Creating A Non Profit And Bringing It Into Second Life
1. Creating a Nonprofit and bringing it into Second Life Ricky Davis/Ricken Flow MetaBody Community Health Center
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5. Creating a nonprofit and bringing it into Second Life SLCC 09 Ricky Davis/Ricken Flow Metabody Community Health Center Using Second Life to create a virtual non profit Process of creating a non profit Business Plan
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7. Creating a nonprofit and bringing it into Second Life SLCC 09 Ricky Davis/Ricken Flow Metabody Community Health Center Using Second Life to create a virtual non profit Process of creating a non profit Business Plan Plan Events
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9. Creating a nonprofit and bringing it into Second Life SLCC 09 Ricky Davis/Ricken Flow Metabody Community Health Center Using Second Life to create a virtual non profit Process of creating a non profit Business Plan Plan Events Board of Directors
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12. Creating a nonprofit and bringing it into Second Life SLCC 09 Ricky Davis/Ricken Flow Metabody Community Health Center Using Second Life to create a virtual non profit Process of creating a non profit Business Plan Board of Directors Incorporating
13. Creating a nonprofit and bringing it into Second Life SLCC 09 Ricky Davis/Ricken Flow Metabody Community Health Center Using Second Life to create a virtual non profit Process of creating a non profit Business Plan Board of Directors Incorporating Tax Exempt Resource for incorporating and tax exemption http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/e stablish/index.html
14. Creating a nonprofit and bringing it into Second Life SLCC 09 Ricky Davis/Ricken Flow Metabody Community Health Center Q & A
Editor's Notes
Passion is a great start for starting a non profit but it will take more than that to keep it running. Non profits are still a business. Their goal is just a bit different instead of making money they are geared towards helping others. To start a non profit takes a lot of work. You have to honestly ask yourself do you have the time and willing to take the effort.
There might already be a nonprofit that is doing the work that you are passionate about. It is worth taking your time to see what is already established. It could be worth your worth volunteering with a local non profit that is similar to what you are doing. Volunteering is a way great way to see how a non profit works and to see what it takes to run a non profit. There are approximately 2,000 non profit groups within Second Life. Most take volunteers. You can also volunteer at non profits in your area with your interests.
There might already be a nonprofit that is doing the work that you are passionate about. It is worth taking your time to see what is already established. It could be worth your worth volunteering with a local non profit that is similar to what you are doing. Volunteering is a way great way to see how a non profit works and to see what it takes to run a non profit. There are approximately 2,000 non profit groups within Second Life. Most take volunteers. You can also volunteer at non profits in your area with your interests.
Second Life has all the elements that is needed to make a non profit and learn before creating one in the physical world. Everything that is used to create a physical world non profit will be used in creating a virtual world. You will still need to follow the process of creating a non profit. A business plan is needed even in the virtual simulation. It will help you if you decide to make the nonprofit an established physical world non-profit.
All great nonprofits start with a solid business plan. A business plan tells the story of your business it includes Who you are Why are you starting the nonprofit Where you operate How will you generate operating expenses Who are you stakeholders Why is your nonprofit important The business plan is the roadmap for your nonprofit. Remember the business plan will change as your nonprofit grows and its perfectly fine to update it. A business plan is a guide not a commandment written in stone.
Planning events is where virtual worlds can really come in handy. You can plan and have an event in-world. Holding an in-world event is great practice for holding physical world events. Planning, marketing, finding volunteers, creating presentations, getting guest speakers, giveaways, everything in a the planning of physical world events are part of virtual ones. Becoming a part of non profit commons is a great help in planning events.
Nonprofit Commons provides space for non profits and social benefit organizations within the world of Second Life. They offer free buildings and support for non profits and a great way to collaborate with other non profits for best practices and support. For planning events it is great they have volunteers that can help and there are spaces to hold virtual conferences like they one we are at now!! After you have planned a few events you will met people who are interested in your cause and can start planning a board of directors.
A board of directors is not essentially needed in a virtual simulation but it is still a good idea to have a steering committee. Collaboration is a big part of Second Life and having a board of directors/steering committee will make it a lot easier to plan events. You want a board of directors that is diverse with various talents such as finance and technical and as committed to the non profit as you
A board of directors is the governing team of a non profit. It has many responsibilities and is a requirement for the non profit to be incorporated and to become tax exempt. The board of directors sets the policy for the organization, monitors its operations, along with the director serves as a public figure and assists with fundraising efforts. With all the responsibilities of the board it is important to find members that are passionate and have the time to be a part.
Social media such as twitter, facebook and linked in are great ways to find board members along with the volunteers that you found while planning your events.
Incorporating your non profit lets people know that you are serious about its development. Even if you do not plan to become tax exempt, It is a good idea to incorporate. Incorporating will protect individuals legally. Incorporating varies by state, check with your state treasury department on the specific rules and fees for your state.
Just because you become incorporated does not mean you are tax exempt. Tax exempt 501c3 is a federal program and is much more involved than becoming incorporated with your state. To become 501 c 3 there are numerous financial projections you have to make and an accountant would be a good idea to have on your board if you plan to become 501c3. If you plan on seeking funds and donations it is necessary to become tax exempt so the donations can be claimed on taxes.
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