Any One Out There Started A Non-profit?

[kirin]

Hey guys,
Just curious as to if anyone out there has started a non-profit organization or is involved with one. If there is please contact me at your earliest convenience. I have a few questions....

[G-dog]

Sometimes I think my business is non-profit..............  

[kirin]

I got told that joke earlier...

Seriously though anyone out there?

[James Buchan]

I have a vague memory of a non-profit needed stakeholders, as in a Pres, Vice-Pres, Treasurer etc... I think 4 members all together. I also remember that you need a registered bank account and a GST number (not 100% but seems familar) I would think your local BBB or city commerce centre would have more info.

[kirin]

That seems right... Anyways I will let you guys all know whats up my sleeve.

Currently one of my co-workers and I believe there is a serious void for kids/teens and activities for them to do. We both feel like that the current rec center structure is most definetly lacking. And that leaves a lot of kids/teens wandering the streets acting up to no good. In certain small suburbs there are really any proper hang outs. Therefore we are proposing and compiling a play for a Youth style recreation place/ lounge. Somewhere, where kids can be safe, have some fun and not be on the streets wandering around late at night doing god knows what.....

Anyways I got some googling to do and I got to write up a proposal.

[James Buchan]

I remember in the 80's there was a place in Langley that was a teen hangout and was about a safe place and all that jazz - man were there ever alot of fights/drinking there!

[Mowser]

I was remembering the same sort of thing back in Alberta.  Same end result and that was before all the crap kids are getting into now.  Best of luck Kiki it'll be a SERIOUS UNDERTAKING and with alot of criticism from groups from all walks of life.  

[Stephan Schmidt]

There was a place like this near bonsor recreation centre here in burnaby near metrotown.  It became a hangout with a lot of fighting, drinking, and a few deaths as well.  

In order for this to work, there would need to be a lot of control and some sort of program.  With that being said, not many teenagers with a free friday night will not want to go and participate in a program or event.  They'd rather go drinking and get their girls pregnant before marriage.  The problem lies with the older generation who steeped away from family traditions and became poor examples.  Now people abuse the justice programs and legallities of a free country.

As a person who has tired to take on a hobby and make some extra $$ on the side by working hard and trying not to get involved with these things, I can tell you that its not easy as the pressure to become the \"tough guy\" is all too easy.  

This world needs God.  

Stephan

[silas]

This world needs God. 

ya, he'll save the kids for sure. :wacko:  

[moni]

uh, Kiki, you might be biting off more than you can chew here. registering a non-profit is big-time onerous. if you're taking this on, it'd better be more than you and your coworker who support this idea, otherwise you're just going to be wasting your time.

sorry to be the wet blanket, but in my line of work i've seen tons of people who decided they were going to save the world. all of them have failed to date. the vast majority couldn't even fill out the paperwork you're asking about....

that being said, who am i to stand in the way of the inspiration of youth?

there are two ways to register a non-profit: through Industry Canada or the Corporate Registry in Victoria. the provincial information seems a lot more useful:

http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/registries/corppg...crsocieties.htm

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/in...h_cs02145e.html

also keep in mind non-profits are not always charities. charities will need to make a separate application through the Charities Directorate of Canada Revenue Agency: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/charities/menu-e.html

you're going to need government support throughout this process. i highly suggest you contact two main government resources that will point you directly where you need to go. tell them what you plan to do and say you're asking for information. it's all free.

- Federal government: 1-800-O-CANADA (622-6232)
- provincial government: Enquiry B.C., 604-660-2421

good luck. you're going to need it.

simone
 

[kirin]

Thanks for all the points guys.

I know its going to be a major uphill battle. Pretty much were going to write out a plan and see how feasible it exactly is. We have a few more people on board. Its going to be complex and challenging like everyones said. My co-worker is rather dedicated to it do to some circumstances as of late. Both of us feel that life is too short and precious to not do anything. It can be up at any moment as is evident as a friend of hers passing away last week at the age of 26 due to a stroke.

The idea for this is to occur in Poco so if anybody that reads this further and has some insight or something just pmail me.

Yes the kids need help....

[Stephan Schmidt]

This world needs God.

[silas]

This world needs God.

[Stephan Schmidt]

This world needs God.

[James Buchan]

There is no god - deal with it.

[egspot]

There is no god - deal with it.

What can I say?
I am not going to touch the spiritual issues as this is not the place.

However, I do have perspectives to share for example:

In a perfect world a member of the family would be able to work hard and make a decent living and the other member would be able to keep close to the children and actually raise them.

In a perfect world we won't need a day care subsidy.

In a perfect world both Mom and Dad would not spend their time apart from the children and each other chasing the buck.

In a perfect world the statistics of failed marriages would be negligible not only for first time but also for second marriages.

Ooops! We do not have a perfect world.

Aside from the legalities and finances of creating such an institution (which are basically the same as stating a corporation under a Charter.)

The hardest part of running such an institution is that Groups dynamics will take place as in any other institution. Churches, Gangs, business, Juries, terrorist organizations, and even Youth clubs have very similar micro and macro dynamics. The worst of the problem is that they must have leadership and in youth clubs that would mean adult leadership which raise the good and bad possibilities of having an adult in a position of power over the youth groups. We all have heard of abuse of power by teachers, priests, scout masters, and so on. I am very sure all the listed institutions have very good screening for such leadership.

That being said, if you have the dreams of making it happen, you and your co-workers may just be the type of people to do things different. Re-invent the wheel and set a new standard for such type of organization. Your group could be the group to make a difference in others lives and they may be better off because of it and for what is worth I believe that any time someone else is better of because you were part of their lives you validate your own existence and the personal rewards go beyond anything material that you may be able to quantify. Good luck.

