Halloween Party: October 28th...

Pateticus · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:46 am Post subject: Halloween Party: October 28th...

Sorry to bring this onto everyone at such short notice...I've been bery busy running around and haven't had a chance to check all of my message boards...

My very first fundraiser is on October 28th in Medina, Ohio. It would be helpful if as many THC-Ministers were there as possible, with tags and copies of sanctuary certificates ready to hand out.

It's a family-style pot-luck barbecue. BYO-Everything, I'll do my best to provide burgers and hot dogs but everyone is encouraged to bring a dish.

The purpose of the fundraiser is to collect the $375 in legal fees that will be required to file for 501c status with the IRS and to meet and greet me to see what I'm all about.

There will be dancers and drummers there, so all musicians are welcome.

For more information, please check my website: http://members.cox.net/pateticus/

Or drop me an Email: pateticus@cox.net

Brother Pateticus
_________________
Here's to burning one down with god.
Don't forget to look behind you every once in awhile
and always exhale with a grin.

Wink

http://members.cox.net/pateticus/

Lilli · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:04 pm Post subject:

I believe this topic has been brought up before. And if my memory serves me correctly you do not NEED to file 501c status with the IRS.

If you are a ministry you have tax exemption, in my state it is if you have at least 8 memebers. Your state may be differant. I believe this was all hashed out on these boards, Ferre .... anyone do you remember where that thread was?
_________________

I pass to you the torch that Christ once passed to me.
Others are still in the dark and need
the light to see.
"I AM"
"Gathering the fragments so that
none are lost"
His Shepherdess
http://missouri.thcministry.org/

Pateticus

I'm hoping that this becomes as much of a social club as it does a ministry. The 501c status is handy with regards to encouraging larger donations as it provides donors with a better tax return.

Every little bit helps...

Pateticus
_________________
Here's to burning one down with god.
Don't forget to look behind you every once in awhile
and always exhale with a grin.

Wink

http://members.cox.net/pateticus/

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:51 pm Post subject:

I've been involved with, and have helped start, non-traditional churches for almost 25 years. There is absolutely nothing, as of yet, that would persuade me to bother with the IRS nor obtain 501 (c) (3) status.

Churches and Ministries are tax-exempt without it.

501 (c) (3) status means that you agree to certain government standards, obligations and restrictions which cannot advantage you or your ministry at all.

What your church or ministry does, or how it conducts it's affairs are none of the government's business.

Just tossing out my opinion based on personal experience. Your mileage may vary.

Follow Your Bliss,
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~

Lilli · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:52 pm Post subject:

Thank you Ben thats what I was tring to say...
_________________

I pass to you the torch that Christ once passed to me.
Others are still in the dark and need
the light to see.
"I AM"
"Gathering the fragments so that
none are lost"
His Shepherdess
http://missouri.thcministry.org/

Pateticus

It seems kind of strange that I can consider myself a ministry with just the certificates I have from the ULC...

Do you mean to say that all i need is to pay for the recognition from my County?

If you're right in that it can be avoided, I'd like to...but, I'm also trying to weigh it against what's possible with the 501...

The 501c Status is a federal designation, which means it would have to be recognized in all 50 states, which means my ministry would be able to travel around the country and be, in a sense, untouchable no matter what the cannabis laws happen to be in that state.

There's also the benefit of filing the 1099 and making all donations tax deductible--allowing for larger charity functions and larger donations. We would be able to function as a church, a school as well as a social club. And it's the social club that I'm really shooting for since that will involve the most recreational activities--getting people together through the pot without being all about the pot. Allowing us to take in community fairs, art/music festivals and cruises...

There's a lot of celebrities that, I think, would jump onto what the THC-Ministry has to offer with regards to forming Sanctuaries and working as a congregation (read, community) to improve the public image of pot smokers. Filing the 501c shows that we're serious about our willingness to work with people and form a community around what most people think is still a crime. And then there's the tax benefit...

I'm just trying to work all the angles I can, but certainly, I don't want to hold myself back either...

Pateticus
_________________
Here's to burning one down with god.
Don't forget to look behind you every once in awhile
and always exhale with a grin.

Wink

http://members.cox.net/pateticus/

Lilli · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:33 pm Post subject:

Pateticus · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:39 pm Post subject: Like I said...

If not the 501 then what?

Is the county paperwork all I need in order to do what I want to do?

I want to go around the world with this thing....

Pateticus
_________________
Here's to burning one down with god.
Don't forget to look behind you every once in awhile
and always exhale with a grin.

Wink

http://members.cox.net/pateticus/

Lilli · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:42 pm Post subject:

in all respect WE ARE ALL OVER THE WORLD WITH THIS THING. All you need is your ulc ordination and the large sanctuary kit.
_________________

I pass to you the torch that Christ once passed to me.
Others are still in the dark and need
the light to see.
"I AM"
"Gathering the fragments so that
none are lost"
His Shepherdess
http://missouri.thcministry.org/

Lilli · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:48 pm Post subject:

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:49 pm Post subject:

That's the beauty of it! Governments are not in the business of recognizing churches and are, in fact, expressly prohibited from it.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

I doubt that the Jehovah's Witnesses have 501 (c) (3) status or any other such thing, in that it would violate the tenets of their faith. I don't know that for sure...

Any recovering Jehovah's Witnesses here...? Laughing

I've never even seen any state or county requirements, but I've never been to Missouri...

IRS is never required to follow their own rules, anyway. If you battle the IRS, it's always in an IRS court, not a real court.

You've got to follow your own gut on this one, though. If it feels right to you, then do it.

Follow Your Bliss,
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~

Pateticus · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:50 pm Post subject: We're still looking at money...

My intent is to start renting a centralized location somewhere...a public lot or a classroom in a commuity center so that we can start organizing and planning larger functions...

What you're suggesting cuts my initial expenditures in half, but $200 is still a lot when you're making $0...

I'll certainly keep my options open...when you got nothing, you got nothing to lose...

Thanks for the advice.

Pateticus
_________________
Here's to burning one down with god.
Don't forget to look behind you every once in awhile
and always exhale with a grin.

Wink

http://members.cox.net/pateticus/

**Mystic Power**

Pateticus · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:19 pm Post subject: In my county...

In my county it's $125 to file papers for the EIN...which registers the Organization Name...

Pateticus
_________________
Here's to burning one down with god.
Don't forget to look behind you every once in awhile
and always exhale with a grin.

Wink

http://members.cox.net/pateticus/

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: In my county...