Re: Re: Neither NTMC or NTMF are nonprofit organizations

June 27, 2003

I personally do not know and can not speak for her but, I would like to explain my own situation as I wonder sometimes if she or others are going thru what I am.

First I have a bird sanctuary in which I have cared for abused birds for the past 8 yrs and no day off. My store sort of supports this, though me and my family live below the poverty level. My husband is tired of getting nothing for our 12hr, 7 day a week job. Every thing we do in our shop is charitable even getting up in the middle of the night to save someones dying bird in which we do not get paid. I can not afford the expense or additional work load to go non profit ( we are truely nonprofit with no advantages), yet we always hope someone will donate to my shop so I can afford to hire help and keep the sanctuary going.

My shop building and my home introduced me to after it nearly killed me 4yrs ago. I could not afford medical insurance(I live below poverty level), I would try to save the money to get help but, every doctor I went to took my money, refused to listen to what I had to say and offered no help. Kept putting me on worthless inhalers and allergy pills. (of course all of us victims know we feel the same with or with out their ineffective drugs). My only hope for living (my reactions are among the most severe) was for me to do my own research and treat myself. I have been extremely successful in treating the extreme sensitivity and preventing the reaction caused by moldy buildings. I have worked with 41 victims who are able now to tollerate their buildings. As I know this illness is easily treatable. I haven't figured out how to cure the buildings yet but, if someone is able to protect themselves and do it themselves it is a giant step.

The point I am trying to make is I truely want help and treat victims as I know how they feel. NO ONE KNOWS MORE THAN I HOW HELPLESS AND FRIGHTENING THIS CONDITION IS AND HOW HURT YOU GET WHEN NONE OF OUR DOCTORS WHO WE WERE TRAINED TO TRUST WILL EVEN TRY TO HELP. More than I (this was a four year night mare I believe now is a blessing as I wouldn't have learned how to treat this if I didn't get so sick, I just wasn't ready to die).

Any way back to charging. I am in a predicament. I want to help others, yet I already have 18,000 in credit card dept caused by my own personal research, supplies, equipment, meds etc. I can not continue with out monetary sources to help me to continue my research. If I ask others to pay me for a consultation they get angry and think I am just trying to get their money and take advantage of them, yet if I don't get someone to pay me something I will be out in the street and no one will get treatment. I don't get help from any source, don't even know where to get assistance, but I can tell you if someone offered me a donation I would take it in a second as I have literally given up my life for this cause, need monetary help and I know that would be the only way for me to continue.

I have not been keeping treatment info from others because I want to take advantage of or hurt them, but so I can earn something to pay off the debt incurred as a result of this info. I don't know if this is what is going on with but, it does amaze me how you people will pay your doctors thousands of dollars to do nothing except take your money and tell you either it is in your head, or that there is no proof or what ever they are saying now but, then you condemn some one like me who really has found a cure, gave up every luxury others take for grated, to learn how to treat this mess, because we need help to defray the costs and moneys spent on finding treatment for all of us. I have worked hard for what I have learn, I am treating myself and doing quite well considerring. Unfortunately unless I charge for my services I will be in the street and be unable to help anyone.

So is NONPROFIT STATUS really that important, if one is really able to help. I am non profit truely you are welcome to come to my store any time if you want to see a true non profit. I can't afford the thousands it costs to become a non profit. I am not condeming or defending anyone just trying to get everyone to look at things differently.

We are all victims and if we don't support, help and work with each other we will all loose and the laws will not change.

From: "moldauthor"

Reply-

Subject: [] Re: Neither NTMC or NTMF are nonprofit organizations

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2003 13:31:28 -0000

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Dear ,

I will try and answer you point for point:

MCB: "Your questions you say are very relevant. May I ask relevant

to whom?"

VL: I am a consumer reporter. The answers to my questions should be

relevant to every consumer and to every person who wants to see the

mold issue gain and retain the credibility it deserves. As we all

know, there is too much fraud. If people (not just victims, ANYONE)

is asked to give money to a nonprofit organization, it should be

one.

MCB: "The Foundation on the other hand was formed for donations and

I wrote a letter to the State of Missouri some time back advising

that we had never recieved any donations in the State of Missouri

for the Foundation. I will not establish it as a non-profit until we

recieve notice of donation."

VL: To me this sounds like you are putting the cart before the

horse. I find it hard to believe that you have not had one single

donation despite all your hard work and efforts on behalf of mold

victims. Not one person has responded to your requests for

donations? Not even after the floods? (See post below.)

, I have no problem with you helping mold victims. If you spend

hours on the phone helping or consoling them, that is wonderful. My

concern is when you solicit money from people who assume you are a

nonprofit organization when you are not. My concern is when people

are chagred a "membership" and they receive nothing for that

membership. There is no way for people to tell if the money you

collect for memberships goes to newsletters, filing lawsuits, or

your own pocket.

If you work with Congress to get emergency appropriations for

families, that's wonderful. My question is, however, is how is that

money to be distributed? I would be uncomfortable seeing any of it

wind up in Foundation hands as it is NOT a nonprofit organization.

