I had my meeting today with my mentor, long awaited! I am discouraged and encouraged more then ever! I told her one of my feelings were that I am scared. She stated " you SHOULD be scared, this isn't easy". I know it's hard work, but with the new information I received today I feel...a little bummed. She told me, which I should have figured out for myself; the non profit world is just as cut throat and territorial as the for profit world. She encouraged me to keep thinking in a business frame of mind more then anything. It is frustrating because I sincerely just want to help and people won't share with me or even respond to me on their steps, experiences and expertise. I have reached out to a few people and that has been my experience. I know we are probably all going after the same 'pot of money' resources, and demographic, but in the end we are in a similar mission! I don't care I AM going to share my steps and everything along the way. Enough of me venting. I gave my mentor my drafts and she is going to tweek them and get them ready for applying for an incorporation. Which is about $100 or so with the state. It is recommended that you work with an attorney on this. This is one of the first steps of money to the non profit status road. YES! :) Applying for this first then a 5013 C. Why a 5013 C you ask? Well you can get tax exempt, apply for grants, donations can be tax exempt. Just remember if you solicit funds in any other state you must file within that state as well-cross commerce.
My mentor really encouraged me to 'talk to other people besides yourself, MyLy' It was quite funny and true at the same time. I don't know very many people personally with a passion for animal rescues like me. I need to expand my search and find these people!!! Are you one of them?! I need to have people on D.O.G.S team that can run a business, they don't necessary have to be absolutely passionate about the animal rescue world, but passionate about succeeding, about following through on the mission statement and doing what's best for D.O.G.S. I need those types of people on D.O.G.S board. I learn more and more every day and lots from my mentor then I could in any book. My next step is to recruit for more board members. It has been in the back of my mind and unfortunately I have not been concentrating on it enough. I could either make a strategic plan, bylaws, resource development and program planning before I recruit a board or engage the board and do these with them. Either way be prepared. Be prepared to have your vision and plans scrutinized and possibly fired from your own creation. Lots to learn hope this can help, inform, interest you in some way. In between the incorporation and recruiting. I have to check on D.O.G.S name to make sure no one is using it. To do this you can go to the Secretary of State. If you want to be national that's a different story. For now I am going to keep it local. I should also be applying for an EIN (employment identificaion number) with the IRS. Simple you can do it online or call them, google it. Below is a video that is pretty informational about starting a non profit that is just as beneficial as reading almost any book. It's quick and to the point.
Till next time friends!
woof.
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