2008/9/23 Ross Gardler <ross.gardler(a)oucs.ox.ac.uk>uk>:
Thomas Dalton wrote:
Ok, it's official, solicitors charge way too
much (anyone particularly
surprised?).
Yes, I am.
I've been involved with not-for-profits in the past and never had a
problem with this (although I've never dealt with the legal stuff myself).
Given time it is likely you will find a solicitor who is willing to look
over things for you at a vastly reduced rate in return for being
associated with the chapter. in my experience it is normal to have a
solicitor and an accountant on the board for precisely this reason.
Take your time and don't rush things. This way you have plenty of time
for planning and, where necessary, fund raising.
Speaking personally, I would not be very unhappy with a "do it
ourselves" approach, especially when coupled with the phrase "and hope
we don't make any particularly serious mistakes". If you don't have the
skills don't attempt it. This is a serious business.
Fundraising is very difficult before the chapter actually exists - it
would involve people handing over monetary gifts to random people they
met on the internet. If you know of anyone that will advise us
pro-bono, please put us in touch. If no-one knows of anyone, then we
have no choice but to do it ourselves - no amount of time is going to
make a contact appear from nowhere.