Re: Tech Writer Lawsuit; STC position? (take II)

["Gene Kim-Eng" <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>]

I can't think of ANYTHING that the STC has ever done
that could remotely be considered "charitable work."
If the organization is refraining from any activity or
policy decisons about anything based on its desire
to be considered a charitable group for tax purposes,
that would be the thing that pushes me over the line to
letting my membership go for good.

Gene Kim-Eng


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ant -at- ant-davey -dot- com>
> Geoff raises one good point here, which is that taking a stance on this could 
> be considered political lobbying.  A lawyer will never give you a full answer, 
> it would cost too much and 'teach you everything he knew', however there may 
> be other reasons behind this.
>
> Many of you are not yet privy to the content of the proposed STC Articles of 
> Association of and joint agreement between the organisation and its 
> non-US-based Chapters, which it wants to become incorporated bodies, mostly to 
> satisfy the IRS.
>
> One of proposed terms of incorporation is that a Chapter have charitable 
> status, and that it not participate in political lobbying.  Like Geoff I'm a 
> foreigner (and have lived in Canada), so I'm not familiar with the detail of 
> US law, however I suspect that this will be a test case that has the potential 
> to set precedent and change the (interpretation of, at least) US law.  To that 
> extent, having a position could be seen as lobbying, which would affect STC's 
> charitable status.  So not expressing an opinion is merely compliance with a 
> law that the STC is subject to either under New York or US Federal law.  But 
> like I said, I'm only guessing.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.