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Below are the 4 most recent journal entries recorded inLanded Artists' LiveJournal:

Tuesday, February 21st, 2006
_6:15 pm_[shiningchild]	The Advantages of the 501d Nonprofit Status After wading through a difficult-to-read but informative description on the different legal entities that communities can consider, and the pros and cons of each, the following description seemed the most appealing and simple (the website of the article from which this is taken is included below):( 501(d)—Religious and Apostolic AssociationsCollapse )From Legal Structures for Intentional Communities in the United States by Dave Hensonwith Albert Bates, Allen Butcher, and Diana Leafe Christian, on the Intentional Communities Directory website.In a nutshell, 501d status allows a community to hold tax-exempt status, own land, and conduct any for profit or nonprofit business they desire, with the stipulation that all profit from these businesses is redistributed to each member within the year it is made, to be then filed on their individual tax information. It also allows a community to have an easier membership flow. This option seems to have the least strings attached, the most possibility, and the most individual security. The only disadvantage there seems to be is for communities who are interested in individual property (in terms of land). If that is not an issue, however, this seems a very good option...At any rate, I felt so much more at ease and clarified after reading this. Hope you enjoy! Current Mood: relieved (1 Comment |Comment on this)
_12:46 pm_[shiningchild]	Initial Steps Here are some steps and goals I have in mind, and would like to propose for making this idea a reality: 1) Start with initial small group of no less than 3 people. Define a common vision and put in writing; review and update frequently and as needed.2) Become educated about decision-making processes, legal aspects, and other knowledge about intentional communities. Choose a model for decision-making.3) Attend workshops, visit other communities, and hold regular group activities to help foster a sense of community such as storytelling sessions (no seriously, this is recommended in the following article, Six Ingredients for Forming Communities), problem-solving or teamwork oriented activities, planning meetings, potlucks or meetups, other4) Decide on and begin formulating a founding body that will take the financial and legal steps toward a new community, whether a cooperative business, a 501d or other nonprofit, other. Again, define a common vision and put in writing; review and update frequently and as needed.5) Ongoing process of deciding what kinds of skills are needed, how new members should be recruited, criteria for membership process.Input? Suggestions? (Comment on this)
_12:10 pm_[shiningchild]	Why I think this is a good idea. :) It's not just a love of the performing arts, although that is a big part of it. I think this is a feasible, viable and wonderful idea for several reasons, in brief:First, I believe that artists do their best work when they are allowed to cultivate their creativity. Artists need, NEED to have a lifestyle that allows them to do this. We have been, understandably, programmed to have a lot of guilt about this. We tell ourselves it is selfish. We say it is impractical. And when we don't say it, others do. Art is often a luxury. While I won't deny that our society, being the rich society that it is, does indicate that this is the case, I also believe strongly in doing what you are meant to do, what your skills and gifts are. Many artists feel a connection with a divine sense of purpose, however they choose to define it. Art has a healing effort on the world; it is often a sort of meeting ground where we allow different values and ideas to play themselves out, discovering the truth at the core of them. Many times, art allows us to express, discuss and address things that we otherwise do not know how. I believe that it IS important to have a sense of practicality and care for the outside community. But I also believe that the best way you can take care of others, is to not neglect yourself. And, since we DO live in a free society that allows us to choose our paths, our destinies, and offers us many resources and opportunities to do so if we will only take the chance, then we can and SHOULD take advantage of those things and "seize the day" to be perfectly cliche about it! If we do so, we can create a haven, or a model, for other budding artists to emulate, we can cultivate those around us, help heal others, help them grow, and beautify our lives to the better of everyone. Second, it follows that an artist has an opportunity to be involved with the surrounding community in creative ways by acknowledging the diverse narratives, lifestyles and needs of local residents. I kind of envision a future artist community being something along these lines, and not only for the reasons listed above. Such a community might be an important commodity to a local government that wanted not only to stimulate and foster the arts, encourage a small tourism industry and offer youth activities, but also portray itself as current and culturally diverse. An artist community could take advantage of this by making crosscultural awareness and a variety of artistic expression its priority, its "schtick" if you will.Anyway, those are some random, rambled thoughts on something I hope to see. I hope people will join and talk about their own ideas! Even if it's just a hypothetical idea, it never hurts to talk. :) Current Mood: determined (Comment on this)
Monday, February 20th, 2006
_3:35 pm_[shiningchild]	Welcome to anyone who has found their way to this community at this point. :) Check out the user info page for a brief description on what this is about in the meantime...I will be posting a REAL introduction soon!Here are some links of interest that might help with our initial discussions:eHow on Starting a 501c3 NonprofitSkyhouse Community on 501d NonprofitsA very detailed site on types of intentional communities definedIntentional Communities directory and resources pageOne of the things I hope we can talk about first are the pros and cons of a 501c3 Nonprofit versus a 501d.Post if you have any thoughts! (Comment on this)