10/26 Update

[Angie McMahon]

As promised this is your daily update on all things Rally to Restore
Sanity Chicago.

Well lets cut to the chase. Two huge things happened today. Our
Jumbotron "Donation" ended up costing us almost $4,000 with additional
insurance and union fees. We got a different offer for a LED truck
for $3,000 so we went with that. It will be MUCH less labor intensive
and save us money in the long run. We have also had many other added
costs that crept up today. Sudden "donations" that have turned into
costs or at least money we have to have in the checking account for
security deposits that I am told if we behave will be refunded.

Here is a quick break down of all the costs I have been hit with
today:

$5000 security Deposit to the Chicago Park Dist
$2,900 for insurance for 10,000 attendees
$1,750 for 10 port a johns
Traffic controllers, a cost that I will get soon.
$75 to record with the State the NFP papers
$38 to file articles of Incorporation
$5 for the Money Order to pay the filing fee
$8 for Cashiers Check for Park Dist Fee
$275 penalty for taking donations before NFP status was granted
$800 to file for tax except status (or pay taxes on thedonations
collected whatever is the least amount)
Staging $1,200
$1075 Sound Equipment
$500 refundable security Deposit for Meet Tomorrow
$200 T-Shirts (Volunteer/Security)
$1,863 Lakefront Maintenance cost (garbage pick up)
Stage Barricade $950
Tripod Satellite Dish $199
Basic Cable $60
Media Permit (for the documentary) $400
$350 refundable security deposit for Media Permit
$35 application fee for Media Permit
$500 for stage banner with sponsors logos displayed
$3,000 for LCD screen truck with generator
$390 for Security/Volunteer T-shirts
Grand Total $20,373

This raises us up in budget almost by $2,000 then expected from
yesterday. And our donation train slowed down a LOT today. We are
clocking in at $16,465.83 in paypal. And $85 in mail in donations
(please remember we have paypal fees to pay as well. Almost 3%)

That brings me to the next and biggest hot topic of the day.

Planned Parenthood has offered the Rally a $500 donation in exchange
for there logo to be played along side other sponsors on the jumbotron
display before and after the event. Because they are joining us late
we didn't get them into the stage banner and this is all we could
offer them.

I am gonna take it, please read on to find out why before you get mad
and leave.

I have done a lot of thinking on this, I have asked you the rally
members for thoughts, and chatted with some friends.

I have come to the conclusion that #1 wont lie, we need the money. My
kid has to go to college and I can't pay for this out of my
pocket...just being honest folks. #2 I think this hits on a LOT of
what at least I have been saying this rally is about "political,
religious, and personal beliefs being discussed with a reasonable
discourse" If I agree or not with the services they offer is not the
point. Can I have a discussion about what they do without hate
speech? Can I talk about my feelings on the topic without calling
someone I don't agree with an awful name? They bring a feeling of a
heated personal topic to light and put it right in front of us for
discussion. They wont be handing out literature at the event.
Nothing put a simple logo displayed. I know this might end up
shifting many folks views and support of the rally...I hope it wont.
I am encouraging discussion on the topic. But please know I have told
them I will take the donation.

That is all I am gonna update on tonight. I think its enough to talk
about for one night. We are still in very much a need for donations.
If you haven't already please donate. And thanks for all the support.

Donate here:
http://rally4sanitychi.chipin.com/rally-to-restore-sanity-chicago

Have a good sleep everyone, we still have a long week ahead.
Angie