[Regia-NA] Incorporating?

[Jack Garrett]

I incorporated about five years ago to start a software/consulting
business - in California.  We went through an attorney and the process
wasn't too long or difficult, but it did cost about $2,000.  Of course,
this was a full Class C corporation.  We chose that form because it
provides the greatest protection for the officers, separating the
company from the individuals from a financial and liability
perspective.  I couldn't tell you how different that would be from
forming a non-profit corporation (ours is SUPPOSED to be for profit.)

We've just gone through incorporating in Delaware with another partner,
purportedly for Delaware's tax benefits.  To make a long story short,
I'll take California any day.  We got an $86,000 tax bill from Delaware
- this for a corporation that had just been formed and hadn't generated
a cent in revenue (and still hasn't).  Too many intermediaries, too long
to get things straightened out.  The other option was Nevada.  Again,
I'll take bureaucratic, occasionally business unfriendly California.  I
can DRIVE to Sacramento if I have to.

I agree that the self-help books are the best way to go.  Setting up a
non-profit shouldn't be too difficult, given the assumption that there
may not be a lot of money involved.  (Words to be eaten later, no
doubt.)  I've got our Articles of Incorporation, again, for a Class C
corporation, should that help.

Assuming that you want to do live steel combat, Osweald, insurance is a
near-necessity (personal, not well-informed opinion.)  But ... why don't
you make this a second step, since just forming the non-profit
corporation opens up some nice avenues of recognition and an aura of
professionalism when you need to get a hall or park?  Our friends from
the Empire and Chivalry and Steel would be a good information source,
since they have already researched and acquired insurance - in the US.

Hope that helps.  I can't volunteer to lead the effort, but I'll help as
much as I can.

Ottar/Jack

Douglas Sunlin wrote:

>
>
> The SCA is hardly our enemy; a better term might be rival. Regia and
> the SCA go about things in an entirely different manner; the SCA
> really doesn't do living history/re-enactment as a general thing. If
> are are suggesting we become a subgroup of the SCA, then I really
> doubt that would be in the best interest of Regia Anglorum. I know
> there are other Scadian groups that have incorporated separately. In
> the final analysis, incorporation is like making chainmail, the
> process is simple but tedious. ;)
>
> <><><> <><><> <><><>On manręden,
> Osweald of Baldurstrand
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/California_Viking_Age
> http://www.geocities.com/baldurstrand/
> >From: Ealdric Frog_Hollow
> >Reply-To: list-regia-na@lig.net
> >To: list-regia-na@lig.net
> >Subject: Re: [Regia-NA] Incorporating?
> >Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2002 23:01:31 -0400
> >
> >I realize some may consider them the enemy, but you should talk to
> >the SCA. Yes, they are bigger and richer, but they have been doing
> >this for a while. Perhaps the best bet would be some of their groups
> >who have incorporated separately. Also, they claim to be willing to
> >help other groups get going. Some of you may know (or be) former
> >Board members or other knowledgeable folk.
> >-Just an opinion.
> >
> >
> >At 05:42 PM 6/27/2002, you wrote:
> >
> >> >I just shot Jeff from the Red Company - 1471 (aka Historic
> >>Enterprises)
> >>
> >>Well, see this is why you might need insurance. ;D
> >>
> >>Seriously, In California, all I know is that if you request to
> >>reserve space in a county park, you get a price break if you are
> >>non-profit, and unless you want to keep your hacking and slashing a
> >>secret from the rangers (good luck), you need insurance.
> >>
> >>Thanks for the input you guys. I'm glad I could provoke a
> >>discussion.
> >>
> >>
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> >
> >Ealdric of Frog Hollow
> >"If the stars should appear but one night in a thousand years,...."
> >
> >Ealdric of Frog Hollow ealdric@bellsouth.net
>
>
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