New England Pagan Land Project

After much thought, I think it is pretty clear that forming a non-profit corporation is the best way to go. I’m not in this project to get rich. I’m in it for the community.  Sure, I’d love to be rich, but I’d like to use my riches to build this project and not the other way around.

Can this be done as a non-profit?  Absolutely.  The concept is fully in line with both the IRS requirements for a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization as well as a New Hampshire Non-Profit Corporation (which includes IRS requirements as an option).  We could fall into the requirements under any number of the following:

• An Association of Churches (Religious Exemption)
• Advancement of Religion (Educational Exemption)
• Public Discussion Group (Educational Exemption)
• Ecumenical Organization (Possible Religious Exemption)

The first step in creating a Non-Profit Corporation is to gather an initial Board of Directors who will help guide the organization.  In the past, for other projects, this has been a huge hurdle. Many people I have spoken with have offered to help out, but when it came down to run the show, no one volunteered.  For some it was that they feared (didn’t understand) the paperwork involved.  For others, they feared the responsibility.  I’d like to insure everyone that the paperwork, though sometimes complex, is not insurmountable.  The red tape is not that hard to explain, and when you realize it was put there for a good reason and figure out that reason, it begins to make sense.  I’ve met lawyers who weren’t as smart as you folks.  Just because it isn’t your area of expertise doesn’t mean you can’t pick it up pretty easily.

As for the fear of responsibility, I can understand that.  We all have our fears and the best way to deal with them is to face them head on: to learn about them and to overcome them.  Caution is good.  But being controlled or paralyzed by your fear is unhealthy.

That said, I would like at this time to invite people to join me in creating the Board of Directors so we can get this project incorporated.  Your responsibilities would be to attend quarterly meetings where you would vote on key decisions involving the corporation.  You may decide to take an active role in running the day to day affairs or you may decide to designate an Executive Director for that task.  This is one of the key decisions the Board needs to make.  Initially, you would be invilved in crafting the Corporation’s Bylaws and policies.  We can seek outside help from one of the consultants who knows this in-depth or we could figure it out ourselves.  The State of New Hampshire requires at least 5 people to be on the Board of Directors.  I am, of course, willing to take the lead and be one of those 5 or more people.  I’d also be willing to step aside form the Board and serve as Executive Director if you prefer, but legally I cannot do this alone, and I think it should be done.

Who will join me?  Will you join me in this great task?  Do you have questions you need answered first?

We can, of course, have more than 5 people.  Technically, we can have as many more as we want, but a Board meeting of 500 could get complicated.  What say you for a “Council of Seven”?  Nine?  Thirteen?

Please comment below.