Verity Castell wrote:
>
> To All,
>    I am currently trying to form an historical society in a town that has
> none.  We also do not have an historical commission or any museums at all. I
> am looking for advice on where to begin, how to get 501c(3) status and how to
> form valuable connections with larger musuems or societies.  Any help will be
> greatly appreciated.
>                    Thanks,
>                       Verity Castell
>                       Spencer, Massachusetts
> PS. Can you get a Board together when you do not yet have 501c status or
> should the one follow the other?
>
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Two sources come to mind:
1. "Starting Right: A Basic Guide to Museum Planning by Gerald George
and Cindy Sherrell-Leo, and
2. "Starting and Running a Nonprofit Organization" by Joan M. Hummel.

I will also recommend that you check Amazon.com, and seek legal advice
of an attorney who specializes in nonprofits. Better yet, get a board
member who can do the work pro bono.

You will need to have bylaws and have them filed with yoiur application
when you incorporate. Have you given consideration as to the size of the
board? The size of the board of the New Historical Society will be
determined by the type of organization you are forming. I suspect you
want to form an organization with a membership base. Typically such
boards range in size and the magic number is 25. You can start forming a
board without having the 501C3 designation. Once you submit the
application, you will provide a list of board members and a description
of structure and systems, how you plan to conduct your business. This is
really very important and having this in place will help you with
securing grants from foundations.

Best of luck,


Hanna
[log in to unmask]

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