September 2, 2000 Meeting Report
July 29, 2000, at a Judson reunion held on the old Portland campus, a group of interested alumni and former staff and faculty gathered and talked about creating a formal organization to foster a continuation of the sense of community and fellowship we shared at the reunion. In that impromptu meeting it was decided that we would research some structural issues and hold a second meeting aimed at making some decisions.
That second meeting was held Saturday, September 2, 2000, at the home of Snell Fontus in Eugene, Oregon. Present were Snell, Sheri Mowery, Jay Peoples and Guy Melton. Also participating, by phone, were Dorothy (Pink) Heins, Teri (Pierce) Hanberg and Steve Hanberg. Others were invited, but were unable to attend.
In this meeting we discussed the purpose in forming an organization, and the organizational options available. This discussion took place in the context of reports offered by Snell and Sheri on some of the structural options, and some the advice various contacts had provided.
Though the group present seemed in essential agreement on why we would want to create an organization of this sort, we determined that one of our first tasks needed to be the development of a mission or purpose statement. Part of the reason for that decision, is that such a statement is required as part of the state paperwork that must be filed in order to create a corporate entity. The group agreed to each draft possible mission statements, and to exchange these statements via email, in hopes that a final statement can be approved in the next meeting. Our primary purpose in creating this statement at this time is for the legal purposes of forming an organization.
Two basic approaches to handling the organizational aspects of a formal organization were proposed and discussed.
One option was to seek a partner that already has the infrastructure in place, and to ask them to handle most of the footwork in exchange to having access to the membership. Though this approach has some appeal, it was decided that the goals of the organizations that might partner with us, could be inconsistent with our goals, and that we would rather do the work ourselves, than work to ensure the interests of those people associated with JBC were the primary focus of the organization. Those organizations that might wish to partner with us are all schools that would benefit from this association through the access to a body of potential donors.
The other option discussed was to form a non-profit corporation. Legal council suggested that a corporation formed under the 501(c)(7) rules would be most appropriate for an independent alumni association. Most of us are familiar with the 501(c)(3) type organization (most churches are 501(c)(3)s), but the rules for the 501(c)7 are a little different and are designed to be appropriate social and recreational clubs. Under the rules, we come much closer to that kind of organization than the other types of non-profits. Probably the most significant difference is that while a 501(c)(7) can accept donations, those donations are not tax-deductible for the donor.
If you wish more information about a 501(c)(7) you can read the IRS doc on the subject by clicking here.
At the close of the meeting, we agreed to proceed as follows:
Jay is leading an effort to craft a mission statement. First drafts are due to Jay by 9/9/2000.
Snell will work with his lawyer to begin preparing documents to form a 501(c)(7) in Oregon. Draft due at the next meeting.
Guy will continue work on entering contact information provided at the reunion into a computer database that can be used to keep in touch with people who were there. As soon as possible...
Sheri will work with Southwestern College and with Western Baptist College in an effort to gain access to student contact information we believe they have. Ongoing.
Sheri will choose a location for the next adhoc 'board meeting', to be held in Portland, October 7, 2000. Well before 10/7/2000!
Steve will update the links on the original web site to point at the new location. Done.
Steve will write and post this report. Done.
Steve will help Tim Heins update the existing website and migrate it to the new location. Eventually...
If someone else committed to do anything, I missed it in my notes, but you know who you are, and that we all expect you to fulfill your commitment anyway!
Steve Hanberg
September 2, 2000