Ever been curious about becoming a 501(c)3 or are on the verge of taking that leap? This panel discussion will give you a little more information on the pros and cons, things to contemplate and the 'how to's' of becoming an incorporated 501(c)3. We will hear from the local "Art Cop", locally based nationally acclaimed Arts Consultant, two small sized organizations at differing stages of being a 501(c)3 and one that decided it wasn't the right choice, at this time. The content of this panel discussion are directed toward individuals and groups who are considering, or are in the process of, incorporating as a not-for-profit 501(c)3.

We will discuss:
• Benefits of Incorporation
• Legal Definitions
• Process for Incorporating
• Organizational Structures
• Relationship of Professional Leadership and the Board
• Overview of the Role, Responsibilities and Function of a Board
• Contributed Income, Grants
• Case Examples
• Questions and Concerns.

George Thorn is the Co-Director of Arts Action Research, a national arts-consulting group. As a consultant, he works in all aspects of organizational development as well as making presentations to conferences and workshops. In parallel with his consulting activities, for eighteen years he directed the graduate program in Arts Administration at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. He was the Associate Director of FEDAPT. Prior to these activities, he was the Executive Vice-President of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. George spent sixteen years in New York where he had a general management firm that managed Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring companies. He began his career as a stage manager of Broadway productions.

In 1996, he relocated to Portland, Oregon, to open the West Coast office of Arts Action Research. In Portland, he has consulted with approximately one hundred arts and cultural organizations. Other activities include the Regional Arts and Cultural Council's Cultural Leadership Program, the NWBCA's The Art of Leadership Program, and two Convenings for the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in Seattle and Portland.

With Nello McDaniel, he has co-authored the following publications:
An Elegant Process: The Artistic Process/The Planning Process
Leading Arts Boards
Growing Audiences
Arts Planning: A Dynamic Balance
Towards a New Arts Order: Process, Power, and Change
Workpapers II: Arts Boards--Myths, Perspectives, and New Approaches
A Special Report/The Quiet Crisis in the Arts
Workpapers I: Rethinking and Restructuring the Arts Organization

To be or not to be a 501(c)3 and how -- A panel discussion
Date: Wed., May 14, 2014
Time: 4 p.m. -- 7 p.m.
Location: Architectural Heritage Center, 701 SE Grand Ave. Portland, OR 97214
www.VisitAHC.org
Cost: $25
Panel: Kohel Haver, George Thorn, plus three representatives from small to mid-sized organizations at different stages in their careers that have experience with this process.

To register, please visit http://racc.org/resources/514-racc-workshop-be-or-not-be-501c3-and-how-%E2%80%93-panel-discussion