Standards and Qualifications for Individual GNSI Members
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Chapter Management
- Chapters are responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
- Chapters that expect to receive more than $5,000 per year in gross receipts and that seek foundation grants or charitable contributions must apply to the Internal Revenue Service for recognition of their status as an exempt organization. The GNSI, Inc. is exempt from Federal taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code*, but does not maintain a group exemption letter for its chapters. For additional information, contact the President of GNSI, Inc.
- Chapters must have available upon request an annual report that includes a detailed financial account.
Requisites Regarding Use of Education Fund Money
- Education Fund money may be used only for charitable or educational purposes. Subject to the guidelines and restrictions in the GNSI Education Fund Guidelines, Chapters may apply for Education Fund money from GNSI, Inc. Activities and benefits that are restricted to members only, generally will not qualify as charitable and educational. Chapters seeking Education Fund money must provide opportunity for non-members and students to participate in their activities.
- Education Fund money may NOT be used to participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office, or to provide a selective benefit to any political party or candidate.
- All Education Fund money provided by GNSI must be used to support activities that are consistent with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code* and the applicable regulations (See also Chapter Management, above). If tax exempt status is revoked or if GNSI has a good faith reason to believe that Education Fund money has been or will be used to support activities inconsistent with section 501(c)(3) of the Code or outside the scope of the Grant Proposal, GNSI shall be entitled to a refund of all Education Fund money provided hereunder and, if the disbursement of Education Fund money is being made in installments (in the case of partial funding in advance), GNSI shall have no obligation to make further installment payments to the Chapter.
- In order to receive disbursement of Education Fund money, Chapters are required to meet regulations and submit paperwork as specified in the Disbursement Process and Timelines section of the GNSI Education Fund Guidelines. This entails maintaining records of all expenditures incurred in carrying out the activities or project specified in the application, and making its records available to GNSI upon request and reasonable notice. To file for disbursement, the applicant should submit a GNSI Education Fund Disbursement Request, along with a final report that includes a short review of the program/event and financial account, and corresponding receipts. The financial account should include all expenses (both approved and unapproved for funding) and all income during the course of or as a result of the project.
- Any changes in the application after submission must be agreed to in writing by GNSI.
- Chapters receiving Education Fund money are required to make mention of funding (e.g. “Sponsored by the GNSI Education Fund”) in all promotional material (posters, mailings, advertising), and in their later summary of the sponsored program, event or project to the GNSI Newsletter (see Advertising and Promotion Requirements section of the GNSI Education Fund Guidelines). Web-based projects sponsored by the GNSI Education Fund will reside (or appear to reside, by way of branding, URL name, etc) on the GNSI web site. Credit will be given to developers/creators of the specific material.
- Remaining supplies purchased using Education Fund money for programs/activities will become Chapter property and cannot be kept by individual members or instructors. Remaining supplies valued at over $50 must be reported as material surplus in the final report submitted for disbursement.
- In any program, event or project funded by Education Fund money, any hazardous materials used must be handled properly and meet applicable health and safety standards. All criteria specified in the Project Limitations section of the GNSI Education Fund Guidelines must be observed. The applicant, Chapter, and any participants involved in funded activities or projects agree to indemnify and hold harmless GNSI, and its employees, representatives, and agents from any and all liability, loss, damage, cost or expense, including reasonable counsel fees and expenses, paid or incurred by reason of applicant’s, Chapter’s, and/or participants’ breach of any of the terms contained in this document or in the GNSI Education Fund Guidelines document, or by reason of their intentional or grossly negligent conduct relating to performance of activities for which funding is provided pur
suant to this agreement.
* 501(c)(3) status indicates a nonprofit organization qualified for exemption from federal income tax; in the case of GNSI, organized and operated exclusively for scientific and educational purposes.
For more information see IRS Publication 557.
All references in this document to the Internal Revenue Code refer to the United States’ Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended or to comparable sections of subsequent internal revenue laws. In the event of a dispute, the terms of this letter shall be interpreted and governed by the laws of the District of Columbia.
Agreed to by:
GNSI Chapter Name ______________________________________________________________________________
GNSI Chapter President
Name____________________________ Signature____________________ Date__________
GNSI Chapter Treasurer
Name____________________________ Signature____________________ Date__________
Include with completed application and send to the Education Fund Director (check with GNSI for current contact information).
Revision 01.18.07 |