[MassHistPres] MA Association of Historic PreservationCommissions

Tue May 17 11:13:38 EDT 2011

As someone who has incorporated and helped to form a number of non-profit
organizations, I agree with Dennis' observations.  Incorporating and
qualifying a new organization with the IRS - particularly one without a
previous track record as a program - is a labor intensive exercise.  Once a
program has become established within an existing umbrella or parent
organization, consideration could be given to spinning it off as a separate
organization.  In effect, this is what the Massachusetts land trust
community did with its re-structured Mass. Land Trust Coalition.

Merely a point of view, and of course not the only approach to follow, but
perhaps these thoughts might offer some help in your deliberations.

Stefan

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From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Dennis De Witt
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 10:05 AM
To: MHC MHC listserve
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] MA Association of Historic
PreservationCommissions

Chris et al

I have spent the last several years as part of a dedicated group that has
invested thousands of hours in starting up a new non-profit organization and
facing all of the issues Chris has listed below.  

I would strongly suggest that starting a sperate, free standing entity might
be considered only after having explored the possibility of establishing
something under the umbrella of an existing organization.  

The most obvious such organization that immediately comes to my mind would
be Preservation Mass, altho there might well be others worth considering.

Best regards,

Dennis J De Witt, Vice-Chairman
Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, Inc.
2450 Beacon St.

Boston, Massachusetts 02467 

Overlooking the Chestnut Hill Reservoir

dennis.dewitt at waterworksmuseum.org
phone 617-566-3196
cell 617-620-9776

On May 17, 2011, at 9:12 AM, Chris Skelly wrote:

Hi all,

I've appreciated seeing the responses to Brian Lever's posting regarding the
formation of statewide association of historical commissions and historic
district commissions.  If there is a critical mass of people around the
state interested in forming a statewide association, then I think we should
all get together for a brainstorming session.  The interest on the listserve
for this concept was there but so far not hugely so.  Right now, I think we
need more people to express their support and energy for this idea. 

If we could get 20-30 people in a room (or online actually), with various
backgrounds such as:

1.       Experience forming a non-profit organization

2.       Website Development

3.       Fundraising (although I think a low budgeted organization could do
a lot)

4.       Grant Writing

5.       Education

6.       Marketing

7.       Public Relations

8.       Academia

9.       Not sure what else but I'm sure you can think of others

Then, I think this could take off really fast.  I fully believe that for
historic preservation to move forward some kind of association is essential.
Maybe we at least need to keep this conversation active on the listserve to
draw out more people.  Chris.

Christopher C. Skelly

Director of Local Government Programs

Massachusetts Historical Commission

220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125

Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm

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From: liv1946 at gmail.com
To: blever3043 at aol.com
Sent: 5/14/2011 9:44:36 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: [MassHistPres] Historical / District Commission member group

great idea....what can we do to help?
Olivia Mausel
for the Holyoke Historical Commission

On Thu, May 12, 2011 at 10:28 AM, Blever3043 <blever3043 at aol.com> wrote:

Hi All, 

I'm wondering if there is interest in forming an association of local
historic preservation commissions.  Lots of other boards, committees and
commissions such as conservation commissions, zoning boards of appeal,
planning boards, health boards, school committees and so on have organized
themselves into statewide associations.   As statewide non-profit
organizations, they have a strong voice, educate their members on various
topics, hold annual conferences and advocate for their cause.  This
listserve is a great forum for discussion, but local commissions need a
stronger collective voice.  Its been a while since the last state-wide
conference and I think it would be good to have a venue that those of us in
preservation can get together and learn from each other.  Even a one day
conference like VAF or New England Archaeology has would be good.  With all
of the Local Historical Commissions and Historic District Commissions around
the state, a Massachusetts Association of Historic Preservation Commissions
could help our cause and organize us.  What do you think?  Is this a good
idea?  If so, what should be some next steps.

Brian Lever  

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