[fsfc-discuss] interested in helping out

[David Henry]

Okay, I'm interested.  

I haven't been involved with starting a charitable status organization
since '90, and I know the rules were tightened up a great deal since,
but I'd like to look at the application.  If the result is only a fuller
discussion of the pros and cons of that approach, so be it.[0]

I see merit in simply raising funds (in Canada) to support (Canadian?)
free software, even though some may think that to be an overly-narrow
path.  As hinted, this may be a worthwhile approach for the FSF itself
to pursue.[1]

I'm also very interested in what RS has to say.  That the FSF has moved
towards campaigning could prove to be a substantive argument in favour
of starting as a policy council (?) dedicated to the Canadian context.
But I'd want the full blessing of the FSF before heading this way.[2]

I agree absolutely that there has to be serious effort to both promote
free software and to fight against any restraint or abandonment of
technology user rights.  I'm just not sure if fsf.ca is the ideal
platform for the latter -- as Russell suggests, there are other
organizations already working in these areas.  Perhaps this group can
find a place somewhere in the mix -- I see room for that.  Creative
Commons Canada seems to be a good example of how it might present ideas
to the public.[3]

In sum, I'd like see what comes of the discussion here, and might be
able to help in small ways.  For now, I'd like to put some time into
reviewing the charitable status application.  I'll also try to put some
time into outlining the merits of alternative models of organization.[4]

All the very good things,
David Henry


Notes:
0. Guidelines for Registering a Charity: Meeting the Public Benefit
Test,
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/charities/policy/cps/cps-024-e.html 

1. I need more time on this question!  But organizations outside of
Canada can register, and the FSF might bring weight to an application.

2. Just in case:
http://www.stallman.org/#serious

3. Creative Commons Canada:
http://creativecommons.ca/

4. For example, see 'Why consider incorporation?':
http://www.carters.ca/pub/bulletin/charity/2006/chylb96.htm