[Regia-NA] Fwd: [Revlist] Re: insurance, incorporation and common sense actions to protect group and self

[Linda Rice]

Thanks, Folo, for a much needed kick in the pants. ;-p

We've had this very information sitting here in our office waaaay too long. Your friend is
absolutely correct, incorporation is the single best thing a small group can do to protect itself.
Thanks for forwarding this letter.

Pax,
::Linda::


-----Original Message-----
 On Behalf Of Folo Watkins
Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2005 11:18 AM
 Fwd: [Revlist] Re: insurance, incorporation and common sense actions to protect group and self

Once again, from the RevWar List, we are discussing incorporation and 
insurance. The following post just came in and has been reposted here wqith 
the author's permission.

Cheers, Folo

>I belong to several reenactment groups.  Each, for many years now, has 
>been incorporated as a non-profit corporation.  The paperwork is not 
>overly difficult, the yearly reporting is likewise very manageable.
>
>The initial legal expenses were donated by a member or members who 
>happened to be lawyers.  If a group does not have a qualified lawyer as a 
>member, then most Offices of Secretary of State provide very simple forms 
>for the lay person to use for such incorporation, and even simple and 
>uneducated lay persons can navigate the IRS regulations pertaining to 
>non-profit entities.
>
>What is gained is a large measure of "insurance" or safety for not only 
>the organization, but more directly and importantly, for the officers and 
>individual members as against claims made by third parties against the 
>organization.  If the corporation's affairs are conducted properly, this 
>insulation has great value.
>
>And non-profit corporations for reenactors can easily acquire 
>insurance.   I suppose you could charge for your "services" to reimburse 
>the cost of coverage, but in most cases, a bit of dues from members should 
>cover the costs.  And members, from my perspective, should be glad for the 
>opportunity to further (in addition to any protection added by the 
>umbrella of a non-profit corporation) protect themselves, their families, 
>and their collective assets from the potential ravages of third party 
>litigation.  A good policy even covers the costs of a defense, something 
>that is often more troubling and costly than the possibility of a judgment.
>
>I do agree that the issue is troubling, and burdensome.  But if you love 
>reenacting, and wish to continue to enjoy the activities and benefits it 
>provides, it seems to me, at least, that you need to gut up and take 
>action to protect one and all.
>
>It is just that many organizations have acted, some years ago, to 
>anticipate this situation and to try and protect their organization and 
>their members.  I respectfully suggest that others need to consider this 
>course of action, in addition to securing insurance.  Being forewarned and 
>armed with every protection legally permissible, and with insurance as a 
>further insulation, is not a bad approach in this day and age.  And, again 
>with respect, I suggest that anyone who is just now realizing how serious 
>and potentially damaging this situation (lack of legal protection and 
>insurance) is, and can, become, has been less than observant, or at the 
>least, less than reasonably cautious and protective of group, self, and 
>family in what has arguable been a very litigation oriented society for a 
>great many years.
>
>I, for one, intend to keep reenacting.  And to that end, I will associate 
>with others of a like mind and obtain every protection I and we can 
>afford.  To be run out of something I greatly love by others is offensive, 
>but to be run out because of my own (or may group's) negligence, is, I 
>submit, inexcusable.
>
>Take care and be well,
>
>Paul Jones