| January
5, 2003
Dear
Non Profit Corporate Filer:
In
this first newsletter of the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, it
is appropriate to begin by commending Dr. Sandy Boyd, Mr. Richard
Koontz, and all of the fine staff at the Center who have worked
so hard to make this resource a reality. I recall meeting with Dr.
Boyd and Mr. Koontz nearly two years ago when they were just beginning
to create the Center. I was impressed then with their vision and
I am now even more inspired by their accomplishment and worthy goals.
The
Iowa Secretary of State's office is responsible for administering
the laws overseeing the operation of businesses in Iowa. In the
past, citizens and businesses interacting with this office have
used paper, pen and the telephone to run their businesses. As the
Secretary of State, it has been a primary goal of our administration
to streamline citizen and business access to this office through
the use of technology. Doing so allows faster, less expensive, and
more efficient interaction with this office.
I am
proud to report that we are accomplishing this goal. A recent independent
report analyzing the use of technology in state government in Iowa
identified the Secretary of State's office as a model for the rest
of state government to follow. I pledge to continue to find more
ways, through technology, to make your interaction with this office
fast, friendly, and even more efficient.
One
way to honor this commitment is by offering you the option of electronically
filing your 2003 Biennial Report. You may recall that two years
ago we offered on-line filing of Biennial Reports for the first
time in the history of the office. Last year, for profit corporations
also filed on-line and nearly eighty percent of these businesses
took advantage of the on-line system. As a result of the tremendous
success of filing Reports electronically over the last 2 years,
we are again offering you the option of filing your Biennial Report
on-line.
I also
encourage you to take advantage of electronic filing of your Biennial
Report for another reason. The last two years have been difficult
for all of state government. This office alone has endured several
funding and personnel cutbacks. However, we have gotten the job
done with hard work, effective management, and through the use of
technology. Electronic, paperless, on-line filing of nonprofit Biennial
Reports is one such example.
While
technology is a wonderful option for some, we are certainly aware
that it is still not available to everyone. For those nonprofit
corporations without access to the necessary computer equipment
to file on-line, please consider visiting your public library, local
Small Business Development Center, community college or university,
or Chamber of Commerce to file the Report.
Please
know, however, that if you are unable to file electronically using
your own or one of these alternative resources, you may still obtain
a paper Report from this office. Simply call 515-281-5204 to request
a paper Report and it will be mailed immediately.
Instructions
for filing Reports on-line were mailed to all nonprofit corporations
at the beginning of this month. Unlike previous years, you will
not automatically receive a paper copy of your Biennial Report or
the Change of Registered Office or Agent form. Instead, the Notice
contains instructions on how to file your Report electronically
and obtain a Change of Registered Office or Agent form online at
www.sos.state.ia.us.
Thousands
of corporate and business filers have discovered that electronic
filing is fast, efficient, and friendly. I am confident you will
have a similar positive experience filing your 2003 Biennial Report
on-line with the Secretary of State's office. Just remember, Iowa
law requires your Report to be received by this office by April
1, 2003. Have a Happy New Year and please contact my office if we
can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
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