BASH Business Meeting reminder

[lindy]

As a lead up to our meeting on Monday (7:30 pm, 2451 Ridge Rd., Berkeley), I'm going to answer a few questions that have come up:

"Where can I read the bylaws?"
Here: https://bayareafasola.wordpress.com/bylaws/

"Why are we trying to become an official 501(c)(3)?" (i.e. ugh, this seems like a pain in the rear.)

1. In the past, our finances have been linked to a single person's Tax ID, meaning that person would be liable for any financial issues that could come up.
   
2. The California Tax Board's stance/requirements for non-profit status are hazy at best. In the past, we found ourselves potentially having to pay taxes as if we were a for-profit corporation. Yikes.
3. As a 501(c)(3), we get discounts on rental rates of singing spaces. This is a huge help to singing budgets and will open up spaces that have been unavailable to us in the past due to cost.
   
4. As a 501(c)(3), people can give us donations and write them off. Some employers match contributions, too. 

"Bylaws have lots of rules. Why do we need rules?"

1. Many of you have helped write these bylaws (thank you!). They're formulated to help us, as an organization, function efficiently and in a transparent way. They don't effect us actually singing much at all.
2. We can amend these bylaws when needed. They're meant to change and grow with us.
   

"Membership, officers, voting... I just want to sing!"
No problem! You do not have to be a member of BASH to be able to sing. Or show up at singings. Or come to an all-day singing.

"I have opinions about BASH! I want to give my 2-cents!"

1. If you want to vote (on the officers or bylaws of BASH), you *do* need to be a member of BASH. (And it's pretty easy to be a member. See our bylaws.)
   
2. If you want to be an officer, you'll need to be a member and you'll need to be elected by our membership. 
3. If you have questions about wording or sections of the bylaws, please formulate them in concise way, and come on Monday or email me privately. Bylaws can be amended when needed. We'll discuss any proposed amendments as a group.

"I'm reading the bylaws. And, wait... where did the Vice Chair go?"

1. Here's something new: Officers of BASH are separate from the Officers of singings!
• What used to be known as the "Chair" of the organization is now the President
• What used to be known as the "Secretary" is now the Clerk
  
• The "Treasurer" is still the Treasurer, but is different than the Treasurer of a singing.
  
2. Vice Chairs are still officers of singings, don't worry.
3. Separating organizational officers from singing officers especially makes sense since we now have 3+ regional singings. This helps us keep a clear and separate focus on organization stuff vs singing stuff.
   

These bylaws look really different than the bylaws I saw three years ago. What happened?

1. Our former bylaws needed many edits to be in a condition where we could vote on them. After my previous announcement, people responded to my survey and gathered in multiple working groups. The results of all that helped draft the bylaws as they stand now. ***Huge thanks to you all!***
2. We had legal advise from a lawyer/singer to ensure that what we wrote actually adhered to legal standards.
3. All members of BASH will continue to have an opportunity to give their input. Bylaws can be edited when needed. That's exactly what our business meeting is for.
   

_________________________

Thanks, all! As always, reach out if you have questions or comments. Looking forward to talking with you on Monday!