Re: charity disappointmnet (was Re: [Fsfe-uk] What the treasurer did... (early Feb 2003))

[Oliver Elphick]

On Fri, 2003-02-07 at 00:36, MJ Ray wrote:
> Nic Ferrier <address@hidden> wrote:
> > I would have thought that the AFFS was a perfect candidate for
> > charitable status, it exists purely to promote the benefits of free
> > software; doesn't it?
> 
>    The constitution of the Association for Free Software sets out five aims,
> 
>    # to promote and advance the knowledge, development, use and application
>      of Free Software pioneered by the Free Software Foundation and others.
> 
>    # to facilitate the exchange of information and views on the use and
>      development of Free Software.
> 
>    # to inform upon the subject of Free Software.
> 
>    # to encourage internationalisation and localisation of Free Software.
> 
>    # to ensure the continued legal existence of Free Software within the
>      United Kingdom.
> 
> (from http://www.affs.org.uk/about.html)
> 
> It seems that fifth one is *still* close enough to be political, despite
> weakening it from the original wording.  Damn.

The "normal" solution is to split the organisation into two.  AFFS
charity would drop aim 5; AFFS political would have it as its main aim.

Whether that is worth doing would depend on how much money goes to each
side; if most of it is spent on the charitable aims, it is worth doing. 
If most is on campaigning, it isn't.

-- 
Oliver Elphick                                address@hidden
Isle of Wight, UK                             http://www.lfix.co.uk/oliver
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