Re: [Madwifi-devel] Incorporating as non-profit organisation

[Kel M. <ke...@ot...>]

Hi Mike,

On Wed, 3 Oct 2007 01:31:39 am Michael Renzmann wrote:
<snip>
>
> Comparison: SFC vs. SPI
> ========================
> Both umrellas basically provide the same services:
>
>  * being a non-profit while keeping the administrative overhead as low as
> possible
>  * help and support for remaining administrative tasks
>  * tax-deductible donations for donors in some countries
>  * handling of funds, assets, copyright and trademarks on behalf of the
> member
>  * pro bono legal councelling (to a certain, limited amount)
>
> However, there are some details that could be seen as their "unique
> selling point".
>
> Maybe the most important advantage that from my point of view speaks for
> the SFC is the close relation to the SFLC. The SFLC has done a lot of work
> during the past months to provide legal counsel and spend advise to the
> general Linux wireless efforts as well as specifically MadWifi/ath5k (some
> examples: [4], [5], [6]), and they did a great job with that. As we could
> see during the past months, having a strong legal advisor as backing seems
> to be a good idea especially when it comes to ath5k.
>
> This close relation between SFC and SFLC could turn out as a negative
> point, too. Key persons of the SFLC have a job in the SFC; in situations
> similar to these of the past weeks where the SFLC was busy with auditing
> the ath5k source thoroughly SFC-related tasks probably get noteably
> delayed. This is just an assumption, however.

Considering that was a line of work closely related to the madwifi project 
(and its recent change in direction with regards to ath5k), I couldn't manage 
to view that as a negative.

>
> A big plus for the SPI is its affiliation with several other non-profits,
> allowing tax-deductible donations for other countries than just the US.
> Particularly the option to receive tax-deductible donations from european
> donors could come in handy for us and might encourage more companies
> (especially vendors that sell Atheros-based equipment) and users to donate
> to the project. Donations are important for us since we need hardware for
> the reverse engineering work, for example.
>
> There are other differences, too, some of them have been pointed out in a
> discussion [7] I've started on the spi-general mailing list. Yes, I know
> that the guys there are a bit biased towards the SPI ;)
>
>
> Let's start the discussion
> ==========================
> I currently tend to vote for incorporating as non-profit by joining the
> SPI, and at the same time join the SFLC as client. That way we had the
> benefits of both options. The work of the SFLC then should be supported by
> assigning a share (for example 15%, just to give a number) of the
> donations we receive.
>
> Now it's your turn, please contribute to the discussion. What is your
> opinion on the stuff above, which option do you prefer? Do you know of
> other options to incorporate as non-profit? Do you have good or bad
> experiences with either of the mentioned umbrellas?
>
> Please let us know what you think, every comment is highly appreciated.

I'd encourage to choose one entity to be affiliated with. Considering the SFLC 
have an intimate relationship with the SFC, and that the SFC has already 
exhibited their competence on working on matters surrounding ath5k, and that 
ath5k is now the primary focal point of development...they strike me as the 
way to go.

I have had zero experience with non-profit stuff.

Thanks, Kel.