During the past month U3A Benalla have received information from U3A Network that we should register as a charity to obtain partner benefits that have been obtained through Network deals. For example, being a registered charity allows U3A Network to access copyright for music performance via One Music at no cost to members.
The principal driver behind many charity registrations is obtaining charity tax concessions. These include income tax exemption, GST concessions and rebate on Fringe Benefits tax if applicable.
The term ‘charitable purpose’ is defined to include: advancing health; advancing education; advancing social and public welfare; advancing culture and other similar purposes beneficial to the general public. The activities of U3A Benalla are clearly for the public benefit.
At our last Committee meeting, we accepted the Network recommendation to apply for charity status. Since then, I have filled out a 10-page form and have submitted it to the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission. The ACNC has a backlog of organisations requesting to be classified as charities, and we have been advised that it will be 12 weeks before a Law Interpretation Analyst is allocated to our application.
I would like to thank all Convenors who attended the Convenors afternoon on Friday 3rd May. We had 18 Convenors who take 25 groups there, including three who were Convenors for the first time this year. It was an informative afternoon, and worthwhile to hear the positives and a few difficulties as well. Thank you to all who attended and to Geraldine for providing for the home cooked afternoon tea.
The principal driver behind many charity registrations is obtaining charity tax concessions. These include income tax exemption, GST concessions and rebate on Fringe Benefits tax if applicable.
The term ‘charitable purpose’ is defined to include: advancing health; advancing education; advancing social and public welfare; advancing culture and other similar purposes beneficial to the general public. The activities of U3A Benalla are clearly for the public benefit.
At our last Committee meeting, we accepted the Network recommendation to apply for charity status. Since then, I have filled out a 10-page form and have submitted it to the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission. The ACNC has a backlog of organisations requesting to be classified as charities, and we have been advised that it will be 12 weeks before a Law Interpretation Analyst is allocated to our application.
I would like to thank all Convenors who attended the Convenors afternoon on Friday 3rd May. We had 18 Convenors who take 25 groups there, including three who were Convenors for the first time this year. It was an informative afternoon, and worthwhile to hear the positives and a few difficulties as well. Thank you to all who attended and to Geraldine for providing for the home cooked afternoon tea.
Benalla has experienced an outbreak of COVID in the past month. Concern has been expressed about the 24 Ukulele members playing and singing in Room 1 together. We have advised the Ukulele group to open windows and doors while practising. However, in line with school policies, the Committee is going to investigate an air purifier for this room.
Any person experiencing a runny nose, sore throat, temperature or is generally unwell should not participate in any group until they are well again. The air purifier is not going to eradicate COVID. However, we need to do everything we can to assist groups which are experiencing overcrowding in this room.
In the proposed budget 2024/25 papers of Benalla Rural City Council, U3A Benalla were pleased to see the second aim of the Council is to develop the Fawckner Drive Precinct. As this building is in that area, the Committee of U3A Benalla have forwarded a submission to the Budget considerations of Council asking for them to build us an additional room which will accommodate 40 to 50 people. We will keep you informed as to how this submission progresses.
Margaret Jenkins,
President
Any person experiencing a runny nose, sore throat, temperature or is generally unwell should not participate in any group until they are well again. The air purifier is not going to eradicate COVID. However, we need to do everything we can to assist groups which are experiencing overcrowding in this room.
In the proposed budget 2024/25 papers of Benalla Rural City Council, U3A Benalla were pleased to see the second aim of the Council is to develop the Fawckner Drive Precinct. As this building is in that area, the Committee of U3A Benalla have forwarded a submission to the Budget considerations of Council asking for them to build us an additional room which will accommodate 40 to 50 people. We will keep you informed as to how this submission progresses.
Margaret Jenkins,
President
