The Details
1. Membership is open to all. Members are typically individuals, though partner memberships are also allowed with one vote given to each partner group.
2. Each Member commits by completing the Commitment Form and writing a $100 check to the charity selected at their first meeting.
3. Each Member commits to donate $100 per meeting for the period of a year (3 x $100 = $300), even if unable to attend a given meeting. If unable to attend, the Member will make arrangements (via insert email here) to mail/deliver the check to a member of the Steering Team or will arrange to have another Member bring the check to the meeting. Members may also use one of the online donation options.
4. Only committed Members are eligible to “put their name in the hat” and present to the group at a meeting about a charity.
5. Charities eligible for consideration must be local 501(c)(3) organizations. This ensures that Member donations are tax-deductible.
6. National charities will be considered only if they have an active chapter or presence in Corvallis/ Benton County. The monies must go to a specific, local-based project. The purpose is for 100% of our group donations to serve locally.
7. Charities not to be submitted for consideration include those that promote political causes or candidates, or promote particular religious beliefs, practices, or doctrines.
8. A Member wishing to advocate for a local 501(c)(3) organization should complete the Charity Pre-Qualification Form. At the meeting, a slip of paper with the presenting Member’s name and the organization will be put in the nomination “hat” for random selection.
9. Three names will be pulled from the hat at each meeting.
10. Each Member presenting will have 5 minutes to present about the purpose and needs of the organization they are advocating for. Strong presentations typically include how the charity will use our group’s donation. Following each presentation, 5 minutes will be allowed for Q&A.
11. Presentations are verbal only – no PowerPoint presentations or handouts.
12. A vote by written ballot is taken at the end of the three presentations. Only Members receive ballots. Ballots are collected and the Steering Team counts the votes. The organization with the most votes is selected for that quarter’s group donation.
13. Each Member agrees to donate to the organization that received the majority of votes, regardless of who they voted for.
14. Donations will be made via personal checks written directly to the organization selected,by cash, or to direct online donation the evening of the meeting. Checks and cash donations will be collected at each meeting. The final tally will be announced with a photo-op announcement. We’ll take a picture for our online site and post it on social media.
15. Selected organizations receiving our group donation will not be eligible to put their name in the hat to be considered again for a period of two years.
A Typical Meeting
| Time | Activity |
| 5:45-6:00 | Arrival and check in |
| 6:00 pm to 6:10 pm | Random drawing of 3 presenters |
| 6:10 pm to 6:20 pm | Presenter #1 (5 min presentation & 5 min Q&A) |
| 6:20 pm to 6:30 pm | Presenter #2 (5 min presentation & 5 min Q&A) |
| 6:30 pm to 6:40 pm | Presenter #3 (5 min presentation & 5 min Q&A) |
| 6:40 pm to 6:50 pm | Votes cast, collected and counted |
| 6:40 pm to 6:50 pm | Presentation by nonprofit agency that received our previous quarter’s group donation |
| 6:50 pm to 7:00 pm | – Announcement of this meeting’s recipient– Check writing and donation collection– Wrap Up |