MuseCon Corporation - The Business of Running MuseCon
Looking for the Convention??
It is at http://www.musecon.org/. This site is dedicated to the business of running MuseCon.
About Us...
MuseCon is a 501(c)(3) organization that does many things, including a yearly convention!
We emphasize the convention, understandably, since it is such a large teaching outreach opportunity, but we do have many other activities. And yes, the convention is open to the general public.
Joining MuseCon the organization requires no membership fee, just a willingness to participate!
So, exactly what IS MuseCon, Inc.?
We are an educational service organization that emphasizes hands-on learning: Go out and teach what you know! Demystify science and/or the arts. Learn something new by combining art in new ways, or science in new ways, or even better, art with science in new ways - then go teach or show others. Hopefully you'll also inspire them to do the same.
Dare I say? Be a Muse to others!
What Do You Do?
Simply put, at various venues we hold classes and demonstrations. Yes, we do this for fun, and because nothing is more gratifying than helping kids aged 9 to 90 (and all ages in between, and many before and after) to learn something new - and be excited/thrilled while doing it!
Did I mention the hands-on part? A prime component is the student building or doing something as part of the creative learning process. You will hear the phrase Make-And-Take quite often.
Q: Hey, I think this sounds really
interesting. How can I get you to come to our event/college/etc?
A: Drop us an email. See our contact
page for some of the different groups.
Q: What classes, make-and-takes, or
demonstrations can you do?
A: Ask. We're a pretty clever bunch, so if you
have an idea, we'll probably be able to work it into a class. At the very
least, we'll be inspired to think up something new.
Q: Does it cost anything?
A: We do not charge to show up.
Q: What else do you do?
A: We want to encourage similar teaching and
exploration at other groups. If you have a really great idea, we may be
able to arrange for monetary, material, and MuseCon membership support. Click
to view our MuseCon Loan/Grant Application (a pdf document).
Becoming a Member
Q: How do I join MuseCon, Inc.?
A: Send us an email to apollo@musecon.org.
Show up at a monthly meeting. Show up at an event. Give us a call. All
you need to do is say, "I want to be a member of MuseCon."
Q: Wait, that's too easy.
A: Yes. It's supposed to be easy. If you like to teach, or learn then teach, or otherwise help inspire and generate 'sparks', then we want you to be part of our community.
Q: What do I get for being member?
A: A sense of purpose. The satisfaction of giving back to the community, often something you have learned. A warm and fuzzy feeling. Ego boo (ego boost).
Q: What about dues?
A: There are no membership dues.
Q: Oh, come on - every organization needs
money.
A: Yes, but not from dues. Our main goal is
teaching, which by itself requires no money. If props or other materials
are needed, the member provides it themselves, or asks another member if
they have materials. We are a very cooperative group. Many of us have
supplies we have collected as part of our own interests. If we cannot find
donated materials, there may be a small fee to cover class materials.
MuseCon, Inc. Activities
Not all MuseCon organization members attend the convention, as that is not the only thing we do. Most of our activities involve 3-5 members each, and anywhere from five to eighty members of general public. Some examples of events we have participated in previously:
Boy Scout Troop 309 - electronic workshop
Kenosha Public Museum, Kenosha, WI - electronic workshop & craft demos
Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire, Chicago, IL - electronic workshop
Capricon Cafe, Wheeling, IL - demos on calligraphy, various fiber work, jewelrymaking
ICon,
Cedar Rapids, IA - electronic workshop
In each of these cases, we did not charge an attendance fee. We were asked by these organizations if we would come and give classes or demonstrations. Hotel, materials, and travel expenses came out of the pockets of the MuseCon members giving the classes.
MuseCon, Inc. and Non-Profit Status
We are a 501(c)3 organization, but the process is not yet complete. We are an official not-for-profit charity organization, and donations are tax-deductable, and often eligible for corporate matching programs, but not all organizations will recognize our not-for-profit status. Most importantly, we are still too new, and not (yet) listed in the IRS "Publication 78". This is the official published list of charities recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Our status right now (in all cases, search for MuseCon):
You can also see the Publication 78 FAQ and some additional lists of entities that have been recently added or removed from Publication 78 at http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96136,00.html.
About Not-For-Profit Organizations
The following information was taken from the IRS publication: Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
U.S. federal tax law imposes responsibilities on organizations receiving 501(c)(3) status.
Recordkeeping:
Section 501(c)(3) organizations are required to keep
books and records detailing all activities, both financial and
non-financial. Financial information, particularly information on its
sources of support (contributions, grants, sponsorships, and other sources
of revenue) is crucial to determining an organization's private foundation
status.
Filing Requirements:
Organizations recognized as tax exempt under
section 501(c)(3) of the IRC may be required to file an annual information
return. Smaller organizations must submit an annual electronic notice using
Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard).
Disclosure Requirements:
Section 501(c)(3) organizations must make
their application (Form 1023) and the annual returns (Form 990 or Form
990-EZ) available to the public for inspection, upon request and without
charge (except for a reasonable charge for copying). Each annual return must
be made available for a three-year period starting with the filing date of
the return.
Organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC must
meet certain requirements for documenting charitable contributions. The
federal tax law imposes two general disclosure rules:
1) a donor must obtain a written acknowledgment from a charity for any single contribution of $250 or more before the donor can claim a charitable contribution on his/her federal income tax return;
2) a charitable organization must provide a written disclosure to a donor who makes a payment in excess of $75 partly as a contribution and partly for goods and services provided by the organization.
Recordkeeping Requirements:
A donor cannot claim a tax deduction
for any contribution of cash, a check or other monetary gift, unless the
donor maintains a record of the contribution in the form of either a bank
record (such as a cancelled check) or a written communication from the
charity (such as a receipt or a letter) showing the name of the charity, the
date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution.
