One thing we’re discussing here on the Board is bringing on more national orgs. And…when do we create the US national organization? Quite a bit more discussion is needed with our advisors simply because the “when” is tied to the “how” and that’s tied to money. Well, at least how we expect money to flow.

First thoughts on adding a national organization:

• Must be aligned to this parent organization, embracing our shared mission and vision for modellers and the modelling community as a whole.
• Could be structured similarly/same as this parent organization.
• Should be a similar/same legal entity (charitable vs social club).

Mission / Vision

We love models, and the people who create them!

As a reminder, you can find our mission statement over with our Operating Principles. Always remember that our efforts must stay focused on models and modellers – both current and future – and what we can do for them. We don’t want to be about being or feeding a bureaucracy.

Therefore, any new national organizations must agree and adhere to our Operating Principles.

Structure

My previous post shared our organizational structure. Each national organization should structure themselves as their culture requires, not as we specify. Our roles here at the international level will focus on how we help them help modellers.

Legal Entity

I am not a lawyer. The Board agreed early we needed legal counsel to help guide us through the challenges of creating the right organization in the right manner that benefits the modellers the most. There are benefits to being a charitable organization that we believe will outweigh the benefits of being a social club. If national laws or regulations force that country’s national organization into a specific solution, we don’t see that as a barrier. As long as it helps the modeller and furthers the hobby.

What we ask

Discuss over in our Facebook group. This will be cross-posted there. Offer us your thoughts and ideas and let other like-minded modellers put some flesh on it. We may pop in occasionally and share our thoughts as individuals as we shape the best means of expanding to other countries.