President's Column
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We plan to take advantage of electronic alternatives to increase the level of communications with the Fellows beyond the two bi-annual issues of College Columns. You received the first edition of “College Notes” recently and will be receiving additional messages from various members of college leadership, hopefully on a monthly basis.
Finally, to improve the general level of communication regarding College programs and activities, we are working with our Executive Director to develop materials describing the various activities and programs of the College, as well as a "handbook" consolidating information on college groups and activities. The handbook should be especially helpful to new Fellows. We plan to make these materials available to Fellows, and on the College website, later this year. Other improvements are planned to permit all Fellows to become more engaged with the College and with each other.
On behalf of those of us active in the business of the College, I want to thank the Fellows for your valuable input in how we can improve an already exceptional organization. I also want to give you our assurance that we will make every effort to continue to improve both the College and its relationship with every Fellow.
Foundation Column
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it be even more wonderful if the 530 Fellows who contributed last year (have I thanked you all, so very much?) – and the others who meant to contribute but overlooked it – could have the peace of mind that they’ve re-upped for 2015 and don’t need to worry about year-end obligations?
Well, you’re in luck! We’ve made it easier than ever for you to spread your donation to the Foundation throughout the year, and in the process help us smooth out the peaks and valleys of fundraising and forecasting. And you even have three ways to do it:
1. Go on-line at the Foundation website, www.acbfoundation.org, and in the right-hand column of the home page click on “donate funds.” Just like magic the on-line donation form will appear for you to insert your name, personal and credit card information, click “Submit Form,” and the donation goes right through. You’ll see it on your next monthly statement, and most cards will automatically flag it as a charitable contribution for when it comes time to prepare your tax return next year.
2. Even better for those who prefer to donate via credit card, visit Paypal here to make recurring monthly/quarterly payments.
3. Or perhaps best of all, with electronic checking it couldn’t be easier to set up a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual payment by check. Go ahead, try it: set up a recurring payment to American College of Bankruptcy Foundation (“ACB Foundation” works fine if the field on the screen limits the number of characters), to P.O. Box 249, Stanardsville, VA 22973. I just did it – all by myself! -- and I can assure you that I’m just about the most computer-challenged Fellow in the College.
But wait, there’s more! The Internal Revenue Service has confirmed that the Foundation is properly qualified as a charitable organization eligible to participate in the Amazon Smile Program Within just a few short weeks, the vendor that Amazon uses to clear participation in the program will update its records to recognize us, and from that point on you, your friends and family will be able to direct Amazon to donate .5% of every eligible purchase to the Foundation, at no additional cost to the purchaser! With hundreds of Fellows and their family members making thousands of purchases on Amazon every year, the amounts add up quickly and represent a source of passive and recurring income to the Foundation. Watch for more details as soon as the Foundation is finally approved, and we’ll provide fool-proof instructions for the one-time sign up that will designate the Foundation as your charity of choice for the Amazon Smile program.
Your gift to the Foundation helps provide pro bono legal services to indigent and troubled consumer debtors wrestling with access to the bankruptcy system in communities all across the country. We appreciate your participation in our record drive in 2014, and hope you will find a way to remember the Foundation for your giving as we plan our encore in 2015.
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