UPDATE: Incorporation of MOUNT RAINIER 1974

As you may have read previously here, or perhaps in the newsletter, the Reunion Committee is taking steps to create a body of people who can carry on reunion work in the future. A weakness the Committee identified was the potential loss of knowledge and history about organizing and building the class reunion. As our class gets older, the potential to lose what we need to know to deliver a great reunion becomes more likely.

Social club

Many options were considered, and ultimately, the Committee landed on creating a nonprofit corporation named MOUNT RAINIER 1974. This entity is being organized as a social club, conforming to the requirements and restrictions of section 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. The primary purpose of the organization is to promote and support social interaction of the Mount Rainier High School Class of 1974. As noted, it will be a nonprofit entity, but not a charitable nonprofit. This means that donations to the entity will not be tax deductible.

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws have been adopted and signed (see below). At this moment in time, we are in the process of filing incorporation documents with the State of Washington. Once that is complete, the State will issue a UBI number to the corporation. With that, and an EIN from the IRS, we will be able to open a new business bank account. We need to get that business account opened soon to take in reunion registration fees, membership fees, and donations.

Officers and Directors

The initial list of council directors consists of:

1. Kerry Brown
2. Steve Carlson
3. La Jean Rohland
4. Tom Salzer
5. Robert Fletcher
6. Suzy Lindeke

The initial council has elected Kerry as President, Steve as Vice President, and La Jean as Secretary-Treasurer.

Election at reunion by voting members

This initial council only exists until the council positions are elected by voting members at the 50th class reunion in August. Essentially, voting members of the Class of 1974 elect council members, and the council elects officers.

You might have keyed in on the term “voting members.” Every living alumnus of the Class of 1974 is a member. However, voting members are those who pay $5 dues every five years (equal to $1 a  year). Paying dues is optional. We’ll include it on the reunion registration form but will make sure classmates are aware it is optional. Paying dues allows you to vote and makes you eligible to serve on the council.

We hope that classmates will be supportive of this system. Dues will go toward helping us cover the cost of annual business filings, postage, and similar operating expenses.

Documents

The final versions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws are now available for you to review. We will craft a lighter weight summary of the Articles and Bylaws for folks who don’t wish to wade through the more detailed originals.

• MOUNT RAINIER 1974 Articles of Incorporation – ADOPTED – 20240314
• MOUNT RAINIER 1974 Bylaws – ADOPTED – 20240314