Questions for Libby Video Club President Jim Nelson
Q: Mr. Nelson, some statements made in Libby's print media appear contradictory. Here is only one example:
In the April 22, 2009 issue of the Western News newspaper, either you, or a newspaper reporter, made the following statement:
"One point of confusion for some involves the video club's nonprofit status. Libby Video Club, is a 501 (c)(4), which prohibits the organization from qualifying for grants."
However, in that very same article, you were quoted as saying:
"Down the road, we (LVC) might qualify to get some help and assistance from the government for the digital transition stage".
Please clarify. Can the LVC receive federal grant money? Can the LVC receive grants from corporations? If LVC can receive grants, are there any restrictions on how that grant money is spent (upgrades vs. operational costs)? Are donations from individual families the only way that LVC can obtain funds?
Q: In 1999, the FCC gave the Libby Video Club a ten year warning that there would be a digital changeover. In your recent (Jan., 2010) Western News interview, you admitted that your organization hasn't yet begun to raise funds for new digital equipment. Why the foot-dragging? Even if you were expecting financial help from the federal government, you still could have set up a separate supplementary "digital upgrade account" at Glacier Bank ten years ago.
Q: The community gets infrequent updates from the LVC. Would it be possible for the LVC to give the community quarterly updates? It wouldn't cost you a cent. All you have to do is to talk to the local media more often than you have been doing so far.
Q: What is the breakdown of your monthly operating expenses? Could you provide this information to the community on a regular (quarterly) basis?
Q: Why doesn't LVC have its own web page? The web page that you are currently reading is on a free account.
Q: If businesses are allowed to donate to the LVC, how much latitude does the IRS give you regarding how you raise funds?
Q: If businesses can donate, is there a cap on the amount of money one business can donate?
Q: If businesses can donate, has the LVC proactively solicited local businesses for funds? If not, why not?
Q: If businesses can donate, how many of your current contributors are businesses?
Q: Can businesses that are not located in the Libby area donate to the LVC?
Q: If businesses who are not located in Libby are allowed to donate to the LVC, has the LVC solicited donations from them?
Q: What is the current status of your relationships with the Libby City Council and the Lincoln County Commissioners? When was the last time you communicated with either group? If it has been more than a year, then perhaps it is time to give them a presentation.
Q: Do you think it is time for Libby voters to consider making Libby a television tax-district, with a translator funding system identical to the system used by Troy? If so, would the LVC assist in getting such a proposition on the ballot?
Q: Have you considered appointing one of your LVC board members to be a liaison between the LVC and the business community? This board member's sole job would be to solicit funding from both Libby Businesses and from regional businesses.
on a related issue.... Q: How many members on the LVC Board of Directors have fund-raising experience? If your board has little experience, have you considered recruiting a new member who has this type of experience?
Some suggestions for obtaining supplementary funding from the community
(if allowed by FCC/IRS regulations)
• Put LVC donation boxes in grocery stores, bars, and casinos around town.
• Hold annual raffles (raffle-off guns, hunting equipment, or fishing equipment)
• Sponsor a yearly Logger Days fun-run. The entry fee need only be $1.00 or $2.00 per person.
• Look into the possibility (legalities, etc.) of teaming up with other non-profit agencies in the Libby area and hold combined fund-raisers. One possibility would be to co-sponsor the Heritage Museum's annual chili contest.