[Shane]

What Time is God getting here? I want to make sure I have a pot of coffee on so we can discuss all he has missed.
 

[Matt]

What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.

[kirin]

Or free hugs....

[KOOL-AID MAN]

This topic has nothing to do with \"god\"..... why bring him into this???

[Chris]

In a perfect world the statistics of failed marriages would be negligible not only for first time but also for second marriages.

 

Ok now im confused?

[HeliMike]

This world needs God.  

 

I'd really like to see you back up that argument with some concrete facts like:

When was the last time ANYBODY besides a storybook has seen \"HIM\"?

When was the last time you have talked to \"HIM\"... SERIOUSLY not just in your brainwashed little mind. That \"appearance\" on the side of the tastee-freez in 199-something in  butt-fuck-nowhere-North Carolina doesn't count. I know that plane ticket cost you a lot of money but really it wasn't him!

How much money have you given to \"HIM\"? no wait I mean that \"non-profit\" church you go to.  

Did you happen to watch Jimmy and Tammy-Fay as a child?


Stephan, fuck off. This ain't the place to preach your bullshit unproven religion.



In a perfect world there is no \"God\". There is only people that know how to think and fend for themselves and not follow shitty cults (sorry - religions) like lemmings.

Are we still in the stone ages here?


Get some nuts and take it to the cage match so I can roast you alive.

Or we can do it here Ned Flanders. Your call.

I'll be waiting



My rant is over.... phew

[Stephan Schmidt]

I have no need to go to the \"cage match\"

This is my belief and I'm just stating what I feel that world needs.

I have never been to north carolina and have never watched Jimmy and Tammy-Fay as a child.  

Stephan
 

[Mowser]

What gutterslug is trying to convey is this isn't the place for a debate on religion Stephan.  If you would like to debate it then YES \"the cage\" is the correct place.  If not then drop it.  Think of this like a Club.... no politics and no religion.  This world needs alot of things.  More people willing to do what Kirin is thinking of is one of them.  I wish him luck but fear that they are biting more off than they realize.  

[HeliMike]

I know everyone is entitled to their opinion. Everyone here knows I've made an ass of myself several times but jesus fucking christ man... (OH MY DID I JUST SAY THAT??) Shut up.
Take it to the people that want to hear your verbal diahrrea.

http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Maybe you and Kirk can be good bud's.



And for the record everyone... when I made fun of \"stefan\" last week (or so) I was making fun of this little douche-bag not Feeg.

Hey Stephanie.. when ya die you're worm food! Deal with it!


And thanks Todd, that's exactly what I was talking about... Maybe Jay could go ahead and move this part of the thread that wasn't part of Kirin's over to the match. PLEASE!!!!!!
Sorry Kirin... didn't mean to jack ya.  

[egspot]

In a perfect world the statistics of failed marriages would be negligible not only for first time but also for second marriages.

 

Ok now im confused?

OK, So I didn't make it clear.

[Matt]

Not to me it didn't.


however I enjoy reading the ramblings of the fanatical religious nutbar!! If god is the answer to all the worlds problems, where the fuck was she when the problems were created??

[red snapper]

Not to me it didn't.


however I enjoy reading the ramblings of the fanatical religious nutbar!! If god is the answer to all the worlds problems, where the fuck was she when the problems were created??

I thought god was a He not a She.  

[silas]

This world needs God.

[silas]

Currently one of my co-workers and I believe there is a serious void for kids/teens and activities for them to do. We both feel like that the current rec center structure is most definetly lacking. And that leaves a lot of kids/teens wandering the streets acting up to no good. In certain small suburbs there are really any proper hang outs. Therefore we are proposing and compiling a play for a Youth style recreation place/ lounge. Somewhere, where kids can be safe, have some fun and not be on the streets wandering around late at night doing god knows what.....

Anyways I got some googling to do and I got to write up a proposal.

kirin, i dont know anything about non-profit oraganisations, so i cant help you there.

as for kid/teen activities and a place to hang out, i say go for it. it will be alot of work, and it will take alot of time and be very stressfull, but if you can drag one kid away from his/her nintendo wii/xbox/computer/tv or drag one kid off the sidewalk in front of 7-11, i'd say that that is the start of something successfull.

as for activities, some i mention you may have thought of allready, but i'll rhyme them off anyway....foosball, floor hockey (or other sports like basketball, baseball, voleyball, footballl, etc), intelectual movie viewing night, pool, cards (preferably not the gambling games), improv skits....

organizing something for charity or to benefit those less fortunate may not sound exciting to some kids, but if you can some how show them the rewards of helping others...they could learn alot.

organized outdoor adventures. bungy jumping, horseback riding, mountain biking, white-water rafting, car shows, museum tours, science world exibits, hockey games, football games, mission raceway...

maybe a way to get make some $$$ to do this stuff would be to organize a car wash (or something of the like) to make some money and then use that money to take the kids out to see something special (see above).

another thought is to get some guest/motivational speakers. it might be a stretch, but someone that the kids look up to. hockey players (giants or canucks), football players, people who own their own business or manage a large business...

this probably sounds crazy, but if you really want to make an impression, take them down to main & hastings and show them what it's like. there is a way to stay out of that mess, or if you somehow find yourself there in the future, let them know that there is help available and it is possible to get out.

again, everything i have mentioned is just off the top of my head and they are all just ideas. some would be easier to accomplish than others, but it's a good way to brain storm.

good luck.