Vicki

A word to others in this group. This is not "fighting." This is a

discourse that directly impacts you. While it would be nice if

everyone could hold hands and sing "Kumbya," the fact of the matter

is that someone needs to ask the tough questions in order for

victims' credibility to be maintained.

*********************************************************************

MAry Carrol Bowers post:

SNB NEWS, ABI AFFILIATE, NEWSBRIEF, 5/20/03

>

> With over 412 tornadoes across the midwest in six days, there

was plenty of stories and photos to cover. Carroll-Bower, free-

lance writer got the shots and stories that made the May 20th issue

of National Enquirer. Cow flying through the Air, The Wizard of Oz

flew in from Kanas, the dog that landed safely in his kennel, the

hymnal page blew to the Church as it was spared, FOR EVERY STORM

WIND

THAT BLOWS, as titled. All in all spent 4 days working disaster

relief as an EMT/SS, with American Red Cross, and in the office

signing in hundreds of Relief Workers from across the U.S. " It was

and still is devasting what has happened in the Ozarks" a few days

ago, says .

>

> W. Bush, U.S. President spent the day in Pierce City being

drenched in torrential rains, a small reminder of what had happened

only days before.

>

> "Yesterday, I recieved a call that a young Arkansas woman is dying

from Lung disease and destroyed bronchial tubes from Stachybotrus!

We need donations to help victims. Every little bit helps and no

donation is too small. " says Carroll-Bower, President of NTMC,

National Toxic Mold Coalition and Foundation, http://ntmc0.tripod.com

>

> To donate contact us at (417) 883-9553, or call for a list of

victim needs.

> "We realize that many will be added to the Mold lists from the

Tornado devastation and heavy flooding. It is imperative that people

bind to help each other. I have given out of my own pocket, shared

my home, spent thousands of hours consulting victims, and giving

referrals, I can't do it alone!" says Carroll-Bower.

MSN 8 helps ELIMINATE E-MAIL VIRUSES. Get 2 months FREE*.

June 27, 2003

,

Then some of us wouldnt be or feel so alone.I feel,in my opinion , as I spend most of my time alone,that that is one of our worst enemies. The aloness. It would be good to humanize and be personal. I usually do not post alot but I liked what you said.

Janet

Thank you,

Janet

In a message dated 6/27/03 3:21:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, elisa@... writes:

Maybe we need to come up with more creative ways to help these people, without having to form 100 organizations out there that all do the same thing. What about calling apartment complexes and seeing if they would be willing to waive the deposit and 1st months rent for a mold victim? What about forming support groups where we have a "list" of say, 5 people that call each other at least once a week to check in and support each other? What about a "round robin" where we send each other things that we no longer need, but that would be very beneficial to someone else? What about sending a $5 gas card or phone card to someone out of the kindness of our heart? We have all been in these situations, we know what it is like to suffer, instead of trying to form all these nonprofits or bickering over what is or is not a nonprofit, let's help out each other and support each other AS VICTIMS, in this together, because we know what it's like, because we care. Not for any other reason, not for money, not for anything other than, because we CAN! It is time we empowered each other and looked out for each other. If someone is trying to scam someone, then BEWARE, but don't bite each other's heads off. Remember, we are all in the same boat.

Larkin

Mold Relief, Inc.

-----

June 27, 2003

From :

Maybe we need to come up with more creative ways to help these people, without having to form 100 organizations out there that all do the same thing. What about calling apartment complexes and seeing if they would be willing to waive the deposit and 1st months rent for a mold victim? What about forming support groups where we have a "list" of say, 5 people that call each other at least once a week to check in and support each other? What about a "round robin" where we send each other things that we no longer need, but that would be very beneficial to someone else? What about sending a $5 gas card or phone card to someone out of the kindness of our heart? We have all been in these situations, we know what it is like to suffer, instead of trying to form all these nonprofits or bickering over what is or is not a nonprofit, let's help out each other and support each other AS VICTIMS, in this together, because we know what it's like, because we care. Not for any other reason, not for money, not for anything other than, because we CAN! It is time we empowered each other and looked out for each other. If someone is trying to scam someone, then BEWARE, but don't bite each other's heads off. Remember, we are all in the same boat.

Larkin

Mold Relief, Inc.

,

Then some of us wouldnt be or feel so alone.I feel,in my opinion , as I spend most of my time alone,that that is one of our worst enemies. The aloness. It would be good to humanize and be personal. I usually do not post alot but I liked what you said.

Janet

Thank you,

Janet

In a message dated 6/27/03 3:21:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, elisa@... writes:

June 27, 2003

Im game if anyone else is . My "before mold " friends are gone. A couple " aftter mold" friends ar real. I am alone 90 percent of the time.

Janet

June 27, 2003

I sent a copy of this to the Senator of Maine I am working with on how horrible the government is treating me. They arent helping and I wanted them to see I am not making this up. There are others. I hope that was ok.

Janet

Subj: RE: Mold Victems and Aloness

Date: 6/27/03 4:39:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Olympia@...

Gingersnap1964@...

Sent from the Internet (Details)

Thank you for contacting me by e-mail.

