Efforts have been made before, but not completed, [turns out they were --Ben] to make GNHLUG a registered organization with non-profit status. This is noted not to condemn earlier attempts, but to help us understand the challenges previous volunteers faced, and to understand the difficulty of the task. "Those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it." Previous similar meetings included: MeetingAgenda24May2003, MeetingAgenda05Feb2004, and MeetingMinutes05Feb2004. Discussions include WhatDoWeWantToBe, etc.

At the SummerSummit2005, MadDog explained some of the differences between 501(c)3 and 501(c)6. At that meeting, we agreed that our goal as GNHLUG to be an inclusive organization that provides the infrastructure for volunteers to perform volunteer activities including community service, advocacy and educational projects around Free and Open Source Software while allowing free membership and encouraging fraternal social networking, too. Establishment of the organization should not infringe on others' enjoyment of the current meetings.

See ProposedByLaws2005

See ProposedArticlesOfAgreement

Links to the messages in the -discuss mailing list archives discussing this subject are:

• http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/private/gnhlug-discuss/2005-October/011856.html
• http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/private/gnhlug-discuss/2005-October/011777.html
• http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/private/gnhlug-discuss/2005-October/011829.html

And a lot of the October 2005 messages in the -org archive discuss this subject.

-- BruceDawson - 24 Oct 2005

Some justifications for formalizing as a non-profit are:

• Defensive - prevent someone from usurping our [good] name.
• Ease - so we can more easily secure gifts, meeting places, and sponsorship.
• Structure - so we know what we are doing and who's doing it.
• Outreach - so people know what we are about and who is responsible.
• Provide "agent" services to other like-minded LUGs, SIGs, and chapters.

-- BruceDawson - 13 Oct 2005 18:00:49