From jim at sixfeetup.com Thu Jan 31 21:38:01 2013 From: jim at sixfeetup.com (Jim Bartek) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:38:01 -0500 (EST) Subject: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money In-Reply-To: <1296282532.8579.1359664637124.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Message-ID: <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Hi Everyone, I am new to helping out the Indianapolis Python User Group, IndyPy. We are doing a special event and we need to actually get some sponsors for this one. Does the Python Foundation or any group allow you to collect and store sponsor dollars there? Or do most people just collect the money into their personal or business account and run it that way? I am guessing most groups are not legal entities? Thanks is advance. Best, Jim Bartek -- Six Feet Up, Inc. | Where sophisticated web projects thrive Direct Line: +1 (317) 861-5948 x609 Mobile: +1 (317) 292-6301 Email: jim at sixfeetup.com Try Plone 4 Today at: http://plone4demo.com From sean at seanoc.com Thu Jan 31 21:46:32 2013 From: sean at seanoc.com (Sean O'Connor) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:46:32 -0500 Subject: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money In-Reply-To: <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> References: <1296282532.8579.1359664637124.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Message-ID: For DjangoNYC I've always handled money through the LLC I have setup for consulting work. That being said I almost always try to push sponsors to do service-in-kind instead of cash sponsorships (e.g. they buy pizza for the group instead of giving me cash to buy pizza) and in the cases we have done cash it's always been < $500. The main things to be careful of with running money through your own accounts are: - collections - make sure that you trust the companies if they are not paying in advance of your event. - taxes - depending on where you are, the quantities involved, and how exactly things are handled the sponsorship money could look like income to the IRS. Depending on your knowledge of such things, you might want to talk to an accountant to make sure you do things right. ____________________________ Sean O'Connor http://seanoc.com On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 3:38 PM, Jim Bartek wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I am new to helping out the Indianapolis Python User Group, IndyPy. > > We are doing a special event and we need to actually get some sponsors for > this one. Does the Python Foundation or any group allow you to collect and > store sponsor dollars there? Or do most people just collect the money into > their personal or business account and run it that way? I am guessing most > groups are not legal entities? > > Thanks is advance. > > > Best, > > > Jim Bartek > > -- > Six Feet Up, Inc. | Where sophisticated web projects thrive > Direct Line: +1 (317) 861-5948 x609 > Mobile: +1 (317) 292-6301 > Email: jim at sixfeetup.com > Try Plone 4 Today at: http://plone4demo.com > > _______________________________________________ > Group-Organizers mailing list > Group-Organizers at python.org > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/group-organizers > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From michelle at pdxpython.org Thu Jan 31 21:49:48 2013 From: michelle at pdxpython.org (Michelle Rowley) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:49:48 -0800 Subject: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money In-Reply-To: <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> References: <1296282532.8579.1359664637124.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Message-ID: Jim, There has been an ongoing process of trying to sort something like that out with the PSF. I know Boston Python has it set up, but Portland Python hasn't been able to work it out, yet. What we end up doing in Portland is having sponsors pay directly for things like food, beverages, giveaway prizes, etc. I have on a rare occasion taken money personally, but only from someone I knew personally who happened to want to sponsor an event. Let us know how you fare, Michelle On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 12:38 PM, Jim Bartek wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I am new to helping out the Indianapolis Python User Group, IndyPy. > > We are doing a special event and we need to actually get some sponsors for this one. Does the Python Foundation or any group allow you to collect and store sponsor dollars there? Or do most people just collect the money into their personal or business account and run it that way? I am guessing most groups are not legal entities? > > Thanks is advance. > > > Best, > > > Jim Bartek > > -- > Six Feet Up, Inc. | Where sophisticated web projects thrive > Direct Line: +1 (317) 861-5948 x609 > Mobile: +1 (317) 292-6301 > Email: jim at sixfeetup.com > Try Plone 4 Today at: http://plone4demo.com > > _______________________________________________ > Group-Organizers mailing list > Group-Organizers at python.org > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/group-organizers From juan.gomez at ieee.org