I'm in California and would be willing to help. I think the concept is sound, for covering site fees alone if nothing else.

I think that by-laws would have to include the process by which money distribution is determined. For example, would we have scholarship/executive committee "meetings" via mailing list, Skype, or other? Also, in thinking of a group by-laws, I think that membership should always be free but perhaps a professional genealogist or other service provider who works in our focus area would be able to pay annual dues to be a "professional member" and have some sort of advertisement on the site. We could also use funds for printing and mailing of a printed newsletter, directory, or educational materials. I think that if we incorporate, we should think about some ways for those not online to both contribute and receive benefit from group membership such as with any genealogical society, such as book borrowing, research assistance, etc.

Dream big. =)

-Patti

------Original Message------
From: arturo.ramos2@gmail.com
Sender: announce-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
To: announce@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
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ReplyTo: arturo.ramos2@gmail.com
Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] Incorporating: Benefits and Help Needed
Sent: Apr 12, 2009 8:20 AM

Raquel:

The primary benefit of incorporating as a 501(c)(3) would be the ability of the group to take donations and have those donations be tax deductible. I have often thought it would be great to be able to sponsor members (or others researching our area of interest) in a variety of different ways, such as:
1. Financial assistance in publishing genealogical research
2. Sponsorships of speakers at genealogical conferences
3. Scholarships for members to attend genealogical conferences

Also, Joseph has been bearing the financial cost of hosting this website out of his own pocket for some time now. I think we should have it be self-sustaining and that is one of the reasons for the addition of ads to the site. They will hopefully cover those costs. As a corporation, Nuestros Ranchos as a corporation will be able to maintain its own finances. These are just my thoughts but I would be open to any other suggestions members might have.

As far as help, we are going to need:

1. A volunteer or two in Texas or California willing to put their name down as the corporate agent... basically to receive official communication from the Secretary of State on the incorporation process.
2. Volunteers to serve on a Board, consisting of at least three people, though I think five is more of an ideal number.
3. Draft bylaws, which can be fairly generic, but we will have to draft a statement of purpose that will pass muster in terms of having the Internal Revenue Service give us tax exempt status.