Hello all,
With the approach of another election year and candidates already embattled in their respective races for office, I felt it important once again to remind all League leaders and members about the dos and don'ts of political activity. I urge you to pass this along to other members of your respective districts and zones to assure that their actions do not violate the League's charter as a tax-exempt organization.
The Constitution of the Int'l LLL provides that one of the functions of the organization is "to encourage its members, as individual Christian members led by the power of the Holy Spirit, to become involved in the social, economic and political problems of our time." Regarding political activities, we interpret that statement to mean that members of the LLL are encouraged, as individual citizens, to participate in the political process, campaign for themselves or others, and hold public offices where their service may help to promote Christian values and Godly government. The League certainly does not want to limit in any way our civil rights in that regard.
That said, the League's Constitution also very clearly prohibits the following: "No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office." Such activities would certainly jeopardize the League's 501(c)3 tax exempt status.
I might also stress that YOU STILL ARE part of the Corporation, so when it says that the Corporation shall not....that implies us as leaders and members if we in any way use the LLL, it's name, or resources for political purposes or advantage.
So, in a nut shell, you may personally be engaged in any political activity that the Spirit leads you to so long as your actions, your time and resources are all your own. But if I, for example, (using my normal e-mail signature line which displays the LLL Mission Statement) send out a note to all of you encouraging you to vote for so-and-so, or use League letterhead or envelopes, have a sign or poster which has the LLL logo on it to promote myself, my candidate or an issue as a member of the League, I've stepped over the line. Such actions have a way of ending up in the wrong forum, and might be embarrassing and/or costly for the League.
The League's tax-exempt status is a critical component of our financial support basis, so I urge you to take due care in any political activities you engage in.
Thanks for your attention to this matter.
Mick Onnen, President
Int'l Lutheran Laymen's League
2220 Rd 5000
Davenport, NE 68335
Hm. 402 364-2523
Cell: 402 364-3370
mickonnen@windstream.net
Hello all,
With the approach of another election year and candidates already embattled in their respective races for office, I felt it important once again to remind all League leaders and members about the dos and don'ts of political activity. I urge you to pass this along to other members of your respective districts and zones to assure that their actions do not violate the League's charter as a tax-exempt organization.
The Constitution of the Int'l LLL provides that one of the functions of the organization is "to encourage its members, as individual Christian members led by the power of the Holy Spirit, to become involved in the social, economic and political problems of our time." Regarding political activities, we interpret that statement to mean that members of the LLL are encouraged, as individual citizens, to participate in the political process, campaign for themselves or others, and hold public offices where their service may help to promote Christian values and Godly government. The League certainly does not want to limit in any way our civil rights in that regard.
That said, the League's Constitution also very clearly prohibits the following: "No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office." Such activities would certainly jeopardize the League's 501(c)3 tax exempt status.
I might also stress that YOU STILL ARE part of the Corporation, so when it says that the Corporation shall not....that implies us as leaders and members if we in any way use the LLL, it's name, or resources for political purposes or advantage.
So, in a nut shell, you may personally be engaged in any political activity that the Spirit leads you to so long as your actions, your time and resources are all your own. But if I, for example, (using my normal e-mail signature line which displays the LLL Mission Statement) send out a note to all of you encouraging you to vote for so-and-so, or use League letterhead or envelopes, have a sign or poster which has the LLL logo on it to promote myself, my candidate or an issue as a member of the League, I've stepped over the line. Such actions have a way of ending up in the wrong forum, and might be embarrassing and/or costly for the League.
The League's tax-exempt status is a critical component of our financial support basis, so I urge you to take due care in any political activities you engage in.
Thanks for your attention to this matter.
Mick Onnen, President
Int'l Lutheran Laymen's League
2220 Rd 5000
Davenport, NE 68335
Hm. 402 364-2523
Cell: 402 364-3370
mickonnen@windstream.net