Live from the Convention Workshops

Everyone’s here at the workshops that began at 9 am this morning.  The first round of presentations are complete…I was part of the presentation so a Live Blog isn’t available for those.  Topics covered included what the DANK National Office can do for members of DANK, Computer Basics, and Features of the DANK Website.  Live blog posts are in Reverse Chronological Order.

3:37 pm
That’s all for the Live Blog.  There will be more posts throughout the weekend and it is planned to have another Live blog at tomorrows elections.

3:36 pm
She’s done talking… the convention workshops are wrapping up

3:25 pm
She is talking about risk vs return on stocks and bonds

3:15 pm
There are 2 tax efficient ways to gift to DANK… Leave complete or partial annuities or IRA’s to DANK or gift low basis stocks

3:13 pm
She is detailing her experience and how she got into the business

3:08 pm
On to the last presentation by Margret Schrant, Associate Vice President – Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors, about DANK Investment and Member Gift Giving.  We are running about 30 minutes late due to the extra interest in the liability insurance.

2:59 pm
Again, this topic has turned into a big discussion from the delegates.

2:50 pm
Policy can cover volunteers to the organization.

2:48 pm
If the chapter’s insurance policy is under DANK, there is not coverage if a chapter sues National or if National sues a chapter.  So it is advised that chapters get insurance coverage separate from DANK National.

2:45 pm
Board members are held personally responsible if a lawsuit is filed, which is why it’s crucial to get covered.

2:41 pm
A lot of the presentation is going over the previous discussion on liability insurance from earlier but in more detail.

2:40 pm
Stories are being told about various accidents and disasters that have occured to other organizations.

2:37 pm
Moving on to Insurance obligations by a guest speaker

2:30 pm
All chapter should be filling out their calendar of events and sending them to National for the website and paper, along with updating their board member info and should be submitting articles to the German-American Journal.

2:25 pm
All delegates received a checklist of what is desired and the timeline for completing certain records.

2:24 pm
On to DANK Record Keeping

2:20 pm
The last break is almost over… the last presentations will begin shortly

2:02 pm
Questions and answers are going on… DANK record keeping is coming up.

1:57 pm
Attendees will be able to see a correct election tomorrow during the election of the national board.

1:54 pm
No absentee voting, proxies or cumulative voting.

1:52 pm
Elections should follow certain procedures pertaining to Robert’s Rules of Order

1:50 pm
If a chapter needs to close down, there are procedures that need to be done.  Minutes from the meeting where the desicion was made is required.

1:48 pm
Chapters should not set up their bank account as a personal account.  National will provide the chapter with their Tax ID number, and the chapter might need to present minutes or records

1:46 pm
Most of the policies discussed are in the Standard Operating Guide

1:40 pm
Everyone in attendance is in agreement that every chapter needs the insurance and it is unacceptable if they do not.  This is a hot topic on the floor.

1:37 pm
Every chapter should really get liability insurance.  If they don’t, the National President can held responsible. National is looking into withholding chapter dues reimbursement until proof of insurance is presented or dissolving chapter status.  The recommendation on the floor is to take the chapter dues reimbursement and purchase the insurance for the chapter using the money.

1:34 pm
Liability insurance is available for the board members which protects them from lawsuits.  If the lawsuit is lost on the boards end though, the insurance will not cover them.

1:32 pm
The government has an obligation to report to the public that the organization is exercising our legal responsibilities.  Board members can be held personally liable.

1:27 pm
The board must comply with ALL government regulations to avoid fines

1:25 pm
Board should exercise good judgment overseeing the organization’s affairs

1:22 pm
Board members should avoid conflicts of interest and should avoid self dealing

1:20 pm
Board members can not receive material profit. Years ago, some board members actually got paid to attend meetings.  What can be done is members can be reimbursed.

1:17 pm
Board members hould be active by attending board meetings and should know how the organization functions

1:13 pm
Bill is up first… having audio trouble with the mic

1:12 pm
Bill Fuchs and Maria Thompson are discussing the Roles of a DANK Board Member along with the financial record keeping obligations

1:09 pm
Audrey has finished… discussion about importance of travel program is still going on

1:03 pm
Rebate is currently for international travel.  Domestic may come soon.

1:02 pm
Special themed trips are available such as a Da Vinci Code tour in Rome.  Destinations can even go beyond Europe.  Africa was mentioned.

1:00 pm
New rebate program announced for both individual and group travel for DANK Members.  Groups are encouraged to pick several destinations to go to on the trip

12:59 pm
EuroLoyd offers special discounts for DANK members

12:58 pm
She is detailing some of the popular trips every year that go around Europe

12:54 pm
Audree from EuroLoyd travel is starting on the DANK travel program

12:48 pm
Ice Breaker being done by Darlene Fuchs having people stand up if they answer yes to a question.  For example if they have a pet.  Everyone can see what they have in common with other attendees.

12:33 pm
Info on the DANK Travel program is coming up soon

LUNCH BREAK

12:12 pm
32 new members were signed up just by participating at German Day in Milwaukee.  We can participate in more festivals with a booth to encourage membership

12:10 pm
If DANK doesn’t move forward though, we could easily be surpassed…possibly by the growing Latino population

12:09 pm
However we are still the largest ethnic organization in the US!

12:08 pm
Talking about membership decline over the years.  DANK used to have over 20,000 members and over time that decreased.  It i critical for everyone to get involved in membership to help increase our numbers

12:05 pm
Erik Wittmann, National VP, is talking now about membership.

11:52 am
Q&A Time.  A lot of info crammed in.  There are a lot of questions being asked, which is expected with such a complicated subject.

11:50 am
501(c)4 is still good for DANK for it’s purpose and can be tax exempt

11:48 am
Our education fund is 501(c)3 so donations can be made to that

11:48 am
501(c)3 would not allow DANK to participate in anything political, which was a big thing when DANK was founded 50 years ago.11:45 am
explaining why DANK is 501(c)4 and explaining why we are not 501(c)3

11:43 am
DANK is entitled to Federal and state income tax exemptions, limited liability protection, and can receive grants

11:40 am
Detailing difference between non-profit organization and tax exempt and talking about what it means to have limited liability

11:25 am
National board is made up of 11 voting and non voting members.

11:23 am
Detailing difference between being a National Member and a Chapter member.  Fairly basic but important.

11:20 am CT
National President just started a presentation on Not for Profit Organizations and their obligations