Posted on 11/22/2004 10:03:14 AM PST by TexasCowboy
I agree. That's almost a must.
Maybe I can get a firearms instructor to donate some time on weekends to help out.
Unfortunately there is always that one arse that comes along and spoils it for everyone. Kids with downs sydrome really like horses. Of course they can never ride on their own, but just getting in the saddle and being led around the ring is an accomplishment to them. Insurance will probably be your biggest cost, which you can reduce by having proper waivers drawn up for parents to sign.
Regardless of what activities you have available, they should all end with an award, ribbon or something of aclomplishment. I'll see if I can find if some of these camps around here have web sites.
It's best to assume that no good deed will go unpunished which is why carrying adequate insurance is essential. Scummy trial lawyers will not hesitate to bring down even the most benevolent of organizations if it means winning a large contingency fee.
I'd love to have Down's Syndrome kids, CP kids, MS kids and other disabilities, but that will have to come later when I can get some donations coming in.
I can't afford the extra expense to provide for them.
Please read and send your input to Texas Cowboy! PING
I disagree with your attorney's comment on waivers (of course, that's how we attorneys make our money: representing people who do, or may in the future, disagree with each other). I've been on both sides of cases where a properly drafted waiver was the difference between winning and losing. Suffice it to say that you shouldn't let the possibility of a court trashing your waiver convince you not to insist on having participants sign one.
I've mulled that around in my head for months.
Like I told him, there HAS to be a way!
I won't settle for giving up out of fear of being sued!
Let me run this by you, and this was his idea:
Form a non-profit organization and lease everything I own to the Children's Retreat so that I am in no way connected personally to the liability.
Is that going to work?
TC ~ congratulations for taking this on ~ you make a huge difference!
Fields of Faith ~ Bump!
You can go to the free republic saddle club thread for more advice about planning for a stable. I used to work for a couple for quite a few years as a manager and instructor.
I'll check it out.
When asked.."If you could do anything you wanted to out in the country, what would you do?"
His response:
I would like to learn to make bridges across streams and help people cross.(He said out of his arms-.. I think he is thinking of cooperative type games). Swing from a tire swing. Plant vegetables and flowers. Feed animals. Swim. Have a bon fire.... roast marshmallows and make smores.
IF he mentions anything else I will let you know. Good Luck TC!!! That is so awesome!
I hve a Texas nonprofit corporation that's involved in music ministry, and I transferred my personal musical equipment, etc., to the corporation just so there wouldn't be a question of what was mine and what belonged to the ministry. Make certain you have a board of directors to which you're accountable and that you make full disclosure of all expenditures. If there's a way to "pierce the veil" by showing you're using the nonprofit's assets for your own enrichment, the protections of a corporation won't do any good and may in fact hurt you. FYI, check out www.danajacobson.com and go to the ministry button - there's more info there.
In Him,
Dana Jacobson, President,
Joebros, Inc., a Texas Nonprofit Corporation
BTT!!!!!!!!
...and ping!
That is exactly why I'm refusing donations from companies who would like to donate now.
Once I get my personal things acquired, I can separate mine from the kids without that question.
If it's set up and run properly, the corporation should provide adequate liability protection. And waivers are important, too. While they can be thrown out if they are not written well or the bad conduct is so egregious to justify it, their very existence tends to discourage the sue-happy from ever going to an attorney in the first place.
TC - what a beautiful place!! I will ask my 8 and 10 year olds when I get home for some input and get back to you!! *HUGS!*
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