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RE: Have YOU responded to the Eagle Appeal?
Barry
Thank you for your post. I made the decision to double my president's club
donation to $600 for the year 2006 designated to the Eagle project. I
started a post to encourage others to start or increase their support of
Eagle and AMSAT-NA in general. Decided not to make that post, since almost
any mention of fundraising on the amsat-bb in the past has caused a dramatic
silence.
Your posting prompted me to share a few thoughts on AMSAT-NA funding in
general.
AMSAT-NA has about 2,500 members generating about $100,000 in annual dues
revenue. Annual organizational operating costs average about same $100,000.
The board and President Hambly have made this point on numerous occasions.
In order for AMSAT-NA to grow and launch new satellites we as members must
make a financial commitment in excess of the basic membership dues. In the
Eagle Appeal Letter from AMSAT-NA President Rick Hambly, W2GPS it was noted
that we need $150,000 for the 2006 just for Eagle. We could accomplish that,
with an average donation of $60 per member for the year 2006. AMSAT-NA and
we as members have a vision far greater than this.
Our hobby and this organization require us to provide the financial
resources necessary for launching future satellites. I encourage everyone to
make the effort to support AMSAT-NA to the best of their abilities.
Kim - AC7YY
AMSAT #26076
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-AMSAT-BB@amsat.org [mailto:owner-AMSAT-BB@amsat.org] On Behalf
Of Barry A. Baines
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 8:39 AM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Have YOU responded to the Eagle Appeal?
The following was posted in the latest ANS, Not everyone may have
seen it and given end-of-year tax planning that many do, I thought it
would be appropriate to post it on amsat-bb.
******
AMSAT-NA members should have received by now an Eagle Appeal Letter
from AMSAT-NA President Rick Hambly, W2GPS. The Appeal includes a
letter
from Rick, a color brochure on Eagle, a donation form, and return
envelope. This is the first fundraising effort for Eagle as it is
expected to take four years to build and launch the first satellite
and three additional years for the second. AMSAT must raise at least
$150,000 in 2006 to keep the project on track.
Initial response to the Appeal has been good. SpaceQuest, Ltd. of
Fairfax, VA made our first corporate donation to Eagle this past
week. Many thanks to Mark Kanawati, N4TPY and Dino Lorenzini, KC4YMG
for the strong support! AMSAT members will recall that AO-51 was
built by SpaceQuest under AMSAT-NA contract and was launched in June
2004. In addition, 12 individuals have qualified for President's
Club status this week as a result of their generosity in response to
the Appeal.
AMSAT-NA members who pay US income tax may take a tax deduction from
their donation to AMSAT, which is recognized by the Internal Revenue
Service as a 501-(c)(3) scientific organization. To qualify as a
2005 tax deduction, the donation must be post marked in 2005 or
submitted in 2005. Donations made after January 1, 2006 may be
applied against 2006 taxes. AMSAT will gladly accept donations via
the AMSAT website using your credit card, the mailing of checks, and
PayPal submissions. The AMSAT office will be closed until January 4,
2006, so making donations via telephone will not be possible until
after the first of the year. In addition, individuals who may wish
to donate securities can do so as well and avoid capital gains on the
securities that are donated. Contact AMSAT Treasurer Gunther Meisse,
W8GSM for details on how to arrange a transfer to AMSAT. Due to
passage of the Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005 (KETRA) by
Congress, there are additional advantages in giving charitable gifts
by December 31, 2005 to qualified organizations, such as AMSAT. Talk
to your financial advisor about how KETRA can provide current income
and estate tax advantages.
Your donation and personal support of Eagle is critical. If you
haven't made your contribution, please consider making a donation.
Help AMSAT to hatch Eagle!
73 and Happy New Year,
Barry Baines, WD4ASW
VP-Marketing & User Services
AMSAT-NA
----
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----
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