A modest proposal

[Timebuilder]

Every year at this time, I take a few hundred dollars, and give it to a drive for local families to help some unfortuanate people during the holidays. In addition, my church has an assistance fund which is open to non-members in our community. You probably do something similar.

Over the past couple of years, the people on this board have become a community of sorts. Like a real neighborhood, we have fights, insults, advice, and support. However, our community has suffered some unique troubles. The 9-11 victims have a high media presence, and people like Bill O' Reilly have helped them to get the money that organization had collected on their behalf.

This leaves a great number of families that have no media presence who have suffered both because of 9-11 and due to personal tragedy, including furloughees and the families of those who have died on the job, such as the recent crashes of freight aircraft.

I'm hoping that there is a furloughee or retiree here on the board who has the time and expertise to organize a 501 C 3 (sp) for families that we know, and can use a hand here in our community during the holidays. It's something we could do here every year, and we might be able to get some support from outside the board, including the aviation community at large.

Is there someone here who can do this, who has the time to direct this in a professional manner?

Pilot Families Fund? Aviator's Assistance Fund? ??????

 

[avbug]

Last Christmas I was out of work, for almost two months. I had no money for bills, for rent, or for presents for the kids. I became very despondant; depressed.

Just before Christmas, we began finding presents on our doorstep, wrapped, ready for the children. One night, I found two hundred dollars in an envelope, with a note that said "have a nice life." (I'm fairly certain that one came from a pilot I know).

A local religious leader came to our home one night to say that our rent would be paid if I'd work it off at the local welfare farm.

Our needs were met. We weren't comfortable; it was a stressful time. But I can't imagine what I would have done or how I'd have coped without the anonymous and up-front assistance of people who owed me nothing. Now I owe them everything, and I don't even know who most of them are.

It was bittersweet, because as a kid, we were constantly broke (broke being a temporary condition, poor being a state of mind). I had nothing. Several times christmas arrived from anonymous donors who gave to our family knowing we wouldn't have one, otherwise. I was very frustrated to know that so many years later, with my own family, I still couldn't do better...but very humbled that people are still people. More humbled that so many people are caring, and willing to make the effort and sacrifices they did.

I don't know anything about tax and economics or 501 this or that, but I submit that anything you can do for someone you know, or know about, is a big plus.

"In as much as you have done it unto the least of these, my bretheren, you have done it unto me."

That thought is two thousand years old, but still rings true, and applies to all, equally. Don't walk by that bell ringer at the supermarket without dropping something in the jar. Don't walk by the food basket without dropping in a can. Don't forget the Marines in their toys for tots, or the local fire station passing the boot. It may be a small amount, but to someone, it's everything.

 

[bulldog]

Timebuilder,

I may not agree with your politics, but when it comes to helping others during times like these it's hardly relevant. It just goes to show that the most important thing is where your heart is.

I don't know how quick something like your proposal can be set up, but I am certainly willing to help in any way I can.

I'll throw this out as a suggestion. If there is anyone on this board who knows of any family, individuals, etc.. in or near the Denver Metro area who could use assistance, either financially, gifts for children, food or whatever, send me a pm. My family would be more than happy to help them in any way we can.

Bulldog

 

[redshirt]

setup of aviation charity

Timebuilder:

PM me on this if you get a chance. I have a friend who is involved with grant writing, charitable giving to religious and community organizations, etc. I will get some answers and help on how to set something like this up if I can come up with a list of intelligent questions. Thanks.

 

[Timebuilder]

Great.

We'd also need someone to run this. Someone with the time and ability.

We also need some names for this. The ones I mentioned are only suggestions.

Any name ideas, people?

 

[hyper]

I'm in.

 

[bobbysamd]

Me, too . . .

I just wish I had the knowhow, wherewithal and time to help further besides a contribution.

Maybe a fund can be organized through the board, such as last year? With people contributing via PayPal, etc.

One thing is for sure about pilots. They may always be ready to bludgeon each other over such issues as Gulfstream, P-F-T and scope, but they pull together in these situations.

 

[Timebuilder]

Right now our "member" count is 6,709 members.

I'm hoping that there is one member who knows the mechanics of making this work.

