SPI invited X.Org to join as Associated Project

[Luc Verhaegen]

On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 10:36:15AM -0500, Alex Deucher wrote:
> 
> The reason we lost our 501c3 status is one of the reasons why we want
> to join SPI.  We don't have any accountants or lawyers on our board
> that have the necessary know-how to keep up with the appropriate
> business and tax filings.  SPI handles that for us.  Same goes for
> donations.  We don't have the time or resources to run our own secure
> donation servers, etc.  SPI provides that service for us.  The
> foundation does not have the budget to provide pay for those services
> in addition to sponsoring conferences and EvoC.
> 
> With all of these things in mind, we looked for possible solutions and
> SPI came up.  We read through their website and talked with them
> extensively and it seemed like a good fit for Xorg.  That said, this
> is new to us too.  It helps that other organizations we know and trust
> also trust SPI.  So, based on what we've discussed and researched, it
> is our understanding that things won't really change much from an
> organizational standpoint other than that SPI will be managing the tax
> and business, donation acceptance, and reimbursement duties so that we
> can focus on conferences and student projects like EVoC.
> 
> For more background on the associated project process and what is
> entailed, please see these pages from the SPI site:
> http://www.spi-inc.org/projects/associated-project-howto/
> http://www.spi-inc.org/projects/relationship/
> http://www.spi-inc.org/projects/services/
> 
> In particular from the relationship page:
> 
> "Relationship Between SPI and Associated Projects
> 
> Fiscal Sponsorship
> 
> SPI acts as a fiscal sponsor for associated projects.
> 
> Project Independence
> 
> SPI does not own, govern or control the associated projects. All
> actions by SPI on behalf of associated projects must comply with
> relevant laws, SPI's By-Laws and 501(c)3 status. SPI does not prohibit
> the project having a similar relationship with other fiscal sponsors.
> 
> Freedom to Leave
> 
> The project liaison may decide that the project is leaving SPI at any
> time.  Any assets and money held by SPI for the project may be
> transferred to a 501(c)3 US non-profit of the liaison's choice, or
> simply held until expended.
> 
> Liability
> 
> SPI does not indemnify associated projects or members."
> 
> 
> 
> Alex

Thanks, this indeed takes care of the questions i have at this time.

Luc Verhaegen.