Use of Personal Information
SomeInnmembers provided confidential information for directory listings. Such information may be used only forInnbusiness. In particular, use of Inn e-mail addresses must be limited toInnbusiness. Unauthorized use or distribution byInnmembers of information could result in termination of membership.
Attendance
Attendance is important and please mark your calendars to attend all regular meetings during the term. It is imperative that members sign the attendance sheet at each monthly meeting.
CLE
Members may receive one hour CLE credit for attending monthlyInnprograms that comply with MCLE guidelines. To receive this credit, members must sign the attendance sheet at each monthly meeting and stay for the program. The team members who plan and make a presentation are entitled to up to three hours credit for every hour of presentation. Please download form from Forms link.
Guests
Out of respect for encouraging members' open discussion and interaction, members are generally discouraged, but not prohibited, from bringing guests to meetings. If you do plan to bring a guest, please send and email toinnsofcourt@fulpat.com, so an accurate number can be given to the caterer. Members are responsible for their guests are required to pay $45 to cover the cost of the guest's meal. Members are encouraged to bring a guest to the June Social.
Nominations for Membership in theInn
Any member may submit nominations to the Officers or Executive Committee. Nomination forms for lawyers, judges, and law students (who will be entering their third or fourth year next September), can be found on our web site: http://www.innsofcourt.org/inns/michelinn/. Nominations received throughout the year will be considered at the July Masters Planning Meeting.
Name Badges
Name badges will be purchased at the first meeting of the term. They will be worn at each meeting and returned to the sign-in table at the end of each meeting. If lost or misplaced, replacements must be purchased prior to the next meeting through Jessie Reider.
Budget, Expense Request Form and Reimbursement of Expenses
Each officer should submit a requested budget for theInnterm by the time of the Masters Planning Meeting. The budget for the term shall be approved by the Finance Committee by start of the term. No officer or member of the Los Angeles Intellectual Property American Inn of Court, other than the President, Secretary/Treasurer, or Administrator shall sign any contract on behalf of theInn. Other than expenditures set forth in the budget, no officer or member shall spend any funds in the form of charges to the Inn or for reimbursement from theInnwithout prior approval of the Finance Chair or, in his or her absence, the President. Expenses over $25 for which reimbursement is approved (upon submission of the expense request form) should be accompanied by a receipt.
Members of each team are encouraged to help defray expenses such as copying. This may be accomplished by the contribution of-such items by members' firms (with proper approval, of course) and/or by e-mailing communications instead of usingU.S.mail. However, if it becomes necessary to incur costs in connection with the team's monthly program, an Expense Request Form should be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer two weeks before the meeting. Please note that there is a $50 cap for reimbursed team expenses. See Expense Request Form in the forms link.
Payment of Dues
Statements for the term's dues are sent to members in late May or early June. To reserve your membership, full payment must be received within eight weeks.
501(c)(3) Exemption for Dues
The American Inns of Court Foundation is a tax-exempt organization as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Further, the Foundation has been granted a group exemption ruling that may include any of its "subordinate organizations."
The Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) status because it is a non-profit corporation of a charitable nature that does not engage in political activities or lobbying. This provides two things. First, the Foundation is not required to pay federal or state tax on its income, except on income derived through activities that are unrelated to its central mission (unrelated business income tax or UBIT). Second, dues paid to and contributions made to the American Inns of Court Foundation are considered tax-deductible.
The Judge Paul R. Michel Intellectual Property American Inn of Court has "opted in" to the Foundation's group exemption, therefore, it is considered a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and the portion of our dues ($95) paid to the Foundation is tax deductible. Additionally, contributions made to the Foundation or to the Judge Paul R. Michel Intellectual Property American Inn of Court are also considered charitable contributions and are tax deductible. The method by which an individual may deduct these dues may vary depending on individual circumstances, so be sure to check with a tax advisor as to the proper method.