Regional Charitable Events

Treasurer’s Report by Laurie Thompson

DID YOU KNOW… Your regional designated event contribution outside of ABATE can cost ABATE 25%? Wait… what?? If your region chooses to donate to an organization that is not recognized as a 501c3 non-profit, ABATE of Wisconsin may have to pay income taxes on the donation amount. And yes, this income tax could be as high as 25%. Each region is limited to ONE regional designated charitable event per year. Your region can contribute to multiple organizations (or internal ABATE divisions) but it must be from ONE event only – this also includes your MRF membership. Please remember that if your region is not sponsoring an event (maybe your members are volunteering at an event that is put on by a separate entity) then it is not an ABATE event and no monies should flow through your regional checking account. If the separate entity chooses to donate all or a portion of the proceeds to ABATE for your help with the event, then it is listed as a donation on your monthly treasury report with the money being deposited in your account or sent directly to the state. Regional donations to the state as a whole have been decreasing over the years, and I wouldn’t be doing my job without asking that you consider keeping your funds raised within the organization.

Fundraising ideas? State/regional/events?? Please share them with us! Ken Nelson is our fundraising chair and would love to hear any ideas that you have plus we are always looking to add a body to the fundraising committee… Stay tuned for details on the fall/winter cash raffle. Tickets will most likely be available at the annual meeting with sales going through Officer’s Training weekend – drawing before the BOD meeting. We would like to distribute as many tickets as possible at the annual meeting, so have your members ready to bring them back to your individual regions.

The Annual Meeting room reservations and the Saturday night banquet will not be handled directly with the hotel. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE HOTEL DIRECTLY WITH YOUR RESERVATION REQUESTS. There is information in this newsletter regarding the Annual Meeting location and on the rooms and prices available. Please call me at (262) 649-3591 to reserve a room or meal or send your check with room information and meal option directly to me at: 1423 S. 169th Street, New Berlin, WI 53151. Rooms are on a first come, first served basis so get your reservation in early – this is going to be an event you don’t want to miss!

Thank you all for what YOU do for ABATE of Wisconsin, it doesn’t go unnoticed! Have a great month.