General Structure & Operation

Old Guard Riders Inc. is incorporated in the State of Arizona and is registered as a "foreign corporation" in all states where its operations within that state require such registration. As of December 2011, Old Guard Riders Inc. has nearly 1000 registered members across America and internationally. Nations with supporting membership include Canada, Great Britain, Germany, India, Indonesia and many others.

In order to fulfill its mission of assisting America's military veterans and their families in need, Old Guard Riders Inc., conducts its operations through a strong national corporate structure, as well as through its chartered chapters. Each chartered chapter has its own leadership, structure and membership and operates in strict compliance with national bylaws, policies and guidelines. Chapters exist for the sole purpose of fulfilling the OGR Mission Statement and conducting OGR authorized projects, programs and events at the local level.. Old Guard Riders Inc. accepts membership applications from individuals wishing to support Old Guard Riders in any way the applicant feels capable.

Chapters

Although Chapters are governed by their own elected officers, maintain their own internal structure and have considerable discretion in their Chapter operation, Chapters are legally structured as branches of the national Old Guard Riders Inc. corporate structure. Chapter officers are corporate officers as well, and work closely with corporate leadership within their particular area of responsibility. For example, each Chapter Treasurer is a key aspect of the overall financial accountability of the organization and works very closely with the OGR National Treasurer to ensure the financial records of the corporation are current and accurate.

Chapters have considerable discretion in the operation of the Chapter. Since local conditions and needs vary so greatly from one geographical location to another, chapters must be in tune with the communities that they serve.

Fundraisers

There are two types of organizational fundraisers – Charitable and Chapter.

CHARITABLE FUNDRAISERS – A minimum of 80% of the net fundraising proceeds benefit the veterans’ community. The remaining proceeds are used to cover the actual costs of the fundraising activity or event, as well as the actual operating costs of Old Guard Riders Inc.

Disclaimer - All officers and members of Old Guard Riders Inc. are strictly volunteers. None of the proceeds from fundraising donations are used to pay an officer or member of Old Guard Riders Inc., even though IRS regulations governing 501C3 organizations clearly allows such payment.

CHAPTER FUNDRAISERS – The net proceeds benefit the individual Chapters. While the Chapter must follow strict guidelines concerning how it may solicit and use donations, Chapters are authorized to conduct certain fundraising activities which provide the Chapter with both operating funds, as well as special program/project funds. Chapters have a great deal more discretion concerning the use of these "special funds."  

PROCEDURES THAT APPLY TO ALL OGR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

All fundraising must comply with the law of the land; that is, the law of the jurisdiction where the activity takes place. This includes national, state or province, and local laws.

All fundraising is governed by strict adherence to corporate bylaws, as well as clearly defined policies and procedures issued on that subject by Board of Directors and Executive Officers of Old Guard Riders Inc.

All fundraising events conducted by Old Guard Riders Inc. are covered by a corporate liability insurance policy. Strict compliance is required.

All fliers, notices, pamphlets, brochures, legal documents and/or contracts must be reviewed and approved by proper corporate authority, and where required, the corporate attorney.

All fundraising promotional materials must include a statement indicating the major entity benefited by the proceeds of the fundraiser (Statement of Purpose).

STATEMENTS OF PURPOSE

 All fundraising promotional materials must contain a STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. Below are examples for each type of fundraising activity.

 FOR CHARITABLE FUNDRAISERS:

“Net proceeds from this (activity, event, etc.) are for the benefit of (specific program, project or event).” This may also include a specific person or 501C3 organization, if other than Old Guard Riders Inc.

 FOR CHAPTER FUNDRAISERS:

“Net proceeds from this (activity, event, etc.) are for the benefit of XYZ Chapter.”

 DISCLOSURE (for Post fundraisers) “All contributions are deductible as charitable contributions.”

NOTE: All Chapter fundraising materials must include both the statement of purpose and disclosure

PROPER REPORTING OF CHARITABLE FUNDRAISER EXPENSES

 Expenses for operating the event must be actual, and no labor charges can be made for volunteer work by organization members and/or their families.

Conclusion

Old Guard Riders Inc./U.S. Veterans Assistance adheres to the highest standards of both corporate and charitable organization standards.

Records of all fundraising activity and records associated with the proceeds of the fundraising activity are maintained for a minimum of seven years.

Old Guard Riders Inc. has been confirmed to be in complete compliance with all applicable IRS, Federal, State and Local regulations and has a "Good Standing" corporate classification from the Arizona Secretary of State.

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