So, first off, I want to apologize for the extended period of time it took to perform due diligence and research various locales in which this organization should incorporate. For some background on the rest of the plan you can read my previous post on incorporation as a step towards setting up a not-for-profit organization. My 10k-word notes are up on the wiki, but I have finally nailed it down to New Hampshire based on very favourable local state laws, as well as favourable court cases in the First Circuit of Appeals. This has been a long research and discovery process, but now I have a chance to start working out the bylaws and site governance matters on a larger scale. This represents our first major step towards self-sufficiency. Check past the break for more information.
First off, I'm happy to finally start moving forward on this. This write-up has been very tiring, though I continue in trying to provide justification for the actions I take on behalf of the site. I'll be blunt, this nearly broke my will to go on, but I can at least say there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm working with Matt Angel to locate a legal firm to help us through incorporation, and we're working to get emails drafted to the EFF and such. Unless our lawyers tell us good reasons not to incorporate in NH, we should all expect to legally exist in the Granite State sometime in the near future.
Right now, I'm getting ready to relocate to New Hampshire to oversee the incorporation, and hope to be there sometime in the next week (currently debating where I'm going to live, I liked Portsmouth when I was there previously). Our next steps is to get things vetted and see if there's anything in particular that may be problematic that I missed in my research, though given New Hampshire's reputation as a politically active state, I do not expect any issues in that regard.
To celebrate this milestone, I've temporarily changed the site logo and slogan to reflect our status. The document on the wiki outlining the fruits of my US incorporation research is open to criticism, feedback, and general review, so if you feel I missed something, pipe up now. Until then, remember, live free or die!
Right now, I'm getting ready to relocate to New Hampshire to oversee the incorporation, and hope to be there sometime in the next week (currently debating where I'm going to live, I liked Portsmouth when I was there previously). Our next steps is to get things vetted and see if there's anything in particular that may be problematic that I missed in my research, though given New Hampshire's reputation as a politically active state, I do not expect any issues in that regard.
To celebrate this milestone, I've temporarily changed the site logo and slogan to reflect our status. The document on the wiki outlining the fruits of my US incorporation research is open to criticism, feedback, and general review, so if you feel I missed something, pipe up now. Until then, remember, live free or die!
Related Stories
What We Are Doing: On Incorporation And Other News ... 96 comments
It's been a hectic couple of weeks since SoylentNews went public, and our young community has already seen it fair share of difficulties, drama, and growing pains. Due to an absolutely hectic travel schedule combined with good helping of emergencies, and other calamities, I've been dealing with both trying to keep us operational, and working towards defining who we are and what we will be. With my travel on hold until May, and with most of the pressing issues resolving, I feel that we've finally reached a moment where we can stop reacting, and starting planning. With that said, I'd like to take a moment to sit down, talk about recent events, and give you what I see our future as.
Here is what I'm going into on this post:
- My Vision for SoylentNews
- Incorporating: How, and Where
- The Community Voting System and Voting For Our New Name
- Disclosure on Recent Security Issues
NCommander adds: Well, that was bad timing. Our submission drought ended about the time this went live so its already off the main page. I feel that its important that most people read this so they can at least see the call for volunteers so I'm bumping it back to the top of the main page. At some point we need a featured article feature so things like important site news can stay "stuck" to the top.
Here is what I'm going into on this post:
- My Vision for SoylentNews
- Incorporating: How, and Where
- The Community Voting System and Voting For Our New Name
- Disclosure on Recent Security Issues
NCommander adds: Well, that was bad timing. Our submission drought ended about the time this went live so its already off the main page. I feel that its important that most people read this so they can at least see the call for volunteers so I'm bumping it back to the top of the main page. At some point we need a featured article feature so things like important site news can stay "stuck" to the top.
This discussion has been archived.
No new comments can be posted.
Incorporation Plan Or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love New Hampshire
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(Score: 3, Funny) by The Mighty Buzzard on Friday April 25 2014, @05:37PM
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 02 2014, @08:21PM
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(Score: 4, Interesting) by Barrabas on Friday April 25 2014, @05:38PM
Let me know when you've settled in and I'll treat you to a few beers [strangebrewtavern.net].
