[QCWA] Fw: QCWA Digest, Vol 25, Issue 21

[Gary Harrison]

At 04:48 PM 5/27/2006 -0700, W7VU wrote:
>Hi Rik
>
>Thanks for the insight on incorporating. I am in the process of trying to form
>a QCWA Chapter on the southern coast of Oregon, because it is a 7-hour
>round trip to our nearest chapter on the Oregon north coast. That's a long
>drive and a big expense just to have lunch.
>
>I did not know that we would have to incorporate.   I was planning to have
>a no-dues, no-bylaws, just-have-fun luncheon once a month for QCWA
>members and their spouses.
>
>I understand  that QCWA requires a President, a Treasurer and a total of
>five members to form a chapter. Also that record keeping and an annual
>report to the QCWAis required.
>
>I guess we will have to do it informally. I know our local club and our 
>repeater
>association is incorporated, but I want to avoid "big brothers" paperwork.
>
>Any other advice that you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Please reply directly to:
>w7vu at arrl.net
>
>Thanks, once again.
>
>Ron W7VU
>Myrtle Point, OR

Hi Ron,

I don't know of any requirement from QCWA or the local state (Missouri 
here) to incorporate.  I would think the only reason to do that would be to 
allow tax deductions on donations.  Our chapter (180) is WAY too small for 
that kind of worries.  I would expect to hear from other chapters that may 
be doing it either way.  A very informal arrangement works for us here in 
the Ozarks!  The requirement from QCWA is to get current listing, reporting 
and contact info back to HQ.  The listing/contact info allows publication 
for new members to know who to talk to about joining your chapter.  If HQ 
doesn't hear from your chapter at least once a year, there is no way to 
know if you are still functioning.  That requires a simple form to be 
filled out and returned to HQ around the end of the year.  Hopefully, not 
much trouble for anyone to keep up.  HQ will provide you with generic 
information that can be used to do the organizing of your chapter.  After 
all, anything you use to create the chapter can be changed at your 
desire.  That includes any Constitution or By-laws you may need at some time.

We really like the informal arrangement here and meetings are generally a 
social gathering.  Not many local members like the business end of our 
chapter.  I am a member of several chapters (QCWA President 1998-2002) both 
as a courtesy member and a dues paying member.  I can say from the many 
chapter meetings I have attended during my time on the QCWA Board of 
Directors that each chapter finds something that works for them with little 
difficulty.  You never know what requirements may come up from time to time 
because of our law-makers, but I would hate to see paperwork keep a good 
group down!  Sounds like Texas woke up in another world.


73,
Gary Harrison, K0BC