Re: [Debconf-team] [rt.debconf.org #1965] The relationship between DIVA and SPI in terms of sponsorship money
I'm just back from a meeting with DIVA, but first let me answer the
questions that were asked, accountant was also used to help answer
these questions in most proper manner:
> On Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 2:49 AM, Moray Allan <moray@sermisy.org> wrote:
> - Can DIVA hold money *on behalf of* Debian (which does not itself
> exist as a legal body)? At the moment several organisations hold
> money on behalf of Debian, including SPI and FFIS, but DIVA would need
> to put in place appropriate structures to distinguish Debian money
> from its other funds. Actually taking Debian money also requires
> Debian (not just DebConf) approval.
Yes
> - Once DebConf is over, we would want to transfer remaining Debian
> money out of DIVA. In many countries there are restrictions on what
> non-profit organisations can do with their money: what are the
> relevant rules in Bosnia?
Yes, no restrictions.
> - Once DebConf is over, we would want to transfer remaining Debian
> money out of Bosnia. Can you check the details of what rules might
> affect what could be (if we're lucky) a large transfer out of Bosnia?
> We've had problems in the past where money got stuck in DebConf venue
> countries due to local rules. Even where transfers are permitted,
> there can be bureaucratic requirements, or tax issues that get in the
> way. Of course, in this case the transfer could be more politically
> sensitive, if it's seen to include money given by the government that
> they expected to be spent within Bosnia!
There are no restriction problems, or any kind of problems as longs as
they are backed up by a contract/document. When it comes to the
sensitivity, just as Debian would like to see excess funds returned
back to Debian, same thing is with the government and their money.
> To answer your other general question, yes, in the past we've
> attempted to spread out where sponsors paid in their money, in
> particular to try to avoid unnecessary currency conversions. It's
> also e.g. better for tax reasons for US donations to go to SPI.
I absolutely agree with this, and I proposed this idea to DIVA, they
are absolutely fine with this. Further more to next few emails where
other NGO's have mentioned and so on. What we agreed on in DIVA is
that, if it presents a problem with "trusted Debian organization" both
SPI and FFIS along with DIVA can be used. Where, we would use SPI and
FFIS to get all the sponsorships, while we would keep DIVA
specifically for the local region (Balkans). Later on if needed, these
funds could be transfered as there are no restrictions regarding these
questions.
Main point is this, DIVA is open to any suggestions and propositions,
without backing down on responsibility and work that is ahead of us.
If you have any further suggestions how this matter should be taken
care of, please do share your suggestions.
Adnan
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