(Score: 2) by mrcoolbp on Friday April 25 2014, @05:41PM
/me invites self
(Score:1^½, Radical)
(Score: 1) by sqrt(-1) on Friday April 25 2014, @06:30PM
(Score: 2) by nitehawk214 on Friday April 25 2014, @07:36PM
When I read your name I read the -1 as the moderation, and thought someone modded you down.
"Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh
(Score: 3, Funny) by starcraftsicko on Friday April 25 2014, @08:02PM
It's clearly just an imaginary name. ;)
This post was created with recycled electrons.
(Score: 1) by gishzida on Saturday April 26 2014, @12:22AM
Naw! I think it reflects their complex personality....
(Score: 2) by starcraftsicko on Friday April 25 2014, @08:05PM
Or this. [portsmouthbrewery.com]
This post was created with recycled electrons.
(Score: 2) by NCommander on Saturday April 26 2014, @05:43AM
I'll let you know when I'm in the area. Incidentally, I got your puzzle you sent me, but I can't get it to disassemble, and I'm concerned if I apply too much force, I'll break it.
Still always moving
(Score: 2) by bradley13 on Friday April 25 2014, @05:39PM
Good choice - New Hampshire is a good place. I always hoped that the Free State project would make it even better, but that seems to have fizzled...
Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by NCommander on Friday April 25 2014, @05:50PM
I heard about FSP. Since I'm heading to FSP, I'm going to look at signing it.
Still always moving
(Score: 1) by Cornwallis on Friday April 25 2014, @06:22PM
Why do you say it fizzled? I believe the FSP is still growing.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Sir Garlon on Friday April 25 2014, @06:22PM
What makes you say the Free State Project [freestateproject.org] has fizzled?
Just to be clear, since people read all kinds of things into short comments: I am not a libertarian, but I support your right to be a libertarian, and I wish the FSP all the best.
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Friday April 25 2014, @06:26PM
Well, apparently it did ruin some townships, so there's that.
(Score: 4, Informative) by Thexalon on Friday April 25 2014, @08:10PM
It didn't fizzle at all, but it didn't get the reaction at all that it expected. (I was born and raised in NH, and know some of the established political players personally, so I have some sense of the story.)
Basically, what happened was that the libertarians moved into NH, settled in the lovely towns that are all over the state, ran some candidates for the state House, won (not too hard - because there are 400 House seats for 1 million residence, that works out to about 1200 votes per winning candidate), and their leaders went to Concord ready to do battle for libertarian ideals.
If their image of politics was shaped by what was going on in Washington DC, they were in for a surprise, because the reaction of the other legislators (majority Democrat at the time) was along the lines of "Hi, nice to meet you! We're looking forward to what ideas you might have about how to make the state better. If you need any assistance working with the various offices in the state, please let us know."
What some of the Free Staters hadn't realized before that moment is that in New Hampshire the political culture focuses more on effective and good government than on party affiliation. As an example or this in action, the Secretary of State Bill Gardner (a Democrat) was appointed in 1976 by the then-Republican leaning legislature and Republican governor, and has been consistently re-appointed by both Democrats and Republicans ever since because everyone recognizes that he's both very good at doing the work and fair to everyone. It probably also makes a big difference that there are about 10 full-time politicians in the entire state (governor, 2 senators, 2 federal congresspeople, and a few city mayors), and holding any other office is essentially a volunteer role.
"Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 25 2014, @08:57PM
Well, I assumed it fizzled in the sense that nowhere near the number of people signed up for it as they expected. NH politics aren't bad, but when I lived in the neighborhood, southern NH was being invaded by Boston workers looking for cheaper digs. Granted, I haven't been there for a long time, but I had the impression that things were going in the wrong (read "progressive") political direction.
Good news?
(Score: 2) by M. Baranczak on Friday April 25 2014, @11:25PM
Fun facts about the Granite State:
- The alarm clock was invented there.
- It's the birthplace of great Americans like astronaut Alan Shepard, porn star Erica Campbell, and pop crooner G.G. Allin.
- It's not true that there's a sign on I-95 North in Kittery that says "Welcome to Maine, sorry about New Hampshire".
