A Tangible To-Do List

1. Develop a mission statement (for the collective and for our first project) What is our goal? What is our purpose? What are our values? What's important to us? What do we want to do?

2. Create a shortlist for our Board of Directors

What to look for in a board member: Look for individuals whose values reflect your statement of purpose. Although it is recommended that the majority of your board be consumers, include the community at large, not just your specific community of focus (e.g. the mental health community). Consider the religious community, local service clubs, legal professionals, and colleges and universities as sources for a prospective Board of Directors. Do not overload people who already serve on many committees – seek a balance between old and new leadership.

Also..: "Minimum number of directors required for a Texas nonprofit organization is three(3). However if the organization has vested the management of the organization with members and not directors, the organization may choose not to have any director."

So, I guess, also, figure out if we have to have a Board and what he definitions of Director and Secretary is.

2. Develop drafts of Articles of Organization and Bylaws. (not as scary as they sound). Samples below.

By-Laws Sample

Articles of Organization Sample

3. Develop a budget- for this first project and brainstorm for the longterm (Don't get overwhelmed, just worry about what we know)

4. Get some advice from someone who's done this before (!) That should probably be number 1, actually....

5. Figure out how to get a logo/tagline designed. Grampa?

6. Ask Geoffrey about NPO Accounting (Seth, probably we do this together?)

THEN start on the paper work

This sounds important. Figure it out. :

The organization needs to open a bank account and decide whether to use the accrual or cash method of accounting. The difference between the two types of accounting is when revenues and expenses are recorded. In cash basis accounting, revenues are recorded when cash is actually received and expenses are recorded when they are actually paid (no matter when they were actually invoiced). In accrual basis accounting, income is reported in the fiscal period it is earned, regardless of when it is received, and expenses are deducted in the fiscal period they are incurred, whether they are paid or not.