What kind of organization is the ATA? Who owns the ATA?
Have looked over the info on their web page. I see it was originally a chapter of FTA. Changed along the line but didn't see exactly what it changed to.

When first formed (as Interior Alaska Trappers Assc) it was as a Chapter of Fur Takers. Chapter 19 if memory serves. FTA (Wally Schmeig) was very helpful in assisting us in setting up the group and as a chapter, we had a national "presence." The reason that we did not form as the "Alaska Trappers Association," was that at the time, the corporate name was already held by a previous group. That group was not active, but the name Alaska Trappers Assc was legally held by someone else. IATA was essentially the statewide association. For a while, there were other FTA chapters in Alaska, including in Southcentral, Juneau and on the Kenai.

Within a few years, the name became legally available. We filed for it, got it and we legally became the "Alaska Trappers Association." Around the same time we also became affiliated with NTA. We split from FTA in 1979. For a while we were unaffiliated, but soon affiliated with NTA. We remain so to this day.

Bottom line is that ATA is a legal corporate entity under the laws of the State of Alaska. ATA is not owned by anyone. The NAME "Alaska Trappers Association" is legally held by ATA as recognized by the State of Alaska.

Hope that helps clarify. The details are noted in the "History of ATA" published a few years ago, written by yours truly. It can be found on the website as well as being an actual publication.

Pete

What is the tax status Pete ?

Not owned by anyone? How is a corporate entity not owned by someone? What does a member who pays a membership fee, get? Pres. and Board is elected. Doesn't that imply some sort of ownership?

Not necessarily Mike. If it's a 501 C 3 or 4 or some such, no one owns it. It just exists as its own entity.

Our library here is a C type corporation that files a tax return with the feds but is owned by no one. It was incorporated in 1943 I believe. Before the city even existed

So Ken, if your library fails to file a tax return, who does the IRS go after? Why bother filing if no one can be held responsible? Having a hard time understanding how a corporate entity can exist without owners, or anyone to hold responsible.

I do not recall what the tax status is. ATA is not a 501(c)(3) but we have a charitable affiliated educational group that is: Alaska Fur Mgt Council. The AFMC accepts tax deductible contributions and funds furbearer research and other educational projects.

I'll see if I can find out what ATA's tax status is. The whole idea of incorporating is that said corporation is a legal entity with "rights and responsibilities" of its own, rather than of individual people who put it together.

I can assure you that the Directors do not "own" ATA. Nor do they expect or receive any compensation. (Either that, or I'm owed a lot of back pay...)

Pete

Not sure Mike but I suspect what would happen is that the Library Association ( which anyone can join at no cost) would lose their tax exempt status if they did not file a return.

Pete mentioned the word "education". There is a classification of groups that fall into some IRS regulation that makes educational associations eligible for non-profit status. I can't remember what it is though.

"Rights and responsibilities of its own". Ok, what are those rights and responsibilities? Who qualifies to have those Rand R? The directors? Members? If someone ponies up 30 bucks does ATA owe them anymore than a yearly magazine?
As someone who has been a member, been on the Board, contributed to the magazine over the last 40 years, I am quite aware of what a member "GETS". I want to know what a member legally, or ethically, is entitled to, if anything.

Ken, so what if the library loses it,s tax exempt status! There is no one to hold responsible if the library continues to fail to file a return even as a for profit entity! IRS isn't going to come to McGrath and confiscate the books I suspect.

ATA is incorporated as a non-profit under 501 (c) (4). Generally classified as a "social welfare organization."

Have a look at the IRS website for a detailed description of what the responsibilities are in that regard.

Pete

MCGRATH COMMUNITY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION INC. is a non-profit corporation under the jurisdiction of the State of Alaska. It has a board of directors that are elected by the membership. If they fail to file the appropriate paperwork with the Feds, then they go after the board. Normally if a non-profit fails to file their 990 with the IRS, then they can, after a time, revoke their tax exempt status. The only time I have ever seen the feds go after a board is if for some reason they failed to pay any payroll taxes due (I have seen this several times, so if you serve on a board and have employees, you (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) well make sure the payroll taxes get paid), or if there is some malfeasance on the part of the board or its employees. As a non-profit is a tax exempt entity, they don't pay any income taxes. They can be made to pay other kinds of taxes, such as property taxes.

The ATA is also a non-profit as stated above. It is technically "owned" by its membership, who vote for directors and officers of the corporation. There are no shareholders like you would see in any other corporation.

Sometimes you will hear of C-corps or S-corps, and those are IRS tax designations on how the taxes of the corporation are paid. There are a bunch of 501(c) xxx corporation designations, and you can have fun reading through them all. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/types-of-tax-exempt-organizations

-TJ

Edit: For (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) and giggles I looked up the incorporation date of the library above. 4-13-1942 for those interested.

Hey martentrapper where are you going with all of this?

As I read through this I find an irony.

I used to be kind of upset that NAFA went right ahead and charged me for a nearly worthless magazine that only came twice a year,

The ATA has a magazine, that I completely enjoy receiving, that comes whenever it comes? Seems to have no rhyme or reason.

I also wonder where martentrapper’s angle is coming from.

My magazines arrive like clockwork. They don't publish anything in the off season. I think October is the first issue and April is the last issue every season.

OK just checked the ATA website at the top off the page. Under membership info here is the magazine info:


The Alaska Trapper is published monthly eight times per year during the trapping season (Sept. - April).

I was wondering too. I believe he was on the BOD in the early 80’s while going to AP school.

Thank you drasselt for that.

I was on the Board in the late 80s after A&P school. I have some disatisfation with ATA currently. I would like to know what ATA as a 501 c 4 social welfare organization OWES it's members, if anything. Read thru the link Jimmy provided. Can't find an answer to my question so far.

As a non- profit I would think they don't OWE their members anything, other than representing them in state- level rules and regulations settings. Sounds like you may have an axe to grind with someone in ATA at the moment and you're just looking for the right angle to grind it.

Dissatisfaction with a trapping organization and those who run it is almost unheard of. I've probably only witnessed it a gazillion times.

It seems to me that the best way to address dissatisfaction is directly with the individuals you're having the problem with. They may even be able to answer your questions.

Anyone who volunteers their time deserves thanks. While I wasn't here in the late 80's I benefit from the ATA and thank you for your contributions to the organization along with all the others who have donated their time past and present. Keeping a bunch of trappers happy is no easy task.