----- Original Message ----
From: Mike Hellweg <mhellweg511@charter.net>
To: AGA Advisory Committee <aga-mcm@thekrib.com>
Sent: Friday, January 5, 2007 9:47:51 PM
Subject: Re: [AGA-mcm] contest chai job description
I know, I'm mostly silent on the sidelines. But I thought I'd reply to this
thread. It's an interesting concept, especially in a time when it's getting
harder to find good volunteers.
I'm guessing this would be an independent contractor-type position with
income based on the number of entries? One big concern I see would be that
it might create some tax consequences for us - at the very least filing a
1099 for the contest chair.
>>>>Simply calling someone a contractor is not enough to satisfy the IRS -- Just ask Hilary Clinton.
And that would mean someone would have to
handle that paperwork, in addition to everything else.
>>>>For contractors, the work and names of contractors has to be itemized on the annual IRS filing. For employees, quarterly reports are required as well as withholding, SS, etc.
So then do we need
to pay that person, too? It might create expectations in the future of
other volunteers in other areas.
If we pay someone in such a minor area as running a contest, then what about
paying someone important like our Editor? ; )
>>>>We currently pay for the following services Editor, TAG Layout, Printing, and Mailing.
After all, the Editor is the
only person in our organization who really impacts the ENTIRE membership
directly. No Editor, no TAG. No TAG, no AGA to most members.
I have no problem paying for professional work such as accounting or legal
services on a contract basis. I wouldn't even have a problem paying someone
like the Editor (even though I really think even that should be done on a
volunteer basis). But I'm not so sure about paying someone running a
contest. I would have to be really convinced that this would somehow
improve the value of this contest to our ENTIRE membership before I would
support paying a Contest Chair. And I just don't see that kind of overall
value in the Aquascaping Contest. It's great fun for a few members, but
most of the membership likely never even considers participating.
Just my two cents from the sidelines.
Mike