Update on 2024 GoFundMe Appeal
Our summer 2024 GoFundMe project, raising funds to create two O’Donovan Clan legal entities, was a huge success!
We are well on our way to forming an inclusive and sustainable global organization. The O’Donovan Clan Cultural Association will offer members a solid foundation on which to conduct business, as well as ensuring financial transparency and accountability.
Thanks to the generosity of 57 donors, $5670.00 was raised through GoFundMe. With GFM retaining a fee of $181.88, our net receipts total $5,488.12. This seed money will be used to file applications in the U.S. for a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, and in Ireland a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG).
We have embarked on the long road to filing applications in both countries – with more turns and detours than imagined! Research and due diligence are required in many areas, among them:
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Surveying models of other clan association formats (both Irish and Scottish) so that our organizations’ forms will be sustainable over time;
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Understanding how successful non-profit social and charitable organizations in the U.S. and Ireland are structured;
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Researching models for the required mission and vision statements, as well as goals, objectives (objects in CLG) and strategic plans;
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Delineating Membership eligibility criteria and codes of conduct;
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Ensuring that components of filings as required by one or both governments are rendered consistently, and clearly reflect our initial and prospective activities and plans;
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Surveying the Bylaws of other non-profit and charitable organizations to draft preliminary Bylaws as required by U.S. regulations.
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Creating record systems for income and outflow of funds and annual financial reporting requirements for each country (profit & loss statements).
The achievement of legal status offers many exciting opportunities for the O’Donovan Clan. Sponsorship of local and global Clan events, acquisition and preservation of O’Donovan artifacts and historic sites, and the building of strong bonds of kinship through genealogical study are just a few initiatives for consideration.
In the interest of expediency, decisions at the outset have had to be made by a small cohort of people. Initial filings, particularly regarding bylaws, can be discussed, amended and voted upon by members over the next few years. More input will also be sought going forward in terms of strategic planning, development of committees and interest groups, and more.
Thanks to all who have assisted in our efforts so far. We will continue to share news of progress on the application filings, and to solicit input from O’Donovans as we position ourselves for the future as a proud and noble family.