Your message has been received, and I will follow up by mailing a written response to all Maine residents who include a postal address along with their comments or requests. If you did not include your complete name, mailing address and zip code, please re-send your original message along with that information.

If you are a Maine resident with a timely or urgent request, you may wish to contact my state office nearest you, as follows:

AUBURN

2 Great Falls Plaza, Ste. 7-B

Auburn, Maine 04210

207-786-2451

BIDDEFORD

231 Main Street

Biddeford, Maine 04005

207-282-4144

AUGUSTA

40 Western Avenue, Ste. 408C

Augusta, Maine 04330

207-622-8292

PORTLAND

3 Canal Plaza, Ste. 601

Portland, Maine 04401

207-874-0883

BANGOR

One Cumberland Place, Ste. 306

Bangor, Maine 04401

207-945-0432 or 1-800-432-1599

PRESQUE ISLE

169 Academy Street, Ste. 3

Presque Isle, Maine 04769

207-764-5124

Again, thank you for being in touch.

-- Senator Olympia J. Snowe

June 27, 2003

As someone who is going through the process of becoming a 501 ©(3) organization, I can tell you it is a lot of work. The 1st step an organization must take is to file with their state to become a nonprofit or charitable organization. The user fees associated with this filing varies from state to state, most states have a nominal fee around $25-$50. This will allow you to become incorporated in your state, allowing you to solicit donations etc. With so many scams being run on victims (tornado, floods, etc.), the states have taken a pretty strong stand in wanting to know who is requesting money in their state, so that when a call is received in the office stating that X Corporation called wanting someone to give money, the state can then look up X Corporation and assure the caller that it is in fact a legitimate company.

The 2nd step is to form a Board of Directors to oversee the organization. This can be a long process as you would want the best Board members you could find. Some organizations require that the members contribute to the organization in order to be on the Board. (This is common practice) The cost for finding Board members is limited only to the phone calls made and time it takes to get a good Board.

The 3rd step is to have the Board meeting to adopt the bylaws (the governing laws of the organization). The only cost associated with this is possibly providing refreshments, etc to the members. If you requested that each Board member pay even $100 then, you are not out any money.

The 4th step is to fill out the IRS tax exempt paperwork. This is very time consuming and if you hire someone to do it for you, it can be expensive. You can do it yourself, along with your Board members (if you prefer). In which case, the filing fees are $150 for an organization that does not expect to bring in over $10,000 per year, or $500 for organizations that will bring in more than $10,000. Once you submit the paperwork, you sit back and wait for your tax exempt letter.

As you can see, an organization can be formed for less than $600 if you want to do it yourself. I personally prefer organizations that have gone through the hassle of doing all of this or are atleast in the process (by "in the process" I mean, that the organization has at least filed with their state and formed a Board). If an organization does not have the means to pay for the costs or does not have the time to fill out the forms, maybe they should look into doing something else. You can get a job, you can form a for profit corporation and provide goods or services etc. Nonprofits are not for everyone, it takes a certain type of person to be able to do a nonprofit. They are always under scrutiny and demand a lot of time and attention. However, there are many benefits to becoming a legitimate nonprofit 501©(3) organization: there is grant money that ONLY a 501©(3) organization can apply for, you don't have to pay taxes on the things you need to run the office, you can qualify for assistance through some state and federal agencies. None of this can be accomplished without obtaining your tax exempt status through the IRS.

I personally believe that the benefits of becoming a nonprofit far exceed the costs. It does take a lot of time and patience, but in the end, the rewards can be very satisfying.

Now to mold specific organizations: it is very hard to get funding as it is, most people that would possibly donate, do not believe that mold is a problem or that it causes the health effects that we know it does, so already, you are fighting an uphill battle. If you do not have the time, patience, money, and understanding of those around you, you will find it almost impossible to make such an organization work as a nonprofit. Because you are relying on donations that are hard to come by when few believe in what you are doing. The ones that do believe, are victims and I don't believe anyone should prey on them for donations as most of them are still in need of assistance, and are the very people you claim you want to help. So, maybe the community is better served with companies willing to help these people. Maybe we need to come up with more creative ways to help these people, without having to form 100 organizations out there that all do the same thing. What about calling apartment complexes and seeing if they would be willing to waive the deposit and 1st months rent for a mold victim? What about forming support groups where we have a "list" of say, 5 people that call each other at least once a week to check in and support each other? What about a "round robin" where we send each other things that we no longer need, but that would be very beneficial to someone else? What about sending a $5 gas card or phone card to someone out of the kindness of our heart? We have all been in these situations, we know what it is like to suffer, instead of trying to form all these nonprofits or bickering over what is or is not a nonprofit, let's help out each other and support each other AS VICTIMS, in this together, because we know what it's like, because we care. Not for any other reason, not for money, not for anything other than, because we CAN! It is time we empowered each other and looked out for each other. If someone is trying to scam someone, then BEWARE, but don't bite each other's heads off. Remember, we are all in the same boat.

Larkin

Mold Relief, Inc.

-----Original Message-----From: a Button [mailto:tinabut@...]Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 10:14 AM Subject: Re: [] Re: Neither NTMC or NTMF are nonprofit organizations