Thu Jan 31 21:52:48 2013 From: juan.gomez at ieee.org (Juan Gomez) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:52:48 -0600 Subject: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money In-Reply-To: <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> References: <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Message-ID: I think it depends on your sponsors and how comfortable they are with depositing the money to your personal account. I would guess some sponsors might be weary of depositing the money up front to a personal account, so you could pay out of your pocket (if it's a small amount) and then get reimbursed. Personally that's how we run things in our group (PythonKC), we just charge them to our personal accounts and then get reimbursed by the sponsor or the PSF. We've debated becoming a 501(c) but for now, there's no compelling reason to take that step. Maybe in the future if we finally decide to organize a big event ? la PyOhio. The PSF is a proper 501(c) and my guess is that they'll be more than happy to bill your sponsor for you and then channel the money to you. Our experience with the PSF on financial matters has been really positive and they're always willing to work with you in order to help as much as possible. You could just try to contact them and ask. - Juan On Jan 31, 2013, at 2:38 PM, Jim Bartek wrote: experience > Hi Everyone, > > I am new to helping out the Indianapolis Python User Group, IndyPy. > > We are doing a special event and we need to actually get some sponsors for this one. Does the Python Foundation or any group allow you to collect and store sponsor dollars there? Or do most people just collect the money into their personal or business account and run it that way? I am guessing most groups are not legal entities? > > Thanks is advance. > > > Best, > > > Jim Bartek > > -- > Six Feet Up, Inc. | Where sophisticated web projects thrive > Direct Line: +1 (317) 861-5948 x609 > Mobile: +1 (317) 292-6301 > Email: jim at sixfeetup.com > Try Plone 4 Today at: http://plone4demo.com > > _______________________________________________ > Group-Organizers mailing list > Group-Organizers at python.org > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/group-organizers From brian at python.org Thu Jan 31 21:57:55 2013 From: brian at python.org (Brian Curtin) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:57:55 -0600 Subject: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money In-Reply-To: <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> References: <1296282532.8579.1359664637124.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Message-ID: On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 2:38 PM, Jim Bartek wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I am new to helping out the Indianapolis Python User Group, IndyPy. > > We are doing a special event and we need to actually get some sponsors for this one. Does the Python Foundation or any group allow you to collect and store sponsor dollars there? Or do most people just collect the money into their personal or business account and run it that way? I am guessing most groups are not legal entities? If you're interested in the PSF handling it, we do what's called fiscal sponsorship and are currently doing it for several user groups and smaller conferences. I don't know the details, but our treasurer or some of the more finance knowledgeable board members can provide more detail. Send an email to psf at python.org if you're interested. From jim at sixfeetup.com Thu Jan 31 22:01:08 2013 From: jim at sixfeetup.com (Jim Bartek) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:01:08 -0500 (EST) Subject: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money In-Reply-To: References: <1296282532.8579.1359664637124.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Message-ID: <680415256.8917.1359666068693.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Thanks Brian, I will reach out. Best, Jim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Curtin" To: "Jim Bartek" Cc: group-organizers at python.org Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 3:57:55 PM Subject: Re: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 2:38 PM, Jim Bartek wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I am new to helping out the Indianapolis Python User Group, IndyPy. > > We are doing a special event and we need to actually get some sponsors for this one. Does the Python Foundation or any group allow you to collect and store sponsor dollars there? Or do most people just collect the money into their personal or business account and run it that way? I am guessing most groups are not legal entities? If you're interested in the PSF handling it, we do what's called fiscal sponsorship and are currently doing it for several user groups and smaller conferences. I don't know the details, but our treasurer or some of the more finance knowledgeable board members can provide more detail. Send an email to psf at python.org if you're interested. From marsee at oreilly.com Thu Jan 31 22:08:50 2013 From: marsee at oreilly.com (Marsee Henon) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:08:50 -0800 Subject: [group-organizers] Reminder--O'Reilly will send you books/ebook for meetings and events Message-ID: Hi there Just wanted to put it out there that O'Reilly is always willing to donate books/ebook for meetings and other special events. You can register for our user group program to get started http://oreilly.com/ug/ Already registered? Just send an email with your shipping info, date you need the books, and a list of titles from our site to usergroups at oreilly.com. We'll get them ordered for you. See you at PYCON. Marsee Marsee Henon O'Reilly Media, Inc. 1005 Gravenstein Hwy North Sebastopol, CA 95472 marsee at oreilly.com 707-827-7103 ug.oreilly.com https://twitter.com/oreillyug -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From marrakis at gmail.com Thu Jan 31 22:18:40 2013 From: marrakis at gmail.com (Mathieu Leduc-Hamel) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:18:40 -0500 Subject: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money In-Reply-To: <680415256.8917.1359666068693.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> References: <1296282532.8579.1359664637124.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> <680415256.8917.1359666068693.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Message-ID: Here at Montreal-Python we decided at one point to just open a business bank account cause it became just too confusing and difficult to deal with to use our own one. I know that the banks legislation could be different between Canada and USA, but i encourage you to open a bank account for your groups. 1. Will help for the long term cause if the organizers are changing, the same bank account will stay 2. Will limit the chances that you'll use your own money to pay for the group (or the opposite ;-) 3. Sponsors will be more confident and your group will "become more official" Good luck ! On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 4:01 PM, Jim Bartek wrote: > Thanks Brian, > > I will reach out. > > Best, > > Jim > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Brian Curtin" > To: "Jim Bartek" > Cc: group-organizers at python.org > Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 3:57:55 PM > Subject: Re: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money > > On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 2:38 PM, Jim Bartek wrote: >> Hi Everyone, >> >> I am new to helping out the Indianapolis Python User Group, IndyPy. >> >> We are doing a special event and we need to actually get some sponsors for this one. Does the Python Foundation or any group allow you to collect and store sponsor dollars there? Or do most people just collect the money into their personal or business account and run it that way? I am guessing most groups are not legal entities? > > If you're interested in the PSF handling it, we do what's called > fiscal sponsorship and are currently doing it for several user groups > and smaller conferences. I don't know the details, but our treasurer > or some of the more finance knowledgeable board members can provide > more detail. Send an email to psf at python.org if you're interested. > _______________________________________________ > Group-Organizers mailing list > Group-Organizers at python.org > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/group-organizers -- Mathieu Leduc-Hamel From ned at nedbatchelder.com Thu Jan 31 22:55:28 2013 From: ned at nedbatchelder.com (Ned Batchelder) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:55:28 -0500 Subject: [group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money In-Reply-To: <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> References: <210786256.8588.1359664681305.JavaMail.root@sixfeetup.com> Message-ID: <510AE850.1040503@nedbatchelder.com> Boston Python uses the PSF as a fiscal sponsor. Sponsors can donate money at http://donate.bostonpython.com, the PSF holds it for us. We buy pizza ourselves (on a personal credit card) and send the receipt to the PSF treasurer to get reimbursed from the funds. It means we have to be willing to carry the cost of the pizza on our cards for a month or so, but otherwise works really well. (Actually, the bonus points I get from my credit card is the only financial benefit I get from being an organizer...) We looked into setting up a bank account, and the bank wanted proof of business organization, which meant setting up an LLC, or a non-profit, and it all became very involved very quickly. Fiscal sponsorship by the PSF has worked really well for us. One downside: the sponsor has to have a credit card they can use with PayPal, and some sponsors have preferred to get an invoice from Boston Python instead. --Ned. On 1/31/2013 3:38 PM, Jim Bartek wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I am new to helping out the Indianapolis Python User Group, IndyPy. > > We are doing a special event and we need to actually get some sponsors for this one. Does the Python Foundation or any group allow you to collect and store sponsor dollars there? Or do most people just collect the money into their personal or business account and run it that way? I am guessing most groups are not legal entities? > > Thanks is advance. > > > Best, > > > Jim Bartek >