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Business Matters Jerry Sigler & Brenda Herman June 2, 2007
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Club Operations Articles of Association and Bylaws Tax-exempt Status Insurance Considerations Sales Tax Exemptions Raffles Sponsorships Logos
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Club Operations Operating Funds Used to cover communications, events and other activities that engage alumni Should be held in separate checking account – never co-mingled with an officer’s individual funds Consider requiring two signors for larger amounts Scholarship Funds Generally held at U-M – to maximize earnings and minimize risk Should not use AAUM annual funding to club for scholarships. Club funding is to underwrite alumni engagement activities
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Club Operations Reporting Expectation is that club board meets regularly, i.e., a minimum of four meetings per year Annual budget approved by board Treasurer’s report (in writing) at every meeting Minutes prepared for every meeting
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Articles of Association and Bylaws Articles of Association – the instrument under which the club is organized Bylaws – the regulations that provide the basic rules for the conduct of the club’s business and affairs
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Why have bylaws? Conveys to volunteers what their responsibilities are and the length of their terms Legitimizes that volunteers are working in an official capacity for the club Provides clubs with a road map for conducting business
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Model Articles of Association and Bylaws How we developed them Used existing club bylaws Input from Clubs Council Input from Regional Relations staff
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Where do we start? Form a committee to review the model articles of association and bylaws and prepare a draft document Clubs that have a separate 501c3 status should have them reviewed by someone knowledgeable about their state’s laws, rules and regulations governing non-profit organizations Consult with AAUM staff Submit proposed articles and bylaws to the club’s board for a vote of approval Review on a regular basis and amend as necessary
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Tax-exempt Status Recognized clubs benefit from AAUM’s tax- exempt status, but are not themselves 501(c)(3) – cannot separately accept tax deductible contributions Discourage clubs from applying for separate tax- exempt status (some have been turned down; if approved, record-keeping and reporting is onerous and some have lost exempt status due to failure to submit reports) Cannot participate in or contribute to political campaign activities or attempt to influence the outcome of an election
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Insurance Considerations-Events U-M’s insurance extends to official activities of AAUM’s recognized clubs Events requiring “proof of insurance” – contact Regional Relations staff, allow sufficient time for U-M Risk Management to review contract Co-sponsored events – depends on documented level of U-M club’s involvement Get participants to sign Liability Waiver for strenuous or risky activities
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Insurance Considerations-Individuals Coverage for club officers and directors, while acting within the scope of their duties (bylaws should define officer’s roles) Alumni volunteers are covered—but only to extent it is clear they are acting within the scope of their duties, so board minutes or other documents should define expectations Does not cover losses from bank accounts not controlled by U-M (e.g., club checking accounts or separate scholarship accounts)
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Sales Tax Exemption Sales tax exemptions varies from state to state Many (like Michigan) accept proof of Association’s Federal tax-exempt status…but others (like California, Florida and New York) do not Do not assume – verify with a local expert
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Raffles Persons purchasing a raffle ticket must not be led to believe that the cost is tax- deductible. To the contrary, the purchaser has received something of value in return-- the opportunity to win a prize (regardless of whether he/she actually wins.) Thus, the cost of the ticket is not tax-deductible. Postal regulations prohibit the sale and delivery of raffle tickets via US Mail. State of Michigan requires a license for each raffle, there are specific requirements and the state is very strict about compliance
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Raffles continued Clubs must maintain detailed financial records of all activity and submit a financial report at the end of the raffle. An unauthorized or improperly administered raffle could affect the ability of other U of M clubs (or even the Alumni Association) to obtain a license in the future, so please contact the Alumni Association prior to preparing to conduct a raffle. Outside of Michigan—please a consult with local expert
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Sponsorship Specify in writing what the benefits are to the sponsor, i.e., mention on club’s website, an information table at the event, an opportunity to give a commercial pitch at the event, etc. Specify in writing what the costs are to the sponsor Cannot give sponsors alumni contact information
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Sponsorship continued Prohibited from securing sponsorships from the following companies that have exclusive partnerships with the Alumni Association Bank/financial institutions (currently La Salle Bank) Credit card/affinity card (Bank of America) Insurance (Liberty Mutual, American Insurance Administrators) Moving/relocation company (Stevens Worldwide) Check with Dave Schuler, AAUM Advertising and Sponsorship Manager, at 734.763.9754
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Use of UM and AAUM logos Clubs can use the Block M and U-M seal, logo and name on their Web sites, in listserv messages and on club fliers Printing of these items on merchandise for sale or distribution is strictly prohibited If you have questions or would like additional information, visit the University Identity Guidelines Web site at http://www.logos.umich.edu/about/quickref.html
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Use of UM and AAUM logos continued Alumni Association logos and images are available on the Club Leader Web site at http://umclubs.com/clubleaders/index.php?p age=club-graphics http://umclubs.com/clubleaders/index.php?p age=club-graphics These cannot be used on club merchandise, but can be used on club business cards, event programs, event signage, club Web site and on club listserv
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