MWStake incorporation

This page documents the project for mwstake incorporation. Members of mwstake decided to incorporate with the two main goals being:

1. Bank account for events (EMWCon, etc.)
2. Accept grants from the WMF as a non-profit

To Do

1. Follow instructions to process the grant Y
2. Determine which non-profit type to register as Y
3. Work with lawyer to begin incorporation process Y
4. Finalize the Bylaws Y
5. Describe Activities and Operational Information for IRS 1024 Application
6. Open a corporate bank account and make sure it follows WMF rules which are similar to the rules for Rapid Grants
7. Reporting on the outcome (what worked well, what didn't work well, and what you would do differently next time, etc.). Some sample reports are available.

History

The following are the major milestones to date:

1. 02 August 2018 - Collected individual statements from MWStake members on what role they felt MWStake should have once incorporated
2. 15 August 2018 - Rapid Grant Proposal was submitted
3. 15 November 2018 - The rapid grant was approved and moved to funded
4. 18 December 2018 - Board meeting

Board rolls and structure

The "normal" officer positions to accomplish the statutory functions of a corporation are president, treasurer, and secretary (one to be in charge and execute directions of the board, one to handle and account for the finances, and one to keep records). They can be called whatever one desires and the same person can conduct more that one function, although if there are enough people it is preferable to separate the duties. For a non-profit, there are also issues of accountability that strongly argue for separating the duties, so that no one person has too much power.

For the board itself, there are no positions, although most boards will elect a chairperson to run the meeting. Other than that, you are free to choose whatever structure works for you.

Links:

• https://www.501c3.org/nonprofits-board-directors-board/
• https://www.501c3.org/avoiding-conflicts-of-interest/
• https://www.missionbox.com/article/68/board-officers-and-committees-what-structure-works-best

Costs

Cost	Description	Notes
$125	File Articles of Incorporation	Part of Invoice #1 (total = $380)
$85	Publish Legal advertisement (newspaper)
$85	Publish Legal advertisement (legal journal)
$85	Corporate minutes book
$600	Non-profit filing fee	Check sent to Smoker Gard made out to US Treasury
$980	Total

Subpages

• MWStake incorporation/Activities and Operational Information
• MWStake incorporation/Board meeting
• MWStake incorporation/Board meeting/Meeting minutes
• MWStake incorporation/Individual statements
• MWStake incorporation/Non-profit type
• MWStake incorporation/bank account

Files

• EIN Application and Confirmation
• Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
• Smoker Gard Engagement Letter
• Smoker Gard Invoice #1
• Business Resolution Authorization
• Form 2848 to tell the IRS that Smoker Gard is our rep
• Form 1024 -- Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(a)