Girardville PRIDE seeks not-for-profit tax status
BY JOHN E. USALIS Times Shamrock
Writer
02/13/2006
GIRARDVILLE - Members of Girardville PRIDE discussed
the status of the not-for-profit application and candidates for officers
for the board of directors during its meeting.
PRIDE President James R. Kilker, a local attorney, has
been working on the application to the Internal Revenue Service to
obtain the 501(c)3 status as a charitable organization and hopes to
have the paperwork submitted within two months and the status approved,
depending on how quickly the IRS processes the application.
Kilker has been reviewing the application with attorney
Keith J. Strouse, Ashland, explaining that Strouse has specific expertise
in preparing and filing not-for-profit applications. Strouse recently
obtained a 501(c)3 status for Ashland Downtown Inc., which helps the
organization in that it allows donations to be tax deductible to the
maximum allowed by law, hopefully promoting additional financial support.
"The last time I did a similar application was
about 20 years ago, and then it was only four pages," said Kilker.
"Now, it's 28 pages, plus attachments. It's like a little book
when you're finished. We want to make sure that we do it correctly."
In order to complete the IRS application, board members
must supply some personal information, which Kilker said is routine.
The type of information would involve being related to any other board
members and any connections with businesses and other groups that
would work with or donate to PRIDE.
Kilker opened the floor for nominations for officers
and directors, noting that he would not accept another term at this
time.
"I am now going to be part of the St. Joseph Church
(Girardville) council, and I see myself being involved in an awful
lot of litigation during the next few court terms," said Kilker.
"I would be greatly relieved not to be the president for some
time."
Kilker said he hopes to continue as an active board
member. The terms for the officers and directors are two years, with
half of the directors elected each year. The election will take place
at the February meeting, with installation in the March meeting.
Nominated for president was Joseph Quinn, who is a borough
councilman and charter board member. Other nominations were Heath
Ressler for vice president and Terri Paige for treasurer, each of
whom currently serve in the position. Nominations for directors were
tabled until the next meeting.
In other business, the board approved placing a sponsorship
advertisement in the program booklet for the third annual Girardville
St. Patrick's Day Parade, which is scheduled for noon March 18. Discussion
also included the creation of a float for the parade and various fund-raising
items and events in conjunction with the popular community event.
The board also approved changing the fiscal year to
the calendar year. Since the organization has recently been incorporated,
a filing will be made to officially change the organization's name
to Girardville PRIDE Inc.
The board received a report from Upper Schuylkill Downtowns
Director Patrice K. Rader about the regional tourism initiative during
the Labor Day Weekend, with the core heritage event being the ABA/Mummers
Parade in Ashland.
She said the six Upper Schuylkill boroughs - Ashland,
Frackville, Girardville, Mahanoy City, Ringtown and Shenandoah - will
participate in the parade and conduct their own heritage events and
activities in their communities.
© The REPUBLICAN & Herald
2007
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