[Grassroots-l] Regarding local grassroots organizations

[Ixo X oxI]

FYI,
   The 'Free Geek' http://freegeek.org structure is similar.  A nationally
recognized organization, with smaller 'franchises' (I use this term
loosely)... across the country.. I think the count is up to 10 or 12
'branches' like...  http://FreeGeekVancouver.org .

Free Geek has chosen to use the 'Open Source' model (every they do is 100%
public/transparent) , and they are a 100%  consensus operated.

Some groups choose to 'loosely' use the national organization NP status,
until they get their own....  some chose to embrace only some of their
principles in implementation, etc..
But in all cases, no 'kickbacks' or 'upstream money flow' has to occur. :)
Ya on your own.

Some XO repair locations have gone the route of 'partnership' with local
business, computer stores, or computer recycling outfits... or any other
non-profit for assistance.

So...   keep the conversation flowing, ask around, ask your local
government, schools, major employers, etc.....   see if anyone would like to
work something out with you.  :)

G'luck!
-Ixo:-)

On Sat, Aug 16, 2008 at 12:21, Jason Hoekstra <jasonhoekstra at gmail.com>wrote:

> Thanks Seth for the thoughts.  I may be making some poor assumptions
> regarding the setting up and maintaining of a non-profit organization given
> my experience as an solo developer/consultant with a sub-S corp (relatively
> easy to run and maintain).  I'm thinking a few months in the future, but
> would like to do some fund raising to help fuel 5-10 unit pilot deployments
> for some after school programs.  As we would run around to local folks and
> organizations, I would think they would have an easier time with the idea of
> contributing to something like OLPC Atlanta (or OLPC Southeast) as opposed
> to a national organization.
>
> However, if the non-profit organization is a difficult entity to setup and
> maintain, other routes may need to be investigated.  Curious if OLPC would
> accept and set-aside funds for local groups?  Once the goal amount is
> reached, the purchase would be authorized and units dispersed (perhaps via
> the Give One, Get One program @ $400/per unit).
>
> Another idea, and this would certainly could use the help of members on the
> list, would be setting up a national grassroots non-profit and setting up
> local chapters.  I would imagine the donations would be written in the name
> of the local chapters (OLPC Grassroots - Atlanta), submitted to a national
> account, marked for set-aside and release the amount once purchase goals are
> reached.
>
> Ideas all?
>
> Just to take a step back and explain my interest in this..... I've been
> involved with some fundraising for the last year.  When the right program
> matches up with personal interest, people and organizations are willing and
> enthusiastic to contribute (even if in small amounts).  Given the relative
> low cost of the units (even at $400/unit via Give One, Get One -GOGO), I
> think obtaining $2,000 - $4,000 for 5-10 unit local pilots is certainly
> obtainable.  Also, given the nature of the GOGO program, it gives
> contributors a lot of buy in to the program on both a local and
> international level and helps spread the word of OLPC overall.  Trying to
> think of the best way to organize this from a "brand-name", taxation and
> legal perspective to give our local efforts the best alignment towards
> success.
>
> Jason
>
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 5:36 PM, Seth Woodworth <seth at laptop.org> wrote:
>
>> AFAIK most groups have not yet organized as a NP with the IRS.  It all
>> depends on what level of work the group is doing; if it's
>> spreading-the-word/recruiting volunteers, or if it is a Users-Group they may
>> not need one.
>>
>> If a group is rolling out a deployment at a large scale I am sure that it
>> would become a necessity to do so. Even though that requires a lot of
>> overhead when it comes to paperwork and accounting.
>>
>> In my grassroots efforts back in Washington state and with the excellent
>> SeaXO group, it wasn't necessary to have a formal structure.  But I never
>> got very far in my work there.
>>
>> I would love to hear other group's experience.
>>
>> Seth
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 5:06 PM, Jason Hoekstra <jasonhoekstra at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Hey all,
>>>
>>> I'm curious for those involved in grassroots organizations, if any have
>>> been setup as IRS registered 501(c)3 non-profit groups?  If so, I would
>>> assume the organizations take donations in order to fund projects and
>>> equipment.  If a group on list has gone through the process, I'd be really
>>> interested in hearing about the experiences.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Jason Hoekstra
>>> OLPC Atlanta
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Grassroots mailing list
>>> Grassroots at lists.laptop.org
>>> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/grassroots
>>>
>>>
>>
>
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