Sorry Verity...missed your first message.
I was chair for some years of the Historical Commission in yiur neighbring
town of Auburn. There are direct and simple ways for your to  get the
Commission on line and/or an Historical Society.
        Contact me off llist if you'd like further info.
Lois

Lois Brynes
        Deep-Time Associates
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On Fri, 6 Aug 1999, HANNA wrote:

> 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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