Les, As a senior citizen, I've been a member in the past of small organizations (civil and genealogical) who "incorporated" when they first formed. It was for legal protection which if I remembered correctly - was to legally keep their name and a "must do" suggested by attorneys. They also were non-profit organizations. But I've a question. I remember Brian Leverige (sp?) selling this volunteer organization (late 1990s)- which must have been incorporated in order to do this. Now who remembers who purchased this project? And has it transferred more than once? Julia At 03:17 AM 9/25/2007, you wrote: > > Hello WVGenWeb CCs, > > > > I regret having to bring this subject up again but I realize that > > things change over time and individual opinions also change. The > > subject being bitterly contested on USGW-Discuss at the past week or > > so in Incorporation of the USGenWeb Project. A few are insisting > > that it go further and insisting on incorporating the USGenWeb > > Project as a bona fide non profit 501 (c) (3). > > > > What I would like to hear from each of you is your opinions and > > feelings regarding such a move. > > > > I do have my opinion on the subject and I know that at least one > > WVGenWeb CC has seen my postings on Discuss-L. I will gladly share > > my feelings on the subject but would prefer hearing what each of you > > feel first so that my opinion does not influence your feelings or > > opinion on the subject. > > > > Les

At 05:00 AM 9/25/2007, you wrote: >As a senior citizen, I've been a member in the past of small >organizations (civil and genealogical) >who "incorporated" when they first formed. It was for legal >protection which if I remembered >correctly - was to legally keep their name and a "must do" suggested >by attorneys. They also >were non-profit organizations. These can be either non-profit or not-for-profit. Obtaining the 501 (c)(3) status for the non profit should be another step >But I've a question. I remember Brian Leverige (sp?) selling this >volunteer organization (late 1990s)- which >must have been incorporated in order to do this. Now who remembers >who purchased this project? >And has it transferred more than once? Brian Leverich and Karen Issacson created and operated Rootsweb. When their expenses became too great (and they had borrowed many thousands of dollars to meet expenses) and donations were falling far short of that needed to meet the monthly operating expenses, they sold their mom and pop business to Ancestry.com who has since been purchased by IGN. Dr B and Karen provided free space for any USGenWeb Project pages that wanted them. They tried to guarantee that this continue under the agreement that was signed by Ancestry.com at the time of the sale. For IGN the "hosted by Rootsweb" banner does not seem to be enough. The AB is working on trying to reach an acceptable agreement in regard to the banners on pages and if an absolute requirement, then the wording of the banner. We sure do not want it to indicate that we are owned by IGN or Rootsweb, only hosted by them. Our regional AB reps are on this list and maybe they can explain this better than I have. Les