 

[Timebuilder]

Back up top. We're looking for help.

 

[Timebuilder]

With thousands of furloughees and retirees, someone must be out there who can help make this happen.

Can you make a difference?

 

[Timebuilder]

Another kick up top.

 

[Ty Webb]

Well, I it isn't really too complicated. I have filed a number of corporations in FL, including one non-profit corporation. It is fairly easy to set up the corp., it costs less than $100.to do, and I would be willing to produce the forms necessary to file it. Hecdk, I might be willing to file the paperwork and even pay the filing fee as my contribution, if some others are willing to run with it from that point.

You have to have a few directors named, with names and adresses, and at the end of the year, you would have to file a tax return, both a federal and one with the state of FL, or wherever it is filed.

Eventually, you will have to file a 501(c)3 or whatever, but it's not a great big hairy deal. Contributions would not be tax-deductible until the IRS approves the non-profit as such, but I doubt that anyone here really cares too much about that.

Feel free to PM me if you like.

 

[Superfueler]

I'm sorry I can't help in the setting up of this, but I would be more than glad to donate to it.

One charity that I donated to this year is called operation uplink. It buys calling cards for GI's that are deployed away from their families during the holiday season. Here is a link:

http://www.operationuplink.org/

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

That's the spirit!

Finally, something positive and uplifting from this board. It is nice to see people focusing the time and energy to bring about something of worth and good instead of trying to flame someone or ruin their career before it even gets started, etc.

If we could carry this attitude throughout the entire year and not just around the holidays, maybe we could accomplish more as a group.

Cheers,

Jeff

 

[Timebuilder]

I like the uplink idea. It's difficult to keeps families intact during a deployment.

How can we find if there is a preferred state in which to incorporate? Is Florida as good as Delaware?

 

[TXCAP4228]

Good idea, Timebuilder.

I'm in too.

Some thoughts... If you incorporate then you (or someone) will really will be taking on some responsibilities to keep the corporation current. There would be some additional cost and effort involved.

Alternatively, could an informal group of pilots agree to something on a cyber handshake?

I guess the question is, should this be formal or informal?

 

[Timebuilder]

I think if we make it a more formal structure, we can attract corporate and high profile individuals, and therefore have a greater ability to help more families.

There are many accidents that we never hear about on a nationwide basis. Do an NTSB search for fatals for Novemeber, for example.

You're right, it would be more work. That's why I'm hoping that some appropriate people who have the time and intererst will step forward from our group here.

 

[Timebuilder]

Several days have gone by on this, with a very small response.

I know from other threads that we have a lot of members who talk about caring for the poor, and believe in a growing federal government and the redistribution of wealth. I have not seen their names in this thread.

This is a golden opportunity for you to exercise your caring, right here in our own community of avaition.

 

[TXCAP4228]

I hate to open this can of worms but are there any attorneys on this board who could help us in forming a non-profit corporation and help with getting us 501.C.3 status?

If somebody could do that then the donations would come in.

Timebuilder, somebody would have to sort of run the thing or at least be the president (since all corporations must have officers)? Would you do it?

 

[Timebuilder]

Absolutely.

I could tap some of the shoulders I still know, like Phil Boyer of AOPA, or Mel Karmazin at Viacom. I don't know how far I can get with them, but this is a good time of year for it, and then the givers get to issue a press release. They get press, we help people with needed funds. Sounds like a plan. If we can't get it off the ground this month, it doesn't mean that we have to give up.

The legwork necessary keeps me from laying the foundation for this. I'll be getting up at about two this morning, a little less than eight hours from now, so I can be wheels up at 5:45 am.

I have this gut feeling that someone among us is capable of this, and just hasn't seen the thread yet.

 

[TorquEffect]

I'd be happy to register a domain, build and host a website if anyone thinks this idea warrants a website. Just let me know.

[email protected]

 

[enigma]

I'm way too scatterbrained to organize anything. I'm still working on coming up with a budget that keeps my wife from getting me further into debt. I am however interested in contributing if you do get it set up.

regards,
8N

 

[redshirt]

How to start a non-profit, Part II

Hello all,

I’m not usually that nice of a guy, but the idea of starting something that helps pilots and their loved ones has kind of gotten to me. Maybe its Christmas, I don’t know. So I have been doing a little research and want to share what I have learned, in hopes that someone will read this and recognize a way to help.

