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

[John Hedtke <john -at- hedtke -dot- com>]

I agree.  This is good stuff, Lauren.  Thank you!

Yours truly,

John Hedtke

At 10:11 PM 5/21/2008, Ned Bedinger wrote:
>Hi Lauren--
>
>I really appreciate your effort in providing these and your many other
>links, and your analysis, in the course of this discussion. Law isn't
>readily digestible for most of us, but in sharing your 'stuff' you've
>given me at least one major AHA! as well as a more well-rounded
>impression of what is happening, what is at stake in the suit. No more
>muddling and mulling these fog-bound issues for me, I'm feeling very
>clear about them now.
>
>So, without further adieu, please accept this golden shovel and my
>appreciation. Your determined digging into the lawbooks and your
>generous efforts at informing us about the issues is a classic of
>Internet Communicativeness. How good it is to learn this way!
>
>Take good care.
>
>Ned Bedinger
>doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com
>
>
>
>Lauren wrote:
> >> From: Bonnie Granat
> >
> >> So the IEEE can lobby but STC can't?
> >
> > I never really thought of the tax status of STC in this case.
> >
> >>From STC:
> > "STC is recognized as an educational organization as described in Section
> > 501 (c)(3) and Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code."
> >
> >>From the IRS:
> > "Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and
> > legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct. For a detailed
> > discussion, see Political and Lobbying Activities. For more information
> > about lobbying activities by charities, see the article Lobbying 
> Issues; for
> > more information about political activities of charities, see the FY-2002
> > CPE topic Election Year Issues."
> >
> > http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html
> >
> > Here's an IEEE discussion about lobbying,
> > "Another type of United States tax-exempt organization that is closely
> > related to a 501(c)3 tax-exempt category is a 501(c)6 organization. The key
> > difference between 501(c)3 and 501(c)6 organizations is the obligation to
> > serve the public good. 501(c)3 organizations must serve the good of the
> > general public and all of industry. Work that the government does often
> > falls under this category as well. 501(c)6 organizations must provide
> > benefits to all members of an industry, even if the organization is made up
> > of only a portion of that industry. 501(c)6
> > organizations are not obligated to satisfy the needs of the general public
> > through their output."
> >
> > and a letter sent to the IEEE by the IRS,
> > http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/guide/irslobby.html
> >
> > IEEE policy on affiliations and 501(c) requirements,
> > http://www.ieee.org/web/aboutus/whatis/policies/p5-1.html
> >
> > IEEE policy on the status of affiliating with non-501(c) organizations,
> > http://www.ieee.org/web/aboutus/whatis/policies/p9-1.html
> >
> > ---
> >
> > The STC can lobby on behalf of its members; however, how should it lobby in
> > this case?  There is too much controversy, meaning that the law 
> is not clear
> > in this particular case.  Once the vagueness of the law is 
> cleared, then the
> > STC can take a position and lobby.
> >
> > Lauren

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