Divine 9 For Obama t-shirts

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by ljkelly

Individual members can't be left to their own devices? Hmm, okay...while I said I understand the point being made about companies making money off the orgs and that it could be a "slippery slope" but that is something that is already done with vendors all over who are not getting clearance from nationals. I see thongs with letters on them and I know that no one's nationals said that was okay...I made the decision to buy the shirt because I think it is for a good cause and it, in my opinion, did not represent the org in a negative light.

Basic NPHC 101. We are 501 (c)(7)s and as such cannot endorse a candidate. Thus the issue is not how cute they are, or where proceeds will be sent. The issue is our tax-exempt status with the IRS.

And if our own members don't understand this, why would a vendor care?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

And if our own members don't understand this, why would a vendor care?

She said she understands this but just didn't care. Stop being mean, right?

[Little32]

I wasn't aware that the tax-exempt status extended that far either. I knew that our organization could not unilaterally support any political candidate, but on first glance, I would not think that a simple shirt could be such a threat (though now, reading this thread, I can see how the shirt might be perceived as an organizational endorsement.)

Another thing, while I understand the theoretical threat, I do wonder about the realistic possibility of the IRS pursuing such a course. I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.

I thought it was cute too. Course, those colors together generally are.