I am pretty lazy by nature, so I am trying to find existing information and copy it, hence the links to other web sites. My innate laziness is driving me to seek the quickest way to our goal of assisting the families of pilots who are killed or injured on the job.

Starting a non-profit organization is a long, multi step process. It requires a fair amount of time and effort up front, as well as a good deal of ongoing effort. Depending on our goals and abilities, we may be able to skip or consolidate some of these steps. From my limited knowledge, here are some of the steps that need to be taken, and a possible work-around.

Starting a non-profit

Step 1) Incorporation- A non-profit first must be incorporated as a non-profit. I found a place that will file the papers for about $150.00. I don’t know the first thing about them other than they exist, but they have an online form that looks pretty complete:

https://www.inc-it-now.com/nonprofit.htm

Steps 2 through ????- Once incorporated, a non-profit needs a lot of things; at a minimum, it would need a bank account, someone to keep the books, a business plan, a set of standards for who is eligible for assistance and how much, and a way to raise funds. Of these, I think the fund raising will be the easiest step as I think there are a lot of people on this board willing to provide a little financial help.

As far as the real work of starting and maintaining a new non-profit, I found another web site called www.nonprofits.org. It has a ton of very useful information, probably everything a new organization would need to know. There is a section devoted to starting non-profit charitable organizations:

http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/02/01.html

The thrust of this FAQ I think is to warn the novice not to put the cart before the horse. In other words, don’t spend all of your time and effort getting federal 501 (c)(3) status and filing incorporation papers and reporting papers in multiple states when there may be a better way, at least to start.


How to start a non-profit without actually starting a non-profit
From reading what these experts have to say, I think partnership is the way to go. I think we need to target an existing aviation related non-profit to help us sponsor a fund for this worthy cause. Here is a list of already existing aviation-related non profit organizations:

http://www.legalvectors.com/Aviation Organizations.htm

I am sure this is nowhere near a comprehensive list. I bet many of us on this board are members of some of these organizations. Some of us may be members of other aviation or charitable contributions. Some of us may have connections within said organizations. Timebuilder, if you have any way of bringing this idea up with Phil Boyer, that would be great.

So here is the plan:

I think we should see if AOPA, or NAFI, or some other existing non-profit would be willing to help us create this fund. This way we avoid incorporation, most of the paperwork, most of the hassles, most of the things we know nothing about and they have already created.

We will write the business plan, start the fund, provide administrative help, make contributions, etc. We can also offer our talents, time, or financial support for their organization. They will get good press and happier, more dedicated members. We may get to start and contribute to a worthy cause with a minimum of paperwork and red tape.

What do you all think? Good idea? Am I high? Can anyone help? Orange Whips?

 

[Ty Webb]

Hey, guys:

There is some good information coming together. Redshirt- thanks for your very informative post. And to TorqueEffect for your generous offer to start a website if the effort comes to fruition. Timebuilder- it sounds like you have some excellent contacts and a strong interest in this project.

I have filed the incorporation papers for a non-profit before (and many regular corporations), but only in FL (each state is different). What I am offering to do is to do the filing as my contribution to the effort- in other words- it would save the $150., but I can only offer to file FL documents, since that is the only state I have experience filing in.

As for Business Plans, 501(c)3 status, etc., well, that is great down the road, but until it gains some momentum (and some cabbage) I would just plan to eat the elephant one bite at a time- I think a Mission Statement, a bank account, a non-profit corporation ID number (from the state filing) and a very rough business plan (ie. budget and executive summary) should be enough from the beginning.

I will not have my computer with me for the next few days, since I am forcing myself to study for recurrent , but I will check in over the weekend and see where we are.

A

 

[Chunk]

A good charity that has ZERO overhead is www.ehowa.com/military

It's the "Bring 'em home campaign". People donate funds to purchase airline tickets (working on a way to donated miles) so that military members can make it home for the holidays. Check it out! Maybe donate a buddy pass or something.

Chunk

PS--Check out the rest of the site www.ehowa.com for funny Pro-American humor!