LGVMA's GOOD NEWS!
originally printed in January 1999 issue

LGVMA Growing by Leaps & Bounds

On December 13, 1998, the papers were signed for incorporation within the District of Columbia, the first step in making the LGVMA a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. While this date probably will never compare to the Fourth of July, it is an important step in the evolution of LGVMA.

As you all may remember, part of the process was to have an official election of the Board of Directors, which we accomplished through a mail-in ballot. Of the 207 ballots mailed out, we received a total of 44 ballots returned, a "voter turn-out" of 21%. While it may have seemed a little silly to have an election for a Board which was operating and running unopposed, our lawyer informed us it was a necessary legal step for incorporation.

We are being represented by Greg Johnson, J.D., a Washington DC attorney who our local Board members have known for many years. Greg has agreed to donate his services (which would normally cost us $600-800) in exchange for a donation of $500 to his favorite charity, PETS—Washington DC. PETS—DC is a nationally- recognized non-profit organization which helps people with HIV/AIDS in caring for their pets. We want to thank Greg for his guidance and generosity of spirit.

At press time, Greg was scheduled to file the paperwork during the third week in December and said we would receive the tax exempt status probably within 8-12 weeks of application. We will update everyone on this process in our next newsletter in April 1999.

Update & Correction: In the last issue of the newsletter, we reported that the “appropriate members of our Board of Directors signed the paperwork to file the LGVMA as a non-profit organization, making all donations above and beyond membership dues tax-deductible.” Actually, the paperwork which was signed and filed was to incorporate the LGVMA as a tax-exempt organization within the District of Columbia, the first step in becoming a non-profit organization under federal law.

We are currently in the process of filing the paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service to finalize our status as a non-profit corporation. If they approve our application, donations may be tax-deductible. Based on their ruling, that deductibility may begin on the date they make their ruling or it may be retroactive to December of 1998, when we filed for tax-exempt status in DC. As things progress — and of course when we have the final ruling — we will update everyone in the LGVMA’s Good News! and on the website. Please contact us with any questions.