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Saturday April 26 2014, @01:14AM
Ah yes, an underrated gem with a throat of gold. Anybody with an interest in serious discourse should learn from his extensive catalog which contains such thought-provoking songwriting with hits such as "Sleeping in my Piss," "Fucking the Dog," "Expose Yourself to Kids," and "I'm Gonna Rape You."
(Score: 1) by Immerman on Saturday April 26 2014, @05:45AM
>The alarm clock was invented there.
Well that tears it. I had liked most of what I heard about New Hampshire, but now I have no choice but to destroy them all and salt the ground.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Friday April 25 2014, @05:40PM
I love the new logo and catch phrase. Dear god, that is catchy.
You will be free or you will be food. Choose.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 4, Informative) by NCommander on Friday April 25 2014, @05:42PM
The slogan is actually a quote, the full line is "Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.", made as a toast by General John Stark during the revolution war.
Still always moving
(Score: 3, Funny) by Angry Jesus on Friday April 25 2014, @06:24PM
FWIW. using that license plate might be bad luck.
It features a picture of the Old Man of the Mountain which collapsed a few years ago. [wikipedia.org]
(Score: 2) by MrGuy on Friday April 25 2014, @07:07PM
And here I thought it was a Bruce Willis movie tagline this whole time.
The more you know...
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Friday April 25 2014, @10:40PM
Glad to know the full quote! I was wondering about the 'new' logo... Great to be kept up to date on all this. We're in good hands.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Ethanol-fueled on Friday April 25 2014, @06:09PM
I don't think it's funny as much as it's sexy. It gave me (as it should give any lover of liberty) a serious hard-on.
(Score: 2) by NCommander on Friday April 25 2014, @08:25PM
Ugh, seriously, didn't need that mental image. Really.
A beer bottle should not have a boner.
Brain bleach please.
Still always moving
(Score: 3, Funny) by terryk30 on Friday April 25 2014, @08:11PM
Soylent News: Be informed, or be formed... into green biscuits.
(Score: 3, Funny) by starcraftsicko on Friday April 25 2014, @05:45PM
Welcome.
You'll do great here. Portsmouth is nice...
Live free or DIIIIIEEEE! [youtube.com]
This post was created with recycled electrons.
(Score: 3) by janrinok on Friday April 25 2014, @05:46PM
Thanks for carrying out this task. I know it is not one that you have enjoyed and that it has taken an inordinate amount of time. But, once complete, I'm sure it will have been worth it.
Thank you.
I am not interested in knowing who people are or where they live. My interest starts and stops at our servers.
(Score: 2) by clone141166 on Friday April 25 2014, @06:34PM
Seconded. Thanks!
(Score: 2) by cmn32480 on Friday April 25 2014, @05:52PM
That light at the end of the tunnel could be a train.
You are doing a great job with a massively difficult task. How can I contribute to the beer/reloaction fund?
"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear" - Norm Peterson
(Score: 1) by danmars on Friday April 25 2014, @06:27PM
Are there a disproportionate number of NH people on this site, or is it commenting selection bias?
(Score: 3, Funny) by Buck Feta on Friday April 25 2014, @06:49PM
I thought we all were from New Hampshire. You're not?
- fractious political commentary goes here -
(Score: 1) by danmars on Saturday April 26 2014, @05:25AM
Joke's on you, I live 3 miles from barrabas's suggested tavern.
(Score: 3, Informative) by randmcnatt on Friday April 25 2014, @06:33PM
http://form1023.org/ [form1023.org] -- Mostly dealing with the IRS, but has some other good resources, like a template for articles of incorporation.
Inc. [inc.com] -- 501(c)3 bylaws template generator, plus a whole lot more. I found it very helpful when wrestling with a helping create local merchants' association.
The Wright brothers were not the first to fly: they were the first to land.
(Score: 3, Funny) by weeds on Friday April 25 2014, @06:49PM
Since SN is not incorporated as a non-profit yet, I can't send in a donation. Fine, where do I send your birthday present?
Get money out of politics! [mayday.us]
(Score: 2) by Subsentient on Friday April 25 2014, @07:34PM
To me. Everybody forgets my birthday.
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." -Jiddu Krishnamurti
(Score: 2) by skullz on Friday April 25 2014, @07:15PM
"To celebrate this milestone, I've temporarily changed the site logo and slogan to reflect our status."
