First, I am not opposed to the calendar, but I think this nude illusion in particular is a bit in bad taste. There are a few, classier angles to approach it from I think. Second, I'm also not opposed to the INPCRP raising money for various projects, and actually think it's a good idea. However, we do not have any legal tax status and would have to pay taxes on anything we raised. I have discussed this with a couple of people and our options if we want to raise funds are to get our own 501c(3) tax status which could take a year or more (it has taken that long for some other non-profit's, it could be less), or find a historical society or other existing non-profit to take us under their umbrella for the purpose of raising money only. I'm open to suggestions. Brad -----Original Message----- From: Rhonda Stoffer [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 7:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [INPCRP] A novel way to raise money for a cemetery Got this from a National Genealogy Society newsletter. Any one want to do a calendar for INPCRP? Oakwood Cemetery Fundraiser is All an Illusion Posing with a Civil War saber beside the grave of Gen. George Thomas, the only Union general in the Civil War never to lose a battle, retired Army Col. Charles Johnson, 72, appears to be wearing nothing but his Army boots, a World War II helmet and a Vietnam-era backpack. The photo of Johnson, vice president of the Oakwood Cemetery board of trustees, plus photographs of other "seemingly n*ked" board members and prominent residents of the community were used to create an inventive fundraiser. Founded in 1848, the Oakwood Cemetery covers more than 600 acres of protected land overlooking the city of Troy in upstate New York. It is one of the largest rural cemeteries in America and contains four man-made lakes, extensive lawns, two residential structures, two chapels, twenty-four mausoleums, and monuments and statuary for nearly 60,000 gravesites, with over half the gravesites filled in the 19th century. Although the historical value of the Oakwood Cemetery is tremendous, so are the maintenance bills. To help raise funds for repairs, the Oakwood Cemetery board of trustees decided to take a few risks and produce the "Cemetery Illusions Calendar 2005." Selling for $14.95 the calendar is carefully designed to create a dignified illusion of n*de models taking part in tea parties and other activities among the tombstones and cemetery structures. But it's all an illusion. "They look n*ked, but they were told to put on Speedo bathing suits," said Terry Page, president of the Oakwood Cemetery board of trustees. "That's why it's called 'Cemetery Illusions.' " To view a slide show and/or narrated video clip showing several scenes from the calendar and discussing its purpose, visit http://www.nbc10.com/news/3767302/detail.html "Cemetery Illusions Calendar 2005 is available on the Internet at http://www.oakwoodcemetery.org/calendar.htm To learn more about Oakwood Cemetery's history, the many things that can be learned by visiting it, and the need to protect and preserve it for all time, read "Listening to Oakwood" at http://members.aol.com/oakwoodcem/nielser.htm Contributed by Carla Ridenour, [email protected] Note: An * replaces specific letters in this article so that UpFront won't be nabbed by junk mail filters. Rhonda Stoffer Head of Indiana History and Genealogy Services Marion Public Library ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== To UNSUBSCRIBE, send message consisting only of "UNSUBSCRIBE" to [email protected] or to [email protected] (for DIGEST version)

However, we do not have any > legal tax status and would have to pay taxes on anything we raised. I have > discussed this with a couple of people and our options if we want to raise > funds are to get our own 501c(3) tax status which could take a year or > more > (it has taken that long for some other non-profit's, it could be less), or > find a historical society or other existing non-profit to take us under > their umbrella for the purpose of raising money only. Being a treasurer for a state-wide 501c(3) organization, I can tell you that exacting records need to be kept. There also needs to be a formal, structured board of directors, etc. Even another organization would require that there be at least a formal committee to run INPCRP. Raising money to pay for the supplies used would be great. But the one thing that has made INPCRP work so far, it that it is a loose group of people with no formal structure. Each individual is able to join in for what time, or experiences, they want. And if someone wants to drop out, there are no consequences. While structure has its place, I would hate to see the good feelings and volunteerism of this group be dropped because of having to have officers and other formal goings-on. I wonder if any of the $40,000 that the man will have to pay for vandalizing the Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin will be used to reimburse those of you who supplied the materials to fix the stones? Maybe if we continue to volunteer our labor, but bill the city or county or whomever for the materials, then more judges would fine offenders. Sharon Howell