Support Group Paperwork

[RFowler855 at aol.com]

Wayne, Sandy and Dan

Wayne
I also don't see a need for the Form SS-4 (Application for Employer
Identification Number)  However Dan might see a need?
It looks like Dan is "the one" trying to tackle the maze. I am the one for 
our group that needs to wrestle the beast :-(
Our group is Incorportated in Texas and have tackled some of the state forms. 
 The 501(c)(3) is my current headache.

If anyone cares to help we can do this privatly and I will share the 
information we use with other folks who ask in the future :-)

Here are my comments on the subject of the why:

Like Sandy and Rich I have put my bucks into this group to get it started, 
heck I still do.  After awhile the member fund finally kicked in and we have 
some donations from folks that could care less about writing it off on their 
taxes.  But this doesn't address the need for recognition under 501(c)(3)

I run into folks that would like to donate some bucks yet would like the 
benefit of being able to legally write the donation off on their taxes.  Heck 
I would like to too :-) There are also those businesses that insist on a Tax 
ID to verify the validity of the group as well as for their accounting.

Some people may be unable to put their own money into the group simply 
because they don't have it available and need donations to move forward.  
They have the time and the place yet not the resources for say publishing a 
brochures, procuring business cards,  buying a filing cabinet and answering 
machine, or to pay the expenses get to an ACA meeting or Peer Training 
Session.  All of which promotes the chances of a successful support group.

Also like Sandy and Rich our group is not affiliated with any one facility 
and therefore avoid any restrictions that might required.  This has it's draw 
backs when it comes to the resources available, but we have decided that is 
what is best for our individual groups.  

The tax part however can and will come once the group is viable or if the 
individual starting the group deems it necessary from the beginning because 
of $ restraints. The time has come for our group and I have no experience 
with it nor unfortunately the time to track down those individuals in my 
community who can help because 1. I work full time including mucho overtime 
2. We have no other member with the time nor inclination to do so at this 
time.

The thing is we are asking for help with this and this seems to be one of the 
places to ask.  

Now why we need the bucks and thus the help with the tax paperwork and 
501(c)(3) status.

1. Although we have access to information via the internet, MOST do not and 
we desire to make some of this information available by printing and 
distributing the materials.  We can distribute the materials at minimal cost, 
the printing will cost us some bucks.  

2. Although the translations into Spanish of amputee related information is 
being done at no cost (other than the time we dedicate to it) the printing 
doubles what is needed to print this materials for our community.
  
My printer is shot from over work, which I will replace out of my own pocket. 
 The thing is the group should be taking care the printing expenses or at 
least have a copy machine available.  Both of which costs bucks that I no 
longer have available.

3. We need more brochures and the time and energy to print them out on my 
computer keeps me from other important work and my family obligations.  Also 
see broken printer above :-)

4.  We would like to publish a newsletter.  The cost is prohibitive without a 
sponsor.

5.  There are individuals in our group that cannot afford the expense of:
	1. Attending a peer Visitation Training course
	2. Attending an ACA meeting
Both of which benifit local amputees and supports the growth of a group by 
educating it's members and exposing them to others with the same goals.

The establishment of our respective groups as a non profit tax entity has the 
potential to allow us to accomplish much of this and more.  At least when 
asked we can say yes we are a 501(c)(3) non profit organization.  This holds 
weight when asking for a finical support.

Ralph Fowler
Amputees In Action
El Paso, TX