So...what's in a by-law, anyway? Apparently, a LOT of legal jargon! Bluebonnet Humane Equine Society (www.bluebonnetequine.org) sent us their by-laws, and Colleen had been preparing some for what would become Borrowed Freedom Equine Therapies (www.borrowedfreedom.org). Still, I had to download forms (thanks, Google!) as to what needed to be in the by-laws, what constitutes a director, how many you need, how you will run your board meetings. What a headache! Especially when, our best efforts were apparently for naught, as the legal counsel for the Ralph and Virginia Mullin Foundation redid them. I felt like I hadn't for a long, longt ime...working on a term paper, and having it come back with red scribbles all over it...

The Mission Statement was much easier! Here, we were on solid ground - knowing it would evolve, but knowing what we hoped to do. In short, it reads: "Our goal with www.specialhorses.org is to provide fundraising opportunities, marketing assistance,
educational opportunities, and community outreach for registered 501(c)3
not-for-profit Equine groups. The groups we support are those who
rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses in need and therapeutic riding
and hippotherapy facilities. The groups we work with are selected for
their reputation, dedication and excellent service to the animals in
their care. That type of dedication takes time and resources, leaving
little time to plan, organize, and execute fundraising and outreach. It
is our hope that by providing fun and frequent fundraisers, as well as
education and outreach, we will help bring national attention and
awareness to the amazing services these groups provide."

And then form 1023 for the IRS...another nightmare. Since I'm a research scientist and I submit grant applications several times a year to the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health to fund my research, and I also pay my taxes...you'd think I'd be conversant with government phrasing, terminology, and tedium. Not!

All that simply to submit your application...which went off last July. And which was only the start of becoming 501(c)3.