go about getting that tax-exempt status.
			[http://www.irs.gov/publications/p557/ch03.html IRS Publication 557]

	===== Steps via Mike S. =====		===== Steps via Mike S. =====
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	==== Cons ====		==== Cons ====
	*Process takes awhile (IANAL, but I understand you need to be operating for a year before you can apply)		*Process takes awhile (IANAL, but I understand you need to be operating for a year before you can apply)

	=== Incorporation===		=== Incorporation===
	We have to incorporate in some manner in order to get 501(c)(3) designation. Maryland state forms available [http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/sdatforms.html#entity here]. Seems likely we will want to incorporate as a non-stock tax-exempt corporation.		We have to incorporate in some manner in order to get 501(c)(3) designation. Maryland state forms available [http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/sdatforms.html#entity here]. Seems likely we will want to incorporate as a non-stock tax-exempt corporation.

Roj: /* Incorporation */

2009-07-02T02:55:27Z

Incorporation

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	=== Incorporation===		=== Incorporation===
	We have to incorporate in some manner in order to get 501(c)(3) designation. Maryland state forms available [http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/sdatforms.html#entity here]. Seems likely we will want to incorporate as a non-stock tax-exempt corporation.		We have to incorporate in some manner in order to get 501(c)(3) designation. Maryland state forms available [http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/sdatforms.html#entity here]. Seems likely we will want to incorporate as a non-stock tax-exempt corporation.
			* LLC structure is an alternative. LLCs can obtain 501(c)3 status.

	==== Pros ====		==== Pros ====
	* Fast		* Fast

Roj: /* Formalizing our structure */

2009-07-02T02:51:16Z

Formalizing our structure

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	* 5%-10% of grants and donations are paid to Fusion to cover their administrative costs		* 5%-10% of grants and donations are paid to Fusion to cover their administrative costs
	* Requires initial fee of $250 for five hours of Fusion consultation if application is approved		* Requires initial fee of $250 for five hours of Fusion consultation if application is approved

			=== Potential Affiliation ===
			* [http://www.artistcommunities.org/ Alliance of Artists Communities]
			* [http://www.fracturedatlas.org/ Fractured Atlas]

	== Services for accepting Money ==		== Services for accepting Money ==

Sylviachi: /* LLC */ --> Incorporation in general

2009-06-29T00:36:17Z

LLC: --> Incorporation in general

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:36, 29 June 2009
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	==== Cons ====		==== Cons ====
	*Process takes awhile (IANAL, but I understand you need to be operating for a year before you can apply)		*Process takes awhile (IANAL, but I understand you need to be operating for a year before you can apply)
	=== ~~LLC~~ ===		=== Incorporation===
			We have to incorporate in some manner in order to get 501(c)(3) designation. Maryland state forms available [http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/sdatforms.html#entity here]. Seems likely we will want to incorporate as a non-stock tax-exempt corporation.
	==== Pros ====		==== Pros ====
	* Fast		* Fast
	==== Cons ====		==== Cons ====
	* No tax benefits.		* No tax benefits. (Not necessarily - may incorporate as a tax-exempt corporation.)

	=== Fiscal Sponsorship from Fusion Group ===		=== Fiscal Sponsorship from Fusion Group ===
	The Fusion Group is a 501(3)(c) that acts as a [http://www.fusiongroup.org/fiscalsponsor_001.htm fiscal sponsor]. From their website, "Fiscal sponsorship offers a great advantage for those who are launching new endeavors, where the long-term viability of the project is yet to be determined. Operating under a fiscal sponsor allows community leaders to begin programs and services for a trial or incubation period prior to deciding to file for independent incorporation." The [http://www.fusiongroup.org/application.htm application process] looks pretty straight forward and there are lots of other [http://www.fusiongroup.org/programs.html Baltimore-based groups] using their services, including the [http://www.redemmas.org/2640/ 2640 project].		The Fusion Group is a 501(3)(c) that acts as a [http://www.fusiongroup.org/fiscalsponsor_001.htm fiscal sponsor]. From their website, "Fiscal sponsorship offers a great advantage for those who are launching new endeavors, where the long-term viability of the project is yet to be determined. Operating under a fiscal sponsor allows community leaders to begin programs and services for a trial or incubation period prior to deciding to file for independent incorporation." The [http://www.fusiongroup.org/application.htm application process] looks pretty straight forward and there are lots of other [http://www.fusiongroup.org/programs.html Baltimore-based groups] using their services, including the [http://www.redemmas.org/2640/ 2640 project].

