Incorporate Raw Seattle?

[Guest guest]

[My previous email hasn't shown up in over 23 hours, so I'm

re-sending it. Pardon any dupes when the original shows up. -

JR]

 

 

We have discussed this on occasion. I wanted to address it

once again, as there has been interest, just not quite enough to

make the move.

 

Right now, Raw Seattle, the Seattle Raw Foods Community, is

an unofficial not-for-profit organization. We are a loose-knit

organization made up of unofficial members, planning and

posting events, by volunteers, with expenses paid for out of

pocket.

 

Incorporating as a non-profit could do a number of things.

 

We would be an official group in Washington state and, if

qualified for a 501c3, would also be a nationally recognized

non-profit group.

 

With a 501©3 we would have these benefits:

 

We would qualify for tax-deductible contributions. Dues or

donations from members would be tax-deductible.

 

Corporate donations, whether financial or services, would be

tax-deductible. This would encourage more companies to

support our group and the events we put on. More interest in

supporting our group would empower us to put on more events

and reach more people to help educate people about the

benefits of a raw food diet.

 

As a non-profit we would qualify for special deals on venues.

This would help keep costs down and allow us more flexibility in

securing locations for larger events. (potlucks are sometimes

crowded with all the enthusiastic visitors. More publicity may

require more space)

 

Some periodicals offer space for announcements of events put

on by non-profits, which means free publicity.

 

Individuals may be more interested in volunteering for an official

non-profit, which means more volunteer support for a variety of

events.

 

As an official non-profit we would qualify for some grants,

whether that be from government of corporate sources.

 

Larger events become possible. With more opportunities for

venues, benefits for s=corporate sponsors, and increased

interest of volunteers, it becomes easier to put on larger events

to reach more people and gain more publicity for the group and

the raw-food movement.

 

If we were to pursue this, it would require the interest of our

members. We would need incorporate in the state, then go

through the process for qualifying at the federal level. We would

need to have a board of directors, including officers. This could

be a tremendous learning and growing opportunity for those who

participate. This may also open up opportunity for paid staff

positions. Imagine receiving and income, while doing something

you love and believe in! Some non-profits hire paid directors,

who must cover their own salaries through their efforts in

collecting donations from various sources. In my recent (and

current) un-employed state, I remind myself of how much I do not

relate to so many 9 to 5 type jobs in the world. I reflect back to

when I read of a salaried position of an EarthSave Director. Here,

I was spending thousands of hours a year promoting a

plant-based diet on my own time. I thought " what a dream job! "

 

That type of position may be down the road a bit for our group,

but we first must decide on where we wish to go.

 

We could:

 

Continue what we are doing.

 

Continue what we are doing AND pursue incorporating as

non-profit.

 

If we incorporate, we could:

 

Continue potlucks

 

Offer tax-deductions for members donations

 

Offer tax-deductions for corporate donations

 

Pursue Grants

 

Put on more and larger events, reaching (and helping) larger

audiences

 

Etc.

 

 

What are your thoughts? What are your interests. How would you

like to help if we pursued the next step? As we have been

exposed to this (raw) information and understanding, do we

have an obligation to share it with more people? Most people are

not aware of the raw food movement. Should we help make the

information more available to them?

 

Another thought: Whether official or not, we could have more

community outreach projects such as educating restaurants and

inviting them to offer raw food items on their menus. (such

projects would likely be more successful as an official non-profit)

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff

[Guest guest]

Jeff, are you biased? ;-) Well, I am too. :-) I support this idea.

I know one S-corporation that would be a significant contributor

already: the one I created a few months ago, currently comprised of

myself and Orion as partners, called Superior Returns, Inc. There

would be many others to come too. My vote is a " yea " . :-)

[Guest guest]

It seems to me that the idea is sound, that the benefits can outweigh

the responsibilities involved. But with such few people willing to

host potlucks, I wonder if anyone will be willing to tackle the

responsibilities of keeping the machinery of RawSeattle running?

Dues would not pay for a director. Remember there are many

prejudiced against the raw lifestyle, so do not expect a lot of

corporate sponsorship.

 

Ron Koenig

Bellevue

 

RawSeattle , " jrogers1111 " <jeff@t...> wrote:

> If we were to pursue this, it would require the interest of our

> members. We would need incorporate in the state, then go

> through the process for qualifying at the federal level. We would

> need to have a board of directors, including officers. This could

> be a tremendous learning and growing opportunity for those who

> participate.

> Thanks,

>

> Jeff

[Guest guest]

>It seems to me that the idea is sound, that the benefits can outweigh

>the responsibilities involved. But with such few people willing to

>host potlucks, I wonder if anyone will be willing to tackle the

>responsibilities of keeping the machinery of RawSeattle running?

 

With the recent influx of new visitors to potlucks, I suspect that

we'll be seeing more potlucks. I keep hearing of new people trying or

going raw. If we became incorporated, we would become more organized,

which may mean having more community outreach, which would likely

mean more members (and more potlucks!)

 

>Dues would not pay for a director.

 

No, dues would help cover a variety of expenses. The board of

directors would be voluntary. A director would be a luxury; something

that could be down the road a few years, if and when there were

enough revenues. A director would not be something to focus on this

early.

 

>Remember there are many

>prejudiced against the raw lifestyle, so do not expect a lot of

>corporate sponsorship.

 

Good point. I certainly don't have any expectations of sponsorships,

just hopes. There is a long way to go till everyone knows about raw

foodism and is accepting of it. Till then, I'm looking and moving

forward. I believe Raw Seattle as a non-profit, will help us reach

more people and educate the public.

 

Jeff