Alan:
Our club was formed prior to my involvement, but I think it was a fairly simple matter of developing bylaws and registering with the (State) Secrerary of State (and the IRS, I suppose). We are a non-profit corporation formed under IRS 501(c)(7). This has allowed us to obtain insurance and enter into a lease with the entity that controls the State-owned property that we occupy. However, since we're a non-profit and our annual budget is small, there aren't any of those onerous reporting requirements, tax implications, etc.
I happen to know that our bylaws are basically identical to those of hundreds of rural water associations throughout our State that formed (back in the 50's and 60's?) in order to obtain low interest loans for drinking water systems from the Farmers Home Administration. I'm guessing that there are a lot of similar ones in your State as well, so it shouldn't be too hard to obtain some model bylaws. I'll be glad to scan and send ours to you if that would help, but I won't be able to do so before Tuesday. Contact me off-list at:
jv1234_99 <at> yahoo <dot> com
You'll probably need the services of an attorney familiar with the particular laws of your State to make sure you get it right. Surely one of your local catsailors is one or knows one who could help? Maybe he/she would work pro-bono for a few cat rides?
Good luck! I can't think of a more noble undertaking!
Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
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