Be-In the Know!
Hello, friends!
A lot is taking shape at The Be-In Initiative. In this update, we’re sharing the progress we’ve made, what begins this week, and what we’re building next.
In this issue
One step closer: We filed our Massachusetts Articles of Organization.
What happens next: The remaining steps toward becoming a tax-exempt nonprofit.
Building our leadership: Our initial structure and how we plan to expand it thoughtfully.
Presence Week: An invitation to explore, discuss, and practice Presence with us.
Where to find us: Our active social channels and an update on Facebook.
Be-In Joy Boston: Where planning stands for our November 21 event.
Help bring it to life: The volunteers we’ll need for the next Be-In.
Thank you for being here, for believing in what The Be-In can become, and for helping us move it forward.
Yours in joy, unity and the commitment to take action now for a better today,
The Be-In Initiative
Never Thought Filing Paperwork Could Be So Exciting
We are one step closer to Be-Ins happening regularly—not only in Boston, but in cities around the world.
One step closer to creating free public spaces where people who might never otherwise meet can experience and practice understanding, compassion, and connection together.
One step closer to creating little pockets of the world we want to live in—often enough and in enough places that a different way of living together becomes visible, familiar, and normal.
This week, The Be-In Initiative filed its Articles of Organization with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!
That filing is our first formal step toward applying for 501(c)(3) recognition—and toward raising the kind of money this vision will actually require. Once we receive that recognition, we can offer tax-deductible giving, pursue grants and larger funding opportunities, fund the full cost of our events, pay people fairly for their work, build a team, and create the tools and systems needed to bring The Be-In to more people and more places.
It is how we begin moving from what we've been able to do with very limited resources to what an entire organization, supported by a growing community, can build and sustain.
Two early supporters made this progress possible with a $100 contribution. It covered the Articles filing, and the remaining funds will go directly toward the next cost in the nonprofit-formation process. One contribution has already carried us through one milestone and into the next. Imagine what will become possible as our support and community grows!
Our Next Milestones
Once Massachusetts accepts the filing, we will obtain a new EIN for the corporation, formally organize the board, adopt our bylaws and conflict-of-interest policy, open the organization’s bank account, register with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office as a charitable organization, obtain authorization to solicit charitable contributions, and prepare and submit the federal 501(c)(3) application. You know, nothing much.
For now, we cannot represent contributions as tax-deductible. Once Massachusetts accepts our Articles and establishes our official incorporation date, eligible contributions made from that date forward—including those made before we submit the federal 501(c)(3) application—would become retroactively tax-deductible (if the IRS approves our application effective as of our incorporation date). Not confusing at all.
Building the organization behind the vision
Ken Phillips and I are serving as the initial Directors of The Be-In Initiative, and I am currently serving as President, Treasurer, and Clerk. This gives us a practical structure for completing the formation process, but it is not intended to be the organization’s permanent leadership structure.
As The Be-In develops, we will thoughtfully identify and vet additional Directors and people who can take on the Treasurer and Clerk roles. Our goal is to build a dependable, mission-aligned leadership team that can provide strong governance, accountability, and support as the organization grows.
Presence Week Starts Today!
Today, we begin exploring Presence in our Values Series.
The present is the only moment in which we can act, connect, and create change. Presence helps us notice what is actually happening, listen more completely, and respond with intention instead of moving through life on autopilot.
Throughout the week, we’ll share our Presence video, a challenge, a key idea, a question inviting you to reflect and participate, and a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh. Each is an invitation not only to think about Presence, but to practice it.
Join us this week and help us open a conversation about what Presence looks like in real life—what pulls us away, what brings us back, and what becomes possible when we are truly here.
Where to find us right now
That conversation will be happening on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Our Facebook page remains disabled, and we still don’t have any new information about when it will be restored, although we are continuing to pursue it. If you previously followed us there, please join us on one of our active channels so we can stay connected.
The Lastest Update for Be-In Joy Boston (Nov. 21st)
We have G!
Since announcing the permit for our November 21 Be-In, we’ve confirmed an instructor to lead free salsa dancing and begun developing the rest of the day’s activities.
G joins us for the third time, bringing joy in motion with him once again! (I know this video is grayed out for some reason but click on it to go to YouTube to what G does)
There are a couple of glitches with the permit...
The permit we received lists 4 p.m.—the time the public event is scheduled to finish—as the end of our permitted time, leaving no time for teardown. It also doesn’t clearly indicate whether several important parts of the planned event, including amplified music, dancing, tables, chairs, and signs, are authorized or require additional approval. We also need to know what insurance is required and whether patio heaters would be permitted if the weather is cold.
These answers will determine what we can include, what we need to budget for, and whether any additional permits or approvals are necessary. Once we receive that clarification, we can finalize the program, confirm the remaining participants, and begin the larger volunteer and community-outreach effort.
Although, frankly salsa and music is happening come hell or high water. But if it's raining, probably not.
Help bring the next Be-In to life
A Be-In is shaped not only by its activities, but by how people are welcomed and what they experience while they are there. Every person who helps create that environment becomes part of making the idea real.
For November 21, we’ll need volunteers to help with setup and teardown, welcome attendees, staff the information tables, support the conversation stations, photograph and film the event, and help the day run smoothly.
You don’t need previous event experience. You just need to be dependable, welcoming, and willing to help create a space full of joy and grounded in understanding, compassion, and connection.
To volunteer, simply reply to this email and let us know you’d like to help. If a particular role interests you, feel free to mention it—but you don’t need to choose one yet. We’ll follow up soon!
Comments