Dear Big Park Council Representatives, Alternates and Member Organization leaders, After waiting 5 1/2 months, the IRS has responded to our request to change our tax status from 501(c) 6 to 501(c) 3. In order to be approved as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, the IRS has required two changes to our Articles of Incorporation. They have provided the exact wording that is required. The two changes are:
- The addition of a specific purpose clause
- Change of our dissolution clause
Although applying to become a 501(c) 3 was approved by the Council in March 2023, any change to our Articles of Incorporation requires an approval vote from two-thirds of the Council member organizations (16). The vote will therefore be conducted electronically, so that all Council members organizations receive it and are able to vote. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that your organization’s vote be received so that the Big Park Council can become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with all of the resultant tax benefits available to potential donors. Whether your member organization votes For, Against or Abstains – please be sure to VOTE. In order to approve or disapprove this proposal we must achieve a quorum (13) and the necessary number of votes (16+) or the process with the IRS will have to be done again next year doubling the cost of completing this proposal. Only REPRESENTATIVES will receive the electronic ballot from Election Buddy. Please help with the voting process by letting me know immediately if your Representative will not be able to vote and I should send the ballot to an Alternate instead. I need to hear from you by Wednesday, September 20th if a change is required. Send change information to BigParkCouncil.inquiry@gmail.com Thank you, Mary Pope, Secretary, BPCThe current names of Representatives who will receive the ballot are as follows:Bell Rock Plaza Association Elizabeth McFarlandCanyon Mesa Townhouse Association Lew TuranoCathedral Rock Ranch Pat RoblesFirecliff Community Association Patty ReskiLa Barranca I Jim BlanchardLa Barranca II Mary PopeLas Piedras Margie GershtensonLee Mountain Road West Phil FeinerOak Creek Country Club Estates I Carolyn FisherPine Creek 2 Nina Joy RizzoPine Valley POA Dennis BaumanPinon Woods I Joe Skidmore Pinon Woods II East Rose O’DonnellPinon Woods III North Paul SullivanRidge at Sedona Jeff DunnSedona Golf Resort CA Don GrovesSolo de Paso Mary MorrisSundance HOA Suzy LambertVillage Estates HOA Dave NortonVillage of Oak Creek Association – VOCA Bob MarriottVillage Park Condominiums Marc LemeryWild Horse Mesa Kathryn StillmanVerde Valley School Benjamin LeeDetails on the IRS proposed change to our Articles of Incorporation:Impact on our Articles of incorporation includes the addition of the two clauses provided by the IRS and renumbering of our purpose and general nature of business (Article V a/b) as well as replacement of Article XII – Dissolution. A copy of our current Articles of Incorporation is available for your reference. 1. Purpose Clause added as Article V(a)
Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 2. Renumbered Article V to Article V(b) without change 3. Dissolution Clause replaces Article XII
Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.