Sylviachi: link to 501(c)(3) process page etc.

2009-06-29T00:33:11Z

link to 501(c)(3) process page etc.

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	== Formalizing our structure ==		== Formalizing our structure ==
	It seems that if we are going to accept money and rent property we are going to have to formalize our structure somehow. Maybe we should look at the pros and cons of some of these options. Also by incorporating in some fashion we reduce the liability each of us faces for being associated with the group.		It seems that if we are going to accept money and rent property we are going to have to formalize our structure somehow. Maybe we should look at the pros and cons of some of these options. Also by incorporating in some fashion we reduce the liability each of us faces for being associated with the group.
	=== ~~503~~(c) ===		=== 501(c)(3) ===
	~~A 503~~(c) is a non-profit organizations exempt ~~from some federal income taxes~~.		501(c)(3) is an IRS-bestowed federal tax-exempt status for non-profit organizations. [[501(c)(3) process\|A separate page exists]] to discuss how to go about getting that tax-exempt status.

	===== Steps via Mike S. =====		===== Steps via Mike S. =====

63.138.58.10: /* Formalizing our structure */

2009-06-26T15:17:23Z

Formalizing our structure

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 === 503(c) ===
 A 503(c) is a non-profit organizations exempt from some federal income taxes.
 ==== Pros ====
 * Donations can be deducted from taxes.

Jonlesser: /* Cons */

2009-06-26T09:15:22Z

Cons

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:15, 26 June 2009
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	==== Cons ====		==== Cons ====
	* We'll need to be accepted into their program, which is not guaranteed		* We'll need to be accepted into their program, which is not guaranteed
	* 5%-10% of grants and donations ~~for administrative costs~~ paid to Fusion		* 5%-10% of grants and donations are paid to Fusion to cover their administrative costs
	* Requires initial fee of $250 for five hours of Fusion consultation if application is approved		* Requires initial fee of $250 for five hours of Fusion consultation if application is approved

Jonlesser: /* Fiscal Sponsorship from Fusion Group */ added costs

2009-06-26T07:49:38Z

Fiscal Sponsorship from Fusion Group: added costs

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:49, 26 June 2009
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	==== Pros ====		==== Pros ====
	* Easy application		* Easy application
	* We can take tax exempt contributions, ~~without the~~		* We can take tax exempt contributions, apply for certain grants
	* We'd probably get some financial guidance and other resources from the Fusion Group		* We'd probably get some financial guidance and other resources from the Fusion Group
	==== Cons ====		==== Cons ====
	* We'll need to be accepted into their program, which is not guaranteed		* We'll need to be accepted into their program, which is not guaranteed
			* 5%-10% of grants and donations for administrative costs paid to Fusion
			* Requires initial fee of $250 for five hours of Fusion consultation if application is approved

	== Services for accepting Money ==		== Services for accepting Money ==

Jonlesser at 04:44, 15 June 2009

2009-06-15T04:44:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:44, 15 June 2009
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	== Notes from Design Pattern on organization ==		== Notes from Design Pattern on organization ==
	Here is a translation of the orginazational section of the [http://hackerspaces.org/Hacker-Space-Design-Patterns.pdf\|hackerspace design pattern], posted here so that we can edit/comment on them for our space.		Here is a translation of the orginazational section of the [http://hackerspaces.org/Hacker-Space-Design-Patterns.pdf hackerspace design pattern], posted here so that we can edit/comment on them for our space. [http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/Documentation hackerspaces.org] has a number of good resources to look over, including bylaws and regulations of other hacker spaces around the country.

	=== The Plenum Pattern ===		=== The Plenum Pattern ===