Please tell me you are going to get this custom plate to put on the back of some 70's Pinto. I'll donate just for that.
(Score: 2) by NCommander on Friday April 25 2014, @07:24PM
You know ... when I was in college, I toyed with the idea of buying a Pinto.
I need a car to drive the Pan-American Highway. Driving a Pinto across two continents probably would be worth it for the story alone.
Still always moving
(Score: 2) by skullz on Friday April 25 2014, @07:30PM
"Driving a Pinto across two continents"
God no, we need you alive longer than that!
(Score: 4, Funny) by NCommander on Friday April 25 2014, @07:39PM
You know how you have an adventure?
You take a stupid idea and follow through. I believe my last one started with "Hey guys, I've worked with Slash before ..."
Still always moving
(Score: 3, Insightful) by skullz on Friday April 25 2014, @08:10PM
I thought you started out by rolling 3d6...
(Score: 1) by koreanbabykilla on Friday April 25 2014, @09:33PM
Ha! Thats some good shit there. :D
(Score: 2) by GlennC on Friday April 25 2014, @07:16PM
But I'm not sure why you feel you need our approval.
YOU are the one putting this together.
YOU are the one whose name will be most prominent on the Articles of Incorporation.
In short, it's YOUR site.
While I have an account, and make the occasional contribution, administrative minutiae are of no concern to me. It should also be of no concern to anyone who has not made a significant contribution of either time, money, or expertise.
Sorry folks...the world is bigger and more varied than you want it to be. Deal with it.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by mrcoolbp on Friday April 25 2014, @07:51PM
It's our site (we exist for and by the community) actually, and there was some people that posed the option of incorporating elsewhere in the world (some people dislike the US). NCommander said anyone willing to research other nations as a basis for setting up the NFP were free to. He opted to research which state would be best in the US. As no one stepped up, it looks like we have a conclusion.
(Score:1^½, Radical)
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 25 2014, @08:11PM
So when he says "relocate" is he really permanently relocating himself solely to do the incorporation?
That's pretty... drastic. Especially if this site doesn't make him any money (and I assume it doesn't).
(Score: 4, Informative) by NCommander on Friday April 25 2014, @08:24PM
Yup. :-) (not sure how permament it will be, but at least until we have all the necessary certificates of business + rubber stamps, etc.)
Still always moving
(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Saturday April 26 2014, @04:40AM
Maybe it is just an excuse. You know. To move. To New Hampshire.
(Wait, could it be that NCommander is in reality Scott Brown? Nah, no way!)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 27 2014, @03:45PM
We don't dislike everything about the US, but secret court orders and stuff like this [soylentnews.org] makes some of us really uncomfortable about some of the stuff going on in the US and that's one of the reasons some of us have suggested incorporation in another country.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 26 2014, @12:34PM
This is exactly the point he's making: it's OUR site!
(Score: 1) by cykros on Sunday May 04 2014, @08:26PM
I seem to remember another site feeling like it didn't need the approval of its users. Last I checked, that site's comments had drastically fallen off into being about as useful in the scope the site aimed to pertain to as posts on AOL forums.
There's a lesson to be learned in there somewhere, and I think NCommander is on the right track.
SoylentNews is People!
(Score: 2) by GlennC on Monday May 05 2014, @01:46PM
As a counterpoint, I know of another site that was pretty good, and I contributed there for a while.
Then the owner started on a kick about wanting more input from the users for site decisions.
Kuro5hin.org is now just an Internet backwater site.
I'm concerned that SN will suffer the same fate.
Sorry folks...the world is bigger and more varied than you want it to be. Deal with it.
(Score: 1) by cykros on Monday May 05 2014, @10:23PM
Fair point. It would seem that the sweet spot, as it were, is somewhere in between despotism and willy nilly democracy. From what I've seen, we've been thus far not straying too far to one side or the other here...there's a core of folks involved in executive tasks, some that take direction a bit in the form of editing or other general labor, and then the majority of us plebs that need to be whipped and prodded just to go vote on the site name.
But yes, leaders, don't be afraid to lead. You can be sure we'll be happy to let you know when you're doing it wrong.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 26 2014, @12:22PM
Why New Hampshire? Everyone knows Delaware is the logical place to inc.